A medium term "what next?" thread

[Kermit power]

Afternoon All,

Trundling down the A3 this morning looking at the 61k miles showing in front of me got me thinking that much as I don't have any desire to replace the ZT, a time is going to come when it's just not going to be viable for racking up the business miles any more. Problem is, I haven't a clue what else to consider.

What it definitely has to have/be/do:

- RWD
- Manual
- Carry 4/5 in comfort
- Probably be an estate (although don't hold back from interesting saloons
- Drink no more fuel than the ZT (although that shouldn't be difficult with an 18mpg average)
- Be no slower than the ZT (0-60 in 6.5)
- Handle at least as well as the ZT (which is exceptionally good)
- Not silver!
- Decent spec level
- Cost around £15-20k (although feel free to recommend things that might have depreciated to that point in a couple of years).

The real challenge, though, is how the hell do I get all of that without having to put up with traction control, stability control, and all that sort of rubbish that I don't want? Is it possible these days to find a large, fast car without electronic "driver aids"?

[Super Veloce]

535D?

like this one

[kiwifraser]

VXR8 sounds like it fits the bill

[Kermit power]

Super Veloce said:

535D?

like this one

OK, I'll grant you that it's RWD, quick and large enough, but unfortunately it's also silver, an automatic, and stuffed to the gills with lots of electronics to drive the car for you.

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

[Kermit power]

kiwifraser said:

VXR8 sounds like it fits the bill

Certainly the closest I've seen so far. Anyone know how good the handling is?

[shimmey69]

Kermit power said:

Super Veloce said:

535D?

like this one

OK, I'll grant you that it's RWD, quick and large enough, but unfortunately it's also silver, an automatic, and stuffed to the gills with lots of electronics to drive the car for you.

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

They are all there for there "Penis Enlarging" capabilities for people who want a car that makes their driving look good!!!

[Super Veloce]

shimmey69 said:

Kermit power said:

Super Veloce said:

535D?

like this one

OK, I'll grant you that it's RWD, quick and large enough, but unfortunately it's also silver, an automatic, and stuffed to the gills with lots of electronics to drive the car for you.

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

They are all there for there "Penis Enlarging" capabilities for people who want a car that makes their driving look good!!!

Press hold = off

[Kermit power]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I would be very surprised if it's a step up on handling from the ZT. It's certainly got a lot more power and straight line speed, but I'd need to be convinced on the handling.

[nonuts]

Kermit power said:

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

You're being a plank, the 535d is a GREAT car, the handling is excellent and the torque is monstorous.
All of those things above can be turned off so what's the issue, given the choice I'd rather have a car with toys that are easy to turn off than one that doesn't have them at all, especially when you're talking about a car with 580Nm of torque.

If you don't drive an e60 BMW either 545 / 550 / 535d you're going to be missing out IMO.

[Super Veloce]

nonuts said:

Kermit power said:

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

You're being a plank, the 535d is a GREAT car, the handling is excellent and the torque is monstorous.
All of those things above can be turned off so what's the issue, given the choice I'd rather have a car with toys that are easy to turn off than one that doesn't have them at all, especially when you're talking about a car with 580Nm of torque.

If you don't drive an e60 BMW either 545 / 550 / 535d you're going to be missing out IMO.

ditto

[Super Veloce]

Get a imported mustang?

[Kermit power]

nonuts said:

Kermit power said:

What possible need can anyone have for the following???

ABS+EBV
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
DSC+
Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Oh yes. I'm also adding "no diseasels" to the list!!!

You're being a plank, the 535d is a GREAT car, the handling is excellent and the torque is monstorous.
All of those things above can be turned off so what's the issue, given the choice I'd rather have a car with toys that are easy to turn off than one that doesn't have them at all, especially when you're talking about a car with 580Nm of torque.

If you don't drive an e60 BMW either 545 / 550 / 535d you're going to be missing out IMO.

I once had the misfortune to be "upgraded" to an e39 530D manual by Hertz at Nice airport. It was, without any shadow of a doubt, the most utterly disappointing motoring experience I'd had in years. A 3 day business trip with the foothills of the Alps as my playground each evening, and after the first 50-odd miles on the first evening, I just gave up, went back to the hotel, and walked out to dinner on the other two nights as it wasn't worth not having a drink.

It was the epitome of dull, coupled with raging frustration and death wishes for whoever thought it was a good idea to give the sodding thing a manual gearbox, so that every time it actually felt like it might be about to go somewhere, you had to change gear again.

The e60 may well be very different, but there's a lot of other car makes that would have to terminally disappoint me before I'd contemplate buying a 5 series.