Given £ 5000

[cramorra]

what everyday car to buy???
Obviously the choice is huge so lets specify a bit...

You could go for something plain and conventional like
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/739547.htm

or something safe like
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/784819.htm

then there are interesting oddballs
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/755714.htm
or
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/633141.htm

or solid high milage things like
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/769330.htm
or
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/760689.htm

just to give a few impressions
Lets assume insurance is not a problem, petrol and diesel does not matter, reliability would (as the TVR and Triumph would stay)- it should be fun, sit outside have enough space, RWD would be fine

Ideas, please

[minerva]

Cannot help but think that you can get some of those far cheaper. I am on the lookout for a Lexus IS200 for the wife. Have seen a 2002 with 101k miles and FSH go for £2300 on ebay. I know that many would shy away from ebay but I always think that it is better to but a car that has been used up until I purchase it rather than one that has been sitting around not doing anything for months. Oh, and I would have the Lexus!

[DaveShark]

The last two without a doubt. They will still be around, being enjoyed, long after the first few reach "banger" status.

[On Time]

Surely it depends on what you're doing everyday.

[missing the VR6]

Corrado VR6, maybe an Audi S3 or a E36 M3!

[cramorra]

On Time said:

Surely it depends on what you're doing everyday.

Driving to work and back (when the weather is fine the TIV will come out), going to B and Q (a lot these days with our recent house purchase) and other shopping, ferrying around visitors (as the other cars are 2 doors, hence 4 doors are paramount)....
Isle of wight is small so its not more then about 15/20 miles per average day (but obvously long trips to mainland do happen...)

[WildCards]

I'd be straight out to buy some sort of BMW M car, 3 or 5, older the better. I've also always had a hankering for an Accord Type-R, so one of them may get a look in too.

[Andrew_M]

1) http://pistonheads.com/sales/774404.htm - yes
2) http://pistonheads.com/sales/753743.htm - OH YES!!!!
3) http://pistonheads.com/sales/771190.htm - for the 9k rpm days
4) http://pistonheads.com/sales/768888.htm - 5pot and italian = unbeatable!
5) http://pistonheads.com/sales/697895.htm - takes me back to the good old days
6) http://pistonheads.com/sales/688506.htm - stunning
7) http://pistonheads.com/sales/720836.htm - lord of the estate

Thats it

[cramorra]

Andrew_M said:

1) http://pistonheads.com/sales/774404.htm - yes
probably the most likely answer- although a lot of them come with AUTO BOxes and I am not a big fan....
2) http://pistonheads.com/sales/753743.htm - OH YES!!!!
Had the little brother- great car- Lancia spares in UK.....
3) http://pistonheads.com/sales/771190.htm - for the 9k rpm days
Only two doors...
4) http://pistonheads.com/sales/768888.htm - 5pot and italian = unbeatable!
...ow I would buy one of those immideately- seen one on the weekend- they do not look a little bit dated...
5) http://pistonheads.com/sales/697895.htm - takes me back to the good old days
Me too, but seriously....
6) http://pistonheads.com/sales/688506.htm - stunning
Did age less well than the FIAT (similar cars altogether anyway), but probably better built- still only two doors
A 156 GTA perhaps????
7) http://pistonheads.com/sales/720836.htm - lord of the estate
Never driven one.. but probably worth a try

Thats it

[Dave-d]

may not be for you, but i know if i had £5000 i would buy this pretty quickly http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/754111.htm

[Waugh-terfall]

Renault Avantime Privelige 3.0v6, winner. That or a Fiat Stilo Abarth 2.4 20v

Edited by Waugh-terfall on Monday 17th November 21:38

[captainzep]

-I would say this wouldn't I?

But...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/748200.htm

-Here's one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/725049.htm

Plenty of change for 'running costs'.

-Realms of fantasy now...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/785778.htm

-Slightly more practical...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/741478.htm

-future classic? Very tidy...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/753810.htm

-Always fancied one of these...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/718509.htm

-Looks like an undertaker's van but...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/780714.htm

[Andrew_M]

captainzep said:

-Looks like an undertaker's van but...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/780714.htm

I used to have a V70R. Not a bad car at all as long as you see it for what it is. It is less S4 avant and more range rover sport if you see what I mean. Lot's of space, lots of toys, plenty of comfort, reliable and [in my 310hp varient] swift enough.

[Waugh-terfall]

that Volvo is gorgeous, I've never forgiven my Dad for buying a A6 over an ex-demo V70R 2.4 PhaseII HPT in bright red with the 17inch anthracite alloys with my name on the end of the plates 9yrs ago

[Scho]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/770465.htm

[rsstman]

a friend of mine recently picked up a 528i sport with all the m5 kit on it and leather interior with around 100k on the clock for £3400 and it looked so much better albeit a higher mileage than the 530i you have in your list for £5k.

personally if i had £5k to blow on something unexciting i would probably go for something along those lines.

or get a bit adventurous and get something that you can use every day but is at least a bit of fun or looks sporty.

your list is the list of boredom.

does it have to be a big car? what about a golf v6 4motion?

[cramorra]

captainzep said:

-I would say this wouldn't I?

But...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/748200.htm
Like this- did not think about a Saab before- are they Opel based- i.e. could a Vauxhall technician repair them or get parts- No

-Here's one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/725049.htm
Love it but always preffered the 156 to the 166- would it still have the lovely sounding Alfa V6 or the new GM based one

Plenty of change for 'running costs'.

-Realms of fantasy now...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/785778.htm

Well, well this design never quite convinced me but I am sure excellent motor

-Slightly more practical...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/741478.htm
Great car love it-

-future classic? Very tidy...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/753810.htm
low milage- great car with the superb 5 pot engine- also nice sound

-Always fancied one of these...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/718509.htm
without the bodykit .....

-Looks like an undertaker's van but...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/780714.htm

[cramorra]

rsstman said:

a friend of mine recently picked up a 528i sport with all the m5 kit on it and leather interior with around 100k on the clock for £3400 and it looked so much better albeit a higher mileage than the 530i you have in your list for £5k.
Sounds like an option here...

personally if i had £5k to blow on something unexciting i would probably go for something along those lines.

or get a bit adventurous and get something that you can use every day but is at least a bit of fun or looks sporty.

your list is the list of boredom.
should not be boring but big and reliable- my other motors look and are sporty

does it have to be a big car? what about a golf v6 4motion?

[minimatt1967]

captainzep said:

-Looks like an undertaker's van but...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/780714.htm

That looks awesome shirley this fills your brief perfectly

[Waugh-terfall]

Will go like st off a shovel too, I want it, it's in budget too