What fun car that can also tow?
What fun car that can also tow?
Author
Discussion

andye30m3

Original Poster:

3,500 posts

285 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
quotequote all
Come the end of the summer I'm thinking about selling the S2000 which I sprint and having a go at some racing. Not sure what, maybe either production BMW (e30 318's & 320's), MX5's or mr2's.

This means I'll have to buy a car capable of towing but as it will be my daily car I'd also like something which is fun to drive, reliable and will return reasonable MPG, mid to high 20's would be good. Also prefer it not to depreciate too badly, so maybe something older.

Budget around £7k but could probably go nearer £10k.

So far my thoughts have been.

E34 M5 - might be a bit old
E39 M5 - not sure about the MPG, mid teens isn't any good.
E36 M3 - Towed with my old Evo and it was fine, high 20's mpg, but been there.
XJR - If only they made a manual, what are they like on fuel and are they too big to be fun.
Audi RS2 - Silly running costs?

So any other suggestions?

Not really into 4x4's as I don't see them as being a fun way to commute to work.

Also despite having an S2000 and having owned an Integra not really into jap cars, although maybe an impreza wagon if it would tow OK as I'm sure the space in the wagon would come in useful.

Hoodoo

1,308 posts

274 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
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Forester turbo?

VladD

8,201 posts

296 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
quotequote all
Impreza wagon would be my choice, but they also did a Mitsi Lancer Estate, but finding one could be tricky.

freakynessless

473 posts

213 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
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some sort of Volvo T5 would get my vote!

Tallbut Buxomly

12,254 posts

247 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
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Volvo t5r

scarebus

858 posts

202 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
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S4 (V8)?? or Legacy 3.0?

XJR500bhp

1,205 posts

241 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
quotequote all
Lots too choose from, but XJR is fun, although i am biased

Get a clean 99 model for 6-8k, fuel economy low 20s.

russy01

4,823 posts

212 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
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remapped 335d, with a trailor you could probs still overtake a ferrari at full chat.

Flanders.

6,442 posts

239 months

Thursday 22nd April 2010
quotequote all
russy01 said:
remapped 335d, with a trailor you could probs still overtake a ferrari at full chat.




You stupid .

scarebus

858 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
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russy01 said:
remapped 335d, with a trailor you could probs still overtake a ferrari at full chat.
Ummm yes, loads of parked ones!

Paul Drawmer

5,164 posts

298 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
russy01 said:
remapped 335d, with a trailor you could probs still overtake a ferrari at full chat.
Only if you folded the rear seats down.

Dracoro

9,037 posts

276 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
andye30m3 said:
E39 M5 - not sure about the MPG, mid teens isn't any good.
AFAIR these cannot have tow bars. Something to do with the re-designed rear, twin exhausts etc.

y2blade

56,322 posts

246 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
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V70R
yes

GravelBen

16,540 posts

261 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
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doogz said:
Galant VR4.

2.5 V6 twin turbo.

4WD.

Estate or saloon.
Very unlikely to meet the reasonable fuel economy requirement though.

Legacy RSK/GTB gives similar performance with better fuel economy.

TopCAD

146 posts

209 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
S4 B5 Estate... end of thread! get one bought!

FlatPack

1,019 posts

276 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
GravelBen said:
Legacy RSK/GTB gives similar performance with better fuel economy.


I get 22mpg on a run while towing with my GTB, my commute is short and constant stop start traffic - where it gets about the same. It does much better on longer runs though.

Edited by FlatPack on Friday 23 April 09:01

GravelBen

16,540 posts

261 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
FlatPack said:
I get 22mpg on a run while towing with my GTB, my commute is short and constant stop start traffic - where it gets about the same. It does much better on longer runs though.
I haven't towed with mine but usually average around 26-27mpg in mixed use or 30-33 on the open road. Happy enough with that from a 280bhp AWD wagon tbh.

gifdy

2,078 posts

272 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
TopCAD said:
S4 B5 Estate... end of thread! get one bought!
You'd think so....but the S4 wasn't homologated for towing so not all places stock one or will fit it. If you cut a section in the back then you could hurt the resale value - if you go for a removal one you're getting into a lot of money, especially if you want it fully wired into the display etc.

When I worked it out, it was cheaper paying for a transporter for the number of times I would be towing with it

jon-

16,534 posts

247 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
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gifdy said:
but the S4 wasn't homologated for towing
Doesn't that actually make it illegal to tow?

gifdy

2,078 posts

272 months

Friday 23rd April 2010
quotequote all
jon- said:
gifdy said:
but the S4 wasn't homologated for towing
Doesn't that actually make it illegal to tow?
Dunno - the cost plus it would have invalidated my insurance and warranty meant I never took it any further