'Practical' 'Drivers' car....

[j44esd]

Well, as per the title really - does such a thing exist - a car that can be run by the 'everyman' (TM) from £5000 - £12000 purchase price. A car that can be all things to all men (or women): powerful, with parts prices still in this stratosphere; can show a clean pair of heels to a B road blast, as easily as a tip run challenge; as comfortable to the 'ring as it is fun round it. What car (and one only) can do all this? Fuel not so relevant - but like everything in life it must be a compromise.



I have been pondering it for a while and come up with (Rather dull-ly) a 330i Sport Tourer (As illustrated), but surely I can be resoundingly beaten by the expertise on PH, so on this grey and cold Monday evening - your thoughts (With actual links/example/pictures) please...

[300bhp/ton]

Depends what you mean by all things.

I find these a heck of a lot of fun, and it'll do most things:




That said, out of the cars I've had, this is pretty hard to beat and can even fit a bonnet from the above in the back.

4 seats, descent boot, very comfy seats, good ride, quite a hoot to throw about, cheap parts, great sense of occasion, good spec (air con, eleccy windows, etc.) and ~24mpg on 95 RON fuel. Also fairly fast (0-100mph in 13 sec and 160mph top whack).

[PeteG]

Mondeo ST220?

[Bill]

MG ZT260. Really. It'll do all that and has character in spades.

[j44esd]

Bill said:

MG ZT260. Really. It'll do all that and has character in spades.

This I like - but does it answer the parts price question? I hear that certain servicable items (Brakes - £750+) can be *very* expensive! Any truth in this?

[j44esd]

300bhp/ton said:

Depends what you mean by all things.

I find these a heck of a lot of fun, and it'll do most things:




That said, out of the cars I've had, this is pretty hard to beat and can even fit a bonnet from the above in the back.

4 seats, descent boot, very comfy seats, good ride, quite a hoot to throw about, cheap parts, great sense of occasion, good spec (air con, eleccy windows, etc.) and ~24mpg on 95 RON fuel. Also fairly fast (0-100mph in 13 sec and 160mph top whack).

Defender - great car - but 'all rounder?' can this really entertain (In stock form) on the twisty's? Enlighten me if this is the case! As for the Camaro - its many things, and a car I like - but is it everything to everyone? Really?

The 'all things' is as per the original post - it must be a compromise, a balance of fun and practical if you will - reasonable to run as well as fun to run!

DISCLAIMER: This is not in anyway a 300BHP/TON slating, merely an invitation to discuss further...

[Bill]

j44esd said:

Bill said:

MG ZT260. Really. It'll do all that and has character in spades.

This I like - but does it answer the parts price question? I hear that certain servicable items (Brakes - £750+) can be *very* expensive! Any truth in this?

Rear discs are shocking but are half that through the owners club. Panels are hard to get and can be a bit pricey. They also need a few developmental issues sorting but most should be done by now. On the flip side it's a bombproof yank V8 with no cambelt.

[gizlaroc]

I really don't think you can beat the E46 330i sport touring.

Even those that hate BMWs agree that the E39 530i is arguably the best all round BMW ever made, and if you don't need that extra space the E46 330i does the 'drivers' thing even better. It is amazing that a family dog carrier can be far more fun than most hot hatches and cost less to run and maintain than most of them too.

I need a cheap second car and the sensible thing would be a diesel hatch of some sort, however, when you see near mint 330i's for less money it tends to make far more sense all round.

[j44esd]

So Bill's money is on this:



Rare (850ish?), fast and fun - some pricey parts - but a thumping Yank V8 wrapped up in a cloak of English aristocracy? Can anyone beat this?

[300bhp/ton]

j44esd said:

300bhp/ton said:

Depends what you mean by all things.

I find these a heck of a lot of fun, and it'll do most things:




That said, out of the cars I've had, this is pretty hard to beat and can even fit a bonnet from the above in the back.

4 seats, descent boot, very comfy seats, good ride, quite a hoot to throw about, cheap parts, great sense of occasion, good spec (air con, eleccy windows, etc.) and ~24mpg on 95 RON fuel. Also fairly fast (0-100mph in 13 sec and 160mph top whack).

Defender - great car - but 'all rounder?' can this really entertain (In stock form) on the twisty's? Enlighten me if this is the case! As for the Camaro - its many things, and a car I like - but is it everything to everyone? Really?

I think you have to get 4x4's, if you do then yep I think they are entraining on the road, especially a slightly tweaked diesel or V8 one. I admit they aren't an Elise and will never be, but I derive huge satisfaction blasting about in such vehicles and even at moderate speed they feel very special.

But this is largely my opinion though, but I guess that's true of most things.



As for comparison the 330 touring, I know it's fairly quick and should handle ok, but I honestly believe I'd have more fun and enjoy driving a D90 more. So much more character and personality. And it'll do the hauling and life style stuff better too.

j44esd said:

The 'all things' is as per the original post - it must be a compromise, a balance of fun and practical if you will - reasonable to run as well as fun to run!

DISCLAIMER: This is not in anyway a 300BHP/TON slating, merely an invitation to discuss further...

But is a compromise truly "all things". Do lots of things badly or not brilliantly is probably not the best IMO.

The z28 I agree is not a great family car, but it's as practical to use and run as most 3 door hatchbacks, albeit slightly larger to park. But my 106 Pug didn't have any ability that the Camaro doesn't.

I guess if it truly came down to one vehicle to do everything or the most then for me these would rank up there, although each has a limitation and a compromise in at least one area.







If it truly is "all things" then for me it MUST have some degree of go anywhere ability. In fact on a serious note in terms of practicality it'd be more important than speed or steering.

[anonymous-user]

300bhp/ton said:

Depends what you mean by all things.

I find these a heck of a lot of fun, and it'll do most things:

I think I was more sad than my house mate the day he had to give his defender up, hugely fun cars even if they are pretty ste for general driving

[paulpsz008]

I've tried to answer this twice, but on a smaller budget each time.

Both times I've ended up with e36 328 Tourings.

[j44esd]

300bhp/ton said:

Stuff..

Okay - good come back! For me, the fun to drive (quickly) is a big part, but mindful of this - I like the Forester - anyone any experience of these (Specifically the Sti) - So now it's my turn to be controversial - BMW X3 - Good value compared to the equivalent 3 series tourer, 8.6 to 60 in the 2.5 (Manual) - nice spec, big boot (bigger than the 3 series), spacious, some (albeit limited) off -'track' ability, good to drive (By any standard, not just as an 'SUV') *but* everyone hates them! Go figure...

Okay, so now we have:

BMW 330i Sport Tourer
MG ZT-T 260
Subaru Forester

Anyone for anymore?

[Shropshiremike]

paulpsz008 said:

I've tried to answer this twice, but on a smaller budget each time.

Both times I've ended up with e36 328 Tourings.

60 in 6.1 and onto 100 11 seconds later - the fastest E36 328 variant

[j44esd]

paulpsz008 said:

I've tried to answer this twice, but on a smaller budget each time.

Both times I've ended up with e36 328 Tourings.

So another vote for essentially a 330i Tourer (In a slighter older guise) - but has the game moved on? Does the increase in budget skew your view? I know this is an oft trodden path - but much as we would all like 911/Ford GT/Lambo/TVR/MX-5* (*Delete as appropriate) in the garage and an S4/M5/Range Rover as daily - it's just not possible for all of us - so whats the middle ground for the gasoline-veined petrol-head of today without an MP's expense account/DXB's dad to give us a car....?

[j44esd]

Shropshiremike said:

paulpsz008 said:

I've tried to answer this twice, but on a smaller budget each time.

Both times I've ended up with e36 328 Tourings.

60 in 6.1 and onto 100 11 seconds later - the fastest E36 328 variant

So still a contender? £3000 on a lovely 'M' kitted late E36 328i Tourer, perhaps £1500 on some BBS CH/LM's, coilovers? And the rest on a trip to France, a night in a chateau and some decent wine? Maybe this is the way forward!

Or something along the lines of this?



or even:



(In style, not so much an actual Alpina/Hartge)

Edited by j44esd on Monday 10th May 22:28

[Robert060379]

McLauren F1, three seats and as much boot space as a Ford Fiesta.

End of thread.

Seems your "Return" key got stuck there, I've fixed it for you - Mr Will

[Bill]

A £12K F1? Where???

OTOH given your budget, and if you can cope with a saloon, an E39 M5 the actual answer you were after.

[Chris_w666]

The Octavia VRS has to be in with a shout, as does the Impreza WRX wagon. Both capable of entertaining and carrying stuff without looking too lairy.

[HellDiver]

PeteG said:

Mondeo ST220?

This. Especially in estate form. Or ST-TDCI for those doing higher miles.