pondering session

[goffahsez]

Something that I'm contemplating, so no major rush to make my mind up yet!

My history is all FWD, mainly warm/hot hatches!

Thinking about a change. Given the choice and about 11k, would you choose between a RWD m3 possibly a convertible, or a 4WD scooby WRX STi?

Or would you go for something completely different?

Cheers

[Grey Ghost]

M3 - soul less car with issues concerning the top end of the engine failing on some cars that is expensive to fix.

Scooby - everyone has one these days and whilst your budget will get you a very nice one you will still be regarded as "main stream".

Get a TVR V8 - RWD, lots of fun, convertible (Chimaera & Griffith) reasonably cheap parts and £11K will get you a good example if you look hard enough. I bought mine in March and haven't enjoyed driving so much for years and years

I am biased, of course

[ManOpener]

I'd buy an E36 M3 for about £5k, strip it, cage it, and fit some decent suspension and brakes.

Never been that hot on Imprezas really. Bags of all weather performance but very limited appeal personally.

Edited by ManOpener on Friday 23 July 15:11

[goffahsez]

I gotta be honest a agree with the opinions on the scooby, I was swaying towards the e46 or e36 m3's.

Love the idea of the TVR, only thing is, its as my only car, I hear reliability is an issue with the trevs?

[Marf]

goffahsez said:

Or would you go for something completely different?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1778140.htm

Edited by Marf on Friday 23 July 15:23

[visual123]

S4?
M5?

[300bhp/ton]

goffahsez said:

Something that I'm contemplating, so no major rush to make my mind up yet!

My history is all FWD, mainly warm/hot hatches!

Thinking about a change. Given the choice and about 11k, would you choose between a RWD m3 possibly a convertible, or a 4WD scooby WRX STi?

Or would you go for something completely different?

Cheers

Depends what you want to do with it tbh.

I'm really a huge Impreza fan, although the classics not new age. But my main concern with them, is the fact they are too good.

As in you have to drive like a nutter to make them fun. This means silly high speeds and when they do let go you suddenly become a passenger.

For a daily that I'd need to rely on all weather all year. Then yes AWD appeals to me.

But for out and out fun, then RWD has to be the choice IMO The M3 is very well sorted, although again maybe a little too polished for road use. But it'll have a finer balance and allow more hooligan like driving at sensible speeds.

Personally I wouldn't disagree with either of the cars you've listed. Although by the same measure I think I'd find myself looking at stuff more like a TVR, Corvette, Mustang or maybe even something like a Porsche 944 turbo. Or lightweight options such as an Elise, VX220 or kit car like a Libra.

[Doug86]

350z?

[300bhp/ton]

goffahsez said:

Love the idea of the TVR, only thing is, its as my only car, I hear reliability is an issue with the trevs?

I think in many ways this is a fallacy and urban myth.

The Chims and Griffs and Wedges and S series before are all Ford and Rover mechanical for the most part. So are arguably just as reliable. OK performance driving and maybe more power might put more stress on some parts, but then again a TVR weighs less, so puts less stress on some parts.

All in all, these parts are reliable.

Where they suffer more often than not is build quality, maintenance and electircal gremlins.

Being fibreglass means earthing points for lights and such have been issues. But this is not a major thing, just a niggle really.

Also, as the cars where hand built some of them weren't built as well as others. This is not poor reliability, just quality control. I would suspect most of these things have been sorted by now, considering Chims and Griffs haven't been made for a good number of years.

Maintenance. The RV8 is an old engine, so regular oil changes are needed. Also the odd spot of oil is not so unlikely either.

If you can live with a bit more TLC and some niggles. Then I see no reason why they can't be extremely reliable. A BMW M3 is far less likely to have the niggles, but if it does go wrong, then I personally suspect it would be more costly and more hassle to fix.

[goffahsez]

The bit too hard to get lively and stay safe was the bit that a had my reserves with on the scooby, although good value for money!

The TVR and the m3 both sound appealing cause of the RWD aspect. TVR wins on noise!

Can I justify the petrol bills of the TVR, possibly!

Can I justify the death certifcate to my missus if I do smash it up good and proper, well I wouldn't be around so I wouldn't have to, lol