Mazda 6 MPS? Focust ST? Something else?

[Arese]

Right.

I've been considering what my next jalopy will be for a while now, and will be making a purchase at the beginning of November.

I've considered all sorts and ruled out many. I'd like this car to be a keeper for a couple of years, and as I tend to change every six months or so it has to be something that's going to keep me excited.

Criteria:

~£9k
Practical - 4 or 5 door.
Fast

To give you an idea of what I like, my previous cars of interest have been Accord Type-R, Alfa 147 GTA, and now a 156 1.8 (had to save a bit of cash last year).

For £9k, you can get a really nice 2007 Mazda 6 MPS with less than 30k miles on the clock. ~300bhp after remap, AWD, nice interior with a great spec. Yes, a little dull to look at but I don't mind that, it all adds to the sleeper appeal. You can also get into a Focus ST for similar money. If I went for a Focus ST, it would have to be black without stripes. I prefer not to stand out. I've had the 156 for less than a year and already done 20k miles in it, so being realistic I imagine I will continue to do 20k miles a year.

I've fancied, but ruled out:

E46 M3 - too ropey at this money, plus it's a 3 door.
E46 330i - again, possibly a bit ropey at this money? And not sure I really want one.
E39 M5 - for this money it'll be a high-miler. And the running costs scare me.
B5 S4 - they are getting a bit old now.
B6 S4 - can't be had for this money and I really don't want to extend my budget.
147 GTA - 3 door, plus already been there.
156 GTA - great car, but looks a bit dated.
Mk4 R32 - they all seem to be a bit 'messed with'. I do like them though.

I think in order of preference at the moment it would be: Mazda, Focus, Golf...

Anything I'm missing? Any tips on the MPS?

[DP83]

Octavia VRS?

[T84]

ST220?
Specifically this one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

£2000 left to have a custom exhaust, remap, nice head unit/speakers?

I've driven the estate version and it was brilliant, so much so that I'm going to wait until the new year and hammer the insurance companies until I get a decent quote, and then buy one

Edited by T84 on Thursday 16th September 10:12

[Chris_w666]

Legacy Spec B Tourer

Impreza WRX Wagon - 2.5 or 2.0 and with PPP if you want more power out of the box

Vectra VXR

[anonymous-user]

T84 said:

ST220?
Specifically this one

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

£2000 left to have a custom exhaust, remap, nice head unit/speakers?

I've driven the estate version and it was brilliant, so much so that I'm going to wait until the new year and hammer the insurance companies until I get a decent quote, and then buy one

Edited by T84 on Thursday 16th September 10:12

That price is a total piss take.

[HellDiver]

As suggested in another thread, how about a Jag X-type 3.0V6 AWD? Lots of those in the ads for less than £7k.

[edition]

An early A3 3.2.....

[Arese]

DP83 said:

Octavia VRS?

T84 said:

ST220?
Specifically this one

Cheers Gents, but I don't really like the looks of the Octavia although I believe it's a cracking car. Same for the Mondeo really, just a bit mainstream.

T84, I drove passed that ST for sale near me again this morning. It's an X-Reg, in that nice blue colour. Looks mint. Screw the insurance, you only live once!

[T84]

Was it a Mondeo ST? It'll be the old ST200 at that reg surely?

Come to mention it, if it is the old ST then I've seen it! Where abouts was it?

[anonymous-user]

Arese said:

Cheers Gents, but I don't really like the looks of the Octavia although I believe it's a cracking car. Same for the Mondeo really, just a bit mainstream.

Arese said:

Yes, a little dull to look at but I don't mind that, it all adds to the sleeper appeal.

Arese said:

I prefer not to stand out.

[Arese]

Chris_w666 said:

Legacy Spec B Tourer

Impreza WRX Wagon - 2.5 or 2.0 and with PPP if you want more power out of the box

Vectra VXR

I don't really want an estate, and although I think I'd love a WRX it's a bit too 'loud' for me. I don't really like the Vectra either.

HellDiver said:

As suggested in another thread, how about a Jag X-type 3.0V6 AWD? Lots of those in the ads for less than £7k.

Cheers, but I don't like the X-Type. I don't feel that I'm at that age yet

edition said:

An early A3 3.2.....

Hmm, good call. Look at the imagine on this. Nice one, added to the list.

[Arese]

Dave_ST220 said:

Arese said:

Cheers Gents, but I don't really like the looks of the Octavia although I believe it's a cracking car. Same for the Mondeo really, just a bit mainstream.

Arese said:

Yes, a little dull to look at but I don't mind that, it all adds to the sleeper appeal.

Arese said:

I prefer not to stand out.

Sorry, let me clarify. Whilst the 6 is a little dull to look at, it's pretty rare and looked at from the correct angle you can tell it's a bit of a beast but will still leave people guessing. To me, Mondeo's of that era all look pretty much the same and I think remind me of a time when I was on the motorway for most of my working life in my crappy Vectra, hating Mondeo's. Ridiculous, I know.

[Gold]

That PH favorite the MG ZT V8?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2018544.htm

[cmackay81]

i'd say mazda 6 MPS for that money to be honest.

Don't see many around so its something different, look quite nice, and 256bhp sounds pretty sweet.

depends on what you want though,. most of the other suggestions, VWs, Skodas etc all seem a bit ... meh.
If you just want performance though, how about going down the higher insurance subaru, mitsu lines?

Edited by cmackay81 on Thursday 16th September 10:27

[Arese]

Gold said:

That PH favorite the MG ZT V8?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2018544.htm

I bet if I drove one, I'd love it. For that reason, I won't drive one. I bet it's a hoot to drive, but it's just too 'Rover 75' for me.

[T84]

Seriously. Buy that.

[Arese]

T84 said:

Seriously. Buy that.

What? The MG?

Oh, and that Mondeo is on Newton Road at a farm. I don't what ST it is, but it's a blue ST with nice alloys.

[T84]

Yeah I've seen it

Yes, the MG! It'll be reliable, and fast, with LOADS of tuning options.

Imagine showing people your 'Rover 75' at the traffic lights.

[snotrag]

What about the Mazda 3 MPS?

Faster than the Focus ST I recall, and very very discreet?

[anonymous-user]

Arese said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Arese said:

Cheers Gents, but I don't really like the looks of the Octavia although I believe it's a cracking car. Same for the Mondeo really, just a bit mainstream.

Arese said:

Yes, a little dull to look at but I don't mind that, it all adds to the sleeper appeal.

Arese said:

I prefer not to stand out.

Sorry, let me clarify. Whilst the 6 is a little dull to look at, it's pretty rare and looked at from the correct angle you can tell it's a bit of a beast but will still leave people guessing. To me, Mondeo's of that era all look pretty much the same and I think remind me of a time when I was on the motorway for most of my working life in my crappy Vectra, hating Mondeo's. Ridiculous, I know.

Still

The 220 is a rare car & IMO looks different enough from an LX! The only fly in the ointment was the ST Diesel that is much more common & looks pretty much the same.




A fully loaded 2006 for under £8K!