What car up to £5-7k? think i've narrowed it down?
Discussion
So i've got a mk1 mx5 at the moment. bit of a power tweak, coilovers, 15"'s roll bar etc.
looking to move to Edinburgh soon to be with the OH. am going to need something more practical, sadly. maybe not, but i think i need a car change and something with more than 2 seats and boot good enough for a couple bags of shopping would be useful.
i guess there's going to be snow for atleast 1/3 of the year so it needs to be semi capable, atleast with a spare set of snow/winter tyres.
i 'think' i've narrowed it down to what i want, but as you'll see, there's hardly a particular theme here
E36 328i - good power, right (
) wheel drive, practical, ok economy and well balanced. should be able to get a good one i would think! insurance fairly cheap
DC2 ITR - fwd, though thrashy and manic, quite appealing, though i'd be looking at a high(er) mileage one i guess. insurance ok.
Gen7 Celica 190 - as the integra but a bit more reigned in. more comfy and quiet, still with the engine as the focal point. should get a fairly new, low mileage one for less than an average teg. slightly cheaper insurance than teg, less likely to get nicked i expect
156 GTA - much more torquey and grown up. fantastic engine note, practical, economy(?) nice to both be in and look at. my budget would be a higher mileage one i expect. insurance same as celica
impreza wrx '03-04 vintage - quick as teg/328, practical, hugely capable for adverse weather. come in that lovely rally blue (not that that's a reason to buy a car) economy/servicing likely to rape me though?! insurance is more than the rest of the cars, but i'm sure i could find better than what confused offers from specialist. handling - bit numb and understeery?
legacy twin turbo estate 1999ish - quicker than all above, though heavier and with more power - economy and servicing could be expensive?! insurance slightly less than the impreza. obviously, as the impreza - practical, very good in adverse conditions etc. handling - bit numb and understeery?
i hand it to you all. throw in some curve balls, give me some ideas for and against, remind me of pitfalls i've not even considered etc.
ETA: i've no idea why i'm even looking at this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2040869.htm
ETA ETA: MG ZT 260? always thought insurance was daft but it seems no more than the impreza. something a little different, F/R, v8 which is fairly simple so should be cheap to service? might be pricey to run though!
looking to move to Edinburgh soon to be with the OH. am going to need something more practical, sadly. maybe not, but i think i need a car change and something with more than 2 seats and boot good enough for a couple bags of shopping would be useful.
i guess there's going to be snow for atleast 1/3 of the year so it needs to be semi capable, atleast with a spare set of snow/winter tyres.
i 'think' i've narrowed it down to what i want, but as you'll see, there's hardly a particular theme here
E36 328i - good power, right (
) wheel drive, practical, ok economy and well balanced. should be able to get a good one i would think! insurance fairly cheapDC2 ITR - fwd, though thrashy and manic, quite appealing, though i'd be looking at a high(er) mileage one i guess. insurance ok.
Gen7 Celica 190 - as the integra but a bit more reigned in. more comfy and quiet, still with the engine as the focal point. should get a fairly new, low mileage one for less than an average teg. slightly cheaper insurance than teg, less likely to get nicked i expect
156 GTA - much more torquey and grown up. fantastic engine note, practical, economy(?) nice to both be in and look at. my budget would be a higher mileage one i expect. insurance same as celica
impreza wrx '03-04 vintage - quick as teg/328, practical, hugely capable for adverse weather. come in that lovely rally blue (not that that's a reason to buy a car) economy/servicing likely to rape me though?! insurance is more than the rest of the cars, but i'm sure i could find better than what confused offers from specialist. handling - bit numb and understeery?
legacy twin turbo estate 1999ish - quicker than all above, though heavier and with more power - economy and servicing could be expensive?! insurance slightly less than the impreza. obviously, as the impreza - practical, very good in adverse conditions etc. handling - bit numb and understeery?
i hand it to you all. throw in some curve balls, give me some ideas for and against, remind me of pitfalls i've not even considered etc.
ETA: i've no idea why i'm even looking at this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2040869.htm
ETA ETA: MG ZT 260? always thought insurance was daft but it seems no more than the impreza. something a little different, F/R, v8 which is fairly simple so should be cheap to service? might be pricey to run though!
Edited by dylan0451 on Saturday 18th September 12:27
Edited by dylan0451 on Saturday 18th September 12:48
DrTre said:
seeing as you killed my thread before it really left the ground, i was expecting more from you bit... no offence to anyone who owns, but, a bit tepid? i know they're supposed to be great handlers, but for a fiesta in drag it's gotta be a tad more special, and maybe a bit more go than 150hp in a 1100~1200kg car
DrTre said:
Ok its a "racing puma", but so what £6000 no thank you330ci M Sport
350Z( albeit over budget)
Edited by coley20 on Saturday 18th September 14:45
Audi S4: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2071902.htm
Audi S6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2017285.htm
E36 BMW M3 Evo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2057375.htm
E46 BMW 330d: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1942410.htm
Volvo V70 R: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2068538.htm
Audi S6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2017285.htm
E36 BMW M3 Evo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2057375.htm
E46 BMW 330d: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1942410.htm
Volvo V70 R: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2068538.htm
chrisispringles said:
Audi S4: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2071902.htm
Audi S6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2017285.htm
E36 BMW M3 Evo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2057375.htm
E46 BMW 330d: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1942410.htm
Volvo V70 R: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2068538.htm
Nice list, I think the OP needs to raise expectations of what £7k will get youAudi S6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2017285.htm
E36 BMW M3 Evo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2057375.htm
E46 BMW 330d: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1942410.htm
Volvo V70 R: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2068538.htm
nottyash said:
Ive gone for a Legacy B4 RSK, the saloon version of the GTB you mentioned.
Its not arrived from Japan yet but are well below your £5000- £7000 budget. Think £4000 and spend the rest on fuel and insurance
hmm, well that's quite a bargain for what they are, only downsides i can see are big weight, and servicing maybe?Its not arrived from Japan yet but are well below your £5000- £7000 budget. Think £4000 and spend the rest on fuel and insurance
what are subaru's like compared with evo's? was looking at early evo's last night but servicing at 4.5k, 5k miles per clutch, 3k miles for pads if driven hard kinda put me off the whole idea. then there's the fuel bills for a lead foot...
fido said:
if you are going to consider the DC2 then you might also look at the EP3 (£5k will get you a mint 02/03) .. unless you think the LSD on the DC2 will make it a bit more capable of ploughing through snow!
hear what you're saying. i think if i was after a DC2 then an EP3 would be it's castrated cousin in comparison, or is that being a tad cruel?! never driven one but they look quite conventional, starting to get a bit of a nobber image. not that every other car i've listed doesn't...the EP3 is the best shape civic though. always thought the EK9's looked impressive, shame they look like a proton
Edited by dylan0451 on Saturday 18th September 14:50
i wouldnt spend your budget on an e36 328, you could get an e36 m3 or e46 330ci on your budget but you will be screwed when it snows (i found out the hard way)
i would love a 156 gta, something about them is very appealing to me. the engines are supposed to be solid aswell
legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
i would love a 156 gta, something about them is very appealing to me. the engines are supposed to be solid aswell
legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
coley20 said:
Nice list, I think the OP needs to raise expectations of what £7k will get you
rich85uk said:
i wouldnt spend your budget on an e36 328, you could get an e36 m3 or e46 330ci on your budget but you will be screwed when it snows (i found out the hard way)
this is the thing though, i was kinda factoring in worst case scenario type stuff as well. or not, by buying a nicer example of a lesser car, rather than stretching myself for a tatty more exotic beast. i had a thread going last week where i almost bought an E39 540 until i actually looked at the things that go wrong with them and how much i'd be looking at to put them right as well as teens/twenties mpg - would an E36 M3 be at all cheaper to run with all this 'M premium' associated with parts?!rich85uk said:
i would love a 156 gta, something about them is very appealing to me. the engines are supposed to be solid aswell
legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
are the engines solid? i thought there were horror stories of blown head gaskets? perhaps more to do with not being that well cared for. i am beginning to like the 156 more and more, shame the one for sale, the chap couldn't be bothered to put a fresh mot on it or service it, says tomes about the owner.legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
so far then, legacy looks fun but if i'm honest, too numb and thirsty - if i lived at a ski resort maybe, but for england, well britain even, i'm thinking a bit barge like...
156 with a Q2 would be fab but i don't think i would get a good one at that price?
330ci - didn't realise these were in my price range. getting heavy and a little underpowered - 230hp + 1500kg is that right?!
Edited by dylan0451 on Saturday 18th September 15:18
dylan0451 said:
what are subaru's like compared with evo's? was looking at early evo's last night but servicing at 4.5k, 5k miles per clutch, 3k miles for pads if driven hard kinda put me off the whole idea. then there's the fuel bills for a lead foot...
I'd be interested to know this myself, I imagine Evos are hideously expensive to run...The ITR is a good call - I used to have one. Handles really well for FWD, just as well really as the Eunos in most real world driving - I had a JDM one which was possibly a little too firm for our roads - I suspect the UK one would be better. You may miss the power oversteer or being able to do silly donuts or whatever, and its not quite as balanced or nimble on tight corners, but it does actually "feel" like it isn't a front driver, which is incredible really. You might also miss the open top motoring....
...however the engine is a corker, makes up for those down points in some ways, really aggressive and pretty powerful even by relatively modern standards, needs to be kept on the boil, but that's part of the fun.
Bomb proof, reliable, just look out for rust and gear synchro problems. Check dampers and bushes. Check cambelt. Other than that they're solid.
...however the engine is a corker, makes up for those down points in some ways, really aggressive and pretty powerful even by relatively modern standards, needs to be kept on the boil, but that's part of the fun.
Bomb proof, reliable, just look out for rust and gear synchro problems. Check dampers and bushes. Check cambelt. Other than that they're solid.
dylan0451 said:
coley20 said:
Nice list, I think the OP needs to raise expectations of what £7k will get you
rich85uk said:
i wouldnt spend your budget on an e36 328, you could get an e36 m3 or e46 330ci on your budget but you will be screwed when it snows (i found out the hard way)
this is the thing though, i was kinda factoring in worst case scenario type stuff as well. or not, by buying a nicer example of a lesser car, rather than stretching myself for a tatty more exotic beast. i had a thread going last week where i almost bought an E39 540 until i actually looked at the things that go wrong with them and how much i'd be looking at to put them right as well as teens/twenties mpg - would an E36 M3 be at all cheaper to run with all this 'M premium' associated with parts?!rich85uk said:
i would love a 156 gta, something about them is very appealing to me. the engines are supposed to be solid aswell
legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
are the engines solid? i thought there were horror stories of blown head gaskets? perhaps more to do with not being that well cared for. i am beginning to like the 156 more and more, shame the one for sale, the chap couldn't be bothered to put a fresh mot on it or service it, says tomes about the owner.legacy TT would be a rocket, 4wd and pratical too. although im guessing very thirsty (mates p1 does about 200 miles to a tank)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1954438.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2066171.htm
thats what i would be torn between, although i prefer those pepper pot style gta alloys and if you look very hard you might get one in budget with a q2 diff fitted
so far then, legacy looks fun but if i'm honest, too numb and thirsty - if i lived at a ski resort maybe, but for england, well britain even, i'm thinking a bit barge like...
156 with a Q2 would be fab but i don't think i would get a good one at that price?
330ci - didn't realise these were in my price range. getting heavy and a little underpowered - 230hp + 1500kg is that right?!
Edited by dylan0451 on Saturday 18th September 15:18
Your better judging each car individually, i.e 1/2 owners from new, full history, maintained regardless of cost etc.
A car is only worth what its worth and £7k is too much for a non M, E36
Mastodon2 said:
dylan0451 said:
what are subaru's like compared with evo's? was looking at early evo's last night but servicing at 4.5k, 5k miles per clutch, 3k miles for pads if driven hard kinda put me off the whole idea. then there's the fuel bills for a lead foot...
I'd be interested to know this myself, I imagine Evos are hideously expensive to run...http://www.lancerregister.com/downloads/MLR%20Evo%...
coley20 said:
I appreciate your concerns, however its a bit dismissive to think that something is better because its more expense.
Your better judging each car individually, i.e 1/2 owners from new, full history, maintained regardless of cost etc.
A car is only worth what its worth and £7k is too much for a non M, E36
no no, i meant, i'd rather save my budget and buy a mint E36 for £3k or whatever. i didn't mean i was setting out to try and tip £7k into one, that would be mad, unless it was an m3 evo i guess.Your better judging each car individually, i.e 1/2 owners from new, full history, maintained regardless of cost etc.
A car is only worth what its worth and £7k is too much for a non M, E36
my main concerns are general longer term running costs - bushes, shocks, springs, discs, pads, tyres etc. not knowing how fast i'm liable to wear stuff out on a car without doing it, i don't want to find myself forking out £700 or something for tyres etc. and finding out i can't stomache the bills
this looks fab though http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/classifieds/2054454.h...
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