what car ..... fun up to about 10k ????????

[jackal]

kind of half looking for something different but a proper car that will seat 4, be reliable and cart a family around safely and on long journeys when necessary


here is the shortlist, what would you choose:



Renault Avantime
Mondeo ST220
530d sport
Forester STi
Focus RS Mk1
Megane R26
E55 AMG



attracted by the Mondeo most of all at the moment because they are cheap as chips and I bet the chassis is a cracking drive yet supremely comfortable

oddball Forester STi with higher up driving position is great as well but not many about and top of the budget

[McSam]

I seem to remember the Mondeos using pretty ridiculous amounts of fuel, but they make a lovely noise and feel faster than you'd think. I haven't driven one myself, just ridden a few times, but I have played with a Mk3 TDCi and the six-speed gearbox (I believe it's the same one) is excellent and the chassis very well-judged. If you're not too worried about image (or can get a nice black one) then you'll have a good car and a lot of change from ten grand! They're good on a cruise too, but I suppose it's all relative when you have such choices as E-Classes and 5-Series on there.

If it were me, I'd say an E55 if you're sensible, Avantime if you're not. Any excuse to buy an Avantime but really, is it going to stand up against the Merc at all? Is anything, if you can find a decent one in-budget?

Edited by McSam on Monday 20th September 00:55

[jackal]

the thing is i dont really need a barge although i have always loved the E55AMG

I have my 993 as my special car, a cheap estate for main family duties and for the wife to use so this car (whilst it needs to transport 4) can sort of be anything. Its the car i'll use when i'm not using the 993 so it should be fun to rag hard and press on in; driver reward is paramount. I could even get another porsche 968 actually as they have back seats.

[McSam]

jackal said:

i have always loved the E55AMG

There, you said it

I'm not sure what they're like to drive, as in, how bargey they are, but to avoid it, do you think you'd find an AMG C-Class big enough? Surely a sharper drive, and cheaper - that can either mean get a mint one with absolutely everything, or end up with a second second car..

But if you can justify having a 968 as your "family" car, then I take off my hat to you!

[jackal]

i have a passat as the family car.... this will be just me in it most of the time but on the odd oscasion that wife is using her car and I have to take the kids somewhere by myself it needs to transport 3 so cant be a 2 seater ... a 968 would do the job no probs

[berni29]

Hi Jackal

I am not sure how old your kids are, but mine will not get in the back of my 993, and in fact wanted their own set of doors from quite a young age. For family transport an easy life is what you want. I remember my youngest being really upset when we got rid of a Mazda that had velour upholstery because she liked stroking it. I only found that out when she got in the new car though. Girls eh.

All the best

Berni

[300bhp/ton]

jackal said:

kind of half looking for something different but a proper car that will seat 4, be reliable and cart a family around safely and on long journeys when necessary


here is the shortlist, what would you choose:



Renault Avantime
Mondeo ST220
530d sport
Forester STi
Focus RS Mk1
Megane R26
E55 AMG



attracted by the Mondeo most of all at the moment because they are cheap as chips and I bet the chassis is a cracking drive yet supremely comfortable

oddball Forester STi with higher up driving position is great as well but not many about and top of the budget

How much rear leg room do you need? A big coupe like a Monaro is likely to be just as practical as a 3rd Focus RS.

Which also means things like a DC5 ITR become viable.

Think I'd also be looking at Jag XJ's or a tidy S-Type R. Impreza's and Evo's, maybe even a Madza 6 MPS or an RX-8.

[jackal]

300bhp/ton said:

Think I'd also be looking at Jag XJ's or a tidy S-Type R. Impreza's and Evo's, maybe even a Madza 6 MPS or an RX-8.

Don't like any of those, otherwise they'd be on the shortlist ....

[Risotto]

Of the cars on your list, I'd be tempted by the looks and general silliness of the Avantime but as you seem to wan something you can rag around, I'd rule it out.

I know shortlists are supposed to get shorter not longer but personally, I'd get a DC5 Integra Type-R.



They seem to get ignored amid the hype surrounding the DC2 but they're every bit as good in my opinion.

Stupidly reliable, well-equipped without being needlessly complex, reasonably light, good fun to drive, big hatchback boot and they're a fairly uncommon sight. If you can live with the chavvy rear wing and you don't object to the whole v-tec experience, it might be worth adding to your shortlist.

Edited by Risotto on Monday 20th September 10:35

[edo]

jackal said:

here is the shortlist, what would you choose:

Renault Avantime
E55 AMG

That has to be a first surely? E55 and Avantime on the same list?!

[RobM77]

Strange to see a 5 series and a Mondeo side by side - surely the 3 series is the equivalent?

Everyone on here loves Fords, but the truth is that three of my friends have Fords and all of them have been no end of trouble. My mate's 1999 T reg Fiesta (bought 18 months old and driven very carefully by my friend) needed a new exhaust at 30k miles, and then the big end bearings went, destroying the engine at 70k miles. Another friend of mine had a 2001 Fiesta and the head gasket went last summer at 80k miles. And finally last week a friend of mine's reasonably new Focus has serious engine trouble and a bill of £800. All were bought as cheap run arounds and not thrashed in any way at all. I suppose whilst they lasted they gave their owners enjoyment with the total lack of damping control, steering feel and refinement, so it's not all bad Fords also produce less power and are less economical than almost all their rivals, other than perhaps Vauxhall, which are even worse. PH is Ford fanboy central, so as usual I expect I'll get told I'm making all that up

[300bhp/ton]

jackal said:

the thing is i dont really need a barge although i have always loved the E55AMG

I have my 993 as my special car, a cheap estate for main family duties and for the wife to use so this car (whilst it needs to transport 4) can sort of be anything. Its the car i'll use when i'm not using the 993 so it should be fun to rag hard and press on in; driver reward is paramount. I could even get another porsche 968 actually as they have back seats.

As above DC5 ITR.

But it really depends what you are after. Do you really need a similar experience to a sports car, if you already have a sports car?

Maybe something totally different is in order. A jacked up Defender or something silly like that. Still huge fun to drive, more so in many ways as you'll have to work harder behind the wheel. But ultimately rewarding to steer.

Still think Monaro or RX-8 would be a good bet though.

[RobM77]

I agree, it's a fairly unusual list 530d sport is a big comfy barge, yet the Megane is a darty hot hatch. I think the Honda ITR as mentioned above would be top of my list; I hear they're good to drive and being a Honda is a huge plus point. I'd definitely test drive the Megane though; it's had rave reviews. My own personal choice would be something entirely different that's not even on the list, but obviously I'm advising the OP, not myself

[jackal]

i might go for the earlier ITR as i've always wanted to try one.. i think ill add it to the shortlist

the other one i could do with is teh older Golf R32 ...


i have a soft spot for fords based on my experiences so far.. ive had a basic focus shich was a riot and also a crappy old Escort which was also massively fun (in a crap way)

[Gad-Westy]

RobM77 said:

Everyone on here loves Fords, but the truth is that three of my friends have Fords and all of them have been no end of trouble. My mate's 1999 T reg Fiesta (bought 18 months old and driven very carefully by my friend) needed a new exhaust at 30k miles, and then the big end bearings went, destroying the engine at 70k miles. Another friend of mine had a 2001 Fiesta and the head gasket went last summer at 80k miles. And finally last week a friend of mine's reasonably new Focus has serious engine trouble and a bill of £800. All were bought as cheap run arounds and not thrashed in any way at all. I suppose whilst they lasted they gave their owners enjoyment with the total lack of damping control, steering feel and refinement, so it's not all bad Fords also produce less power and are less economical than almost all their rivals, other than perhaps Vauxhall, which are even worse. PH is Ford fanboy central, so as usual I expect I'll get told I'm making all that up

I don't really understand the bit about damping, steering and refinement being bad. It's the exact polar opposite of my opinion of most modern Fords. The Mk4 Fiesta, Mk1 Focus, Ford Ka, even the Mondeo seemed light years ahead of their immediate rivals in terms of driving experience. Quality may not always be as good but at least parts and servicing are usually cheap.

I'm certainly no Ford fan boy, I've never owned one but I think credit is due for the way they typically drive.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Monday 20th September 10:44

[Stuart J]

Octavia VRS

[RobM77]

Gad-Westy said:

RobM77 said:

Everyone on here loves Fords, but the truth is that three of my friends have Fords and all of them have been no end of trouble. My mate's 1999 T reg Fiesta (bought 18 months old and driven very carefully by my friend) needed a new exhaust at 30k miles, and then the big end bearings went, destroying the engine at 70k miles. Another friend of mine had a 2001 Fiesta and the head gasket went last summer at 80k miles. And finally last week a friend of mine's reasonably new Focus has serious engine trouble and a bill of £800. All were bought as cheap run arounds and not thrashed in any way at all. I suppose whilst they lasted they gave their owners enjoyment with the total lack of damping control, steering feel and refinement, so it's not all bad Fords also produce less power and are less economical than almost all their rivals, other than perhaps Vauxhall, which are even worse. PH is Ford fanboy central, so as usual I expect I'll get told I'm making all that up

I don't really understand the bit about damping, steering and refinement being bad. It's the exact polar opposite of my opinion of most modern Fords. The Mk4 Fiesta, Mk1 Focus, Ford Ka, even the Mondeo seemed light years ahead of their immediate rivals in terms of driving experience. Quality may not always be as good but at least parts and servicing are usually cheap.

I'm certainly no Ford fan boy, I've never owned one but I think credit is due for the way they typically drive.

Those facets are entirely subjective, so that's purely just my opinion. Mind you, the bhp vs mpg can't be argued with. However, the fact that they're so unreliable and badly made is plain to see (although PH fanboys will obviously say differently, they always do).

[jackal]

the modern fords i have driven have been a revelation

what i like about them is they manage to feel completely different from the whole VAG feel


Every car on the planet now seem to generally feel like a VAG car, damps the same, steering is the same, same sort of gearchange feel, even modern Porsches feel a bit like this. I hate it personally.

[Gad-Westy]

RobM77 said:

Gad-Westy said:

RobM77 said:

Everyone on here loves Fords, but the truth is that three of my friends have Fords and all of them have been no end of trouble. My mate's 1999 T reg Fiesta (bought 18 months old and driven very carefully by my friend) needed a new exhaust at 30k miles, and then the big end bearings went, destroying the engine at 70k miles. Another friend of mine had a 2001 Fiesta and the head gasket went last summer at 80k miles. And finally last week a friend of mine's reasonably new Focus has serious engine trouble and a bill of £800. All were bought as cheap run arounds and not thrashed in any way at all. I suppose whilst they lasted they gave their owners enjoyment with the total lack of damping control, steering feel and refinement, so it's not all bad Fords also produce less power and are less economical than almost all their rivals, other than perhaps Vauxhall, which are even worse. PH is Ford fanboy central, so as usual I expect I'll get told I'm making all that up

I don't really understand the bit about damping, steering and refinement being bad. It's the exact polar opposite of my opinion of most modern Fords. The Mk4 Fiesta, Mk1 Focus, Ford Ka, even the Mondeo seemed light years ahead of their immediate rivals in terms of driving experience. Quality may not always be as good but at least parts and servicing are usually cheap.

I'm certainly no Ford fan boy, I've never owned one but I think credit is due for the way they typically drive.

Those facets are entirely subjective, so that's purely just my opinion. Mind you, the bhp vs mpg can't be argued with. However, the fact that they're so unreliable and badly made is plain to see (although PH fanboys will obviously say differently, they always do).

It is subjective, I noticed you put a winkie in so I realise you weren't passing this off as fact. Would be interested to know what you think was a better drive than say the original Focus? Of it's main contemporary rivals (released in 1998 I think) the MK4 Golf and MK4 Astra seemed awful in comparison. Same with Mk4 Fiesta vs. Mk4/5 Polo. Their rivals maybe offered better overall quality but I find it hard to imagine anybody thinking they drove better. Only the Peugeot 306 seemed to be playing the game to me but that was getting on a bit when the Focus arrived and Peugeot then went seriously backwards.

Point taken about BHP vs. MPG, I don't know any better to agree or disagree.

[Chris71]

Risotto said:

Of the cars on your list, I'd be tempted by the looks and general silliness of the Avantime but as you seem to wan something you can rag around, I'd rule it out.

I know shortlists are supposed to get shorter not longer but personally, I'd get a DC5 Integra Type-R.



They seem to get ignored amid the hype surrounding the DC2 but they're every bit as good in my opinion.

Stupidly reliable, well-equipped without being needlessly complex, reasonably light, good fun to drive, big hatchback boot and they're a fairly uncommon sight. If you can live with the chavvy rear wing and you don't object to the whole v-tec experience, it might be worth adding to your shortlist.

I think the reservation some people have about the DC5 is it's twice the price of its better known older brother.

It's obviously newer and (I believe) a bit more civilised, but people often see it as: "I can pay £4-5k for an Integra Type R or I can pay £10k for ... an Integra Type R."