10k dilema

[m38cec]

I’ve had a Volvo C30 on lease for the past 3 years and now it’s time to hand it back, well made and good looking car but seriously lacking in power. I now only do about 7k miles a year so I’m looking to get something a little more exciting as my everyday drive. My budget is around £10k but could stretch that a bit, no kids so practicality isn’t really an issue.

I had a E36 M3 in the 90’s for 4 years and loved it so I always thought I would just go straight for the E46 M3 but now I have started looking there seems to be loads of excellent cars catching my eye.

Focus ST - like the thought of the real world mid-range power and the everyday usability.

Boxster S - Love the looks and like convertible driving.

Monaro - V8 rumble!!

Think the M3 is still just about at the top of my list but what are your thoughts and am I missing something obvious, one things for sure you certainly can get a lot of car for 10K these days.

[va1o]

Golf MK5 GTI?

Its a great all-rounder with 200bhp and decent handling, yet practical and reasonably economical at the same time and comes with the usual high quality VW interior

[read5458]

Not much help but, out of your list, I'd have the Monaro.

[volvoforlife]

The Focus ST is just a cheaper version of a C30 T5 with some slight modifications. I don't think you'll be too keen on the overall quality of the Focus, especially the interior.

The Monaro would have been my choice but its not that fast, certainley not M3 fast. Then again neither car is going to move if there is a snowflake on the road.

Something AWD - Audi S4 maybe?

I had a Porsche Boxster S and it was very good but its nothing like the other cars you've mentioned. Its a proper prescise sports car and it needs to be driven on nice roads to enjoy it fully. You can't bash about in it over potholed roads.

Edited by volvoforlife on Tuesday 28th December 00:23

[sshenton1975]

I'm in the same boat with the same budget
I looked at E46 M3 but they all seem a bit leggy for this budget ..need to stretch to about 13-14k for a nice one

So................

i am looking at E39 M5s..yum yum!

[H_Kan]

I'd say e46 M3 is the way to go if running costs/ insurance isn't an issue.

They are a fantastic all rounder and if you enjoyed your e36 then this is, as you say, the natural progression.

[speedtwelve]

Similar budget to me in the past, with similar criteria.

I'd consider: Monaro, TVR Chimaera, S2000, Boxster, 350Z, Z4 3.0, Z3MCoupe Breadvan, E46 M3, Holden HSV GTS in no particular order.

EDIT: Missed off a 968 Sport or CS, and a 928S4 if you're feeling incredibly brave financially

Edited by speedtwelve on Tuesday 28th December 04:52

[pbirkett]

Focus ST surely can't even be mentioned in the same breath as any other car mentioned on this thread, certainly not even in the same league as a monaro, boxster s or e46 m3; heck, I'd rather take an e36 328 over a focus and you can buy those for under 2k (not suggesting that, just stating where I think a FST stands in the grand scale IMO). ETA: that includes the golf either - dull dull dull.

Edited by pbirkett on Tuesday 28th December 07:42

[sawman]

speedtwelve said:

Similar budget to me in the past, with similar criteria.

I'd consider: Monaro, TVR Chimaera, S2000, Boxster, 350Z, Z4 3.0, Z3MCoupe Breadvan, E46 M3, Holden HSV GTS in no particular order.

EDIT: Missed off a 968 Sport or CS, and a 928S4 if you're feeling incredibly brave financially

Edited by speedtwelve on Tuesday 28th December 04:52

These look like the best suggestions yet,

You could of course take the MX5 for a grand option and keep 9k for coke and hookers

Edited by sawman on Tuesday 28th December 09:06

[PKLD]

put some budget away for fuel:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... - E55
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... - M5

a bit leftfield:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... - JCW GP mini

a more fun drop-top:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... - S2000

said to be most fun hatch (young & cheap) but not my kind of thing:

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

engine noise, looks, red leather, loads of toys & always liked these (low enough miles to still be reliable for 7k per year?)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010... - Alfa GT

[y282]

lancer evolution?

[Jasandjules]

TVR Chimaera.

You may close the thread....

[FamilyDub]

Out of the four you mention, I'd wait a bit, get some more cash and find a good E46 M3 cab.

The FST is a nice all-rounder, but nowhere near the performance of the others you mention...

[y282]

FamilyDub said:

Out of the four you mention, I'd wait a bit, get some more cash and find a good E46 M3 cab.

The FST is a nice all-rounder, but nowhere near the performance of the others you mention...

not feeling the convertible e46 m3. proper manual coupe only imho.

cock it, now you've got me looking at e46s again.

[m38cec]

Thanks, some great suggestions. Didn't realise a Z4 3.0 coupe was in reach but it looks like I could just get in at the bottom end. Anyone got any thoughts on these, looks like a fantastic car to me.

[H_Kan]

m38cec said:

Thanks, some great suggestions. Didn't realise a Z4 3.0 coupe was in reach but it looks like I could just get in at the bottom end. Anyone got any thoughts on these, looks like a fantastic car to me.

My cousin has got one and absolutely loves it. The BM 3.0ltr unit is one of their best engines and mated to a Z4 is a brilliant combo.

However, I'd still be tempted with M3 over non M Z4.

[The Stiglet]

BMW E39 M5

No dilemma here.

[Cost Captain]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Z3M yet?

Would be the exact car I'd be looking for!

[williamssam]

Elise? I'm in a similar situation and looking for a nice S1 111S.

[SonicHedgeHog]

How much money do you have for running costs and repairs? The difference between the Focus and the M3 is vast, especially if you have trouble with the BMW. What kind of driving do you do? I would suggest that the Monaro would be massively thirsty and very big for town driving. Do you need to be able to carry a mountain bike or other awkward items?

I really think you need to give more information because otherwise you're going to get a massively biased set of opinions. Virtually no one will recommend the Focus because you have suggested an M3 is an option and everyone always wets themselves at the first mention of an M-car despite the long list of downsides.