Anything better than a 3 series BMW? I've got 5k

[V8Wagon]

Okey dokey, I've got this 5k burning a hole in my pocket, and I need a new motor!



Gotta be an estate, and ideally fun to drive with no massive bills on the horizon.

I had a Vectra V6 GSi estate which I loved tbh but it was getting a bit tired.

I then bought a 4.2 V8 Audi S6 which was automotive heaven apart from the 14mpg I was getting around town

I sold that and went for a Vectra 1.9 cdti which to be honest was OK. It was plenty fast enough and had a very good spec, but I then sold it on as I couldn't get on with the DERV and those particular motors seemed to be afflicted with a silly amount of expensive problems and it was only a matter of time before it started to cost me silly money in repairs thus rendering the 50mpg meaningless.

[wifiwupding]

Tell me your address and ill come round and help you decide

[Blue Oval84]

E46 all the way.

Second best car they ever made, just behind the E39

[Steameh]

Could probably just about squeeze a 156GTA Sportwagon for that, much better looking but I'd be worried about something expensive happening to it.

[V8Wagon]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks mate. Yeh, I'm going to see a 330i tomorrow though I am very very close to making a cheeky offer on a 325i (It's nice and it's a manual, whereas nearly every 330i M-sport I see is an auto)

I considered the C43's before I bought the S6 last year but iirc they suffer from rust. I just did a quick search though and http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2712697.htm this one is just down the road from me! I'm tempted to go have a look!

[Norbury90]

Impreza

[V8Wagon]

Norbury90 said:

Impreza

tbh, it's a car I'd love to own for a while...... but it's a bit extreme for me. I can't see the missus liking it (I spend half my time with missus and two kids in the car)

[Stu R]

Nissan Stagea. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2694081.htm

Skyline GTR underneath which means rapid, fun, and a proper wolf in sheep's clothing, as well as being highly tuneable.

[Wadeski]

Stageas are BIG old beasts though, not really like a skyline to drive at all. mostly autos, too.

I've driven 330i saloons and found them...well...a bit dull. very good, but id rather have something less good and more...interesting?

Toyota Caldina GT-T might be worth a shout? Rare, but fun - its a mk1 Avensis estate with Celica GT-Four running gear and 260bhp.

tbh if i was hauling kids around i would even prefer a Zafira GSi to a Beemer wagon. At least the idea of a hot minivan makes me grin.

[Stu R]

Yeah, Stageas aren't the most nimble things in the world, but they can put the frighteners on with a few mods.

Also, Subaru Legacy turbo should be within budget iirc.

[Steameh]

Lexus IS300 SportCross might be a good option to have a drive of, 220bhp engine similar to the n/a supra one.

[Wadeski]

all autos, though. good looking cars!

I always liked the Civic Aerodeck VTi, with a B18C - very very close to an integra DC2 engine and can be tuned as such.

[williamp]

jaguar x-type estate

[Bonefish Blues]

Stu R said:

Yeah, Stageas aren't the most nimble things in the world, but they can put the frighteners on with a few mods.

Also, Subaru Legacy turbo should be within budget iirc.

I'm thinking Leggy, too, to at least get away from the ubiquity of the 3 series. Really good car in its own right, and much the same real world mpg as a BMW six.

[ian_c_uk]

Octavia vRS / 4x4turbo estate?

[V8Wagon]

Yeh, I quite like the Octavia's but I'd rather have the newer shape and my 5k would only get me one with very very high mileage.

The stagea isn't really my bag......I'm sure it's a hoot to drive, I just want something a little less OTT tbh.

I was looking at the Legacy 3.0 Spec B's which I like a lot as it goes.....so much so that I'd have probably bought one by now if it wasn't for the average 23mpg they manage.

What Legacy are you guys referring to when you mention the Legacy Turbo? Any links to a tidy one?

[Bonefish Blues]

I was alluding to something like this one: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[V8Wagon]

Bonefish Blues said:

I was alluding to something like this one: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

I like those a LOT. I test drove one and it was lovely. It' is only the MPG that puts me off.

[Bonefish Blues]

V8Wagon said:

I like those a LOT. I test drove one and it was lovely. It' is only the MPG that puts me off.

Mid 20s though, shirley unless you're in urban traffic all the time (in which case you're fecked anyway ), as I said, maybe the BMW 6 might just shade it in mpg terms, but not by much?

[RB5]

Mondeo ST220 Estate? Has to be more fun than the Vectra at least!