Help PH - Indecisive and Confused - Sorry What Car
Discussion
Right, I have been pulling my hair out. I have a maximum of £10k, and the following requirements:
A car must make me smile.
It must not cost the earth.
That is about it. I would quite like some sky above my head but it is not a must, and I am murderously against diseasals, but other than that I am open to suggestion.
Now the smile thing does not have to be about power; in fact I am trying to shy away from anything too silly after a surprise parking manoeuvre parted me from my last grunty steed (380bhp 135) due to a mixture of too much power and too little talent. Also I have a Clio 172 that is destined to be my track slag once the new car is on my drive, so smile can be anything from a beautiful shape to interesting toys, noise to a sexy interior or even a wafty relaxing ride.
So below is the list of cars I have pondered, but none have yet leapt out at me and made me think 'yes, that is the chariot for me!'.
Please expand on my list, give me personal abuse, and find me my £10k motoring nirvana.
S2000 - Pros: Jap reliability, looks, roofless. Cons: Monster insurance, bit too little power for this type of car.
Porsche Boxster S - Pros: It's a Porsche, handling, roofless. Cons: Monster insurance, leggy examples at this money, will tempt me to be an arse, a bit gay.
BMW 645 Ci - Pros: Toys, looks (IMHO), power, waft, exclusivity. Cons: Age, mileage, V8 running costs.
A3 3.2 V6 - Pros: Audi interior, noise, DSG, V6 grunt. Cons: It is an A3, everyone has an A3 (no joke; three of my best friends have A3s), boring, V6 running costs.
A3 2T - Much the same as above with slightly cheaper running costs and the turbo kick.
A4 Cab - Pros: Interior, toys, roofless. Cons: More common than a Focus, lardy, a bit gay, suspect large running costs.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
BMW 325i SE Coupe - Pros: Looks, interior, waft. Cons: Dull, leggy models only.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - Pros: Looks, handling, power, running costs. Cons: Already had one. Hard ride.
VX220 / Elise S2 - Pros: Huge smile, roofless, looks. Cons: Practicality, the fiancée will hate it, I will die.
Help.
A car must make me smile.
It must not cost the earth.
That is about it. I would quite like some sky above my head but it is not a must, and I am murderously against diseasals, but other than that I am open to suggestion.
Now the smile thing does not have to be about power; in fact I am trying to shy away from anything too silly after a surprise parking manoeuvre parted me from my last grunty steed (380bhp 135) due to a mixture of too much power and too little talent. Also I have a Clio 172 that is destined to be my track slag once the new car is on my drive, so smile can be anything from a beautiful shape to interesting toys, noise to a sexy interior or even a wafty relaxing ride.
So below is the list of cars I have pondered, but none have yet leapt out at me and made me think 'yes, that is the chariot for me!'.
Please expand on my list, give me personal abuse, and find me my £10k motoring nirvana.
S2000 - Pros: Jap reliability, looks, roofless. Cons: Monster insurance, bit too little power for this type of car.
Porsche Boxster S - Pros: It's a Porsche, handling, roofless. Cons: Monster insurance, leggy examples at this money, will tempt me to be an arse, a bit gay.
BMW 645 Ci - Pros: Toys, looks (IMHO), power, waft, exclusivity. Cons: Age, mileage, V8 running costs.
A3 3.2 V6 - Pros: Audi interior, noise, DSG, V6 grunt. Cons: It is an A3, everyone has an A3 (no joke; three of my best friends have A3s), boring, V6 running costs.
A3 2T - Much the same as above with slightly cheaper running costs and the turbo kick.
A4 Cab - Pros: Interior, toys, roofless. Cons: More common than a Focus, lardy, a bit gay, suspect large running costs.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
BMW 325i SE Coupe - Pros: Looks, interior, waft. Cons: Dull, leggy models only.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - Pros: Looks, handling, power, running costs. Cons: Already had one. Hard ride.
VX220 / Elise S2 - Pros: Huge smile, roofless, looks. Cons: Practicality, the fiancée will hate it, I will die.
Help.
So roadsters/convertibles are a bit gay? Having owned both Boxster and A4 I must be a 'bit gay' too. If you can see past your ridiculous preconceptions then maybe you can get one of the best handling roadsters on the Market or one of the best looking and best built 4 seated convertibles. If you go Audi then get yourself in the 2.0T if at all possible.
With £10k, I've narrowed it down to what I'd consider from your list.
BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
lordlee said:
So roadsters/convertibles are a bit gay? Having owned both Boxster and A4 I must be a 'bit gay' too. If you can see past your ridiculous preconceptions then maybe you can get one of the best handling roadsters on the Market or one of the best looking and best built 4 seated convertibles. If you go Audi then get yourself in the 2.0T if at all possible.
I want to get past my misconceptions; hence why they are on the list. I don't mind the 'bit gay' thing, I have owned a Z4 after all 
but other issues keep me from those two cars. I do keep coming back to the A4 cab though. It does have everything I want and it will keep me safe. The fiancée will also love it. There is just something about it that does not give me that lust.Persuade me, please.
Mazdarese said:
With £10k, I've narrowed it down to what I'd consider from your list.
BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
Really tasty example. Hmmm, very tempting. Kent is a bit far from Manchester, but I am willing to travel for the right car. But I have already done the Q car thing with the 135. I fear this will just be a Jap equivalent. BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
Keyser McClane said:
Mazdarese said:
With £10k, I've narrowed it down to what I'd consider from your list.
BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
Really tasty example. Hmmm, very tempting. Kent is a bit far from Manchester, but I am willing to travel for the right car. But I have already done the Q car thing with the 135. I fear this will just be a Jap equivalent. BMW 645 Ci - I'd be too scared of the running costs, including fuel.
BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - You've already had one.
Mazda 6 MPS - Pros: Engine, stereo, anonymity, rarity, 4WD. Cons: Looks, specialness, interior, running costs of 260+ turbo horses.
I've owned my MPS6 for 10 months now. Service costs aren't that bad, sure the consumables are a bit more expensive than 'normal' cars but servicing is still 'a few hundred quid' for a major. I recently had mine serviced (major), and had new front pads fitted at a Mazda stealership and it cost £500. I think they have fixed-price scheduling across their franchisees.
Yeah, the stereo is good. Not amazing, but good enough for me. It's rare, nobody knows what it is, so you don't get people up your jacksie all the time but when you need the power it's there for you.
The interior isn't that bad. Typically Japanese in it's plastic-ness, but ergonomically functional and well screwed together. Electric drivers seat that stores the position on the key you use, and automatically moves the chair when you blip the car and open the door. I like that.
I'm sure you could get this for £8.5k. It has the Sat-Nav and reversing sensors too, which are handy.
Keyser McClane said:
lordlee said:
So roadsters/convertibles are a bit gay? Having owned both Boxster and A4 I must be a 'bit gay' too. If you can see past your ridiculous preconceptions then maybe you can get one of the best handling roadsters on the Market or one of the best looking and best built 4 seated convertibles. If you go Audi then get yourself in the 2.0T if at all possible.
I want to get past my misconceptions; hence why they are on the list. I don't mind the 'bit gay' thing, I have owned a Z4 after all but other issues keep me from those two cars. I do keep coming back to the A4 cab though. It does have everything I want and it will keep me safe. The fiancée will also love it. There is just something about it that does not give me that lust.Persuade me, please.
Keyser McClane said:
She hates the Clio and I don't blame her. It is hilarious around the corners and puts a huge smile on my face on the track, but it is hateful at everything else.
The M3, RS4, Monaro etc running costs will be ruinous.
Will they be much worse than a 645? That's a genuine question, I've no idea.The M3, RS4, Monaro etc running costs will be ruinous.
RenesisEvo said:
Running costs seem to be a big concern to you... have you considered bringing down your purchase budget, say to 7-8k, and then use the remaining to run the car? Otherwise you could rule out just about anything on account of unforeseen big bills.
I just want to keep running costs sensible. Insurance can vary by £1k for no good reason with the car list, it has to be reliable enough that I am not worrying all the time, it must have have moderately sensible MPG (25mg +) and servicing costs can't be M car expensive. If running costs were not a concern I would get an V8 S4 Cab.
Keyser McClane said:
I just want to keep running costs sensible. Insurance can vary by £1k for no good reason with the car list, it has to be reliable enough that I am not worrying all the time, it must have have moderately sensible MPG (25mg +) and servicing costs can't be M car expensive.
If running costs were not a concern I would get an V8 S4 Cab.
In that case the Mazda 6 MPS and keep a few thousand pounds of the budget? Though I can see that continuing to depreciate rapidly (I've seen some for sale at £5.5k), which you should probably be factoring in if you're concerned about running costs. I quite understand that the cars I've mentioned aren't for you, but I doubt any will depreciate as much as those on your list and so should pay for their increased running costs when you come to sell them, especially when serviced through a specialist. It could be an idea to find similar cars that fit that bill.If running costs were not a concern I would get an V8 S4 Cab.
SuperVM said:
Keyser McClane said:
I just want to keep running costs sensible. Insurance can vary by £1k for no good reason with the car list, it has to be reliable enough that I am not worrying all the time, it must have have moderately sensible MPG (25mg +) and servicing costs can't be M car expensive.
If running costs were not a concern I would get an V8 S4 Cab.
In that case the Mazda 6 MPS and keep a few thousand pounds of the budget? Though I can see that continuing to depreciate rapidly (I've seen some for sale at £5.5k), which you should probably be factoring in if you're concerned about running costs. I quite understand that the cars I've mentioned aren't for you, but I doubt any will depreciate as much as those on your list and so should pay for their increased running costs when you come to sell them, especially when serviced through a specialist. It could be an idea to find similar cars that fit that bill.If running costs were not a concern I would get an V8 S4 Cab.
SuperVM said:
Keyser McClane said:
She hates the Clio and I don't blame her. It is hilarious around the corners and puts a huge smile on my face on the track, but it is hateful at everything else.
The M3, RS4, Monaro etc running costs will be ruinous.
Will they be much worse than a 645? That's a genuine question, I've no idea.The M3, RS4, Monaro etc running costs will be ruinous.
I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the general consensus is that a Monaro is actually relatively cheap to run? Very simple engineering. No experience of one (one day though 
) but seems to be the case - wonder if any owners could back this up? My guess is the biggest expense would be rear tyres And regarding fuel costs if that was a concern, lpg it
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2890279.htm
Or, going completely left-field, MG ZT-260? Again, due to the simplicity I understand running costs aren't as big as might be expected.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3038642.htm
Might be worth a look-in, they look like good fun That's one of the most expensive ones, but even that leaves enough money left over to supercharge if you so wished
) but seems to be the case - wonder if any owners could back this up? My guess is the biggest expense would be rear tyres And regarding fuel costs if that was a concern, lpg it http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2890279.htm
Or, going completely left-field, MG ZT-260?
Again, due to the simplicity I understand running costs aren't as big as might be expected.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3038642.htm
Might be worth a look-in, they look like good fun
That's one of the most expensive ones, but even that leaves enough money left over to supercharge if you so wished Dammit, the fiancée has just thrown me a curve ball. But it changes things.
She only uses her car to go to the train station every morning and potter about at the weekend so has very sensibly pointed out that there is no point running three cars, so she is willing to drive the 'track car' and I get something 'sensible'.
So budget has shifted to around £13k, and two cars are needed. So one comfy Germanic and sensible motor, and one balls out fun machine (that a girl in a skirt can get out of without too much embarrassment).
Feel free to suggest, but I now need to do some serious thinking.
She only uses her car to go to the train station every morning and potter about at the weekend so has very sensibly pointed out that there is no point running three cars, so she is willing to drive the 'track car' and I get something 'sensible'.
So budget has shifted to around £13k, and two cars are needed. So one comfy Germanic and sensible motor, and one balls out fun machine (that a girl in a skirt can get out of without too much embarrassment).
Feel free to suggest, but I now need to do some serious thinking.
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