Another what car/coupe - 4 seats, quick(ish) under 7/8k

[digger_R]

After much procrastinating, I still can't figure out which car to buy. I'm after something reasonably quick s2000/350Z pace but with 4/5 seats.

I've had this dilemma for a while. I don't need rear seats but I want them for the practicality so I can use them if I need to. It will be my only car so it has to be reliable and not likely to throw up huge bills.

Big wafty Jag XKs are out as is the rx8, just from the fear of potential wallet rape..... In the same vein, cheap e46 M3's don't do it for me. Are Merc CLK remotely sporty? or is it an e class underneath that nice exterior?

The collective wisdom of PH must know something I don't - there must be a reasonably good looking, quick coupe that won't completely destroy my wallet?
Oh, yes - I want to buy the car next weekend when I'm back in the UK so any actual examples within 70 miles of Birmingham (postcode B2) would be appreciated....


Requirements are: 4 seats, reliable, reasonable service costs (ideally not too much elctronic trickery), manual gearbox, prob pre 2006 for tax purposes.
If there are no reasonable alternatives I will just go and get a s2000 or a 350z (Yes, I know I said I want rear seats)

[Lets Torque]

How much are Audi A4 Cabriolet?

..or maybe an older Audi S4.

Edit: I would imagine they are quite bad to service (regards cost), maybe wrong though..

[Baryonyx]

A Subaru Impreza. If you can stomach a little more cost for servicing, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution of some sort.

[falkster]

Theres a really nice S4 (53 plate I think) on eBay for £6200. I'm sure there was a nogaro S4 for a little bit more.
I don't think you'd get a better car for the money and won't lose too much too plus not new enough to drop into the 'reem bracket' of car tax.

[Wadeski]

early Monaro CV8
R33 Skyline
S15 Silvia
LS1 Camaro / Firebird

[digger_R]

Rally reps are out for me, I love the look of the classic Scooby & Evos but they are a little too rally slag for my tastes.
S4 is possible but V8 running costs scare me!

[Lippy Kid]

Late E36 M3 Evo?

[Gizmo!]

Lots of Merc CLKs about with engines from 180 to 500. Some of them haven't been owned by drug dealers.

[ExPat2B]

The answer is obvious - you want the Nissan "skyline" which is the 350z with four seats.

[mondeoman]

E46 M3

sorted

[mizx]

ExPat2B said:

The answer is obvious - you want the Nissan "skyline" which is the 350z with four seats.

Beat me to it Skyline 350GT, I believe the boot is bigger/more useful too, not that many manuals though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-NISSAN-350-GT-SKYLI...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-SKYLINE-350GT-V6-...

Edited by mizx on Sunday 6th November 17:22

[ExPat2B]

Skyline 350gt on autotrader with 55k miles for 7k looks perfect

I think the model code is 36v looking at Wikipedia

[_g_]

I wasn't particularly enamoured with the looks of the BMWs, but overall very happy with my E36 M3 for the actual driving - and the rest grew on me.

[digger_R]

Any ideas on how running costs would compare for these cars? I'd assumed the M3 would be much more expensive than the others I was considering - if it's in the ballpark then I might just have to get an M car.

Is it just me or does the front of the 350gt look like its been hit with the ugly stick? - it does sound like it could be what I'm after. The first one on those links looks not too shabby, doesn't quite have the lines of the 350z sadly

[Lippy Kid]

digger_R said:

Any ideas on how running costs would compare for these cars? I'd assumed the M3 would be much more expensive than the others I was considering - if it's in the ballpark then I might just have to get an M car.

Around town I get ~24mpg, on a longer run ~30mpg.

This one's nice: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3380805.htm

[_g_]

digger_R said:

Any ideas on how running costs would compare for these cars? I'd assumed the M3 would be much more expensive than the others I was considering - if it's in the ballpark then I might just have to get an M car.

Fairly similar overall I would expect.
My M3 can manage around 34mpg on a mostly-motorway trip. More if you use lots of right foot.
I tend to do my own stuff these days, but did a quote on that servicing stop a while ago and it came out at £540 or something for a major service.

Definitely seems to be a well setup car for performance - I've done a couple of drift days in mine as stock and it was a lot more composed than various mildly tweaked Japanese cars setup for drifting.

[Lippy Kid]

_g_ said:

My M3 can manage around 34mpg on a mostly-motorway trip.

Actually, that's a good point - I've never tried to get a good figure and still get 30mpg.


Servicing at specialists is very reasonable. These guys get glowing reviews on owners' forums http://www.darren-wood.com/services.php (click "prices").

[digger_R]

Having scoured the PH/autotrader classifieds yesterday, I'm becoming more and more tempted by an E46 M3 but some part of me tells me one at circa 8/9k will be a money pit... Are there any common flaws I should be aware of?

As for the Nissans, I just can't get on with the styling of the skyline GT thing. It has the practicality that the 350Z lacks but none of the aesthetic appeal.
Currently the S2000 and 350z still lead but the E46 M3 is going to get a look in if I can convince myself that running costs could be reasonable.