Up to £7k to buy a new car; advice, please?
Discussion
I've learnt today that I have £7k to play with to replace my Omega (other thread will detail).
Since learning this, I've been looking around for something circa 300bhp and not necessarily on the barge size of the Omega (barely carry passengers and all the 'kids' have grown up and cleared out so, it'll be just me, predominantly.
I'd prefer to have it as standard or, minor and easy DIY tweaks considered.
Thoughts so far are to avoid Focus' (not the budget for a 300bhp variant), nothing excites me in the Vauxhall range for the budget either.
I'd like 3 door if possible as I'm on the large side (not fat, I hasten to add!) and thus the bigger doors on a 3 door are attractive.
I've looked at a few Cupra R's but, unless spending out on Stage 2's or above, they're not quite there at 225bhp std.
I'm leaning towards Scoobies which are nearer the 300bhp mark, in some instances more and certainly in my budget for as late as an '07 plate with reasonably low mileage BUT! I've never been in this position before, I think they call it middle age crisis - not that I give a s**t.
|Wide open to suggestions, questions to filter our stuff welcome and I appreciate the time of people willing to offer advice and guidance.
Many thanks, Oh and anybody wanna buy an Omega!? ;-)
Alan.
Since learning this, I've been looking around for something circa 300bhp and not necessarily on the barge size of the Omega (barely carry passengers and all the 'kids' have grown up and cleared out so, it'll be just me, predominantly.
I'd prefer to have it as standard or, minor and easy DIY tweaks considered.
Thoughts so far are to avoid Focus' (not the budget for a 300bhp variant), nothing excites me in the Vauxhall range for the budget either.
I'd like 3 door if possible as I'm on the large side (not fat, I hasten to add!) and thus the bigger doors on a 3 door are attractive.
I've looked at a few Cupra R's but, unless spending out on Stage 2's or above, they're not quite there at 225bhp std.
I'm leaning towards Scoobies which are nearer the 300bhp mark, in some instances more and certainly in my budget for as late as an '07 plate with reasonably low mileage BUT! I've never been in this position before, I think they call it middle age crisis - not that I give a s**t.
|Wide open to suggestions, questions to filter our stuff welcome and I appreciate the time of people willing to offer advice and guidance.
Many thanks, Oh and anybody wanna buy an Omega!? ;-)
Alan.
I let my 2004 Mercedes CLK500 go for £7k earlier this year. It was in mint condition with every possible extra on it (including some that I never used). It was about 320ish bhp, 0 - 62 was a shade over 5, very unruffled, seconds and it pulled in gear like nothing I have ever driven before or since. It was certainly a lot quicker in a straight line than the S4 I replaced it with.
kambites said:
Why a hatchback, if you have no kids and rarely carry passengers, why not a coupe?
£7K will buy:-BMW Z3 / Z4
Honda S2000
Nissan 350Z
Vauxhall VX220 2.2
If you must have rear seats
BMW M3 E36 / Evo / E46
Honda Integra Type-R DC2 / DC5
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Subaru Impreza STI
TameRacingDriver said:
£7K will buy:-
BMW Z3 / Z4 I'm 6'2" and old (55) so cars so low are cool but, whilst getting in is OK, probably will need a hiab to get out, class these as a skateboard (unfair I know).
Honda S2000 - used one for 3 months when they first came out; just didn't like them.
Nissan 350Z - mm not thought of these
Vauxhall VX220 2.2 - dislike these.
If you must have rear seats
BMW M3 E36 / Evo / E46 - whilst I like many aspects on the BM's, they're all the same and I find bland internally, personal view of course!
Honda Integra Type-R DC2 / DC5 - not considered these either, will have a look at these
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Mmm considered these out of my price range, had I thought of them!:-)
Subaru Impreza STI - I've seen a few of these in the blue which are excellent looking cars and as I understand it, go like stink!
I have to say, the CLK 500 to me fits my bill, I like the marque, it has a reasonable footprint and so doesn't feel like a Corgi toy like the Z4, for example.BMW Z3 / Z4 I'm 6'2" and old (55) so cars so low are cool but, whilst getting in is OK, probably will need a hiab to get out, class these as a skateboard (unfair I know).
Honda S2000 - used one for 3 months when they first came out; just didn't like them.
Nissan 350Z - mm not thought of these
Vauxhall VX220 2.2 - dislike these.
If you must have rear seats
BMW M3 E36 / Evo / E46 - whilst I like many aspects on the BM's, they're all the same and I find bland internally, personal view of course!
Honda Integra Type-R DC2 / DC5 - not considered these either, will have a look at these
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Mmm considered these out of my price range, had I thought of them!:-)
Subaru Impreza STI - I've seen a few of these in the blue which are excellent looking cars and as I understand it, go like stink!
I've been in the Evo and found the ride very, very harsh and basically didn't enjoy it, whilst I appreciate the power, looks and tech and no, I'm aware that with significant bhp comes an increase in ride 'firmness', I just found the evo spiteful.
There's a CLK500 on here that looks nice, just need to find out if I have to go for a 500 to get the bhp.
A long way from a decision but, some excellent and useful suggestions already, thank you!
TEKNOPUG said:
bicycleshorts said:
Of the cars listed so far... Monaro for me 
"and not necessarily on the barge size of the Omega"Kinda rules out a Monaro I think.
OP said he was on the large side, imagine that would rule out most soft tops (though it sometimes depends which parts are large... ooh err)?
ETA: Beaten by the OP.
bicycleshorts said:
3 door coupe... I'd trade the extra 20cm in length for the engine
OP said he was on the large side, imagine that would rule out most soft tops (though it sometimes depends which parts are large... ooh err)?
ETA: Beaten by the OP.
I'm not into soft tops, too many Stanley knives and bird 5hit around and whilst I'm happy to admit to coming into a middle age crisis here, I'm not going to advertise it on the road;-)OP said he was on the large side, imagine that would rule out most soft tops (though it sometimes depends which parts are large... ooh err)?
ETA: Beaten by the OP.
BMW M3 Evolution
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4075697.htm
Chrysler Crossfire CROSSFIRE SRT-6
Supercharged 330 BHP
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4229537.htm
Corvette lt1 rare 6 speed manual
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4146565.htm
Mitsubishi evo lancer 7 fq 300 uk car (2002)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4210042.htm
bullitt mustang £7500 ono (2001)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4006239.htm
Toyota Supra RZ BPU Manual 50k miles
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4170521.htm
TVR CHIMAERA (1996)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2896767.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4075697.htm
Chrysler Crossfire CROSSFIRE SRT-6
Supercharged 330 BHP
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4229537.htm
Corvette lt1 rare 6 speed manual
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4146565.htm
Mitsubishi evo lancer 7 fq 300 uk car (2002)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4210042.htm
bullitt mustang £7500 ono (2001)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4006239.htm
Toyota Supra RZ BPU Manual 50k miles
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4170521.htm
TVR CHIMAERA (1996)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2896767.htm
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