£7k. What car should I buy?

[stevo6]

Ok, I have a budget of £7k to buy a third car. I've also got the family 4x4 and missus' shatchback, so I want it to be fun, but usable. Four seats would be good. I've done the classic thing, and old land rover, so I want something a bit different.

Thoughts so far as follows:

E36 M3: too old, too expensive to run
E46 M3: Would love one - but budget not enough for a good one. Not scared about petrol costs but don't want someone else's money pit...
E39 M5 as above...
330ci: Yep could be good. Bit boring though?
Clio 182: Hmm tempting. A but dull to look at though - not much ownership "pride" here
Mini Cooper (pref JCW): Currently my top of the pops. Fun, versatile. Good when I'm on my own but the family can still come along sometimes too. Not too old or leggy. However - I recently spoke to a marque specialist - and he said don't do it! Reckoned they're unreliable and very expensive to maintain; which has me confused!

So, pistonheads, what do you think??

[kambites]

If you really need four usable seats, the best I can think of is the RX8, but it seems a shame to take something to practical with all the limitations that entails for a third car.

[stevo6]

kambites said:

If you really need four usable seats, the best I can think of is the RX8, but it seems a shame to take something to practical with all the limitations that entails for a third car.

I thought of that - until I read the owners' forum! They're a nightmare - almost guaranteed to need a new engine, and you can't sell them when you want to get out...

[stevo6]

PS: putting the four seats to one side it would be a boxster...

[greggy50]

If don't need 4 seats 350z

If you do Renault Meganne R26 fantastic hot hatch

[jonah35]

350z

[Heathwood]

If you don't mind the looks, how about a 130i in M Sport spec? Big fun and perhaps not an immediately obvious choice.

[stevo6]

Heathwood said:

If you don't mind the looks, how about a 130i in M Sport spec? Big fun and perhaps not an immediately obvious choice.

That's interesting. The marque specialist I mentioned above recommended a remapped diesel 1 series... (bizarrely!)

[mike9009]

350Z, 4 seats?
R26 for £7k?

I can heartily recommend a Cooper S. Not sure what your budget will get you into at the moment, but the older supercharged R53 is a great car. Surprised a specialist is not recommending one? Surely it is their business to get more people 'into' them. I am fairly certain it will cost less to run than some of the beemers you mention, if that is a consideration?

If you need more specific info try the Mini forum on here.

I am currently driving a Cooper S Clubman, as I also have some family duties. Just provides that little extra space, but I suspect they are slightly out of your budget at the moment....

Mike

[vescaegg]

BMW 130i as above.

Supposedly very good...

[greggy50]

A R26 Meganne would run rings round a R53 Cooper S and can easily get one for 7k the mini's still seem stupidly expensive for what they are.

I considered a R53 instead of my 172 but after driving both it just wasn't worth the extra money imo

Buy a R26 stage 1 remap it to 270bhp get on a b-road and go Porsche hunting...

Something like this
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[Kong]

stevo6 said:

kambites said:

If you really need four usable seats, the best I can think of is the RX8, but it seems a shame to take something to practical with all the limitations that entails for a third car.

I thought of that - until I read the owners' forum! They're a nightmare - almost guaranteed to need a new engine, and you can't sell them when you want to get out...

The engines aren't that bad. Plus you can buy a perfecly good example for £2,000 what's the worst that can happen? You can easily spend that getting an M3 up to scratch.

[okie592]

mx5

[valiant]

Slightly left field

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Might be a bit too sensible.....

[SammyW]

To hell with 4 seats! Buy an S1 Elise.

[greggy50]

valiant said:

Slightly left field

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Might be a bit too sensible.....

Is this the one with the vauxhall engine?

If was an alfa get the 156 GTA with a proper alfa engine

[valiant]

greggy50 said:

Is this the one with the vauxhall engine?

If was an alfa get the 156 GTA with a proper alfa engine

Now they are getting seriously cheap for the amount of car. Even good ones are around the £5k mark (although they cost a bit to keep on the road) and it's even available in estate form!!

One day Valiant, one day.....

[Conian]

944 turbo

[greggy50]

valiant said:

Now they are getting seriously cheap for the amount of car. Even good ones are around the £5k mark (although they cost a bit to keep on the road) and it's even available in estate form!!

One day Valiant, one day.....

Would be my next car but I just could not live with low 20's in MPG with the miles I do

[stevo6]

SammyW said:

To hell with 4 seats! Buy an S1 Elise.

Had 2 of those already! (both S160s)