what car should I buy this winter?

[fivepointnine]

I will be moving from the US to the UK this winter (SW England to be exact) and will need to buy a second car. I am shipping my 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe 3.8, but it will not arrive until a while after my move.

requirements are:
-sporty
-reliable (as it will be my only car for a while)
-quick
-has to be able to seat 3 people (my wife and 11yo son)
-5000 max price
-and obviously I would like something different than what I can get in the US.

and to make life more complicated my wife HATES hot hatches (if it was just me, I would buy a MKII Focus ST or a Renaultsport Clio 197). She drives a Mercedes CLK500 now.

Im interested in seeing what the suggestions are, Im sure there are some really cool cars available that I would never have even thought of!

[ToothbrushMan]

if its only for the winter and not a permanent move think id just hire something new for 3 months before heading back to the US.

[Krikkit]

I don't usually suggest them, but how about an Audi S4? The 2.7 turbo versions are well within budget and cracking cars, and the V8-powered ones are starting to creep down to budget now:
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20140821677...

[fivepointnine]

ToothbrushMan said:

if its only for the winter and not a permanent move think id just hire something new for 3 months before heading back to the US.

I guess I sould have clarified, Im moving permanently, or at least for several years.

[fivepointnine]

Krikkit said:

I don't usually suggest them, but how about an Audi S4? The 2.7 turbo versions are well within budget and cracking cars, and the V8-powered ones are starting to creep down to budget now:
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20140821677...

we love Audi's, but Im always a bit concerned about the reliability of the S4's, I have heard of timing chain issues on the V8's and turbo issues on the V6's, but if I could find a well sorted one I would consider it, Ill have to look more into those, thanks.

[BritishRacinGrin]

Good, late E46 330i? Coupe if you like.

[loskie]

impreza sportwagon or does it have to be an auto

[sawman]

not available in US - check
seats 3 - check
less than 5k - check
Quick - yes, but possibly not in the modern sense
Reliable - advert says yes

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

[fivepointnine]

That Scimitar is a pretty nice looking classic, and as a bonus it is very close to where I am moving!

Also car can be a manual,no big deal, both the wife and myself can drive them no issue.

BMW's are always of interest. I would love to find a ZHP package 330, but Im not sure if that is a US only package or not.