Apologies for another what car topic but., £10k (MAX) budget

[irocfan]

Not been on here in a while and so I'm after advice again. I know I seem to change my car nearly as often as some people change their underwear - but due to a pleasant change in circumstances (got an unexpected pay-rise!) I'm in a position where I may be able to get a nicer vehicle. I've tried using the search function but....

Currently I have an X-reg C70 and as much as I like it, and it really is that hoary old chestnut of 'one of the best around' (2 owners, low miles, virtually every option except the dreaded full electric seats) I think I'd like something a little newer and/or sportier.

If I were to set myself a budget (including the sale of the C70!) of £10k what car would you recomend? To give you an diea of my requirements and tastes...

recent previous cars:
Audi TT225 (modified)... too harsh a drive, a little too common also a 4pot
Chrysler Crossfire... loved it (only reason I got rid of is an ex felt claustrophobic) and it suffered a little by comparison to the next vehicle on the list
Ford F150 Lightning... BEST.VEHICLE.EVER!!! Noisy (in a great way!!) The only downside was the mpgs (13ish was a little too painfull!!)
Chevy Camaro SS... fun, noisy (again in a good way)
Various IROC Camaros... fun but now too old/not modern enough for me.
MG ZT190+... quite nice but (waaay) too low geared

requirements:
reliable
'different' (I'd rather not see dozens on my way somewhere)
fast
comfortable
don't really want/need 4 doors (though 4 seats aren't necessary I don't really care)
not wildly keen on BMWs (though an X5 might be interesting - there goes my whole 4 door/4 seat thing!! lol)
lhd/rhd not really an issue
prefer auto - though again not a huge issue


I await with baited breath...

[irocfan]

Wafflesmk2 said:

This is actually quite hard, but the first thing i thought of was a mustang. Not many about, but a quick autotrader search found one for £10k with the 4.0 manual, 2007.

I will admit I'd thought of a Mustang and initially thought about the S197 (2005 shape) but if I was lucky I'd only be able to get a V6 which would leave me wishing I'd gone full fat (if there's one available!!). The earlier 'New Edge' ones look great on the outside but I remain to be convinced about the interior at the moment (dials the size of smarties and some very poor looking fitments - and I like Yank stuff!!!).

A Monaro IS a great idea but I'd always thought they'd be somewhat over budget - obviously looking at your post I'd be wrong lol... but I suspect there's an element of I'm looking for the cheapest ones around which makes me a little nervous. If I were to go Focus ST or Crossfire (see a wide and weird taste range) I'd have a large choice of all conditions

Edited by irocfan on Tuesday 6th March 15:14

[irocfan]

JackTheLaddddd said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3708463.htm

lol from what I can gather the 'comfort' requirement would tend to rule this out together with if not an aversion to certainly antipathy towards 4 pots would finish it off

[irocfan]

Gaz. said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1793132.htm

gotta be honest a 'Vette has always been a drool-worthy car - add in a wonderful soundtrack and good reliability and we're approaching a very tempting proposition. The snaggette that has now arisen is SWMBO feels unhappy about much over 10years old (curses! Foiled again!!) BUT that does make the Monaro a nice thought

I hear ya on the idea of a Boxster and while I have no doubt at all that they are good (maybe even great) cars they really don;t move me at all. I guess I'm realising with all the suggestions that some types of car are ruling themselves out:


Not sold on the idea of a convertable - oiks with knives vs fabric worry me and I just prefer tin-tops

Not too bothered about 'sports' cars (ie the affore mentioned Boxster) - I think I prefer GT cars or cruisers (hence my affection for the Crossfire I guess)