VFM hotspot? Speedy sub £4k 5dr

[Albigularis]

Previous thread about a Mazda 6 MPS put me off them, having fairly fragile engines, so I've scoured autotrader for a bunch of stuff, most of which is high miles, but that doesn't really bother me too much, as long as servicing and past MOTs look okay when I check them out. Budget is £4k, needs 4/5 doors (ideally) and must be reasonably quick. Would prefer to avoid FWD. Not fussed about economy.

List so far of what I've found is:
BMW 335d/535d Touring
A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (300bhp easy out of this)
A4/A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro
Jaguar S-Type R

I've found an interesting Volvo V70 T6 AWD Polestar Edition too, but it's sitting on 213k miles (it done 185k of that in its first 4 years of ownership).

Anything I've missed?

Edited by Albigularis on Tuesday 17th April 14:16

[Albigularis]

ed- Double post

[Ahbefive]

I doubt you will get an "easy" 300bhp out of a 2.0tdi A3.

I'd opt for a focus ST.

[Albigularis]

Ahbefive said:

I doubt you will get an "easy" 300bhp out of a 2.0tdi A3.

I'd opt for a focus ST.

The 170PD unit is very easy to tune from what I've read at least.

I do like the Focus ST, especially this one - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

My only issue with FWD is that from experience of my EP3 CTR, they can't take that much power?

[culpz]

BMW 335d/535d Touring - Not a chance with 4k
A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (300bhp easy out of this) - 300 bhp is fairly apprehensive
A4/A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro - Not hugely quick
Jaguar S-Type R - You need about 10k for one of them

Why do most suggestions appear to be diesels? They're perceptively quick, with a sudden slug of torque for a few thousand revs, and then that's it. They're not what i'd be looking at really.

What about a Subaru Impreza of some kind? I know you said ideally not FWD but Saab Aero's are hard to be just for doing the fast thing.

[Albigularis]

culpz said:

BMW 335d/535d Touring - Not a chance with 4k
A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (300bhp easy out of this) - 300 bhp is fairly apprehensive
A4/A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro - Not hugely quick
Jaguar S-Type R - You need about 10k for one of them

Why do most suggestions appear to be diesels? They're perceptively quick, with a sudden slug of torque for a few thousand revs, and then that's it. They're not what i'd be looking at really.

What about a Subaru Impreza of some kind? I know you said ideally not FWD but Saab Aero's are hard to be just for doing the fast thing.

I would link the 335d but it has actually sold today. There are however a fair few 535ds on for that money - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=spons...

Again, there is a high ish (140k I think) miles S-Type R on for £4k as well. These are cars I've found on Autotrader, not hopes and dreams. They're all high miles, but I'm fine with that.

I love imprezas, but I bought one last year and had the typical HG issues, leading to a knock. Due to the nature of the problem being a matter of time, even proactively preventing it costs about £1300. I love them, but I'd rather not get wrapped up in one for it to need that level of work done to it in the one go.

[Ahbefive]

Albigularis said:

Ahbefive said:

I doubt you will get an "easy" 300bhp out of a 2.0tdi A3.

I'd opt for a focus ST.

The 170PD unit is very easy to tune from what I've read at least.

I do like the Focus ST, especially this one - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

My only issue with FWD is that from experience of my EP3 CTR, they can't take that much power?

It will cost you thousands to get 300bhp out of a 2.0tdi and when you do you will be the kind of car that leaves in a cloud of diesel soot, not good.

I have a fwd megane and 2 awd cars and the megane with 270bhp handles the power easily as does my friends 300bhp focus ST, I think an LSD and good tyres make a big difference. Even on track in the wet at Castle Combe a couple.of weeks ago the megane was finding grip.

[ZX10R NIN]

You'd have to do a significant amount of work to get 300bhp out of a 2.0d.

My Focus ST was running 360bhp (admittedly it was fitted with a LSD) & drove very well, obviously if you have a club for a right foot then yes you can have an unruly car.

I'd be looking at this one rather than the one you list:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

VXR Vectra if you want power then the VXR ticks a lot of boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

S80 2.5T (I'd take the Mondeo 2.5T over this)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want lots of torque & bhp the grab an E500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW 545i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi A6 3.2 S Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cadillac CTS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Albigularis]

ZX10R NIN said:

You'd have to do a significant amount of work to get 300bhp out of a 2.0d.

My Focus ST was running 360bhp (admittedly it was fitted with a LSD) & drove very well, obviously if you have a club for a right foot then yes you can have an unruly car.

I'd be looking at this one rather than the one you list:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

VXR Vectra if you want power then the VXR ticks a lot of boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

With regards to the ST, paying part of it via CC so kinda need to buy from a dealer.

The engine in the Vectra is alright, if the moon miles aren't a problem, there's this which I think is much nicer to look at - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ZX10R NIN]

He has a few as they're all ex police cars as long as you're cool with that then go for it.

[Ahbefive]

A friend of mine bought an ex police Astra, he will never buy another one and it helped a few of us form an opinion that we won't ever be buying one either.

Wheel bearings all knackered (mechanic suggested maybe from being slammed up kerbs regularly), gearbox stuffed and part of the service history included "deep clean for blood and vomit". Lovely.

[Albigularis]

Ahbefive said:

A friend of mine bought an ex police Astra, he will never buy another one and it helped a few of us form an opinion that we won't ever be buying one either.

Wheel bearings all knackered (mechanic suggested maybe from being slammed up kerbs regularly), gearbox stuffed and part of the service history included "deep clean for blood and vomit". Lovely.

I guess these are things I hadn't considered actually, I do remember seeing videos of police taking speedbumps at 60+, fairly likely that's what's happened with these cars on reflection.

[Ahbefive]

If you are considering using a credit card for part of the payment, why not just do a money transfer into your bank account and then you can buy from anyone?

Lots of credit card companies will do 0% for 12months or more with a one time 3 or 4% charge.

[culpz]

Albigularis said:

I would link the 335d but it has actually sold today. There are however a fair few 535ds on for that money - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=spons...

Again, there is a high ish (140k I think) miles S-Type R on for £4k as well. These are cars I've found on Autotrader, not hopes and dreams. They're all high miles, but I'm fine with that.

I love imprezas, but I bought one last year and had the typical HG issues, leading to a knock. Due to the nature of the problem being a matter of time, even proactively preventing it costs about £1300. I love them, but I'd rather not get wrapped up in one for it to need that level of work done to it in the one go.

I'm not convinced those cars are particularly great VFM cars though. They're cheap to buy but will be expensive to run. I love a 535d, but not one for 4k. Plus, at the end of the day, they're still diesels. My dad had one and it was great but it was really just for sitting on the motorway with a bit of poke.

The only one that sounds decent out of that lot is the S-Type R. Regardless of the high mileage, it seems like a huge gamble at 4k. They're quite a rate car and i know prices on them haave shot up over the years. Fantastic cars and alot of power for the money but i'm not sure it'd last very long.

What about a Saab Aero, as a previously mentioned? Other's i can think of are a BMW 330i, Lexus IS300, Toyota Aristo (not sure if in budget), Mitsubishi GTO (not sure if in budget), Mondeo ST220, Leon Cupra R, Focus ST, Nissan 350Z. Some are FWD but good bang for your buck.

Edited by culpz on Friday 20th April 12:55

[Albigularis]

culpz said:

I'm not convinced those cares are particularly great VFM cars though. They're cheap to buy but will be expensive to run. I love a 535d, but not one for 4k. Plus, at the end of the day, they're still diesels. My dad had one and it was great but it was really just for sitting on the motorway with a bit of poke.

The only one that sounds decent out of that lot is the S-Type R. Regardless of the high mileage, it seems like a huge gamble at 4k. They're quite a rate car and i know prices on them haave shot up over the years. Fantastic cars and alot of power for the money but i'm not sure it'd last very long.

What about a Saab Aero, as a previously mentioned? Other's i can think of are a BMW 330i, Lexus IS300, Toyota Aristo (not sure if in budget), Mitsubishi GTO (not sure if in budget), Mondeo ST220, Leon Cupra R, Focus ST, Nissan 350Z. Some are FWD but good bang for your buck.

I had an F10 530d which was a little boring but an amazing car. Not a drivers car by any means though.

Not a fan of Saabs, even the newest ones in that budget look very dated inside. Also slower than most other cars of similar power since they're pretty weighty. 330i would be a decent shout, I do like the E90 shape, lack of tuning potential with the non-turbo though. Mondeo ST220 just look pretty dated outside. Leon Cupras in that budget look dated too, unless you get an 07 onwards which are rare at that money. Nice cars though, had a shot of a 450bhp modded one last year. 350z I'd love, but I need 4 seats.

Focus ST is looking better by the day. Sound damn good too.

[culpz]

Albigularis said:

Focus ST is looking better by the day. Sound damn good too.

Yeah, sorry, forgot about the need of 4/5 doors when i quoted the 350z!

Focus ST is a shout, i reckon. FWD but that 5 pot noise and alot of scope for tuning potential. Pretty tough cars too, aswell the the Volvo engine.

[Pistonheader101]

Are you sure Your Not talking about the 2.0T A3

In which case yes 300bhp is achievable with a map, intake and downpipe.