Fun Car To Drive / 2.0L Max / Ideally 4 Doors / Petrol

[andykao]

I'm looking for a fun car to drive with the following reqs :
- engine up to 2.0 L (ideally a petrol engine, i'm sick and tired of diesels)
- 170 (or more BHP - or something that can be easily tuned)
- probably turbo, would be nice to have AWD
- 4 doors sedan
- 2002 or later
- budget : 5-6k max
- decent mileage

The first cars that came to mind were the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Lancer Evo.
I could not find a decent Sub to fit my budget (tons of miles on all of them) and the Evos are expensive, couldn't find anything near my budget.

I don't like the germans : i could get a 3 series beamer but totally hate them, VW are expensive to service (i have a mechanic friend working at VW) and audis are just dull (don't have them but they are the last ones on my list).

I was also thinking about the 93 Saab Turbo and the Focus ST (170).

Anything else i missed?

I love japs, hate germans and the 2.0 liter engine is really important.

[Pistonheader101]

VW are cheap as chips to service

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo Titanium X Sport now you can get these in 2.0T form, best fwd steer in it's class:

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

But IMO the better version is the 2.5T five pot:

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

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

If AWD is a must then there's the Mazda6 MPS but they do have a few issues so do your homework & they're 2.3L:

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

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

Another option AWD option is the Insignia in 2.0T:

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

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

FWD

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

Nothing I've listed is a fun car in the sense of a hot hatch but everyone of them has the ability for you to have some fun with the Mondel being the best but all are good cars.

Lexus IS250 again an option if having 2.5 litres isn't an issue

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

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

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

[ninjag]

I've had a 2006 Mazda 6 MPS and they are good sleeper cars, but tuning them can be expensive. The TIP is too narrow so that's the first thing to upgrade along with a CAI or covered SRI. To remap you need to upgrade the fuel pump internals and go from there but for decent gains it's usually a bigger turbo. Also the intercooler is top mounted (hence the bonnet hump) so to upgrade normally involves converting to a front mounted one.

Good handing, I put vredestein tyres on mine and it was near uncrashable. Interior is a little drab. Suspension gave me a lot of issues. It was very adjustable and a good setup but the bushes were surprisingly soft, perhaps to make the ride more compliant for daily use? I ended up replacing a lot of bushes, drop links, roll bar bushes and arms.

Also, forgot about the rear diff rear mount, they are notorious for needing replacing and it's a pig of a job - at least three hours. The rear diff front bushes can also go but there are poly ones available.

The rear pipe outlet holes are fake size but ideal to cater for a larger set of pipes.

It was a pretty economical car though considering the weight and engine. I was returning mid 30's with normal driving.

There's good aftermarket support especially from the States and a dedicated MPS forum with tons of helpful advice.

It's one of those cars which you need to be prepared to spend a little money on it rather than just a remap to get the most out of it. I do miss mine.

Edited by ninjag on Monday 24th December 02:14

[NiceCupOfTea]

Saab is a good shout - 9-5 is a better car than the 9-3 - Aero is quick and tunable in either guise. Get a good one, money for a noobtune map, slush fund, and bank the change.

Volvo also worth a look. You'll get far more for your money than with Ze Chermans.

[A900ss]

The fact you say ‘sedan’ and ‘liter’, what country are you from as these are UK recommendations.

When somebody has a post count of 1...

More info please.