Which semi-daily for up to 15k - Page 1 - Car Buying

thatguyoverthere

Original Poster

10 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 12th January 2025

Thanks in advance, apologise that this is going to be a long post as I've been chewing this issue for a while. If you want to avoid my rambling skip to the requirements near the end.

4 years ago I began to WFH most of the week (no points for guessing why), so I chopped in my sensible daily for something a little more exciting, and thirsty - a Subaru Legacy rspecb 3.0 saloon.

It has served me well in that time, but I'd like to try some other (non-EV) cars whilst I can. Especially as I'm already paying £700~ road tax, may as well try something with more horses.

This is where I begin to struggle, the legacy cost me <£3k, and I've spent probably £4-5k on maintenance over the years, it has cost me very little and has been a great car.

In order to get a car that is a significant improvement I feel like I need to spend a fair whack and as a natural miser I find that a difficult conclusion to come to.

Initially I had a budget of 25k, and was looking at M2s and M240is, but I just can't stomach spending that much money (including a long term view on depreciation) on a "fun" car that 99% of the time will only be driven by me a few days a week. So I decided to work my way up from a minimal budget, until I could find cars that I was excited by, and that were unlikely to be riddled with rust and hopefully won't lose too much value.

I went up through single figures past older hot hatches, CLK55s, Z4s, 9-3s, etc. and there were several good options, but nothing grabbed my attention and gave me the "I must have that car" feeling that I got when I initially discovered Legacy Rs.

It wasn't until I hit 15kish that I really saw some cars that I thought might be the one. I could increase the budget further, but it would have to be for something extra special as I'm intending to have a few ks left over for any immediate maintenance.

Now, onto my requirements:
- Great sound - the flat 6 in the legacy comes alive over 3k and this is probably what gives me joy during most of my driving
- Petrol - 4-6k miles a year doesn't warrant diesel, any long trips will be in the family wagon
- Good amount of torque - although the legacy has decent pace high in the rev range, you don't "feel" it
- RWD - AWD with rear bias is also ok, not interested in FWD currently
- <6s to 60, I care more about in-gear acceleration, but I want something that feels like an obvious upgrade to my current car
- Automatic - this is a tough one, it has been a pain that my wife can't drive my car as it's manual and she's not driven one since she passed her test. We briefly had an r56 cooper s automatic last year and the gearbox was just s

t. "Regular" mode felt incredibly sluggish, and "Sport" mode just loved to sit at 4k everywhere, and the downshifts were brutal and hard to predict. So a "good" automatic gearbox that doesn't suck too much enjoyment out of the drive when pushing and isn't a menace when cruising.
- 4-5 seats - recently had a baby so will need more than 2 seats for occasional family duties. Happy with 3 doors

Cars I've ruled out:
- Ford anything - just can't get on with the looks
- 130i/330i - not enough speed differential
- Anything with a 4 pot, every new car has one so even if they sound great ill have plenty of opportunity to try them in future
- Audi RS(X) I love the interiors and I know they sound great, but I don't find them interesting

Cars I'm already interested in, and could do with opinions on at this price bracket:
- W204 C63
- E90 M3 - maybe E46 but would be worried about rot
- XK/XKR150 - all variants
- M140i - much more modern, but fewer cylinders
- Jag XE S - feels like a step down from those above
- GT86/BRZ - feel overpriced compared to other options

That's enough waffling, all help appreciated.

Thanks

CG2020UK

2,879 posts

64 months

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Sunday 12th January 2025

If you can make the finances work on an M2 highly recommend it!

Special cars and the gap over an M-lite is massive.

ZX10R NIN

30,051 posts

149 months

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[news]

Sunday 12th January 2025

fflump

3,044 posts

62 months

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[news]

Sunday 12th January 2025

ZX10R NIN said:

The XK looks a good bet in this price range. The Gransport is lovely too but I think is only Euro3 emissions so a problem for ULEZs.

thatguyoverthere

Original Poster

10 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 12th January 2025

I hadn’t considered the IS-F as I assumed it has a CVT, looks like it’s a softer version of the e92 in every regard so better suited as a daily?

Some additional context, I don’t intend to track the car, but there are some good roads not too far away so weekend hoons are not out of the question. Although I try to keep below triple figures so won’t really be pushing any of the options to their limits.

Thanks

ZX10R NIN

30,051 posts

149 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 12th January 2025

thatguyoverthere said:

I hadn’t considered the IS-F as I assumed it has a CVT, looks like it’s a softer version of the e92 in every regard so better suited as a daily?

Some additional context, I don’t intend to track the car, but there are some good roads not too far away so weekend hoons are not out of the question. Although I try to keep below triple figures so won’t really be pushing any of the options to their limits.

Thanks

They suit daily duties I wouldn't say it's softer not quite as sharp in the steering department as the M3 but just as potent but less fragile than the E90.

RoVoFob

1,523 posts

182 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 13th January 2025

thatguyoverthere said:

4 years ago I began to WFH most of the week (no points for guessing why), so I chopped in my sensible daily for something a little more exciting, and thirsty - a Subaru Legacy rspecb 3.0 saloon.

I went up through single figures past older hot hatches, CLK55s, Z4s, 9-3s, etc. and there were several good options, but nothing grabbed my attention and gave me the "I must have that car" feeling that I got when I initially discovered Legacy Rs.

Now, onto my requirements:
- Great sound - the flat 6 in the legacy comes alive over 3k and this is probably what gives me joy during most of my driving
- Petrol - 4-6k miles a year doesn't warrant diesel, any long trips will be in the family wagon
- Good amount of torque - although the legacy has decent pace high in the rev range, you don't "feel" it
- RWD - AWD with rear bias is also ok, not interested in FWD currently
- <6s to 60, I care more about in-gear acceleration, but I want something that feels like an obvious upgrade to my current car
- Automatic - this is a tough one, it has been a pain that my wife can't drive my car as it's manual and she's not driven one since she passed her test. We briefly had an r56 cooper s automatic last year and the gearbox was just s

t. "Regular" mode felt incredibly sluggish, and "Sport" mode just loved to sit at 4k everywhere, and the downshifts were brutal and hard to predict. So a "good" automatic gearbox that doesn't suck too much enjoyment out of the drive when pushing and isn't a menace when cruising.
- 4-5 seats - recently had a baby so will need more than 2 seats for occasional family duties. Happy with 3 doors

Cars I've ruled out:
- Ford anything - just can't get on with the looks
- 130i/330i - not enough speed differential
- Anything with a 4 pot, every new car has one so even if they sound great ill have plenty of opportunity to try them in future
- Audi RS(X) I love the interiors and I know they sound great, but I don't find them interesting

Cars I'm already interested in, and could do with opinions on at this price bracket:
- M140i - much more modern, but fewer cylinders
- Jag XE S - feels like a step down from those above
- GT86/BRZ - feel overpriced compared to other options

Used to have a manual Legacy 3.0R Spec B Sport Tourer manual, three BMW 130is, a work BMW M140i and have driven the XE S, including on track, plus the GT86…

The GT86 has a boomy, coarse four-pot with no torque. The Legacy engine is infinitely nicer in every way, though the handling and driving position of the GT86 are great. The XE S I found unexciting to drive and generally underwhelming. The M140i has an excellent engine and automatic gearbox, but is quite bland to drive with not-very-nice steering and the power can quite easily overwhelm the traction. The 130i is more engaging to drive and I never missed the power, as the power and traction are better balanced in the 130i, which feels notably quicker than the Legacy. I wouldn’t write it off for not being quick enough…

I’d recommend the Passat R36 and Audi S4/S5 - I’ve had both of these. The Passat has an amazing sounding engine, steers and handles nicely and is far better to drive than I ever expected. DSG was very good and better than the S tronic in my newer S5. Preferred pretty much everything about it over the Legacy, bar the styling. Passat CC 3.6 V6, is another option with the same engine…

Currently have a 2011 S5 Sportback which is a good balance of daily driver and engagement. It’s not exciting but it is satisfying. Has lots of torque and is a far more cohesive option than the XE S, retaining a supercharged V6 but also having AWD and a hatchback. Part of me wishes it had the R36 VR6 and DSG, though…

griffter

4,143 posts

279 months

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[news]

Monday 13th January 2025

M235i. I’ve just bought one.
You could also consider an M240i.

I enjoyed reading your post as it closely mirrored my own long purchase gestation period.

The above seem to tick all your boxes…

Wills2

28,198 posts

199 months

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Monday 13th January 2025

ZX10R NIN said:

They suit daily duties I wouldn't say it's softer not quite as sharp in the steering department as the M3 but just as potent but less fragile than the E90.

Must be pretty inert then then as the e92 isn't sharp in the steering department at all.

thatguyoverthere

Original Poster

10 posts

107 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 18th January 2025

Thanks for all the replies, some good options I'd not considered.

Looking to sell my car and get some test drives in, will update once I've purchased!