Future Plans - What Cars fit this criteria
Discussion
Hi All,
I would like to think i've started taking a much more active part on PH of late and especially the "what car" category.
I've gone through about 28+ cars in my 18 odd years driving and have a lot of experience and general knowledge on cars and like to offer my experience and help to anyone looking for something new.
However, now it comes to my own question i seem/feel a bit stumped as to what answers i can offer myself.
My next car will be purchased in the next 12 months i think. I currently own an FN2 CTR as a daily driver. Its modified, loud, brash, crashy, twitchy but good fun and despite its obvious failings i do love it. But i want more - i always want more.
I miss my previous turbo cars, imparticular the Impreza STI's i used to own for their turn of speed and the appeal of them being somewhat "different" to every other box on the road. But i love the way i can rev the honda all the way out off the clock.
I miss my old BMW's for the refinement and build quality and the noise they made (both 3.0ltrs).
I love driving. I'm not a god. I don't do track days all that often, i've been round the ring a dozen or more laps. I consider myself a decent above average driver who loves the experience of driving. I'll go the long route every time, i'll plan routes avoiding motorways to go massive distances if it means i can get to drive good roads and enjoy the experience. I like to feel involved and part of the experience, not just the person at the wheel.
So my next car i think has to be for me something a bit more special.
I need it to be engaging and involving as a drivers car. Something that can make you tingle and enjoy and feel like an ocassion when you get into the car and go somewhere.
I'll admit i like brash and a little loud and i love for my cars to be noticed and enjoyed. Aurally and aesthetically. So i want the car to stand out. But it can't be too loud - after all, i live in middle class suburban hell with wife and 2 kids and my wife hates my current car due to how load the exhaust is. But i love the way that the noise can set a car apart from anything else. So want something with a lovely engine/exhaust note as standard.
I want the car to be tight and responsive and corner well, well balanced with a tight gear box and something that loves being driven hard. But at the same time it needs to have 4+ seats for the family and offer some comfort and driver conveniences - not an out and out track car or a 2 seater.
i also then need it to be a car you can enjoy like the above but be perfect around town as well. Boot that is a decent size and a ride that won't ruin my spine on my 3 mile crashy/pot hole ridden city commute.
I want the car to be something that stands out from the crowd of silver tin boxes on the street that does draw a bit of attention, not from everyone everywhere but from people that like cars they'll look and go yes, that's nice. He made a nice choice. I want it to be different and a bit special.
I want it to achieve 0-60 in less than 6 seconds, preferably around the less then 5 seconds given previous cars. The CTR is one of the slowest i've owned since i was a teenager and its plenty quick for around town but it just doesn't feel fast enough for those a/b road blasts and rare traffic light drag races. Who doesn't like to have a play every now and again??
Age could be a factor. I would prefer something newer due to the advances in driver safety etc. But i'd explore older models. TAX and Fuel are inconsequential - i pay whatever it takes to enjoy the car i own. Likewise maintenance costs don't mean much. It needs what it needs. But i don't want something so unreliable that it is in the garage every other month. I would prefer it to be quite strong.
Budget. I don't want to spend over £20k. Preferably around £15k.
So is there a car or cars that meet my "wish" list and criteria in the budget i have?? Help me out guys and girls. It's a head scratcher.
TIA
I would like to think i've started taking a much more active part on PH of late and especially the "what car" category.
I've gone through about 28+ cars in my 18 odd years driving and have a lot of experience and general knowledge on cars and like to offer my experience and help to anyone looking for something new.
However, now it comes to my own question i seem/feel a bit stumped as to what answers i can offer myself.
My next car will be purchased in the next 12 months i think. I currently own an FN2 CTR as a daily driver. Its modified, loud, brash, crashy, twitchy but good fun and despite its obvious failings i do love it. But i want more - i always want more.
I miss my previous turbo cars, imparticular the Impreza STI's i used to own for their turn of speed and the appeal of them being somewhat "different" to every other box on the road. But i love the way i can rev the honda all the way out off the clock.
I miss my old BMW's for the refinement and build quality and the noise they made (both 3.0ltrs).
I love driving. I'm not a god. I don't do track days all that often, i've been round the ring a dozen or more laps. I consider myself a decent above average driver who loves the experience of driving. I'll go the long route every time, i'll plan routes avoiding motorways to go massive distances if it means i can get to drive good roads and enjoy the experience. I like to feel involved and part of the experience, not just the person at the wheel.
So my next car i think has to be for me something a bit more special.
I need it to be engaging and involving as a drivers car. Something that can make you tingle and enjoy and feel like an ocassion when you get into the car and go somewhere.
I'll admit i like brash and a little loud and i love for my cars to be noticed and enjoyed. Aurally and aesthetically. So i want the car to stand out. But it can't be too loud - after all, i live in middle class suburban hell with wife and 2 kids and my wife hates my current car due to how load the exhaust is. But i love the way that the noise can set a car apart from anything else. So want something with a lovely engine/exhaust note as standard.
I want the car to be tight and responsive and corner well, well balanced with a tight gear box and something that loves being driven hard. But at the same time it needs to have 4+ seats for the family and offer some comfort and driver conveniences - not an out and out track car or a 2 seater.
i also then need it to be a car you can enjoy like the above but be perfect around town as well. Boot that is a decent size and a ride that won't ruin my spine on my 3 mile crashy/pot hole ridden city commute.
I want the car to be something that stands out from the crowd of silver tin boxes on the street that does draw a bit of attention, not from everyone everywhere but from people that like cars they'll look and go yes, that's nice. He made a nice choice. I want it to be different and a bit special.
I want it to achieve 0-60 in less than 6 seconds, preferably around the less then 5 seconds given previous cars. The CTR is one of the slowest i've owned since i was a teenager and its plenty quick for around town but it just doesn't feel fast enough for those a/b road blasts and rare traffic light drag races. Who doesn't like to have a play every now and again??
Age could be a factor. I would prefer something newer due to the advances in driver safety etc. But i'd explore older models. TAX and Fuel are inconsequential - i pay whatever it takes to enjoy the car i own. Likewise maintenance costs don't mean much. It needs what it needs. But i don't want something so unreliable that it is in the garage every other month. I would prefer it to be quite strong.
Budget. I don't want to spend over £20k. Preferably around £15k.
So is there a car or cars that meet my "wish" list and criteria in the budget i have?? Help me out guys and girls. It's a head scratcher.
TIA
Lord.Vader said:
As above;
E90 M3 (this is the saloon)
Lexus IS-F / GS-F (out of budget I would think), this is what I would pick.
I love japanese cars so the ISF is definitely at the top of the list i think if i can stretch the budget to get a good one. Though seen big milers for less than the 15K mark. E90 M3 (this is the saloon)
Lexus IS-F / GS-F (out of budget I would think), this is what I would pick.
The exhaust note is sublime that i've heard online. Certainly ticks a few of the boxes.
How are they to drive though - engaging? I drove an rs200 and an is200 and found them quite boaty. I mean the Beams engine was sublime but it just wasn't all that engaging. Is teh ISF more of their M3 version?
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