10k 'interesting' daily driver
Discussion
I'm currently 'one of those people' as I have an S3 on PCP. I got it because I was commuting 2-3 hours a day in stop start traffic so wanted something comfy and gadgety for the commute with a bit of pace to play with on evenings and weekends.
I now commute 10mins a day so am considering something more interesting for when my PCP ends.
At the minute I'm considering three very different choices:
BMW E30
Forester STI
Porsche 944
Can anyone share experience or even opinion of the pros and cons of any of these as a daily driver?
I now commute 10mins a day so am considering something more interesting for when my PCP ends.
At the minute I'm considering three very different choices:
BMW E30
Forester STI
Porsche 944
Can anyone share experience or even opinion of the pros and cons of any of these as a daily driver?
Any of the 3 would make an interesting daily drive. It depends what you want?
E30 would be more of a faff in terms of keeping on top of rust/niggles.
Could you get a 944 turbo within budget? Im out of the loop with regard to values.
I drive my forester STI every other day & it's awesome. But much more modern than the other two.
E30 would be more of a faff in terms of keeping on top of rust/niggles.
Could you get a 944 turbo within budget? Im out of the loop with regard to values.
I drive my forester STI every other day & it's awesome. But much more modern than the other two.
Integroo said:
Vauxhall Monaro. Think you will get a decent one for 11-13k? 5.7l V8, shouldn't depreciate, reputation for being reasonably reliable, five seats and large so practical etc.
I've looked at them a few times, they're 4 seats, and not really that big or practical.The interior is also horrifically naff, if that's the sort of thing that bothers you.
Makes a Subaru or Nissan look nice inside.
There are better choices IMO
E30 325 sport isn't a bad car but you're paying a lot for it's age / image not much fun in the winter
Forester STi - I bought an XT and modified it to 275bhp, impreza WRX suspension and 4 pot brakes etc and it was fast (ish) but very dull - I wanted a discrete car I could leave anywhere and carry kids / dogs which it did well but did I mention it was dull ?
944 - you need an S2 really - I had a 300bhp turbo and it was a great GT car but not particularly fun and rust is an issue these days but I'd happily run one daily it's a far better car than the E30
Can you tinker with it yourself - if not I wouldn't buy older cars
(I can and do)
E30 325 sport isn't a bad car but you're paying a lot for it's age / image not much fun in the winter
Forester STi - I bought an XT and modified it to 275bhp, impreza WRX suspension and 4 pot brakes etc and it was fast (ish) but very dull - I wanted a discrete car I could leave anywhere and carry kids / dogs which it did well but did I mention it was dull ?
944 - you need an S2 really - I had a 300bhp turbo and it was a great GT car but not particularly fun and rust is an issue these days but I'd happily run one daily it's a far better car than the E30
Can you tinker with it yourself - if not I wouldn't buy older cars
(I can and do)
Must admit hitting my mid forties do like the idea of the Forrester STi. Rapid but practical!
I currently drive about in a Celica gen 6 GT-Four, practical and just shy of 300bhp.
Other ideas could be:
Focus ST with some sort of mapping/performance work
Mazda 3/6 MPS
Audi S5
370z are dropping down to 10k ish
DC5 Type R
I currently drive about in a Celica gen 6 GT-Four, practical and just shy of 300bhp.
Other ideas could be:
Focus ST with some sort of mapping/performance work
Mazda 3/6 MPS
Audi S5
370z are dropping down to 10k ish
DC5 Type R
I went from a 944 S2 to a 350Z, 944's, unless they are very well fettled/sorted aren't really dailies these days, the Nissan just did its thing.
An S2 can be huge money pit, so many potential issues at that age, if it is your only car I would avoid like the plague.
Dont get me wrong, they are great but mine had seen thousands spent and it still had rust, running issues and various other niggles.
350Z is a good bet at that money, as has been said, might get you into a 370Z which is an upgrade.
Boxster ? watch for engine issues
Caymans can be had < 10k, same issues as the Boxster
BMW 135i
Saab Aero X
Fiesta ST
Focus ST
GT86
An S2 can be huge money pit, so many potential issues at that age, if it is your only car I would avoid like the plague.
Dont get me wrong, they are great but mine had seen thousands spent and it still had rust, running issues and various other niggles.
350Z is a good bet at that money, as has been said, might get you into a 370Z which is an upgrade.
Boxster ? watch for engine issues
Caymans can be had < 10k, same issues as the Boxster
BMW 135i
Saab Aero X
Fiesta ST
Focus ST
GT86
I agree with comments about the E30, I suspect they are too fragile for use as a daily especially as I don't have a garage. I would be looking for one that had already benefited from a full rebuild.
Monaro has never really tickled my pickle, nothing against them may be my inner badge snob despite being a Ford fan.
My former car was a modified Focus ST225, been there done that. Would need to be a new RS now to feel special.
I haven't done much reading on the Porsche yet, just think they're nice to look at and old enough to be cool rather than just a poor man's porsche. Is the rust side of things better with the 944 thn the E30?
Forester STI is the front runner at the moment as it ticks a lot of boxes, 4wd and 300hp which i'm now used to but in (hopefully) a more playful package.
As well as the boxer noise combined with practicality and less of the chav image that comes with the impreza.
Edit in response to others,
I'm not handy with the spanners so I'd be finding a good local indy specialist regardless.
I'd also intend to fit a good double din stereo unit to something like the forester to provide nav and hands free calls.
Likes of focus ST, BMW 135i etc. I'd just lease/pcp a new one I was thinking something more along the lines of 20 years plus old or an import for a bit of obscurity.
There's still a good chance I'll end up in a new fiesta ST or even the new Volvo S60 on PCP if I bottle it!
Monaro has never really tickled my pickle, nothing against them may be my inner badge snob despite being a Ford fan.
My former car was a modified Focus ST225, been there done that. Would need to be a new RS now to feel special.
I haven't done much reading on the Porsche yet, just think they're nice to look at and old enough to be cool rather than just a poor man's porsche. Is the rust side of things better with the 944 thn the E30?
Forester STI is the front runner at the moment as it ticks a lot of boxes, 4wd and 300hp which i'm now used to but in (hopefully) a more playful package.
As well as the boxer noise combined with practicality and less of the chav image that comes with the impreza.
Edit in response to others,
I'm not handy with the spanners so I'd be finding a good local indy specialist regardless.
I'd also intend to fit a good double din stereo unit to something like the forester to provide nav and hands free calls.
Likes of focus ST, BMW 135i etc. I'd just lease/pcp a new one I was thinking something more along the lines of 20 years plus old or an import for a bit of obscurity.
There's still a good chance I'll end up in a new fiesta ST or even the new Volvo S60 on PCP if I bottle it!
Edited by cookington on Thursday 17th January 12:59
Instead of the forrester...a carefully picked, nice L322 Range Rover
I bought one last winter thinking I’d buy and sell in a few months but it’s really gotten under my skin and once you’ve accepted it for what it is they’re great - especially this time of year (just had our first snow today in the NE)
I bought one last winter thinking I’d buy and sell in a few months but it’s really gotten under my skin and once you’ve accepted it for what it is they’re great - especially this time of year (just had our first snow today in the NE)
I was in your position just over 6 months ago and my only advice would be to think about how 'interesting' that car will be on your new daily commute.
I went from a boring 45mi each way in a company diesel to 19mi each way, mainly through Cambridgeshire countryside and villages, in whatever I wanted; so I set myself a £10k budget and started searching.
I now have a 2004 Boxster S which for me, at the time, ticked a lot of boxes but I'm now looking to sell it in the near future. As much as I love the Porsche, particularly when it's roof-down weather and the roads are clear, I find myself frustrated at the lack of opportunity to use it properly and I rarely see the top side of 4k rpm.
I'm under no illusions that it's the most capable car on the road but I find it too capable to make 'normal' driving particularly interesting, so I think I'm going to look for something less capable and more fun or uber-wafty and seek my thrills more often on two wheels.
I went from a boring 45mi each way in a company diesel to 19mi each way, mainly through Cambridgeshire countryside and villages, in whatever I wanted; so I set myself a £10k budget and started searching.
I now have a 2004 Boxster S which for me, at the time, ticked a lot of boxes but I'm now looking to sell it in the near future. As much as I love the Porsche, particularly when it's roof-down weather and the roads are clear, I find myself frustrated at the lack of opportunity to use it properly and I rarely see the top side of 4k rpm.
I'm under no illusions that it's the most capable car on the road but I find it too capable to make 'normal' driving particularly interesting, so I think I'm going to look for something less capable and more fun or uber-wafty and seek my thrills more often on two wheels.
2 seaters are off the cards, working on the other half for that.
E46 BMW aren't old enough, I love them but they're still in the chav bracket, lots of big bills reported on E46 M3s too.
The range rover is very tempting, especially after this weeks reader's car feature. I also fear big bills with these and because of the price they can be had for now ther are too many being driving by complete masturbators around my parts at the moment.
E46 BMW aren't old enough, I love them but they're still in the chav bracket, lots of big bills reported on E46 M3s too.
The range rover is very tempting, especially after this weeks reader's car feature. I also fear big bills with these and because of the price they can be had for now ther are too many being driving by complete masturbators around my parts at the moment.
Mk2 TT 2.0 turbo? Tunable to a very decent level of performance. Dont think you would stretch to a TTS for 10k unfortunately
R26 Renaultsport Megane Mk2?
Alfa Romeo 147/156 GTA?
R33 GTST or S15 Type R?
If you want something old and non chavvy you can have my M plate Celica GT-Four for 10k - has four seats too!
R26 Renaultsport Megane Mk2?
Alfa Romeo 147/156 GTA?
R33 GTST or S15 Type R?
If you want something old and non chavvy you can have my M plate Celica GT-Four for 10k - has four seats too!
Everyday car and you can't wield a spanner - I really wouldn't be looking at 30 yr old cars - at least not the fun / sporty ones
If you like the S3 you may like the STi - I find both dull, but I like having to work for the performance and even I won't consider an E30 as a winter car so I think you need to re look at your choices.
I was out last night as the temp went below zero in my RWD V6 Vito - sideways everywhere - which is fine if you're used to it but is a long way from an S3
If you like the S3 you may like the STi - I find both dull, but I like having to work for the performance and even I won't consider an E30 as a winter car so I think you need to re look at your choices.
I was out last night as the temp went below zero in my RWD V6 Vito - sideways everywhere - which is fine if you're used to it but is a long way from an S3
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