What car, 4k - quickish, comfortable and nice interior.

[obob]

Sooooooo, need a run around for a year or so. Downgrading from a Passat TDI and an s2000 to one car.

So criteria -

- 4/5 seats
- Nicely specced interior
- Cheap/easy to fix as a home mechanic
- £4k max, would prefer £3k
- Quickish and a nice drive.
- Fuel economy above 20mpg.

I'm short on ideas, the Octavia Mk1 VRS is the only thing I can think of but it's just not quite quick enough at 7.7secs 0-60. So can I get all teh above and 6.5ish 0-60.

[Captain Muppet]

obob said:

Sooooooo, need a run around for a year or so. Downgrading from a Passat TDI and an s2000 to one car.

So criteria -

- 4/5 seats
- Nicely specced interior
- Cheap/easy to fix as a home mechanic
- £4k max, would prefer £3k
- Quickish and a nice drive.
- Fuel economy above 20mpg.

I'm short on ideas, the Octavia Mk1 VRS is the only thing I can think of but it's just not quite quick enough at 7.7secs 0-60. So can I get all teh above and 6.5ish 0-60.

E36 M3

[mnkiboy]

Mondeo ST220, X-Type 3.0, BMW 328/330, Volvo T5... plenty to choose from.

[Mr E]

Standard PH answer at the moment appears to be a Saab Aero.

[AlecG]

E46 330ci, or328/325? They'll do high 30's on a run and high 20's through town, are cheap to buy, lots of knowledge on bimmerforums, and sound gorgeous!

[DavidY]

9-3 Aero ??

[300bhp/ton]

obob said:

Sooooooo, need a run around for a year or so. Downgrading from a Passat TDI and an s2000 to one car.

So criteria -

- 4/5 seats
- Nicely specced interior
- Cheap/easy to fix as a home mechanic
- £4k max, would prefer £3k
- Quickish and a nice drive.
- Fuel economy above 20mpg.

I'm short on ideas, the Octavia Mk1 VRS is the only thing I can think of but it's just not quite quick enough at 7.7secs 0-60. So can I get all teh above and 6.5ish 0-60.

3.0 AWD Jaguar X-Type would seem to fit this perfectly. Fast, stylish inside and out, comfy, good to drive.

[Fittster]

Honda Accord Type-R.

Keeps some of the VTECness from the S2000.

[obob]

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

Accord type R - Good idea but I've had loads of Hondas over the years so if I get another Type R it has to be a JDM 98spec Integra.

Can I get a well maintained E36 M3 in budget? I'll have a look and how cheap to fix if something goes wrong?

Saab Aero??? 2.3 HOTT?

[veevee]

AlecG said:

E46 330ci, or328/325? They'll do high 30's on a run and high 20's through town, are cheap to buy, lots of knowledge on bimmerforums, and sound gorgeous!

This.

[300bhp/ton]

obob said:

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

I've never understood this mentality tbh. I see more old people driving hatchbacks than nice cars.

BTW - I had my first Jag at 19!

[obob]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3655459.htm

Think this thread may die an early death!!

[Six Fiend]

300bhp/ton said:

obob said:

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

I've never understood this mentality tbh. I see more old people driving hatchbacks than nice cars.

BTW - I had my first Jag at 19!

Get an X-type Sport if you want less chrome and more "young and thrusting".

Fabulous cars and so much available for the money

[obob]

300bhp/ton said:

obob said:

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

I've never understood this mentality tbh. I see more old people driving hatchbacks than nice cars.

BTW - I had my first Jag at 19!

Hmmmm, what I mean is it's more a barge than a fast saloon. Plus they are nearly all autos, I don't get on with autos.

[SuperVM]

I was going to suggest an E36 M3, but I see that has been done already. Mine has been pretty well maintained and was £4k.

[300bhp/ton]

Six Fiend said:

Get an X-type Sport if you want less chrome and more "young and thrusting".

Fabulous cars and so much available for the money

I can't speak for the Volvo, but the X-Type ain't no barge. Very good handling, maybe not as dynamic as an 3 Series but better than anything Audi has to offer in this sector. Very very good steering.

[PaperCut]

mnkiboy said:

Mondeo ST220

^ This.

[SuperHangOn]

IS200. Not quick but nice.

[obob]

300bhp/ton said:

I can't speak for the Volvo, but the X-Type ain't no barge. Very good handling, maybe not as dynamic as an 3 Series but better than anything Audi has to offer in this sector. Very very good steering.

The E36 is not that dynamic, I've already had an M3 - and although it handles good, the steering feel is so st it's unbelievabe. Is the steering improved on the E46?

Are the ST220s reliable?

[Six Fiend]

300bhp/ton said:

Six Fiend said:

Get an X-type Sport if you want less chrome and more "young and thrusting".

Fabulous cars and so much available for the money

I can't speak for the Volvo, but the X-Type ain't no barge. Very good handling, maybe not as dynamic as an 3 Series but better than anything Audi has to offer in this sector. Very very good steering.

Exactly and with the manual (of which there are plenty) it's a hoot. Sounds fab with stainless tweaks to the exhuast too