Best fun investment car for £5k-£10k
Discussion
I have been toying with buying a fun car to put in the garage and use sparingly. For my man maths it would be good if I could pick something that might appreciate slightly if held onto for a few years.
I am not looking for some sort of stripped down track car. More something that might get the pulse racing a little and be engaging to drive, but be at least 10 years old and have some character. Ideally want something as the factory made it rather than anything modified. I also want at least 4 seats so that i can take the kids in it if required. Also looking for something that isn't too fragile, as I don't have fortunes to spend on maintenance....so not too big a wish list then!
Got my driving license in the early 90's so am drawn to some of the hot hatchery of that time, although recognise that the boat has probably been missed for the 205gti and 5 gt turbo stuff.
Current thoughts are:
E46 M3 (manual)
Golf GTI mk2 16v
Volvo v70R
Jaguar XKR
Subaru Impreza STi (although not sure about this)
Alfa 156 GTA
What is conventional thinking on these and what would anyone else suggest?
I am not looking for some sort of stripped down track car. More something that might get the pulse racing a little and be engaging to drive, but be at least 10 years old and have some character. Ideally want something as the factory made it rather than anything modified. I also want at least 4 seats so that i can take the kids in it if required. Also looking for something that isn't too fragile, as I don't have fortunes to spend on maintenance....so not too big a wish list then!
Got my driving license in the early 90's so am drawn to some of the hot hatchery of that time, although recognise that the boat has probably been missed for the 205gti and 5 gt turbo stuff.
Current thoughts are:
E46 M3 (manual)
Golf GTI mk2 16v
Volvo v70R
Jaguar XKR
Subaru Impreza STi (although not sure about this)
Alfa 156 GTA
What is conventional thinking on these and what would anyone else suggest?
I think buying the best M3 you can find with that budget might be a good shout. M cars only ever seem to appreciate in value.
With a bit of haggling and man maths you could get this, which will appreciate in value over the next few years. FSH, 74k and 12 months MOT. Up for £10,995.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
With a bit of haggling and man maths you could get this, which will appreciate in value over the next few years. FSH, 74k and 12 months MOT. Up for £10,995.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Captaincheese said:
I have been toying with buying a fun car to put in the garage and use sparingly. For my man maths it would be good if I could pick something that might appreciate slightly if held onto for a few years.
I am not looking for some sort of stripped down track car. More something that might get the pulse racing a little and be engaging to drive, but be at least 10 years old and have some character. Ideally want something as the factory made it rather than anything modified. I also want at least 4 seats so that i can take the kids in it if required. Also looking for something that isn't too fragile, as I don't have fortunes to spend on maintenance....so not too big a wish list then!
Got my driving license in the early 90's so am drawn to some of the hot hatchery of that time, although recognise that the boat has probably been missed for the 205gti and 5 gt turbo stuff.
Current thoughts are:
E46 M3 (manual)
Golf GTI mk2 16v
Volvo v70R
Jaguar XKR
Subaru Impreza STi (although not sure about this)
Alfa 156 GTA
What is conventional thinking on these and what would anyone else suggest?
You could try the E39 M5, that would be a great car too.I am not looking for some sort of stripped down track car. More something that might get the pulse racing a little and be engaging to drive, but be at least 10 years old and have some character. Ideally want something as the factory made it rather than anything modified. I also want at least 4 seats so that i can take the kids in it if required. Also looking for something that isn't too fragile, as I don't have fortunes to spend on maintenance....so not too big a wish list then!
Got my driving license in the early 90's so am drawn to some of the hot hatchery of that time, although recognise that the boat has probably been missed for the 205gti and 5 gt turbo stuff.
Current thoughts are:
E46 M3 (manual)
Golf GTI mk2 16v
Volvo v70R
Jaguar XKR
Subaru Impreza STi (although not sure about this)
Alfa 156 GTA
What is conventional thinking on these and what would anyone else suggest?
The E46 M3 looks like the best bet IMHO. It's a hugely appreciated car for all the right reasons - fun, tightly built and fast.
The Golf GTI could be quite leggy for reliability, it could be not the most reliable of all those options. However seems fun too. Is it fast enough to get the pulse racing?
The Volvo V70R is a great car too, has the power and reasonable handling needed for this to be a fast car. AWD system may be chocolate, at least it was on our XC90. Advanced suspension could be a reliability issue. However these are still solid cars. £10k is a high budget though.
The Jag is ok but the M3 is in the same ballpark.
The Subaru is 'wow that's fast' fast in that it really launches well and handles really tightly on the bends and so is a real experience to drive.
The alfa could be quite unreliable but may well appreciate in value.
Someone suggested a 996 and that is a good idea too. I would also suggest an Audi S6 V10 however it would be hard to find one thats not leggy/ has reasonable miles in your budget.
Jonmx said:
With a bit of haggling and man maths you could get this, which will appreciate in value over the next few years. FSH, 74k and 12 months MOT. Up for £10,995.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Of the 'investment car ' options already listed I guess the M cars are the ones that will do best but you'll be paying a ton in maintenance in the meantime and they've already started to climb quite significantly from their nadir.
How about a hot hatch? The right specced Clio Sport with low miles and owners is only going to go up in value,although likely to be under your minimum budget.. Even cars like the Trophy have seen values start to rise.with one going for over 10 grand recently. Only downsides are crap ergonomics, cheap perceived build quality and high maintenance costs when considering belts etc.
Edited by Motorrad on Saturday 8th April 06:45
Jonmx said:
I think buying the best M3 you can find with that budget might be a good shout. M cars only ever seem to appreciate in value.
With a bit of haggling and man maths you could get this, which will appreciate in value over the next few years. FSH, 74k and 12 months MOT. Up for £10,995.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
seconded. With a bit of haggling and man maths you could get this, which will appreciate in value over the next few years. FSH, 74k and 12 months MOT. Up for £10,995.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Find a manual one though
Champion Astra Gte 16v
Hot hatch
Very cheap to run compared to some of others on your list like the M3
Economical
4-seats and roomy boot
Engaging to drive ( beat the Golf 16v for fun in 3 separate tests if you place any store in what mags like Motor, Autocar and Car said ) - they handle well although can bite you like a 1.9 205
I think you'll still get a lovely one for 10k and a Champion will appreciate I reckon
Lots of character with one of the all time great engines
Still keep up with modern traffic and cruises well on motorway
Champion got 195/50 x 15s as standard ( biggest failing of normal model was it was undertyred )
Hot hatch
Very cheap to run compared to some of others on your list like the M3
Economical
4-seats and roomy boot
Engaging to drive ( beat the Golf 16v for fun in 3 separate tests if you place any store in what mags like Motor, Autocar and Car said ) - they handle well although can bite you like a 1.9 205
I think you'll still get a lovely one for 10k and a Champion will appreciate I reckon
Lots of character with one of the all time great engines
Still keep up with modern traffic and cruises well on motorway
Champion got 195/50 x 15s as standard ( biggest failing of normal model was it was undertyred )
IMO unless your talking the very top end of the market then cars are NOT investments.
If you want a fun 4 seater car that wont costs you much to maintain and doesn't depreciate then the DC2 or DC5 are head and shoulders above the rest.
An E46 is great but the maintenance costs will outweigh much of the appreciation (lack of depreciation) and due to its significant weight will not be as much fun to drive.
If you want a fun 4 seater car that wont costs you much to maintain and doesn't depreciate then the DC2 or DC5 are head and shoulders above the rest.
An E46 is great but the maintenance costs will outweigh much of the appreciation (lack of depreciation) and due to its significant weight will not be as much fun to drive.
Jonstar said:
IMO unless your talking the very top end of the market then cars are NOT investments.
If you want a fun 4 seater car that wont costs you much to maintain and doesn't depreciate then the DC2 or DC5 are head and shoulders above the rest.
An E46 is great but the maintenance costs will outweigh much of the appreciation (lack of depreciation) and due to its significant weight will not be as much fun to drive.
^^This is a good call^^If you want a fun 4 seater car that wont costs you much to maintain and doesn't depreciate then the DC2 or DC5 are head and shoulders above the rest.
An E46 is great but the maintenance costs will outweigh much of the appreciation (lack of depreciation) and due to its significant weight will not be as much fun to drive.
I've had both and I have to say the DC2 was one of the cars that I regretted selling and missed the most, great fun to drive with a bit of drama and currently going up in value, whilst being relatively cheap to maintain. That is why I have recently bought two Impreza's.
The honda's mentioned will be the most bulletproof as said.
Depends on how you want to use it really, the Alfa GTA's, in my opinion, have more character though, mainly due to the engine and styling, inside as well as outside. More reliable than people think too. They are great to drive slowly as well as quickly, if that makes sense, the honda's working best when thrashed. Both great cars though, just very different.
Or you could have a different kind of wafting fun with a steel bodied XK jag, which seem to be firming in price (tight for kids), or even an old 320CE. S-type R's are rising too. Monaro?
Mainly, I'd want something rare, different and probably with a big engine!
Depends on how you want to use it really, the Alfa GTA's, in my opinion, have more character though, mainly due to the engine and styling, inside as well as outside. More reliable than people think too. They are great to drive slowly as well as quickly, if that makes sense, the honda's working best when thrashed. Both great cars though, just very different.
Or you could have a different kind of wafting fun with a steel bodied XK jag, which seem to be firming in price (tight for kids), or even an old 320CE. S-type R's are rising too. Monaro?
Mainly, I'd want something rare, different and probably with a big engine!
I was in a similar position last year and decided on an E46 M3. Bought private sale for a good price and spent 2,200 running it for the year on insurance, tax, Insp 2 service (it was overdue), wheel refurb and tyres. I'm just about to sell for 1900 more than I paid for it.
Yes, there are probably more "fun" cars to own but I've had some fun in it over the summer (it's a rag top) so I think it's the best 300 quid I could have spent on a car!
Yes, there are probably more "fun" cars to own but I've had some fun in it over the summer (it's a rag top) so I think it's the best 300 quid I could have spent on a car!
I considered an E46 M3 5 years ago, and ended up buying a Monaro instead. It's rarer, more V8-y, loads of fun, less expensive to run/ more reliable, and the engine and gearbox alone are worth £5k any day of the week.
The rear seats are big enough for a 6 footer, and big power is easy to get out of the engine should you want more. Values have gone up a bit since I've owned mine. Did I mention it sounds awesome?
The rear seats are big enough for a 6 footer, and big power is easy to get out of the engine should you want more. Values have gone up a bit since I've owned mine. Did I mention it sounds awesome?
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