15k for first fun slightly sensible car ??

[Desmondpizey]

ScoobyChris said:

I had a Focus ST and then traded it in for an M140i. The Focus is a really great car but the BM is on another level in terms of performance, driver focus and refinement. Size wise we can fit in our family of five (7 year old on a booster, 16 year old and lanky 12 year old) without issue.

Chris

I had the feeling that would be the case and I’ve been surprised there’s not a great deal in ages or miles covered at the 15k price be struggling to get a 140 but 135 face lift seems doable. And great to know it’s usable as a family wagon.

[Desmondpizey]

ScoobyChris said:

I had a Focus ST and then traded it in for an M140i. The Focus is a really great car but the BM is on another level in terms of performance, driver focus and refinement. Size wise we can fit in our family of five (7 year old on a booster, 16 year old and lanky 12 year old) without issue.

Chris

I had the feeling that would be the case and I’ve been surprised there’s not a great deal in ages or miles covered at the 15k price be struggling to get a 140 but 135 face lift seems doable. And great to know it’s usable as a family wagon.

[fflump]

S5 is the sweet spot for this price bracket
Would only drop 15k on a Mazza if it was a as manual 4200

[Desmondpizey]

fflump said:

S5 is the sweet spot for this price bracket
Would only drop 15k on a Mazza if it was a as manual 4200

If I’d not just reluctantly sent back the A5(£300 on 24months lease informal extended as much as allowed in the end as to formally extend 6months they wanted £910 a month or 12 was £690) it would be at the top of the list as It was a great car imaging it would be much better with some more grunt.

[aka_kerrly]

Desmondpizey said:

Super Sonic said:

Civic type R

The ep3 which I love the look off gets a bad press less powerful and less tec compared to the fn2 which I like but fear it will miss the mod cons inside.

You possibly have your civics confused.

The ep3 is the 2001-2005 breadvan style civic
The FN2 is the 2006-2011 space shuttle style civic.

The newer one has shorter gears, VTEC comes in at 5300 instead of 5700 and it's still slower than the older one as it's heavier.

I wouldn't be spending more than £5k on either model apart from the Mugen 200 version.

£15k could buy a very good Vauxhall Monaro with a 5.7/6.0 V8 in a coupe with rear seats that can be used

[Desmondpizey]

aka_kerrly said:

You possibly have your civics confused.

The ep3 is the 2001-2005 breadvan style civic
The FN2 is the 2006-2011 space shuttle style civic.

The newer one has shorter gears, VTEC comes in at 5300 instead of 5700 and it's still slower than the older one as it's heavier.

I wouldn't be spending more than £5k on either model apart from the Mugen 200 version.

£15k could buy a very good Vauxhall Monaro with a 5.7/6.0 V8 in a coupe with rear seats that can be used

Yea Googled them and got then wrong way round lol that’s the descriptions I’d haven given the space ship one still looks super modern now.

[aka_kerrly]

Desmondpizey said:

Yea Googled them and got then wrong way round lol that’s the descriptions I’d haven given the space ship one still looks super modern now.

The Fn2 has aged well , as has its far more athletic cousin the Type R FD2 , which might be beyond the OPs budget now.

However , the Accord of the same generation is a contender. In fact OP, have you ever heard of the Accord Euro R, it is a Accord for the Japanese market that comes fitted with very similar (in fact slightly better) running gear from the Integra Type R in a better chassis!!

[Desmondpizey]

aka_kerrly said:

The Fn2 has aged well , as has its far more athletic cousin the Type R FD2 , which might be beyond the OPs budget now.

However , the Accord of the same generation is a contender. In fact OP, have you ever heard of the Accord Euro R, it is a Accord for the Japanese market that comes fitted with very similar (in fact slightly better) running gear from the Integra Type R in a better chassis!!

Now that’s definitely a sleeper

[Martyn76]

samoht said:

If you don't mind an auto, you could get a Mercedes C55 or CLK55 AMG, or a Lexus ISF. £15k is on the cusp of BMW E46 M3 and not far off the E90s.

You'll be lucky to land an ISF with decent mileage, they're all £18k + for 08\09 cars with 80\90K miles, new face lift cars are £24K.

Something like a 335i (E9x) might also be worth a look?

[Desmondpizey]

Had a look and a test drive in a 13 plate bmw 135i as it was up the road 95k miles wants £11500 the engine is definitely a peach not sure on the styling as prefer the slightly newer lci great car though.

[hothatch1.6]

Desmondpizey said:

I liked the 208 great value so I’ll have a look I’d love the 2 tone paint job but the wrong side of 40 ??

308 a better drive IMO having driven both, the 270 is more than fast enough and seats 4 adults no problem plus boot is bigger than most rivals, I'll keep my eye on the thread if you contemplate one there are some key things to look out for.