interesting saloon

[apache]

I need to replace my crappy Xantia with something that will be less of a culture shock when I drive it after the Griff, second hand but not over £8k any ideas? I'm currently in favour of a 156 V6

[JonRB]

Corrado VR6, without a doubt. But then again, I'm biased (see profile).

[Horse]

The 156 is a lovely car. Smooth, comfortable and adequately powerful. It has an appalling turning circle and very soft suspension with lots of body roll. So I would recommend one with a sportpack to stiffen up the suspension

[apache]

Jon, thats an interesting idea, I need a car that will fit 2 tall teenagers in the back......my kids before you get the wrong idea

[PetrolTed]

Rover SD1. I went in a couple of Vitesses yesterday including a 4.6 litre monster (should have a review of this in the next couple of months).

[apache]

Ted, yup do like those, see worst engine noises thread, can you find gooduns still? did you see Clarkson thrash a Nova with one over new year

Edited by apache on Thursday 3rd January 12:32

[PetrolTed]

The chaps down at Raven have a barn full of Rovers in various states of undress. I was talking to one of their customers yesterday who's got 5 himself. He gave me a lift home in one that cost him £100! The trick it seems is to find one with reasonable doors as they're difficult to get hold of.

Other than that it's a Rover V8 of course which you'll be familiar with. Cars of that age will have loose trim etc, but it seemed a right giggle to me. Raven were even kicking about the idea of doing a 'Vicarage' with SD1s and restoring them and dropping bigger V8's into them.

[apache]

kin good motor the old SD1....apart from them trying to revert back to their natural state overnight of course, did you know that a lot of the styling cues came from the Daytona, course you did, I would be interested in having a look at this Raven place, where is it

Edited by apache on Thursday 3rd January 12:48

[PetrolTed]

www.ravenautomotive.com (ask for Mike if you speak to them).

[apache]

ta, will do

[Guy Humpage]

Why not a Saab 9000 Turbo, big enough for all your hauling needs, a bit of poke under the bonnet, good reputation for reliability, plenty of specialist backup (including somewhere not unfamiliar with TVRs between Huntingdon and St Neots ) and best of all cheap to buy.

[Tadhg]

Hi

My suggestion would be a Ford Mondeo ST 200 or the 2.5 V6 Mondeo. Loads of Room and very quick and handles pretty decently

Hope this helps

Tadhg

[Minnsy]

Suggest an Audi S2 - either the Coupe or Avant. Bullet proof engine, built like a barn door, goes like stink -and a little bit different.

[JonRB]

quote:My suggestion would be a Ford Mondeo ST 200 or the 2.5 V6 Mondeo

Unfortunately, the downside is that you're still driving a Mundaneo.

[apache]

cheers chaps, tried the Mondy V6 and was disappointed with the performance and amount of body roll, will the ST 200 be any better, Audi S2/coupe sounds good but possibly too pricey, Saab sounds good but it is on the large side and I prefer to get away from 4 pot engines

Edited by apache on Thursday 3rd January 16:48

[bennno]

Lets see 8K.....

1996 ALFA ROMEO 164 3.0 V6 Super Lusso 4dr [Airbag] Saloon 19961996(P) Black/Black leather trim, 59000 miles, fsh, MoT/Tax, Air Conditioning, sunroof GTV alloy wheels, 6 stack CD changer and trasnsferable warranty, HPI clear, very good condition. Tel: . . . . (private) more info
£5,500 65 miles

1994 BMW M3 2dr Coupe 1994Cosmos Black, all electric, aircon, ABS, CD Player, Sun roof, central locking, all BMW history, on-board computer, 2 owners, fsh, suede/cloth seats. Tracker installed. lovely car, lots of TLC. 120 . . . . (private) more info
£8,995

1996 BMW 3 SERIES 328i sport 1996Coded Met Arctic Grey, Black Heated Leather, Centre Arm Rest, CD, CAT 1 Closure Alarm, 16" Classic Alloys, R/Rails, E/W, E/M, E/S/R, ABS, Full BMW S/H, Full Computer, Recent Tyres & Big Service,. . . . . (private) more info
£9,000

1995 N LEXUS GS 300 Sport , Metalic Grey/Blue, 4 Door, 18 Alloys, ABS, Alarm, Automatic, Boot Spoiler, CD Multi Changer, Colour Coded Electric Heated Mirrors, Cruise Control, Digital Climate Control, Drivers Armrest, Electric . . . . (trade) more info
£8,999

1999 SAAB 9-3 S 2.0 TURBO COUPE, 99(T) Scarabe Green Metallic, Twin/side Air Bags, Thatcham 1 Remote Alarm, 3-spoke Delta Alloy Wheels, Factory Fitted CD Player, On-board Computer, Front Electric Windows, 5-speed Manual Gearbox, . . . . (trade) more info
£9,995

choices, choices....

Ben

[jaydee]

WHAT SPORTY NUMBER SHOULD I BUY FOR £12-13K?? RELIABLE.. has my experiences of a 166, can't imagine the 156 is that much better and it would have to be ancient/shagged to come in at 8k... Mk3 Golf VR6 ? easier to get the kids in than a Corrado, stock suspension's a bit soggy though.

Edited by jaydee on Friday 4th January 11:21

[Marshy]

Pete,

You can have my BMW 7 series for eight grand if you want... tons of car for the cash, V8, lots of room in back, every conceivable toy. Brilliant car if you fancy a living room on wheels with acceptable go and pretty decent handling if you ignore the body roll and really dig into corners.

Downsides: ah, you didn't want culture shock, so scratch that then. And tons of car means tons of servicing bills and tons of petrol receipts.

Perhaps I shouldn't consider a career in car sales after all?

Edited by Marshy on Friday 4th January 11:38

[apache]

Marshy and guys, I finally got won over by a metallic black Saab 9000 CSE turbo from Simon @ Offord, was having hassles finding a 165 V6 and would have had to buy an early one anyway. I've heard they are a bit unreliable and I need that like a hole in the head

[Guy Humpage]

Good choice sir.