£4000 Car - Rx8 - TT - 3 Series Coupe - Other?

[Nicko_12345]

It’s another boring what car thread and I already apologise for it

I’m after a second car, I have my mr2 that won’t be going anywhere apart from being tucked up in the garage and used at the odd weekend here and there.

I have some ideas in my head and I just want to talk out loud and get other people’s opinions about them...

First off, some information, I don’t do a million miles a year - less than 10k, insurance is not a massive problem - 26 years old with 6 years ncb, fuel I’m not really overly worried about due to doing so little miles, tax - I’m not paying £400+ a year out of principle! I want leather, I want a coupe, sub 80,000 miles ish, must be manual and lastly must be able to handle a few bend without falling over itself!

First car - Mazda RX8 - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2826128.htm

I have read all the mpg threads and that does not put me off, the tax does, im slightly confused as to how much it will be, some sites say £250, some £425! I have heard of the problems with hot starting (coils) is there much else to worry about?

Second car - BMW 325ci - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-325CI-SE-COUPE-HI-SPEC-F...

I’ll be honest, I don’t know a lot about the BMW, there is millions on the road so they cannot be that bad can they? The 325 seems to have enough go to move along at a nice steady pace to

Third car - Audi TT - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-AUDI-TT-QUATTRO-180-BHP...

Seem to be a pretty solid car, I know the 1.8 engine is used in a lot of cars and is solid unit and is a pretty reliable engine, the image might be a bit hair dresser though? Dash pods a problem I have read about?

Ok let’s hear your ideas?

Thanks

Nick

[robsco]

Don't bother with the TT if its going to be the 180, they don't have enough poke. I also found the one I drove disappointing to drive, just like a normal Audi A3 but with a slightly smarter interior. That said, even that rattled. The RX8s will be £400+ per year if they were registered March 06 onwards when the emissions tightened up for "dirty" cars.

Other? Well that's where the Alfa GTV V6 comes in.

[Nicko_12345]

Something like this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/02-52-ALFA-GTV-LUSSO-3-0-V6-...

[robsco]

Something like that yes, but not that particular car. Its been for sale for as long as I can remember. It has a lot going for it, the GTV; it makes a noise the three on your list could only dream of, the RX8 is the only one that would keep up with it, it has a more attractive exterior and interior (subjective of course), is the most exclusive and the most special. It also has a pretty well sorted chassis. Ok, maybe it lacks 5% of the chassis finesse you'd find in the Mazda or BMW, but it makes up for it in so many other areas that its difficult to care.

[andrew186]

rx8s before 2006 (55 plates) fall into the older tax band and are cheaper to tax

[Nicko_12345]

robsco said:

Something like that yes, but not that particular car. Its been for sale for as long as I can remember. It has a lot going for it, the GTV; it makes a noise the three on your list could only dream of, the RX8 is the only one that would keep up with it, it has a more attractive exterior and interior (subjective of course), is the most exclusive and the most special. It also has a pretty well sorted chassis. Ok, maybe it lacks 5% of the chassis finesse you'd find in the Mazda or BMW, but it makes up for it in so many other areas that its difficult to care.

Sound like i need to drive one of the GTV's, is the 2.0 no where near as good as the v6?

[Nicko_12345]

andrew186 said:

rx8s before 2006 (55 plates) fall into the older tax band and are cheaper to tax

Thats good then, so thats the £250 band? its not due to jump up to £400 soon is it?

[Celt]

I'd go for the BMW. Was looking at one earlier in the year but got a 182. Not certain I made the right choice. But for different reasons. The BMW's look quite modern in the e46 guise still.

[robsco]

Nicko_12345 said:

Sound like i need to drive one of the GTV's, is the 2.0 no where near as good as the v6?

The Twinsparks are fantastic in their own right, but the Alfa V6 makes the car. Its one of those rare engines which is almost universally adored, for its breadth of ability is just stunning. Its like owning a mini Ferrari, even down to that irresistible engine note.

[Nicko_12345]

robsco said:

The Twinsparks are fantastic in their own right, but the Alfa V6 makes the car. Its one of those rare engines which is almost universally adored, for its breadth of ability is just stunning. Its like owning a mini Ferrari, even down to that irresistible engine note.

I like the look of this one - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV-V6-24V-B...

[robsco]

Yes that one is lovely, and in a rare colour too. If you go any further with the GTV thing, make sure its had its cambelt changed and the water pump was done at the same time. Look for recent bills for the replacement of rear suspension too.

[FiatCoupe20VT]

Try a Fiat Coupe 20VT - Much quicker, easy to tune and good mpg

Had an RX8 previously but so slow even the 231. Good handling though

[300bhp/ton]

Nicko_12345 said:

It’s another boring what car thread and I already apologise for it

I’m after a second car, I have my mr2 that won’t be going anywhere apart from being tucked up in the garage and used at the odd weekend here and there.

I have some ideas in my head and I just want to talk out loud and get other people’s opinions about them...

First off, some information, I don’t do a million miles a year - less than 10k, insurance is not a massive problem - 26 years old with 6 years ncb, fuel I’m not really overly worried about due to doing so little miles, tax - I’m not paying £400+ a year out of principle! I want leather, I want a coupe, sub 80,000 miles ish, must be manual and lastly must be able to handle a few bend without falling over itself!

First car - Mazda RX8 - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2826128.htm

I have read all the mpg threads and that does not put me off, the tax does, im slightly confused as to how much it will be, some sites say £250, some £425! I have heard of the problems with hot starting (coils) is there much else to worry about?

Second car - BMW 325ci - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-325CI-SE-COUPE-HI-SPEC-F...

I’ll be honest, I don’t know a lot about the BMW, there is millions on the road so they cannot be that bad can they? The 325 seems to have enough go to move along at a nice steady pace to

Third car - Audi TT - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-AUDI-TT-QUATTRO-180-BHP...

Seem to be a pretty solid car, I know the 1.8 engine is used in a lot of cars and is solid unit and is a pretty reliable engine, the image might be a bit hair dresser though? Dash pods a problem I have read about?

Ok let’s hear your ideas?

Thanks

Nick

The RX-8 is a fantastic looking and drivers car with added practical ability. It's miles apart from a TT which is more style over substance.

Be warned the RX-8 is far more of a specialists car though, there's a lot to learn and look out for before buying and it'll like an enthusiasts TLC while you own it.

Have a look here for more info: http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/

[Dracoro]

andrew186 said:

rx8s before 2006 (55 plates) fall into the older tax band and are cheaper to tax

TBF, the same goes for the others.

[marcosgt]

Dracoro said:

TBF, the same goes for the others.

'tis true.

It's not an RX8 only exemption

I wouldn't have a TT if you paid me - I've ALWAYS hated them.

The 325's a nice car, especially to my eye the E46. I'd love an M3 one personally, but I couldn't persuade myself it was worth the massive running costs or high (at the time) initial cost.

I've had an '05 RX8 for nearly 3 years now. I use it every day. So far, only problems I've had are flooding (4 times - twice by other people, once due to a flat battery and the first time down to bad weather...), which I believe is improvable with different plugs (and certainly avoidable if you let the temp gauge move off cold before switching off), a new set of coils (hardly a Mazda only issue) and 3 broken ARB links (The standard ones don't like potholes).

It's a car to drive - If you want a car with lots of oomph out of corners without any thought get a BMW 325 or 330, they're nice cars, but if you want a car that really responds to how you drive it and has space for 4 adults and a decent sized boot the RX8 takes a lot of beating.

One thing, though, you say the MPG doesn't bother you, but I get 21-25 MPG which is pretty shocking these days. Not only is it expensive (which is your choice), but you only get 230 miles or so to a tank, which can be a pain. It's the biggest negative to my mind.

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Monday 23 May 08:31

[Nicko_12345]

Thanks for the replies, having a look around diffrent RX8 forums, there seems to be a hell of a lot more problems than the other two cars......but it sounds the best drivers car out of the lot. I think the BMW coupe is in front at the moment due to it being more of a all rounder maybe?

[Chicane-UK]

Nicko_12345 said:

I like the look of this one - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV-V6-24V-B...

THAT is beautiful!

[Nicko_12345]

Anyone got any thoughts on a the renault megane sport 225's?

[Baryonyx]

Surely you can do better at that budget than a BMW, a flawed Mazda and an Audi TT.

[Nicko_12345]

For example:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-RENAULT-MEGANE-RENAULT-...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Renault-Megane-2-0T-225-Rena...