£16K What to buy ?

[Red 4]

Another what car shall I buy thread

Needs to be a "performance" car and reliable for around the £16k mark. Minimal miles. Newish. Decent residuals.

I've ruled out Honda Civic Type R (no likey) and Honda S2000 (issues)

Current options are Ford Focus ST(3), maybe a slightly older VW Golf R32

Opinions, thoughts are welcome

Ta.

[rb5er]

Mitsubishi evo 9 fq360

[Red 4]

Hmmm.........never really been a fan of Evo's, good as they are

Anyone got any experience of Vauxhall Astra VXR's ?

[pidsy]

you'll torque steer off every road you try and lay the power down on.

[craigb84]

ST3 no question.

Owned one for nearly 3 years and its the best thing i've ever had. Get the Dreamscience remap fitted and you'll keep up with most things on the road. Its undetectable once removed so warranty issues aren't really a problem.

The engine note is incredible too. And the exhaust bangs between gear changes.

You won't need to spend anything like £16k though to get a good one.

[CalculatedRisk]

How about a Z4m?

Edited by CalculatedRisk on Saturday 3rd September 14:35

[craigb84]

At £16k you're not far of Focus RS money there. Their residuals are very good.

[Red 4]

ok........ I like the Focus but finding an ST3 isn't as easy as it seems. I'm looking for minimal miles and I'm fussy. Most of the dealer stock is either scruffy or over-priced.

Z4M.........not fussed on the styling but a great drive, it's a maybe.

Oh, and I came from 7 years of S2000 ownership (had a few)

[Simbu]

Mazda 6 MPS? 256 bhp, AWD. Not many about so residuals should be good.

[billzeebub]

M3, probably an immaculate E46, 05/06 plate..Convertible?

[Red 4]

Simbu, it's a good call but a bit of a wild card imo....

Not convinced on the residuals though, I'll take a look at the classifieds

Maybe another S2000, I'm missing mine already

[Red 4]

Billzeebub.........good call

I'll consider that. I did see one in the classifieds, 18k from new, 2 owners, a bit rich at £18.5k though

[chriscoates]

If you're not keen on the styling of a Z4M, how about an E46 M3? It has the same brilliant engine, and you can get a really good one for £16k now.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3170995.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3119334.htm

ETA - beaten to it!

[Superhoop]

Simbu said:

Mazda 6 MPS? 256 bhp, AWD. Not many about so residuals should be good.

For 16k, I'd be looking at a Mazda3 MPS, you'd probably get the later shape model for that money - I loved every minute of my old one

[superman84]

rb5er said:

Mitsubishi evo 9 fq360

This. I know you said you don't like evos, but as performance cars go it's a step up from an ST or a VXR, give it a go

If not I'd definitely go for a tidy E46 M3 with CSL wheels.

[rb5er]

Red 4 said:

Hmmm.........never really been a fan of Evo's, good as they are

Anyone got any experience of Vauxhall Astra VXR's ?

Not keen on evos but you are keen on astras?

I had a focus st, they are great cars, but the evo is another story.

[SBN]

What about a Auid S3 - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2991783.htm

[Red 4]

superman84 said:

This. I know you said you don't like evos, but as performance cars go it's a step up from an ST or a VXR, give it a go

Yup, it's not that I don't like the evo's so much; more that I don't know much about them

I know some people love them and understandably so

Just not my cup of tea regards the styling and image which doesn't make much sense seeing as I'm considering an Asbo. Dunno really......much electronic trickery to go wrong and expensive servicing from what I can gather. I'm not really a BHP monster but I do like a reasonably quick car......

[Zwoelf]

Not just any old M3, but an E46 M3 CS:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2447575.htm

BMW M Registry said:

What is the E46 M3 CS?
The right-hand drive version of the E46 M3 coupe with the Competition Package sold in the United Kingdom was officially given the "M3 CS" designation. However, this model does not contain "M3 CS" badging of any kind, nor does it differ from its left-hand drive "ZCP" counterpart in any significant way.

What is the E46 M3 Competition Package?
The E46 M3 Competition Package, known by the internal designation "ZCP", was initially offered in December of 2004 as an exclusive option for the North American market. It was then expanded to other markets beginning with September 2005 production. Available only on the M3 coupe, the option package consisted of the following equipment (most of which is derived from that of the limited-production M3 CSL):

* Cross-drilled brake rotors (enlarged to 13.7 inches in front) with two-piece compound rotors (aluminum hat and outer portion connected by steel pins)
* Steering ratio reduced to 14.5:1
* M Track Mode setting for Dynamic Stability Control (raises—but does not eliminate—the threshold at which the DSC intervenes)
* 19-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels (8x19-inch front, 9.5x19-inch rear)
* Alcantara-wrapped M three-spoke steering wheel with M Track Mode activation button (audio and cruise control buttons deleted)
* Specific aluminum interior trim with milled effect
* Exclusive Interlagos Blue metallic (A30) paint option

They've held their value incredibly well and will continue to do so IMO.

[Red 4]

rb5er said:

Not keen on evos but you are keen on astras?

I had a focus st, they are great cars, but the evo is another story.

Fair comment, you'll need to bear with me

I've had many years of v-tec brainwashing and I just need to sort my head out


E46 M3 or ST3 (newish and minimal miles) me thinks. Pro's and cons with either.