My first "What car".
Author
Discussion

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Ola gents (and ladies), I've been looking for a new car for a while now and had all but settled on a 350z. I went to have a look at a few, test drove one and absolutely loved it, but I keep getting the nagging feeling that I'm going to regret only having 2 seats. I've no need to carry kids/dogs around etc but do often give lifts to the parents and obviously end up doing some of the driving when I'm out with friends. I've been looking at E46 330s and can't see much past them for a decent, quick and reliable coupe. So here I am, looking for a nice coupe that sits in budget and fits in with the few requirements I have from a car.

Needs to be a hardtop coupe.

Rear seats don't need to be huge, just enough to transport 1 or 2 people relatively short distances.

I do end up having to do the 140 mile commute to work now and then so something that can achieve c. 35 mpg would be good. (Anything 30+ I'd consider as I'm only getting 40 from the ST when driving like a corpse.)

Budget is around £10k.

Will only be doing around 6k miles a year and keeping it for a few years so I don't mind something with higher mileage as the low miles I'll be doing should work to even it out a bit.

Insurance isn't much of an issue aslong as the car isn't a Skyline/S2k/Impreza/Evo as they seem to draw a higher premium for me. A 350z was only £200 more than I pay for my ST with my current broker.

I'm not much of a badge snob so as long as it's a decent car so any recommendations are welcome!



Urban Sports

11,321 posts

220 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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Hola wink

Rich n Em

214 posts

181 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
May struggle with 30mpg, but keep the spare grand for fuel

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3152686.htm



Rich n Em

214 posts

181 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
I've a soft spot for these too, I guess reliability might be a downside, not sure how bulletproof they are...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3292780.htm



RobM77

35,349 posts

251 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
To be fair it is hard to see past an E46 330ci with your requirements. The combination of handling, performance and crucially mpg is sadly unique! I say sadly because they're not perfect, and it'd be nice to have some choice at this very common price bracket.

The RX8 is an obvious suggestion, but the mpg makes it a non-starter. The Mercedes CLK is another suggestion, but I fear the mpg for the equivalent performance to a 330ci wouldn't be very good.

Shaw Tarse

31,817 posts

220 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Urban Sports said:
Hola wink
nonoOlasmile

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
To be fair it is hard to see past an E46 330ci with your requirements. The combination of handling, performance and crucially mpg is sadly unique! I say sadly because they're not perfect, and it'd be nice to have some choice at this very common price bracket.

The RX8 is an obvious suggestion, but the mpg makes it a non-starter. The Mercedes CLK is another suggestion, but I fear the mpg for the equivalent performance to a 330ci wouldn't be very good.
I'd absolutely love an RX8. I've considered a cheap diesel snotter for the odd trip to work and when lifts are needed and an RX7/8 for more interesting drives.

Rich n Em

214 posts

181 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
This would be nice too, I do love me an Alfa

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3305810.htm



RobM77

35,349 posts

251 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
ecommsmith said:
RobM77 said:
To be fair it is hard to see past an E46 330ci with your requirements. The combination of handling, performance and crucially mpg is sadly unique! I say sadly because they're not perfect, and it'd be nice to have some choice at this very common price bracket.

The RX8 is an obvious suggestion, but the mpg makes it a non-starter. The Mercedes CLK is another suggestion, but I fear the mpg for the equivalent performance to a 330ci wouldn't be very good.
I'd absolutely love an RX8. I've considered a cheap diesel snotter for the odd trip to work and when lifts are needed and an RX7/8 for more interesting drives.
The 8 isn't that good, I was decidedly underwhelmed when I drove one - both in terms of power and handling. It felt to me like a step up from a saloon car, but some way off a coupe or sports car. It's all a matter of opinion though. The 330ci itself divides opinion - the handling and performance are as you'd expect, but the interface is very smooth and refined. It's not a car that shouts abnout its ability to the driver, even the E46 M3 wasn't that great in that respect.

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Rich n Em said:
This would be nice too, I do love me an Alfa

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3305810.htm


I wasn't aware these were in budget, but the performance figures aren't very convincing. Looks a bit slower than the ST, I'm looking to go the other way!

mattnunn

14,041 posts

178 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3226614.htm

Isn't the Skyline 350gt just like a 350Z +2 - I might be wrong but I saw one on the motorway this morning and liked it....

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
mattnunn said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3226614.htm

Isn't the Skyline 350gt just like a 350Z +2 - I might be wrong but I saw one on the motorway this morning and liked it....
Not sold on the looks! Had a look at those and the Inifiti equivalent.

Rich n Em

214 posts

181 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all

ecommsmith said:
I wasn't aware these were in budget, but the performance figures aren't very convincing. Looks a bit slower than the ST, I'm looking to go the other way!
Get the 3.2 V6 with all the toys the, still in budget

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3140270.htm

clap

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Rich n Em said:
Get the 3.2 V6 with all the toys the, still in budget

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3140270.htm

clap
Sadly at the expense of the MPG though! Parkers shows them at 25mpg average?

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

184 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Erm, you say you're wanting 35mpg, but you're looking at a 350z and an E46 330s. I've never even so much as sat in one, but I'll take a wild stab in the dark that you're going to need to be hyper mileing to get 35mpg from either of them, which would make having them a little point less.

Have you considered a nice 1.6 Focus?

Raize

1,476 posts

196 months

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Willy Nilly said:
Erm, you say you're wanting 35mpg, but you're looking at a 350z and an E46 330s. I've never even so much as sat in one, but I'll take a wild stab in the dark that you're going to need to be hyper mileing to get 35mpg from either of them, which would make having them a little point less.

Have you considered a nice 1.6 Focus?
Friend who has a 350z managed just under 35mpg on the same trip I make to work driving at around 60/65 which I don't mind doing the odd time I do have to drive.

Any other time MPG isn't an issue, I just begrudge using £30 of fuel to get to work.

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

184 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
ecommsmith said:
Friend who has a 350z managed just under 35mpg on the same trip I make to work driving at around 60/65 which I don't mind doing the odd time I do have to drive.

Any other time MPG isn't an issue, I just begrudge using £30 of fuel to get to work.
They're 300hp. I can get my 90hp grocery getter down to 35mpg with some spirited driving.

ecommsmith

Original Poster:

129 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Willy Nilly said:
They're 300hp. I can get my 90hp grocery getter down to 35mpg with some spirited driving.
Congratulations.

danneth

1,078 posts

204 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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3 MPS