Opposing needs for my next car?

[Niffty951]

This is about my third addition to the endless which car next threads but I never lose hope that someone may give me the piece of inspiration I need.

Ok the idea is I don't 'really' need a car right now so I plan to sell my car and put the money in a bank (safe away from myself). Then go out with a £5,000 budget and get something to travel the 5 hour journey from Northampton to Plymouth from time to time (to keep freedom and avoid suffering the train!).

Unfortunately I have come across a conflict in my mind with polar opposite wants/needs. Besides pshchological help I thought I'd try asking if anyone had been in this situation and what they chose to do?

So Budget ideally £5000k ish - with room for movement on the right car.. I even considered £19k for that 650hp 3.2 turbo S3 I saw in the classifieds corr blimey!!! but that isn't really the idea of this car change at all!


I am looking for a comfortable motorway cruiser, v.economical with a lovely, quality feeling interior that's nice to spend time in. (would be great if it could carry lots of luggage too)

I am also looking for a light weight, RWD, driving we that thrives on abuse, thrills the senses and sounds like a musical instrument.

HOWEVER I do not have space nor do I wish to keep two cars!

My current best compromise list includes:

Alfa 147 GTA (Bit FWD),
Golf Mk4 R32 (Bit dull and slow),
BMW E36 M3 (Bit old),
BMW 330d (Bit dull and soundless),
Audi S3 (Bit like the Mk4 golf),
SLK 350 (Bit impractical for luggage/people),
Westfield (silly really),
MR2 Turbo (Bit old and impractical)

I've thought of more but cant think right now. So anyone else ever been here?

[CHIEF]

Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon.

Fast (ish) and practical with soul and noise and a nice steer just not that economical when pushing on.

[LotusOmega375D]

Impreza? Not exactly frugal, but then again nor most of your other choices.

[TheHeretic]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3309605.htm

3.5 V6, FM chassis, RWD, very comfy, brisk enough, decent boot, 2+2, 51/49 weight distribution, rarity value.

[Niffty951]

I had an Impreza once but found it to be troublsome reliability-wise. If it wasn't for that (and it perhaps looking a tad boy when driven fast - attracting too much attention) the WRX would be high on my list!

350z is a good suggestion. I had thought of that and then forgotten. Might go to see one actually.

P.s. Have you guys seen (heard) this? Thought you might appreciate it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfiPYe-U0MA&fea...

Edited to add: Ops thought the link above would be a 350z. Syline is a bit FWD and to be fair the 350 is probably a tad impractical. Should really be at least 4 seats.

Also I'm very aware of the 944 that fits all these requirements but I've had 6 of them now and I'm just getting a bit bored of them, they are feeling really dated inside now. I think I'm over the obsession.

Edited by Niffty951 on Thursday 19th January 16:43

[BuzzLightyear]

^^^
Good call or a 350Z?

ETA: Damn! Too slow!

[Niffty951]

Hey HEY! Check this out Never even heard of this! tut and I call myself an enthusiast!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[TheHeretic]

What do you mean "the skyline is a bit FWD?" It is a 2+2 by the way, with small, but usable rear seats.

Edited by TheHeretic on Thursday 19th January 16:54

[TheHeretic]

Niffty951 said:

Hey HEY! Check this out Never even heard of this! tut and I call myself an enthusiast!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Basically a Lexus GS

[Niffty951]

TheHeretic said:

What do you mean "the skyline is a bit FWD?" It is a 2+2 by the way, with small, but usable rear seats.

I thought that model were all FWD? I Saw a clip of one spinning the front wheels once.

[TheHeretic]

Niffty951 said:

I thought that model were all FWD? I Saw a clip of one spinning the front wheels once.

Nope. Basically a 350z with 4 seats, and a decent boot. They are RWD, or they use the ATESSA all wheel drive system used in various skylines down the line, (RWD until the front is needed).

[Niffty951]

TheHeretic said:

Basically a Lexus GS

Hmmm interesting find I thought that engine was only used in much older Lexus models. Did they ever make a manual with that engine?

This thread has definitely been worth starting. Thanks all for the replies.

[Niffty951]

TheHeretic said:

Nope. Basically a 350z with 4 seats, and a decent boot. They are RWD, or they use the ATESSA all wheel drive system used in various skylines down the line, (RWD until the front is needed).

Interesting, that's two big engine Jap saloons I wasn't aware of!

[TheHeretic]

No idea about that. Is it the supra engine? The wiki page for the Lexus GS mentions the Arista I think. Might get info there.

[Chris71]

TheHeretic said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3309605.htm

3.5 V6, FM chassis, RWD, very comfy, brisk enough, decent boot, 2+2, 51/49 weight distribution, rarity value.

Interesting. What's it like getting parts, insurance etc? A more practical 350Z for £5k is a rather enticing proposition.

Off the top of my head another suggestion would be a 200SX of some description. They can't all be chavved up yet.

[TheHeretic]

Chris71 said:

Interesting. What's it like getting parts, insurance etc? A more practical 350Z for £5k is a rather enticing proposition.

Off the top of my head another suggestion would be a 200SX of some description. They can't all be chavved up yet.

I had a G35 in the states, (the sedan version, which is slightly lighter,and slightly quicker! Bloody comfy to sit in, and lots of room in the back. Again, same chassis, engine, etc as the 350Z), and most engine and suspension parts are interchangeable with a 350Z, except slight suspension differences. No idea about UK insurance prices.

Edited by TheHeretic on Thursday 19th January 17:10

[Mr2Mike]

T5 Volvo perhaps, e.g. S60, V70

Nissan Skyline GTS

Civic Type R

Mondeo ST220

Jag?

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 19th January 17:20

[nonuts]

Good e36 M3 evo.

Mine if anything even more comfortable an the S3 and that was awesome at long journeys.

Good economy if cruising, I even managed over 40mpg on one trip. Average was somewhere around 25mpg even including heavy right foot.
Excellent noise.
Quiet at sensible motorway speeds.
Significantly faster than most of the other things on the list.
Excellent fun even at sensible speeds.

PS. boot is huge / folding rear seats make it very practical with all but annoying shaped big objects.

Edited by nonuts on Thursday 19th January 17:13

[Scuffers]

if you want a cheap 'interesting' jap barge, try this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3520385.htm

Mitsubishi Galant VR4 Type S

no idea what the fuel bills are like though...

[LayZ]

E46 330i.

These are as fast as the stuff you have on your list, plentiful and can see 40mpg with care.