obligatory 'what car' thread...4WD coupe or saloon only
Discussion
Afternoon all,
My latest fancy comes to a 4WD car. I first came to the idea when we had that spot of snow recently, and I decided to sell my MR2 Turbo. I'm set on something 4WD, can be either a permanent drive or a Haldex type system.
Requirements as follows:
My thoughts have been wandering between various Subaru Imprezas and Lancer Evolutions. I have also gave strong consideration to the first genertaion Audi TT, as some consideration for comfort would be nice given that I'll be using it as a commuter. That said, it must be exciting to drive, and whilst Audi TT's aren't the last word in excitement I think I could have enough fun in the 225 model. The 180 might seem a bit gutless though, I've only driven 225's before.
I've discounted the Celica GT4 ST205 from my list mainly because I've already had a 3GTSE engined car before (my MR2) and I love experiencing new engines!
What would you do in my shoes? Ideally I'd have went and bought a Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, but I don't have a garage to keep it in. Otherwise, I'd just have one of those and treasure it! But saying as I can't do that, I must have something fun.
My latest fancy comes to a 4WD car. I first came to the idea when we had that spot of snow recently, and I decided to sell my MR2 Turbo. I'm set on something 4WD, can be either a permanent drive or a Haldex type system.
Requirements as follows:
- Minimum of four seats
- petrol engine
- Saloon or coupe shape
- fuel consumption not a huge issue.
- manual gearbox
- It's a car I plan to own for a long time(!)
- Will not do massive miles, but will still be used day to day
- budget of £5000 or less (ideally less).
My thoughts have been wandering between various Subaru Imprezas and Lancer Evolutions. I have also gave strong consideration to the first genertaion Audi TT, as some consideration for comfort would be nice given that I'll be using it as a commuter. That said, it must be exciting to drive, and whilst Audi TT's aren't the last word in excitement I think I could have enough fun in the 225 model. The 180 might seem a bit gutless though, I've only driven 225's before.
I've discounted the Celica GT4 ST205 from my list mainly because I've already had a 3GTSE engined car before (my MR2) and I love experiencing new engines!
What would you do in my shoes? Ideally I'd have went and bought a Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, but I don't have a garage to keep it in. Otherwise, I'd just have one of those and treasure it! But saying as I can't do that, I must have something fun.
I don't need to be able to carry adult passengers, just child seats/children so the missus can't moan about having to use her car to ferry them round in. I've been a playboy with my two seater sports cars for too long now! I'm also capable of driving pretty close to wheel when I need to (even though I hate it) so I could probably ferry adult passengers over short distances in the TT.
I must say, the TT is leading the way at the moment because I fear the Imprezas and Evos may be a bit clattery for cruising to work in (great fun on the B roads though).
I must say, the TT is leading the way at the moment because I fear the Imprezas and Evos may be a bit clattery for cruising to work in (great fun on the B roads though).
Easy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3589426.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3620442.htm
Or even...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3595501.htm
I'd be going for a B5 S4 though. Just noticed my old S4 is for sale again...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3613434.htm
Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3589426.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3620442.htm
Or even...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3595501.htm
I'd be going for a B5 S4 though. Just noticed my old S4 is for sale again...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3613434.htm
Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
TheHeretic said:
You might be able to stretch to. G35 coupe for that money. 4 usable seats, and the same engine, chassis, etc, from the 350Z. Plus rarity value.
Hmm, don't think I've seen one of these G35's on UK roads! Mind you, I think that and the 6 MPS are a little 'safe'. If I were just looking for a super comfy cruiser I'd go back to Volvo in a shot. I'm looking for something a little smaller, but thanks for the suggestions, it's always good to have something to think on.danyeates said:
Easy.
Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
Wow, I hadn't considered these! I'm not one for needing massive power, but I will give these some consideration too. Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
Baryonyx said:
Hmm, don't think I've seen one of these G35's on UK roads! Mind you, I think that and the 6 MPS are a little 'safe'. If I were just looking for a super comfy cruiser I'd go back to Volvo in a shot. I'm looking for something a little smaller, but thanks for the suggestions, it's always good to have something to think on.
Safe? You can 2 smells of G35. The RWD version, (the one I had), or the AWD version, which uses the ATESSA AWD system, made famous by the Skyline GTR, etc, (the G35 is just the previous incarnation of the skyline 350GT, the latest being the skyline 370GT). They drive very similar to a 350Z, and have quite the throaty roar when hooning!Beaten to the B5 S4 idea.
Nice and discreet, comfortable if it hasn't been lowered, lovely places to sit in, and plenty fast enough. 0-62 in 5.6 if memory serves, 265bhp as standard. Though you can make these things as quick as you like if the mood takes you, very tunable engine.
And if discreet isn't an issue, that blue is excellent
MRC's S4 makes 780PS and does 202mph on a runway, last I checked. Mental.
Nice and discreet, comfortable if it hasn't been lowered, lovely places to sit in, and plenty fast enough. 0-62 in 5.6 if memory serves, 265bhp as standard. Though you can make these things as quick as you like if the mood takes you, very tunable engine.
And if discreet isn't an issue, that blue is excellent
MRC's S4 makes 780PS and does 202mph on a runway, last I checked. Mental.
McSam said:
Beaten to the B5 S4 idea.
Nice and discreet, comfortable if it hasn't been lowered, lovely places to sit in, and plenty fast enough. 0-62 in 5.6 if memory serves, 265bhp as standard. Though you can make these things as quick as you like if the mood takes you, very tunable engine.
And if discreet isn't an issue, that blue is excellent
MRC's S4 makes 780PS and does 202mph on a runway, last I checked. Mental.
Isn't that the one that's basically an RS4 in a saloon body? Granted their isn't a huge amount of difference between the 2 anyway...Nice and discreet, comfortable if it hasn't been lowered, lovely places to sit in, and plenty fast enough. 0-62 in 5.6 if memory serves, 265bhp as standard. Though you can make these things as quick as you like if the mood takes you, very tunable engine.
And if discreet isn't an issue, that blue is excellent
MRC's S4 makes 780PS and does 202mph on a runway, last I checked. Mental.
Baryonyx said:
danyeates said:
Easy.
Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
Wow, I hadn't considered these! I'm not one for needing massive power, but I will give these some consideration too. Not a saloon though, but a bargain price. This really was a quick car. dyno'd at about 265hp at the wheels IIRC, so about 330hp at the flywheel easily. Forget your 1.8 turbos, these 2.7 litre twin turbo engines are incredible. And pretty easily tuned to 500hp if you wanted! Just have a look at the MRC Tuning website.
If you buy a standard one, make sure you take it to MRC for a custom remap. They don't need any other mods, but a custom remap will really transform the car. Takes it from 265hp to about 320hp and the way it drives is infinitely better. Try and find one with an MRC history as well. They really do know these cars inside out. When they serviced mine they took me out for a drive in it with the laptop connected to run LOGS and draw up various graphs. Very interesting stuff.
My old car...
https://picasaweb.google.com/117193357949152121888...
https://picasaweb.google.com/117193357949152121888...
Beautiful! Miss it a lot!
https://picasaweb.google.com/117193357949152121888...
https://picasaweb.google.com/117193357949152121888...
Beautiful! Miss it a lot!
iain_thornton said:
Jaguar X-Type 3.0. They often surprise people, and you'd get a fantastic one well within that budget.
Have to agree here, having recently purchased one I can say very satisfying drive. Much more capable than they have I think been given credit for and a nice place to be. Ved said:
I wouldn't discount a GTFour until you've driven a well sorted one. Having owned many MR2s and a GTFour I can tell you that you will regret not at least trying one.
There don't seem to be many about at the moment! There were quite a few for sale last year when I was looking at them, though fairly few had had the Figure 8 suspension setup tended to. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff