Apologies for another what car topic but., £10k (MAX) budget

[irocfan]

Not been on here in a while and so I'm after advice again. I know I seem to change my car nearly as often as some people change their underwear - but due to a pleasant change in circumstances (got an unexpected pay-rise!) I'm in a position where I may be able to get a nicer vehicle. I've tried using the search function but....

Currently I have an X-reg C70 and as much as I like it, and it really is that hoary old chestnut of 'one of the best around' (2 owners, low miles, virtually every option except the dreaded full electric seats) I think I'd like something a little newer and/or sportier.

If I were to set myself a budget (including the sale of the C70!) of £10k what car would you recomend? To give you an diea of my requirements and tastes...

recent previous cars:
Audi TT225 (modified)... too harsh a drive, a little too common also a 4pot
Chrysler Crossfire... loved it (only reason I got rid of is an ex felt claustrophobic) and it suffered a little by comparison to the next vehicle on the list
Ford F150 Lightning... BEST.VEHICLE.EVER!!! Noisy (in a great way!!) The only downside was the mpgs (13ish was a little too painfull!!)
Chevy Camaro SS... fun, noisy (again in a good way)
Various IROC Camaros... fun but now too old/not modern enough for me.
MG ZT190+... quite nice but (waaay) too low geared

requirements:
reliable
'different' (I'd rather not see dozens on my way somewhere)
fast
comfortable
don't really want/need 4 doors (though 4 seats aren't necessary I don't really care)
not wildly keen on BMWs (though an X5 might be interesting - there goes my whole 4 door/4 seat thing!! lol)
lhd/rhd not really an issue
prefer auto - though again not a huge issue


I await with baited breath...

[Wafflesmk2]

This is actually quite hard, but the first thing i thought of was a mustang. Not many about, but a quick autotrader search found one for £10k with the 4.0 manual, 2007.

[SturdyJ]

May I be the first to suggest a Monaro?

You seem to like your noise, it's very rare, and it'll do a damn site better than 13mpg ( most of the time )

It's also reasonably quick (within budget probably between 330bhp - 400bhp), very comfortable, only 2 doors, and the engines will go forever. They are manuals though...

Can get the 5.7 for as little as about £7 - £8k, which leaves you modding money

We're also a friendly bunch on the forum for what that's worth...

Edited by SturdyJ on Tuesday 6th March 15:10

[irocfan]

Wafflesmk2 said:

This is actually quite hard, but the first thing i thought of was a mustang. Not many about, but a quick autotrader search found one for £10k with the 4.0 manual, 2007.

I will admit I'd thought of a Mustang and initially thought about the S197 (2005 shape) but if I was lucky I'd only be able to get a V6 which would leave me wishing I'd gone full fat (if there's one available!!). The earlier 'New Edge' ones look great on the outside but I remain to be convinced about the interior at the moment (dials the size of smarties and some very poor looking fitments - and I like Yank stuff!!!).

A Monaro IS a great idea but I'd always thought they'd be somewhat over budget - obviously looking at your post I'd be wrong lol... but I suspect there's an element of I'm looking for the cheapest ones around which makes me a little nervous. If I were to go Focus ST or Crossfire (see a wide and weird taste range) I'd have a large choice of all conditions

Edited by irocfan on Tuesday 6th March 15:14

[SturdyJ]

irocfan said:

A Monaro IS a great idea but I'd always thought they'd be somewhat over budget - obviously looking at your post I'd be wrong lol... but I suspect there's an element of I'm looking for the cheapest ones around which makes me a little nervous. If I were to go Focus ST or Crossfire (see a wide and weird taste range) I'd have a large choice of all conditions

Edited by irocfan on Tuesday 6th March 15:14

In your budget, you'd be looking at the bottom of the 6.0 VXR models, but the 5.7s have been around 8k for a while now, so you're comfortably in there. The price will mainly be dictated by mileage, mods don't add anything to the resale, so get one with as many mods as you can find. They tend to be cherished cars, modifications don't mean a boy racer owner...

Get one that's been serviced by Monkfish (the UK specialist for them) and they'll be able to tell you all about the car, and if you post a car you like over in the HSV / Monaro forum, we'll probably know it already, or they'll be a member that's happy to go and have a look at it for you

10k is a big budget for a 5.7, you won't be disappointed

[Boydie88]

VX220 - either top of the range NA with change or a Turbo with that money. Although you need a bit of flex to get in and out, I find it comfortable enough for my dialy drive - until you hit the smallest of pot holes.

[JackTheLaddddd]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3708463.htm

[irocfan]

JackTheLaddddd said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3708463.htm

lol from what I can gather the 'comfort' requirement would tend to rule this out together with if not an aversion to certainly antipathy towards 4 pots would finish it off

[JackTheLaddddd]

irocfan said:

JackTheLaddddd said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3708463.htm

lol from what I can gather the 'comfort' requirement would tend to rule this out together with if not an aversion to certainly antipathy towards 4 pots would finish it off

It's rare though

[p4cks]

Z4C?

[LuS1fer]

It's not rare save in the engine department but a friend has just had to sell his Mustang and has bought a Mk V VR6 4WD and loves it. It's a car I'm thinking of replacing my old GTI with too.

They are slightly over budget but I've seen a low miler 3 door in black locally for £10500 so may be negotiable.

[samdale]

Mint Supra twin turbo?

[JB434]

samdale said:

Mint Supra twin turbo?

This, or a R32/33 GT-R?
Like this one. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3712730.htm
Get a standard spoiler again though mind.

[SturdyJ]

irocfan said:

requirements:
reliable
'different' (I'd rather not see dozens on my way somewhere)
fast
comfortable
don't really want/need 4 doors (though 4 seats aren't necessary I don't really care)
not wildly keen on BMWs (though an X5 might be interesting - there goes my whole 4 door/4 seat thing!! lol)
lhd/rhd not really an issue
prefer auto - though again not a huge issue

5.7 Monaro.

High end of the price range

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3705045.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3673276.htm

Lower end of the price range

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3629201.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3148282.htm

That's just a snapshot from Pistonheads right now.

As for your requirements:

Reliable - Check (FSH, in some cases at Monkfish. Low mileage too (41k...))
Different - Check (There's only 10 of the red one in the country)
Fast - Check (unless you mean supercar fast? Red one is 377bhp)
Comfortable - Check
2 door - Check
No BMWs - Check
LHD/RHD - Check (RHD)
Auto - Fail, all manuals.

Go ooonnnn

[TTwiggy]

Boxster S - you may even be in 987 territory for your budget.

Ok, it's not going to be a rare car, but there's probably no better (modern) 2 seater ever produced (yes, I've lit a massive touch paper there, and I am running from the thread )

[CaptainSensib1e]

350Z hits pretty much every nail on the head. If you want an auto you'd have to go for an import though, but there are plenty around.

[irocfan]

Gaz. said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1793132.htm

gotta be honest a 'Vette has always been a drool-worthy car - add in a wonderful soundtrack and good reliability and we're approaching a very tempting proposition. The snaggette that has now arisen is SWMBO feels unhappy about much over 10years old (curses! Foiled again!!) BUT that does make the Monaro a nice thought

I hear ya on the idea of a Boxster and while I have no doubt at all that they are good (maybe even great) cars they really don;t move me at all. I guess I'm realising with all the suggestions that some types of car are ruling themselves out:


Not sold on the idea of a convertable - oiks with knives vs fabric worry me and I just prefer tin-tops

Not too bothered about 'sports' cars (ie the affore mentioned Boxster) - I think I prefer GT cars or cruisers (hence my affection for the Crossfire I guess)

[LuS1fer]

I do like C4s (though 96 was the "last of the C4s, not 94)and would have one save for the fact I need 3 seats of a weekend.