The 8k dillema - what car?

[Unlight]

Sorry to clog up the forum with another what car thread, but this sort of budget seems very difficult to buy with.

Needs to be the following :

Reasonably quick (at least 200bhp or so)
Dog friendly (saloons are out unfortunately)
Will be a daily so has to be reliable

I only do around 10k a year so MPG isn't a major concern.

All I can think of at the moment are the usual boring choices of a Focus ST/Golf GTi - anyone throw in some other suggestions?

[Mr Ben]

E46 330 Sport Touring...

Be a mint example at that price too!

[Sweller]

Audi S4 B6 Avant

[Grey Ghost]

I would be looking towards this

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3628235.htm

Get him down to £8k based on the rear tyres being ditch finders and you have a winner.

[PaperCut]

Perhaps not these actual cars - although they look good - just for ideas how about these?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3774941.htm
(Well under budget!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3730122.htm

[dm46]

R32
Civic type r
Subaru forester
Mondeo st220 estate
Integra type r

[Watchman]

Legacy Spec-B or GT

[dm46]

R32
Civic type r
Subaru forester
Mondeo st220 estate
Integra type r
S3

[va1o]

I'd be looking at the MK5 Golf GTI, or something else VAG with the engine/ chassis.

Boring maybe, but its popular because its so good.

[kambites]

I'd say your main choices are older mini-execs (330i, S4, IS300, C320, 3.0 X-type); newer hot hatches (Golf GTi, Octavia VRS, Focus ST, etc); and the Impreza estate. You could also go a catagory bigger and look at things like the Mondeo ST220 and larger engined 5-series, E-class, A6, Legacy, etc.

[will_]

How big is the dog?

BMW Breadvan?

[th85]

I had a similar dilemma but it was a child instead of the dog and I went for the Focus ST. It just seemed a bit more fun than the other hot hatches. Astra might be quicker in a straight line, Megane probably quicker in the bends and the Golf probably has higher residuals but it's nice to live with, comfy, power is easily accessible and the 5 pot engine sounds great, plenty of character. Still love it 2 years on and I normally get bored quickly.

[Unlight]

Grey Ghost said:

I would be looking towards this

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3628235.htm

Get him down to £8k based on the rear tyres being ditch finders and you have a winner.

I'd love a newer shape S4 but it seems my budget won't stretch that far (bar a 130k example currently advertised on ebay).

What would the residuals on an older S4 be like? I'd quite like to try one, but I don't know if I could live with the slightly dated looks.

[DanDC5]

You need an Integra DC5.

Buy mine

[snorkel sucker]

If I was allowed, I'd post you a link to one I know for sale, however, as I can't, I'll just have to tell you that a BMW 130i would fit your bill.

I can confirm it is suitable for a dog, and also a mountain bike, should you wish!

That I know of one which is about £1k under your budget is a minor sidepoint

[Unlight]

I love the 130i - I've had a look at yours a good few times, and would have bought it, but I can't get on with silver - sorry!

[jackwootton]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3881248.htm

They are superb cars, wouldn't hesitate buying one if I could get insured.

[edo]

A4 quattro 3.0 . (cue lots of people tell you they are dull and rubbish)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
2003 AUDI A4 3.0 Quattro Sport

5 Doors, Manual 6 speed, Estate, Petrol, 43,045 miles, Metallic Blue. full black sports leather interior with lumbar support, climate control, 17" s line alloy wheels, fully colour coded, remote locking alarm, electric windows x4, electric mirrors, audi concert cd player, roof rails, rear load cover, front centre armrest, rear headrests, front fog lights, full audi service history with 5 services, last serviced at 39,024 miles, 1 owner from new, stunning example, £5,995



330i touring

2005 BMW 3 Series 3.0 330i Sport Touring 5 Dr Auto
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Petrol, 55,055 miles, Silver, 3 Owner(s), Leather Seats, Sat Nav, TV, Trip Computer, Only Available At This Branch, ABS(Anti-Lock Brakes), Body Coloured Bumpers, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Cloth Interior, Cruise Control, Driver's Air Bag, Electronic Stability Programme, Front Fog Lights, Immobiliser, Mirrors Internal, Paint Metallic, Passenger Air Bag, Power-Assisted Steering, Roof Rails, Seat - ISOFIX Anchorage Point, Spare Wheel, Traction Control System. £7,000



2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.2 V6 Sport FSI 4MOTION 5dr DSG Estate

5 Door Estate, Metallic Artic Blue, Petrol, Automatic, Side airbags, Air conditioning, Front head restraints, Rear headrests, Front fog lights, Auto hold, Heated door mirrors, Trip computer. One owner, full service history. £6,495



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

[J4CKO]

VR6 Turbo said:

the obvious choice is this!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3827547.htm









VR

I was looking for a MK2 1.8 Turbo and I saw yours when looking, I like it but it is a bit too far from standard for me, I like a factory look, I know that front is very sought after but I prefer the original and I needed some rear seats. Thats the problem I found with MK2's, there were so many that nearly fitted the bill but fell down on some features that would need a lot of work to recity, one looked perfect but it had the Volkswagen embossed panel off a caddy let in to the metalwork, impressive but not my taste.

Yours must be a riot though with 345 bhp.

[va1o]

A3 Sportback 3.2 V6?

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