Discussion
Is there a car out there that fits my needs?
1. Must be quicker than the Mazda - 0-60 6.4 seconds (none of this, it feels quicker because it's got more torque rubbish, it has to beat this figure).
2. Must be able to carry 4 adults in comfort and their luggage for a week, ideally quite a lot as I'd like to get ALL my diving gear in the boot.
3. Must be fun to drive - I'm not interesting in bargetastic wagons with huge engines, I want something that I want to drive for the sheer hell of it and that makes every twisty road a delight.
4. Must be under 5 years/60,000 miles old.
5. Ideally Under 10 Grand.
6. MUST be a manual gearbox
7. Not a Vauxhall (I'm never going to send my money their way again if I can avoid it) or a Mercedes (Just a personal preference).
I've been looking at RS4 Audis (too dear) and 325/330 E46 BMW estates (not quite fast enough(?)/too dear).
I suppose Subaru Imprezzas might fit the bill, but the boot's pretty small isn't it - Also not sure I really want the image that goes with a 'Scooby' much though I like them.
Does anything fit my requirement? I love the RX8, but if I was to change I'd want something with a bit more boot space for my diving gear - Is there an RX8 estate?
M
1. Must be quicker than the Mazda - 0-60 6.4 seconds (none of this, it feels quicker because it's got more torque rubbish, it has to beat this figure).
2. Must be able to carry 4 adults in comfort and their luggage for a week, ideally quite a lot as I'd like to get ALL my diving gear in the boot.
3. Must be fun to drive - I'm not interesting in bargetastic wagons with huge engines, I want something that I want to drive for the sheer hell of it and that makes every twisty road a delight.
4. Must be under 5 years/60,000 miles old.
5. Ideally Under 10 Grand.
6. MUST be a manual gearbox
7. Not a Vauxhall (I'm never going to send my money their way again if I can avoid it) or a Mercedes (Just a personal preference).
I've been looking at RS4 Audis (too dear) and 325/330 E46 BMW estates (not quite fast enough(?)/too dear).
I suppose Subaru Imprezzas might fit the bill, but the boot's pretty small isn't it - Also not sure I really want the image that goes with a 'Scooby' much though I like them.
Does anything fit my requirement? I love the RX8, but if I was to change I'd want something with a bit more boot space for my diving gear - Is there an RX8 estate?

M
doesn't fit the age bill but with searching you may find a younger one
forester sti
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3991722.htm
forester sti
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3991722.htm
I'd have said Evo 8 or 9 and to hell with what some might think of the image.
I'm sure the 330 is a good car, but is it not quite the drivers tool some tout? Also of performance is important I can't understand the logic in disregarding a mint M3 e36 regardless of age. Would an E46 M3 be in budget?
The Vauxhall Vectra VXR is meant to be quite handy if you need space. Evo mag gave it a great write up despite it being fwd. Megane R26?? Not sure on the official 0-60mph time, but it'll be affected by traction. However I suspect it's 20-80mph is far quicker than the RX-8.
Not sure how big a Monaro is in the back, but they might be worth a look.
I'm sure the 330 is a good car, but is it not quite the drivers tool some tout? Also of performance is important I can't understand the logic in disregarding a mint M3 e36 regardless of age. Would an E46 M3 be in budget?
The Vauxhall Vectra VXR is meant to be quite handy if you need space. Evo mag gave it a great write up despite it being fwd. Megane R26?? Not sure on the official 0-60mph time, but it'll be affected by traction. However I suspect it's 20-80mph is far quicker than the RX-8.
Not sure how big a Monaro is in the back, but they might be worth a look.
Id go with the Impreza, its the honest choice for your needs and they are so much fun you will be driving to the other side of the country just for the sake of it,,,, and every journey is an event.
The image issue is easy, just get a clean straight unmolested early MK1 and youve just bought a "classic" car.
The image issue is easy, just get a clean straight unmolested early MK1 and youve just bought a "classic" car.
300bhp/ton said:
The Vauxhall Vectra VXR is meant to be quite handy if you need space. Evo mag gave it a great write up despite it being fwd.
Not sure how big a Monaro is in the back, but they might be worth a look.
You should probably read the op a bit more carefully Not sure how big a Monaro is in the back, but they might be worth a look.

Possible alternatives to an impreza:
Forester STi

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4031638.htm
Legacy Spec B 3.0 (slightly over on mileage but close enough):

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4003928.htm
Couple of interesting suggestions there (The Legacy and the Volvo, I hadn't realised the S/V60s were so quick
).
I'm not going back to a Vauxhall if I can ever avoid it.
Of the cars I've owned the dealer experiences with them was by far the worst and not just from one place, either. They were probably my least reliable cars too...
An S4 Audi sounds interesting too - This whole thread was prompted by seeing an RS, but I hadn't considered its little brother.
E36 BMW M3s are too old and I never really liked them much, to be honest. An E46 M3 is my 'target car', but I'm not sure I need that much power and cost, to be honest, although did they make them that late?
Thanks.
M

I'm not going back to a Vauxhall if I can ever avoid it.
Of the cars I've owned the dealer experiences with them was by far the worst and not just from one place, either. They were probably my least reliable cars too...
An S4 Audi sounds interesting too - This whole thread was prompted by seeing an RS, but I hadn't considered its little brother.
E36 BMW M3s are too old and I never really liked them much, to be honest. An E46 M3 is my 'target car', but I'm not sure I need that much power and cost, to be honest, although did they make them that late?
Thanks.
M
Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 11th July 20:50
Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 11th July 20:51
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff