Best practical drivers' car for £4000-5000

[Mark Wintour]

Hi.

Moving to London soon and need to get a new car. I have an MX-5 atm and it's really great, if a little underpowered and impractical. Basically being in London I don't want/need an expensive car, but would like one for the weekend country drives, maybe occasional track day etc, so ideally with a 0-60 in the 5's or 6's. However, it's got to be reasonably practical and generally reliable as I'll want it for driving around the country to see friends/family. I'm not much of a badge snob but having had a few years of MX-5 ownership I'd prefer something with a bit more, er, macho reputation. (Don't get me wrong, I love the MX-5 but most of the people I know aren't petrolheads and just don't get it.)

So I was thinking E36 M3, porsche 944, or renaultsport clio. I think £4-5000 would be enough to get a decent one of these. When checking out the clio I looked on one of their enthusiast forums where they were saying the MX-5 was a little bit girly, then someone pointed out 'hang on a sec, we all drive Clios', which made me stop and think the M3 or porker would be a better choice... Other option would be to just get a 2002 black 5L V8 Merc CL for £5500...

Any other suggestions?

(first post and I know it's not good practice to start with a question, but the only reason I haven't joined/posted before is that I don't have much of interest to contribute to the discussions here - I know so little compared to the rest of you! Lame excuse but true.)

[MWintour]

Never mind, just spotted this http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[NiceCupOfTea]

Welcome to PH

Out of your list I would have the M3 I think. You could also think about Skylines - something like a GTS-T (iirc the rear wheel drive one) is much cheaper than a GTR and a decent steer by all accounts.

[djdestiny]

Audi S4?
Could get a very nice B5 facelift for 5k easily

[xxplod]

Boxster? Maybe a few more £££ to get a good one, but it's a great all rounder.

[MWintour]

Thanks for the replies! I am drawn towards the M3 I have to say.

The Boxster is a great car but not one I've really fallen in love with when I've driven it. Plus it's not especially practical.

I really like the S4 suggestion though. V8, looks classy but not too showy. Would it be sporty enough I guess is the only thing? I'd love to be able to push the tail wide every now and again (although first I'd obviously have to learn how and you probably couldn't really do that with the S4. How would it be on a back road blat?

[anonymous-user]

He means the twin Turbo v6 s4, not the later v8s. Your budget would only get a dog rough example of one of those.

[MWintour]

Not quite so tempting then...
This V8 is up for £6000, described as clean in and out (no guarantee I know):
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[balders118]

MWintour said:

Not quite so tempting then...
This V8 is up for £6000, described as clean in and out (no guarantee I know):
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

The Ad doesn't throw up any of the usual concerns (all in caps, text speak etc), so maybe worth checking out if it's local to you. Make sure you know what to look for for classic issues with the particular car.

[PaperCut]

I'm thinking predictable, but good = facelifted E46 330i Sport Manual. Pick the bodystyle that suits -Touring/Coupe/Saloon.

[james_gt3rs]

Honda Integra type R.

[MWintour]

I've often been tempted by a Teg, given it's supposed to be one of the best FWD cars ever, but it's probably a bit leftfield on the looks front for me. Would love to drive one though.

Unfortunately the S4 is in Scotland so not that close. But is it worth keeping an eye out for a more local one, are they fun to drive??

[MWintour]

Also, the E46 I've also been tempted by. But then I think I may as well own the M3 if it's going to be pretty much the same price.

[Janosh]

I will find myself in a similar position (budget 5-6k) this summer and I'm swaying towards a WRX wagon.

Is there anything else that can carry a bike in the boot one weekend and hustle at a track day the next?

I would be very tempted by a B6 S4, but track day consumables and general running costs are not in the same league!

My alternatives were to consider a Focus ST & Megan RS, but I'd prefer to have AWD or RWD...

[kambites]

Integra would probably be my choice. Or maybe a Corrado VR6.

[Janosh]

I understand the appeal of the 'teg, but I'd struggle to choose a 98-99 DC-2 over a 04-05 WRX wagon!

Plus the Integra looks like a much smaller car, so less practical for weekend's away

[danp]

civic type-r or e46 m3 if you want rwd/more pace and don't mind higher running costs.

[Loplop]

Practicality wise, as big a Honda fan as I am, apparently DC2's and EK9's can be a pain to 'live' with. No soundproofing and seam welded chassis mean you hear and feel EVERYTHING.

I can't comment on a DC5

[Janosh]

Thanks for the suggestions, but unfortunately an M3 wouldn't be practical enough for loading bikes, etc. I'd also be scared of much higher costs when doing track days.

I have considered a CTR, however I suspect it will feel boring compared to a WRX (wagon)?

[Powerrr]

Leon Cupra R 225

A Audi S3 minus the four wheel drive and wearing a nicer frock.

A couple of breathing mods and handling tweaks and you can annoy a E46 M3 along a backroad with minimal fuss.