Help Choosing Best sporty 2+2 for £5,000

[Llamapup]

Hello All

After years of driving cheaper yet much loved classics like MGBs, Dolomite Sprints, Beetles and Spitfires, I finally have the means to own something a bit newer and more exiting to drive. I have about £5,000 to spend but could do with a bit of advice.

It would need to work as a second car and would likely get driven on my 5 mile commute to work about twice a week. And go on the occasional weekend holiday? I have two children aged 4 and 6 who I will need to be able to squish in the back from time to time, so a two seater is out. I would prefer a hard top, but won't discount a practical soft top. A 2+2 format appeals the most.

And finally, I'm not too confident to do my own maintenance so I will rely on a garage for most repairs. Can probably just about change the spark plugs. I have a budget f about £1,000 a year for services, MOTs and repairs.

I've spotted that Porsche 944s with less than 100,000 mies seem to fit the bill. Much younger Audi TTs can be easily found for similar money, but I'm not so sure about the styling.

I'm new to considering my options in this price range and need some suggestions for a fun drive for about £5,000.

Thanks

Llamapup

Edited by Llamapup on Friday 25th January 22:25

[TurboBlue]

BMW Alpina Convertable £5,790. Local to you I think. I have an E39 Alpina with the same engine and they are lovely things. Insurance, fuel & consumables - such as tyres will be a factor but they are no more expensive to run than any other BMW.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edited by TurboBlue on Friday 25th January 22:40

[Llamapup]

Thanks

I do like 3 series BMWs, but that Alpina may actually be a bit too much car for me. I'd love to have a try though. Probably end up in a hedge.....

I think I would struggle with maintenance costs.

Any other suggestions .........

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Ta Da!

Practical and great fun. With out the rust!

Edited by Buff Mchugelarge on Friday 25th January 22:50

[Llamapup]

Thanks for that

Is that Reliant Scimitar? Rover V8? I Like its classic appeal, but are they a sporting drive? I bet I could get a mint one for 5K.

Any other suggestions?

[pwd95]

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[TurboBlue]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

Ta Da!

Taking into account the OP's very British sportscar history I was going to suggest a Scimitar; but partly because I have no knowlegde of them and in addition I thought they were too old for the criteria set by the OP I didn't link this GTC - but as you've started.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-Reliant-Scimitar-GT...

In reality I'd expect that to be a struggle for a commute and something from the 1990's - which is the decade that's currently overlooked - you'd find something more reliable and still affordable.

Edit:

Llamapup said:

Is that Reliant Scimitar? Rover V8?

No, it's the Ford V6 2.8L Cologne unit on carbs, I think.

Edited by TurboBlue on Friday 25th January 23:01

[Llamapup]

I'd love a 968 but worry my budget wouldn't stretch for a nice one. Yes keep coming back to 944.

The Alfa looks pretty. Not considered that. How reliable are they?

[SWoll]

Llamapup said:

Thanks

I do like 3 series BMWs, but that Alpina may actually be a bit too much car for me. I'd love to have a try though. Probably end up in a hedge.....

I think I would struggle with maintenance costs.

Any other suggestions .........

Don't be daft. Plenty of electronics + autobox. Far less twitchy than the M3 of similar vintage. Don't drive like an idiot and you'd be fine, I imagine a 944 would be more likely to spit you into a hedge if not treated with respect.

Also based on your suggested mileage I don't imagine maintenance costs being that high TBH, you're £1000 a year should be more than enough to cover it.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Llamapup said:

Thanks for that

Is that Reliant Scimitar? Rover V8? I Like its classic appeal, but are they a sporting drive? I bet I could get a mint one for 5K.

Any other suggestions?

My Dad had one when I was not too young, He commuted a good 50 miles a day in it for a year or so with no real problems. It was a 3.0 ltr Essex V6 auto, great sound, pretty quick and incredible handling, thanks mainly to the light weight. I remember being amazed at how well it handled for an 'old car'!
The only down side is MPG, as you probably know, not a strong point with classics but my dad never complained!

5K will bag you a low milage minter! or a Jag XJS

[TurboBlue]

Llamapup said:

Yes keep coming back to 944.

There's a good readers cars thread for a 944 here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[SWoll]

Llamapup said:

The Alfa looks pretty. Not considered that. How reliable are they?

Usual Alfa electrical woes, and TBH unless your children have no legs you aren't going to get them in the back.

[Llamapup]

SWoll said:

Usual Alfa electrical woes, and TBH unless your children have no legs you aren't going to get them in the back.

Lol....they have legs. I do need to fit them in.

Not really familiar with Alfas. Like the interior.

[matt-ITR]

£5k would buy you a very nice Honda Integra DC2.

[Llamapup]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

My Dad had one when I was not too young, He commuted a good 50 miles a day in it for a year or so with no real problems. It was a 3.0 ltr Essex V6 auto, great sound, pretty quick and incredible handling, thanks mainly to the light weight. I remember being amazed at how well it handled for an 'old car'!
The only down side is MPG, as you probably know, not a strong point with classics but my dad never complained!

5K will bag you a low milage minter! or a Jag XJS

Yes MPG is part of the decision. Would love to average 30mpg.

How practical i s a Jag.? Back seats look roomier than other suggestions. Reminds me of a Triumph Stag! Not quite sure I'm ready for wafting about just yet.

Edited by Llamapup on Friday 25th January 23:26

[SWoll]

Llamapup said:

SWoll said:

Usual Alfa electrical woes, and TBH unless your children have no legs you aren't going to get them in the back.

Lol....they have legs. I do need to fit them in.

Not really familiar with Alfas. Like the interior.

They are lovely looking things inside and out and that V6 is a peach, but not really suited to your needs TBH.

Have you checked out the rear space in a 944 yet? I seem to recall they weren't exactly "spacious" and if you are considering a few long journeys with kids in the back it might be a sticking point.

[Herbs]

My first thought was a 944

Alternatives include Toyota Supra's & Mazda RX7's both great to drive & 2+2

[TurboBlue]

I know this has lots of miles but it's a Porsche Turbo and I can't imagine you'd ever lose money on it; however, if you were concerned about the Alpina - which is a pussycat by the way - I'd expect this to be in a different league all together.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[SWoll]

TurboBlue said:

I know this has lots of miles but it's a Porsche Turbo and I can't imagine you'd ever lose money on it; however, if you were concerned about the Alpina - which is a pussycat by the way - I'd expect this to be in a different league all together.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

I imagine the "bork factor" is as high as the MPG is low on one of those, especially with 218,000 under it's belt.

Nice though.

[Llamapup]

SWoll said:

They are lovely looking things inside and out and that V6 is a peach, but not really suited to your needs TBH.

Have you checked out the rear space in a 944 yet? I seem to recall they weren't exactly "spacious" and if you are considering a few long journeys with kids in the back it might be a sticking point.

Your right, 944 rear seats are tiny. I've only peeked through the windows, but they look small. I like the styling and the reported build quality though and could probably get the kids in there fora couple of years. I need to find one in really good condition though. Is £5k to risky a budget for 944?h