What Car (yet again) - £10k

[P1H]

Hi All,

I've been absolutely plagued with indecision as to what to follow my Civic Type R with. I've got 10k to spend and a reasonably broad set of requirements. I did this when I sought to buy my current car and got some useful feedback.

The current car that seems to fit all of my requirements, and therefore which I intend to buy, is a 130i. But, I want to check there isn't something glaringly obvious I've over-looked.

The requirements (in short):
- Petrol
- It has to be relatively quick (most likely 250bhp +)
- I'll be driving 15k a year, so reasonably comfortable (only relative to the Type R)
- It has to be reasonably age appropriate (yes I know, who cares what anyone thinks etc etc, but I'm 22 and a big volvo or 5 series, for example, wouldn't be quite right).
- It needs to achieve over 30mpg when driven normally/slightly cautiously.
- It needs to be reasonable age and mileage. The 130i's within that budget are circa 2007, circa 40-50k miles.

Any thoughts?

[BUG4LIFE]

Z4 Coupe...same engine but so much cooler, and now 10k maybe?

[BUG4LIFE]

An 8k 350Z and 2k for the extra petrol you'll need.

[maxp]

Golf Edition 30

[P1H]

BUG4LIFE said:

An 8k 350Z and 2k for the extra petrol you'll need.

I originally looked at Z4s but there isn't something quite right about them in my eyes (the new shape is a different matter).

As for a 350z, it isn't something I've considered, I would imagine over 15k miles it might become a bit wearing.

[P1H]

maxp said:

Golf Edition 30

Thanks, a good suggestion and fits the bill perfectly, but I'd opt for a 130i over it for a number of reasons.

[Ilikebeaver]

BUG4LIFE said:

Z4 Coupe...same engine but so much cooler, and now 10k maybe?

+1

(Or Z4 Roadster 3.0si, and pick up all the laidees)

[BUG4LIFE]

Mate, the Z4 Coupe is stunning, a classic in waiting no doubt. Snap one up at once

[P1H]

Ilikebeaver said:

+1

(Or Z4 Roadster 3.0si, and pick up all the laidees)

I take the point about the Coupe, but I still have reservations.

Regarding the roadster, maybe I should have mentioned it needs to be gender appropriate as well as age!

[Jazz 0230]

I am in a similar position and am looking at mk5 golfs...a little out of budget at the minute I think, but what about the Renault Megane RS250? It's supposedly the ultimate FWD hatch.

[irocfan]

Crossfire SRT6 - genuinely rapid, marmite looks.
350/370Z - Jap musclecar
C4 Corvette - older now, but still reliable and quick
TransAm WS6 - good luck finding one, again VERY rapid

[P1H]

Jazz 0230 said:

I am in a similar position and am looking at mk5 golfs...a little out of budget at the minute I think, but what about the Renault Megane RS250? It's supposedly the ultimate FWD hatch.

Cheers, the RS250 is by all accounts a great car, but they seem to fall outside of the budget by a significant margin.

[Jazz 0230]

Yeah fair point they are still pricier than I thought. What about Mazda 3MPS?

[Drums]

S3? This ones just over budget but it'd meet the criteria for MPG, BHP and age appropriate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[BUG4LIFE]

[redacted]

[Bat28]

Mazda 3 MPS ?

[P1H]

Bat28 said:

Mazda 3 MPS ?

Not for me personally, I think (except turbo of course, probably more compfrtable and more powerful) it'd be too close in spirit to the type R. But I am amazed that a 2010 model can be picked up for circa £10k.

130i it is then......

[GreatGranny]

Don't think you will find anything with the performance, handling, comfort & MPG compromise, as the 130i

[turboteeth]

This!

[P1H]

GreatGranny said:

Don't think you will find anything with the performance, handling, comfort & MPG compromise, as the 130i

I think you are absolutely right.

(This was as I expected, I think I just needed some confirmation)