What car (apologies already!) 10k, 4 doors... thats about it

[Miocene]

Dilemma… baby on the way… new car needed. Not ‘that’ much criteria apart from 4doors… limit is £10k for now due to looking for a new house, but a couple of k cheaper may suit. I do about 6-7k a year, and at the moment a lot of shorter journeys.

Options:
- Alfa Romeo 3.2 V6.
- Pros: The looks. V6 engine. The looks. Rare. The looks.
- Cons: Thirsty and not that fast. Hard to find (read rare, in a difficult way).

- Mazda 6 MPS
- Pros: Stealth.
- Cons: Looks a bit… dull… Rare as rocking horse poo (as above, also a pro once you’ve found one)

- Volkswagen Golf R32 (MK5)
- Pros: Fairly economical.
- Cons: Doesn’t jump out at me… (Golf GTi falls under this banner too). Reviews suggest its more of a GT car, but coming from a Celica that revs to 8,500rpm, anything and everything may feel a little less ‘manic’.

- Audi S4
- Pros: Less than 6secs 0-60.
- Cons: Top end of budget for a reasonable one.


Ideally I wanted less than 6secs 0-60, but that may have to wait until we’ve moved and know exactly what is left after the joys of stamp duty, decorating etc The inclusion of a multitude of 4WD cars isn’t intentional whatsoever, just how it seems to have come out.

Cue the 335d mapped replies… but that’s why I mentioned about a lot of shorter journeys and the fairly low annual mileage.

All reasonable ideas considered (maybe only briefly though... no promises...)

[folos]

Remapped 335i?

[trickywoo]

E39 M5

[AmitG]

Jaguar S-Type R?

Pros:

• 0-60 in 5 seconds
• Supercharged V8 with 400BHP
• Well under budget (use remaining budget as fuel/servicing/bork fund)
• RWD
• Leather, satnav, decent audio etc.
• Reliable, and relatively cheap to maintain (accepting that no car of this nature is going to be truly cheap to run)
• Upgradable if you want more BHP
• That supercharger whine

Cons:

• Boot is smaller than competitors
• Rear legroom is not great
• Styling is not to everyone's taste
• May feel dated compared to others on the list (I think the newest ones must be about 5 years old now)

[kiethton]

Would it be worth leasing something to maximise cash in bank - there was a link posted to a M135i on a 2 year lease for £1,700 down and £285pm (inc. VAT) for 2 years/10k miles pa.

[crazy about cars]

kiethton said:

Would it be worth leasing something to maximise cash in bank - there was a link posted to a M135i on a 2 year lease for £1,700 down and £285pm (inc. VAT) for 2 years/10k miles pa.

That's a very attractive leasing option!

[Big Pants]

Legacy Spec B. A fair few good ones around for well under budget with money left over for petrol. Just make sure it's been serviced to schedule.

Pros: Estate version has loads of space. Handles like a dream. 6.5 seconds to 62mph. Permanent 4wd. Bit of a Q car.
Cons: Thirstier than George Best's drunken uncle in the desert, but at your annual mileage that shouldn't be an issue.

[Lefty]

Not keen on Impreza/Evo?

[kiethton]

crazy about cars said:

kiethton said:

Would it be worth leasing something to maximise cash in bank - there was a link posted to a M135i on a 2 year lease for £1,700 down and £285pm (inc. VAT) for 2 years/10k miles pa.

That's a very attractive leasing option!

Yes, was rather tempted myself but am trying to build a house deposit and the 540i is perfect for what I need (when it works!)

[HannsG]

Lefty said:

Not keen on Impreza/Evo?

If it was me, I would be looking at an impreza. VFM I think a 2004/2005 impreza is in order..

[Miocene]

Some great replies... much appreciated!

Chap opposite has a e39 m5 in a gorgeous ice blue I must admit I'm a big fan... not so much of the potential bills, but that's where man maths comes into play.

Not sure I could cope with looking at a s type on my driveway, but I will dig a little deeper as that really a left field option.

Impreza does little for me, and I must admit to getting confused with the models but I'll try have a poke around one locally.

As for the m135i lease... not something I'd usually consider but that might actually fit very well... very tempting!

[blearyeyedboy]

e46 M3?

[kambites]

blearyeyedboy said:

e46 M3?

Did they do a saloon version of the E46?

[Maracus]

kambites said:

blearyeyedboy said:

e46 M3?

Did they do a saloon version of the E46?

No

[Miocene]

E90 M3 saloon is the next step once the house is sorted. E46 CS was the plan until the bump...

[Buggerlugz]

Miocene said:

- Mazda 6 MPS
- Pros: Stealth.
- Cons: Looks a bit… dull…

perhaps they should stand out abit more in a stealthy kinda way

[blearyeyedboy]

kambites said:

Did they do a saloon version of the E46?

Sorry, having a stupid moment. As you were, gents.

[Yiliterate]

Congratulations on the imminent arrival! I bought my M5 when my kid was just over a year old. Now, while the boot is pretty cavernous, access to it is compromised to a degree by virtue of it being a saloon, hence getting the 'travel system' (as they are now pretentiously known as) in and out was a bit pretty tight squeeze. Worth bearing in mind; if you decide on a 4-door rather than a hatch/estate, make sure the pushchair fits!

[edo]

Manual or Auto?

Rear Spoiler on the rear window needs to go, but otherwise nice. Heritige Leather too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...



or

335i

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...



or

Supercharged Jaaaag

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...



or

S4
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...



or

22k E500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Miocene]

I can't believe that 22k merc... potentially very very costly but just wow... that is a lot of car...

Had a look at a 159 and a4 today and have to say whilst the interior of the Alfa was amazing, the Audi was incredibly disappointing in comparison, despite their supposed reputation for quality. I didn't drive either as both had the 'wrong' engines, that's next weekend...

Some great ideas which are all much appreciated!

Oh, manual preferred, but that's more to do with experience admittedly, only had automatics as rentals. How the are 335 automatics? I know the engine is highly rated, maybe I need to try one...

Edited by Miocene on Saturday 23 November 23:06