What quick car for £4.5k

[43034]

It doesn't seem 2 mins ago that I last posted one of these but it's time for a change.

I currently drive an E46 330ci and I don't like it. The sound is average and it doesn't feel all that quick. I know 6.5 to 60 isn't ludicrously fast but I feel it should seem a lot quicker. In short, it's just not for me and I want out!

The problem is, I know what I don't want (330!) but I don't know what I do want.

I've owned Saabs previously and I keep thinking about getting a 9-5 Aero, taking it to Stage 3 and enjoying the quick turn of speed in what appears to be a Geography teacher's car. Finding one with FSH and without starship mileage is hard though.

Another Saab on the shortlist is a 9-3 2.8 and take it to Stage 1 with a new clutch and enjoy the sound and speed. Finding one in the lower tax bracket (I despise giving the gov £485 to drive) & manual is also tricky.

I know I like the Saabs & I know what I am looking for with them but wouldn't mind getting something different. I'm only 20 so something a bit more sporty wouldn't go a miss. No 2 seaters though. MPG not a problem.

This is on the shortlist, I know the rear seats aren't that useful but it's handy to have them! It'll sound fking awesome but do they feel quick?


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

There's also this. High mileage but a good price to reflect it. Claims to have a new cambelt and a Q2 diff fitted


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-ALFA-ROMEO-156-V6-2...

Anything else to think of?

Thanks guys

[g3org3y]

How would you feel going back a generation and considering an E36 M3 (0-60 in 5.5ish). Certainly a rawer feel compared to the more modern E46.

[xstian]

g3org3y said:

How would you feel going back a generation and considering an E36 M3 (0-60 in 5.5ish). Certainly a rawer feel compared to the more modern E46.

That's not a bad shout. If you want a car that will do 0-60 in under 6 sec, you are going to be looking for something older, with only £4.5k,

[TEKNOPUG]

Anything Jap with a turbo and remap. Nice WRX's in budget.

Fiat Coupe turbo and some mods upto 280bhp.

Or how about a Jag XJR if mpg isn't an issue?

Can't see how either of those Alfa are going to feel faster than your 330i

[anonymous-user]

TEKNOPUG said:

Anything Jap with a turbo and remap. Nice WRX's in budget.

Fiat Coupe turbo and some mods upto 280bhp.

Or how about a Jag XJR if mpg isn't an issue?

Can't see how either of those Alfa are going to feel faster than your 330i

I've had a V6 GTV and a 330ci. GTV definitely 'felt' faster.

[TEKNOPUG]

Sensations are subjective

Mind you, I had an M3 and am considering a 95 Aero....

[43034]

Thanks for the replies.

Didn't think E36s were in budget? Insurance could be an issue also.

TEKNOPUG said:

Anything Jap with a turbo and remap. Nice WRX's in budget.

Fiat Coupe turbo and some mods upto 280bhp.

Or how about a Jag XJR if mpg isn't an issue?

Can't see how either of those Alfa are going to feel faster than your 330i

I was out in a friends 147GTA last night and it was plenty quick enough. I realise the 156/GTV would be slower but still quick enough!

Didn't think of WRXs/Jap to behonest? Will have to take a look - Anything else apart from the Subaru?

No Autos sorry, should've said

[mocca]

mk5 golf gti? I'm looking for one around this ballpark but £5k seems to be the entry point for half decent examples.

[Welshbeef]

S2000
205 1.9 GTI
E36 M3 Evo
E34 M5
Audi S4
E39 M5
Fiat Coupe 20 V turbo
RX8 231 bhp
Z4
Boxster
944 S2/Turbo
928 S2
W210 E55 AMG
Volvo T5-R
350Z
Focus ST
Astra VXR

[CB2152]

The 9-5 is a pretty good option. They are still out there with lower mileages, I got mine last year. 2004/5 car, 60,000 miles and all work ever done accounted for. Under 4k as well. Don't give up on it

I've also taken mine to stage 3 and it is pretty swift, certainly through the mid range. Not great off the line but still enough for about 6 seconds 0-60. 3rd and 4th are where it performs well.

The 2.8 V6's are good for even more power. I believe the internals are forged as standard so can take pretty high numbers. (Think 320-360hp and bags of torque).

That's my (obviously completely unbiased) view

Also to add, I was 19 when I bought the 9-5, turned 20 two weeks later and when it came to insurance it was around £1700 fully comp with 2 years no claims. This year I'll be 21 come renewal with 3 years no claims, £900 fully comp with all mods declared.

Edited by CB2152 on Wednesday 9th July 18:02

[TEKNOPUG]

43034 said:

I was out in a friends 147GTA last night and it was plenty quick enough. I realise the 156/GTV would be slower but still quick enough!

Didn't think of WRXs/Jap to behonest? Will have to take a look - Anything else apart from the Subaru?

No Autos sorry, should've said

E36's easily in budget. But you are taking a gamble due to their age and running costs. I'd imagine insurance would be interesting!

Fast "shove in the back fast" or "chuck it through the twisties and cover ground fast"?

For shove in the back, at your budget, it has to be turbo charged with suitable remaps available. For fast in the twisties, you need something light, so Clio, CTR, ATR, Megane maybe.

[43034]

Welshbeef said:

S2000 - Not in budget
205 1.9 GTI - Good one, thanks
E36 M3 Evo - Not in budget
E34 M5 - Not in budget
Audi S4 - Worth a look but scraping bottom of barrel budget wise
E39 M5 - Not in budget
Fiat Coupe 20 V turbo - Will be taking a look!
RX8 231 bhp - Borkalicious
Z4 - 2 seats, ones it budget not worth having
Boxster - 2 seats and a £4.5k Boxster will be a wallet raper!
944 S2/Turbo - Don't know anything about these, will have to research
928 S2 - Out of budget(?)
W210 E55 AMG - Auto and Borky
Volvo T5-R - Will have a look!
350Z - A £4.5k 350Z will not be good
Focus ST - Out of budget
Astra VXR - Out of budget

Some good suggestions though, thanks.

[Escy]

There is a high change an E36 M3 for 4.5k will be a nail. Good ones usually cost more. I like the Alfa's but there aren't any quicker than a 330 really. They may feel it as they are more engaging but they aren't.

I'd be looking for an Evo 6 if I was you.

[TEKNOPUG]

43034 said:

Welshbeef said:

S2000 - Not in budget
205 1.9 GTI - Good one, thanks
E36 M3 Evo - Not in budget
E34 M5 - Not in budget
Audi S4 - Worth a look but scraping bottom of barrel budget wise
E39 M5 - Not in budget
Fiat Coupe 20 V turbo - Will be taking a look!
RX8 231 bhp - Borkalicious
Z4 - 2 seats, ones it budget not worth having
Boxster - 2 seats and a £4.5k Boxster will be a wallet raper!
944 S2/Turbo - Don't know anything about these, will have to research
928 S2 - Out of budget(?)
W210 E55 AMG - Auto and Borky
Volvo T5-R - Will have a look!
350Z - A £4.5k 350Z will not be good
Focus ST - Out of budget
Astra VXR - Out of budget

Some good suggestions though, thanks.

Out of that list, the only ones I would consider that have 4 seats, are fast and are within budget for something approaching reasonable condition are the Fiat, RX8, Volvo (but why not just buy a Saab?) and possibly the 944 - although only the Turbo is properly fast.

I'm sure that you could get an M5, S4, 928 etc for £4.5k but I'm not sure that you would want to.

Easiest thing is to look on the classifieds. £4.5k, Manual, 250+bhp (or 1.8l+ & Turbo)

[pti]

Can I ask why you've ruled out 2 seaters?

As said, something 90s, Jap and turbo will fit the bill. I currently drive a modified MR2 turbo and it's definitely more of an occasion than my 330ci was.

I sometimes miss comfort and ease of the BM though, so make sure you're sure!

[Johnny 89]

43034 said:

Didn't think of WRXs/Jap to behonest? Will have to take a look - Anything else apart from the Subaru?

No Autos sorry, should've said

In the Far East, the world is your oyster:

Nissan:
Skyline GTST
200SX/200SXA/180SX
300ZX
Pulsar GTi-R

Mitsubishi:
EVO iv/v/vi
GTOTT/3000GT
FTO Mivec
Asti/Mirage Mivec

Honda:
Civic Type R
Integra Type R
Accord Euro R/Type R
Prelude V-tec (too slow?)

Subaru:
Impreza WRX/STI
Legacy
SVX (as a leftfield shout)

Mazda:
RX-7
RX-8
Turbo/SC MX-5
Familia/323 Turbo 4x4

Toyota:
MR2 Turbo
SC Levin
Starlet GT/Glanza V (With some mods could be a lot of fun)
Supra (late 80s/early 90s model)
Celica GT-4 (excellent example will be within budget - possibly a very good bet)

The good thing about Jap cars is they are rarely worth much money and quite often have a turbo which means cheap power (for a while at least)

Edited by Johnny 89 on Wednesday 9th July 18:20

[g3org3y]

Welshbeef said:

E34 M5
E39 M5

Very brave at that price point!

[sparks_E39]

g3org3y said:

Welshbeef said:

E34 M5
E39 M5

Very brave at that price point!

Bottom of the barrel for both of them. I personally wouldn't.

[JimbobVFR]

Escy said:

There is a high change an E36 M3 for 4.5k will be a nail. Good ones usually cost more. I like the Alfa's but there aren't any quicker than a 330 really. They may feel it as they are more engaging but they aren't.

I'd be looking for an Evo 6 if I was you.

I'd consider a 330 to be fast enough as I believe would the OP however he specifically said it doesn't feel that quick or exciting, so maybe the Alfa is exactly what he's after?

[Welshbeef]

43034 said:

Some good suggestions though, thanks.

The budget was £4.5k a Focus ST and VXR are without doubt in budget likewise S2000.