A bit fed up of the dross about....
Discussion
(This is NOT a 'what car?' thread, just musings)
Hi folks,
For a wee while now I have been thinking about my next car, but I cant think what I would buy as there just seems to be seas of beige crap about in the £5-9k bracket.
I took out a loan to buy my 350z a year and a half ago, it was for £11k over 4 years and I am fine with the payments etc, however we moved house about 8 months into ownership and it added a good 30 miles extra a day to my mileage and I hated the fact I was putting almost twice the mileage on the car.
I saw a Honda DC5 Integra in the local private dealer (he sells a few cars, usually interesting stuff, had a Bentley GT in at one point and it sold in 2 days!), anyway I traded the 350 in and got a decent price on the DC5 and a cheque.
The DC5 needed some love, things like new drop links, tidying up, heels powder coated etc but its a nice thing to run about in.
However its 14 years old and done a combined K\MPH of about 164k, I plan on refreshing the suspension bushes all round, get seats re upholstered and some other bits and bobs.
I am selling my CBR1000R next year and this will pay off the loan early so will be debt free and can start throwing lots of cash at a savings account for house\wedding which is fine, this isn't lamenting no shiny toys or anything.
However I got to looking at classifieds to see what I could upgrade the car to in a year or 2, using the selling price as a budget (circa 6-8k on most DC5's). Looking about I basically just see grey euro boxes for mile upon mile and wonder what is out there that is actually quite nice, bit of poke but I wont need to be replacing things every month.
Main things are like a 325I, Honda Accord Euro R (import), or as a wild card a Porsche 968. However I wondered what stuff guys on here can come up with, with a budget of say £6-9k which would be a good daily runner. Anything over 20mpg is fine, as fuel costs wont be a big issue as I wont be paying a loan for the car so have a much bigger monthly disposable income.
Just to perk me up a bit as bit depressed after surgery and gained a bit of weight (3kg) and feel a bit s
tty, so just wanted some car based ideas for a laugh 
Oh and I have use of an MX-5 so already covered there
Hi folks,
For a wee while now I have been thinking about my next car, but I cant think what I would buy as there just seems to be seas of beige crap about in the £5-9k bracket.
I took out a loan to buy my 350z a year and a half ago, it was for £11k over 4 years and I am fine with the payments etc, however we moved house about 8 months into ownership and it added a good 30 miles extra a day to my mileage and I hated the fact I was putting almost twice the mileage on the car.
I saw a Honda DC5 Integra in the local private dealer (he sells a few cars, usually interesting stuff, had a Bentley GT in at one point and it sold in 2 days!), anyway I traded the 350 in and got a decent price on the DC5 and a cheque.
The DC5 needed some love, things like new drop links, tidying up, heels powder coated etc but its a nice thing to run about in.
However its 14 years old and done a combined K\MPH of about 164k, I plan on refreshing the suspension bushes all round, get seats re upholstered and some other bits and bobs.
I am selling my CBR1000R next year and this will pay off the loan early so will be debt free and can start throwing lots of cash at a savings account for house\wedding which is fine, this isn't lamenting no shiny toys or anything.
However I got to looking at classifieds to see what I could upgrade the car to in a year or 2, using the selling price as a budget (circa 6-8k on most DC5's). Looking about I basically just see grey euro boxes for mile upon mile and wonder what is out there that is actually quite nice, bit of poke but I wont need to be replacing things every month.
Main things are like a 325I, Honda Accord Euro R (import), or as a wild card a Porsche 968. However I wondered what stuff guys on here can come up with, with a budget of say £6-9k which would be a good daily runner. Anything over 20mpg is fine, as fuel costs wont be a big issue as I wont be paying a loan for the car so have a much bigger monthly disposable income.
Just to perk me up a bit as bit depressed after surgery and gained a bit of weight (3kg) and feel a bit s
tty, so just wanted some car based ideas for a laugh Oh and I have use of an MX-5 so already covered there
You can break into an E39 M5 for the top end of that budget!
I've thought about changing my Saab too but nothing takes my fancy. I'd get bugger all if I sold it now, maybe £1500 if I was lucky. Saabs values have slashed so great bargains, but not so good for sellers.
Looked at things I could save up for while I run the Saab til it dies and there isn't much I WANT which I think is better than the Saab below £5k. Been eyeing up so £9k E39 M5s, maybe it would ruin me being the lower end of their price bracket, but it's all I can think that I actually want to replace the Saab with.
I've thought about changing my Saab too but nothing takes my fancy. I'd get bugger all if I sold it now, maybe £1500 if I was lucky. Saabs values have slashed so great bargains, but not so good for sellers.
Looked at things I could save up for while I run the Saab til it dies and there isn't much I WANT which I think is better than the Saab below £5k. Been eyeing up so £9k E39 M5s, maybe it would ruin me being the lower end of their price bracket, but it's all I can think that I actually want to replace the Saab with.
Like this one, it's just a fraction above your budget, but haggling etc. would bring it closer. £1k isn't too much difference, just work a bit harder 
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Right colour, right wheels and nice interior. Much want for me.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Right colour, right wheels and nice interior. Much want for me.
Agree nothing I want anymore, so for me it's back into older and older cars. Tried to find something from the 80's I like but they seem to be falling into one or other of the "future classic" / "shed money - shed treatment" groups. Next car I'm getting is from the 90's, quite excited
Yeah, its a getting a bit depressing, I always wanted a Mitsubishi 3000GT\GTO however I knew they were an 90's jap electronic black box filled money pit and not that fast with it, but they looked lovely.
Its like the Supra, looks lovely, quick but getting on for 15 years old for the youngest and you are also getting into hard to get parts, going to fall down at some point with an unobtainable part, probably electronic.
Its finding stuff that's nice, a bit different and not going to kill you with the first non consumable bill requirement.
I like the idea of an E39 M5 but the parts bill is a bit scary, an E60??? Last model shape M5 with the V10 is orders of magnitude scarier if it ever coughed one day!
RX-8 R3 is another example, cheap as chips even for very low mileage ones, but fuel bills and tax rate don't marry up to the actual performance, if io am paying for it I at least want it to be fun.
A decent 3 series E90 with 325/335i lump would be the most sedate yet rapid thing, and not too boring to sit in, however I always want a Jag XJR recent model shape but the ones in my budget are the old jelly shape and again, anything that isn't a consumable would probably be into 4 figures for parts.
Its finding stuff like my old Corrado, Mk1 and Mk2 MR2's, he DC2\DC5 and 318is I had when I was 21, it was a 1993 car, had done 120k miles but I loved that car.
Nowadays all the cars seem to be new and too expensive or getting very old and needing lots done. There doesn't seem to be a nice mid ground in the 6-10k area that's a bit nice, wont die but isn't as dull as dishwater.
Or am I missing something?
Its like the Supra, looks lovely, quick but getting on for 15 years old for the youngest and you are also getting into hard to get parts, going to fall down at some point with an unobtainable part, probably electronic.
Its finding stuff that's nice, a bit different and not going to kill you with the first non consumable bill requirement.
I like the idea of an E39 M5 but the parts bill is a bit scary, an E60??? Last model shape M5 with the V10 is orders of magnitude scarier if it ever coughed one day!
RX-8 R3 is another example, cheap as chips even for very low mileage ones, but fuel bills and tax rate don't marry up to the actual performance, if io am paying for it I at least want it to be fun.
A decent 3 series E90 with 325/335i lump would be the most sedate yet rapid thing, and not too boring to sit in, however I always want a Jag XJR recent model shape but the ones in my budget are the old jelly shape and again, anything that isn't a consumable would probably be into 4 figures for parts.
Its finding stuff like my old Corrado, Mk1 and Mk2 MR2's, he DC2\DC5 and 318is I had when I was 21, it was a 1993 car, had done 120k miles but I loved that car.
Nowadays all the cars seem to be new and too expensive or getting very old and needing lots done. There doesn't seem to be a nice mid ground in the 6-10k area that's a bit nice, wont die but isn't as dull as dishwater.
Or am I missing something?
Same for me - and like others have said I'm looking backwards for my next motoring bit of fun - i need to retain 4 seats for use as an occasional family wagon which limits me somewhat, but i've been looking at:
E30 325i Cab or 318iS
Mk2 Golf GTi
Pug 309 GTi
Bentley Turbo R (mid 80's model)
VW Corrado
Porsche 928 (hideous running costs)
Maser 3200 Gt (just about creeping into budget)
Jag XJ
Early RR L322
Mini Cooper S
Rover P6 3500S
Torn between getting something sporty, or going for the big luxo barge thing - no idea which way to go at the moment
Also considering how practical/expensive it would be to mutate a classic (p6, XJ Series 2, etc) with more modern running gear and brakes, etc - bearing in mind i have little to no mechanical expertise/experience!! I like the idea of the classic look but knowing it will start every day
E30 325i Cab or 318iS
Mk2 Golf GTi
Pug 309 GTi
Bentley Turbo R (mid 80's model)
VW Corrado
Porsche 928 (hideous running costs)
Maser 3200 Gt (just about creeping into budget)
Jag XJ
Early RR L322
Mini Cooper S
Rover P6 3500S
Torn between getting something sporty, or going for the big luxo barge thing - no idea which way to go at the moment
Also considering how practical/expensive it would be to mutate a classic (p6, XJ Series 2, etc) with more modern running gear and brakes, etc - bearing in mind i have little to no mechanical expertise/experience!! I like the idea of the classic look but knowing it will start every day
pilchardthecat said:
Rick_1138 said:
Or am I missing something?
e46 M3, e85 Z4MR, CLK55AMG, W211 E55 AMG, Passat W8, S4/RS4...... and that's just ze GermansSame goes for a Boxter or M5.
300ZX TT - have you seen the engine bay? A nightmare to work on.
I have a similar outlook as OP and have a motorbike and Suzuki Swift.
I really don't think chasing something fast and interesting on four wheels is worth it / possible anymore.
OP you should keep the bike (or get a cheaper one) and get as lightly used as possible 'sporty' hatchback.
The previous generation 1.5 Swift is a fun thing to drive with good feel etc. The Sports are also good in new or old generations.
trickywoo said:
pilchardthecat said:
Rick_1138 said:
Or am I missing something?
e46 M3, e85 Z4MR, CLK55AMG, W211 E55 AMG, Passat W8, S4/RS4...... and that's just ze GermansSame goes for a Boxter or M5.
300ZX TT - have you seen the engine bay? A nightmare to work on.
I have a similar outlook as OP and have a motorbike and Suzuki Swift.
I really don't think chasing something fast and interesting on four wheels is worth it / possible anymore.
OP you should keep the bike (or get a cheaper one) and get as lightly used as possible 'sporty' hatchback.
The previous generation 1.5 Swift is a fun thing to drive with good feel etc. The Sports are also good in new or old generations.
Yeah the post about Z4 M's, S4\RS4's etc is that even at about £9k you are at the moon mileage versions or very odd option choices (looking at you Porsche) and is asking for the big bills to be your problem, not the previous owner\well maintened etc.
I am also aware that she is getting broody so four doors may be beneficial, but TBH I will buy her a 4 door Kia softroader and she will be happy, and I can insure myself on it to run about the fabled offspring.
My eye has wavered over a nice GTI ed30 would be nice to live with and run about in, or a R32 but I prefer my quirky Jap or higher end German stuff, ala Porsche and BMW, I find them much better drives (my old mans 3.2 Carrera being my only Porsche experience though!)
You just don't see the cool quick stuff you used too, an E46 M3 is an idea but again, a few horror stories of Vanos and rear subframes and they are all getting close to 80k miles for even young ones.
It just seems to be expensive classics, or new audi RS's, where are all the interesting, quick cars from 10 years ago that cost sub 10k
Rick_1138 said:
Yeah the post about Z4 M's, S4\RS4's etc is that even at about £9k you are at the moon mileage versions or very odd option choices (looking at you Porsche) and is asking for the big bills to be your problem, not the previous owner\well maintened etc.
I sold my Z4MR 12 months ago for £10k. It had about 65k miles on it, all the options you'd ever want and a full main dealer service history. The things are bomb proof if you get a properly maintained one. No vanos issues with the last iteration of the engine.You'll get bigger bills on the jap stuff you're talking about IMO
Rick_1138 said:
For a wee while now I have been thinking about my next car, but I cant think what I would buy as there just seems to be seas of beige crap about in the £5-9k bracket.
'Twas ever thus. In that price range you either have boring newer stuff, or more interesting older stuff. What seems so different from 10 years ago? In terms of outright speed/power the choice is far greater today than it used to be. For tactility/handling fun it might have gone the other way and unfortunately we need to resign ourselves to the fact that newer cars won't fill that void. Hence the values of older stuff from the 90s and earlier firming up.
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