My first "what car" thread, £7k.
Discussion
Firstly, here is a criteria summary for those who cant be bothered to read all that speil below: i don't blame you 
Comfy, reasonable running costs & reliability, brisk performance, interesting, fun, more than 2 seats, petrol
Here is my £7k shortlist so far:
1.) BMW E39 M5
2.) BMW E46 M3
3.) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
4.) Subaru Impreza WRX STI
5.) Audi B6 S4
Left field possibilities:
1.) BMW 130i
2.) Vauxhall Vectra VXR
3.) Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Is there anything else I should perhaps be considering too?
I'm in a reasonably well paid job and dont have a massive amount of outgoings a month, £300 for rent. £100 for CSA, another £250 for food, insurance, beer etc. and that's about it. Also a steady £500 is always diverted to a savings account ready for an eventual house purchase deposit so no need to worry about that.
I have recently sold my track prepped Peuegot 306 Rallye and so am carless for the first time in a while. I still own a motorbike but with a 4 year old daughter i would like something of my own to bimble about in with her, and whatever friends of mine or hers want to come along. For this same reason, I wouldn't want a 2 seater.
Although I have owned quick cars, the only car I have owned that I would call 'fast' was a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III GSR. So the next purchase is going to be a bit of a step up.
I have personal use of a company van so I need only do very little mileage a year. Indeed my last proper 'daily' only covered 4k miles in a year. My choices are mainly made up of cars that have been highly praised on a few pages here and that perk my fancy. I'm not too interested in book figures or bragging rights and have no brand snobbery, one of the brands I like best is Peugeot after all! I'm mainly looking at things with around 300bhp ish that have a bit of welly, manual ideally, but not essential.
My question to you is purely one of driving pleasure, comfort (reasonable comfort at least), sense of occasion and performance. Which would be the best combo? I would rather avoid cars with dreadful reliability problems, but being a realist I am prepared to pay the normal £2k a year to keep such a machine well maintained.
I would probably have the occasional track session at Castle Combe, but otherwise would be used purely for pottering about and the odd Sunday morning hoon.
Thanks for reading guys, any replies would be appreciated.
Regards,
Pebbles.
Comfy, reasonable running costs & reliability, brisk performance, interesting, fun, more than 2 seats, petrol
Here is my £7k shortlist so far:
1.) BMW E39 M5
2.) BMW E46 M3
3.) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
4.) Subaru Impreza WRX STI
5.) Audi B6 S4
Left field possibilities:
1.) BMW 130i
2.) Vauxhall Vectra VXR
3.) Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
Is there anything else I should perhaps be considering too?
I'm in a reasonably well paid job and dont have a massive amount of outgoings a month, £300 for rent. £100 for CSA, another £250 for food, insurance, beer etc. and that's about it. Also a steady £500 is always diverted to a savings account ready for an eventual house purchase deposit so no need to worry about that.
I have recently sold my track prepped Peuegot 306 Rallye and so am carless for the first time in a while. I still own a motorbike but with a 4 year old daughter i would like something of my own to bimble about in with her, and whatever friends of mine or hers want to come along. For this same reason, I wouldn't want a 2 seater.
Although I have owned quick cars, the only car I have owned that I would call 'fast' was a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III GSR. So the next purchase is going to be a bit of a step up.
I have personal use of a company van so I need only do very little mileage a year. Indeed my last proper 'daily' only covered 4k miles in a year. My choices are mainly made up of cars that have been highly praised on a few pages here and that perk my fancy. I'm not too interested in book figures or bragging rights and have no brand snobbery, one of the brands I like best is Peugeot after all! I'm mainly looking at things with around 300bhp ish that have a bit of welly, manual ideally, but not essential.
My question to you is purely one of driving pleasure, comfort (reasonable comfort at least), sense of occasion and performance. Which would be the best combo? I would rather avoid cars with dreadful reliability problems, but being a realist I am prepared to pay the normal £2k a year to keep such a machine well maintained.
I would probably have the occasional track session at Castle Combe, but otherwise would be used purely for pottering about and the odd Sunday morning hoon.
Thanks for reading guys, any replies would be appreciated.
Regards,
Pebbles.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 18th November 14:39
Stolen from another thread and conveniently edited,
Dapster said:
Whilst I like the car (wouldn't mind one at some point!) I was ideally thinking of something with a bit more power, and preferably petrol. Whilst I admit that I have not driven or passengered in Audi's 3.0 diesel, I have been driven in a BMW 3.0 diesel. They make similar power and it was impressive. But I'd rather something with a revvy nature.
Plus I spend most days driving my little Fiesta Van or a BMW 320d. And what with the bike tucked away whenever it rains (see: all the time) I would like something to exite!
Thanks for the reply.
Edit: Just noticed the mileage. 349,000, bloody hell! Impressive.
Plus I spend most days driving my little Fiesta Van or a BMW 320d. And what with the bike tucked away whenever it rains (see: all the time) I would like something to exite!
Thanks for the reply.
Edit: Just noticed the mileage. 349,000, bloody hell! Impressive.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 18th November 00:47
My first suggestion was tongue in cheek but did have a slightly serious point. If you have a bike, why do you need a quick car? I'd be going comfortable. I always recall Schumacher saying "why would I have a sports car? It would just be slow compared to my company car" ( or something similar).
Anyway, at your low mileage I think the Audi is perfect. The additional miles will have low impact on depreciation
Anyway, at your low mileage I think the Audi is perfect. The additional miles will have low impact on depreciation
Funnily enough I'm looking at the same sort of cars for the same sort of reasons. Slightly lower budget, which for me rules out the E39 M5 unfortunately. To get a good one I think you're looking at 7.5k +.
Evo 6 is a tempting prospect but I'm just not sure about the whole image thing. Shame as I've always loved them, although I don't know too much about them. Some are around the 6k mark but I suspect at this price bracket they could be money pits??
Similar with the Scoobys, I do like them but think I'd rather have something a bit more refined.
The Audi S4 is looking the most likely for me at the moment, I'm hoping to view a couple this week. The interiors look lovely, the n/a V8 appears to be fairly reliable and the car looks pretty nice too.
At 7k I would add an E36 M3 to your list...I was hoping to get back in to one of these but unfortunately at my budget, decent ones are extremely few and far between and prices seem to be rocketing!
Evo 6 is a tempting prospect but I'm just not sure about the whole image thing. Shame as I've always loved them, although I don't know too much about them. Some are around the 6k mark but I suspect at this price bracket they could be money pits??
Similar with the Scoobys, I do like them but think I'd rather have something a bit more refined.
The Audi S4 is looking the most likely for me at the moment, I'm hoping to view a couple this week. The interiors look lovely, the n/a V8 appears to be fairly reliable and the car looks pretty nice too.
At 7k I would add an E36 M3 to your list...I was hoping to get back in to one of these but unfortunately at my budget, decent ones are extremely few and far between and prices seem to be rocketing!
h0b0 said:
My first suggestion was tongue in cheek but did have a slightly serious point. If you have a bike, why do you need a quick car? I'd be going comfortable. I always recall Schumacher saying "why would I have a sports car? It would just be slow compared to my company car" ( or something similar).
Anyway, at your low mileage I think the Audi is perfect. The additional miles will have low impact on depreciation
I did wonder! Anyway, at your low mileage I think the Audi is perfect. The additional miles will have low impact on depreciation
There is something to be said for hurling a giant hunk of metal around. Its something fun that can't be found on a bike. Besides, I would like my car to, as James May would say, give me the fizz!
If it were not for the fact that I'd be mostly doing short journeys I would be happier to consider a diesel. After all, the 6 cylinder ones tend to go well and even sound pretty nice, but I'm worried I'd just clog up the MUFF filter and the particle accelerator in the exhaust and all that. (Warning! technical terms may be incorrect)
Paul_B said:
The Audi S4 is looking the most likely for me at the moment, I'm hoping to view a couple this week. The interiors look lovely, the n/a V8 appears to be fairly reliable and the car looks pretty nice too.
I've looked into these in a fair bit of depth, seems like the timing chain fault is uncommon but possible. Listen for a rattle on startup. If it goes away after a second or so, then fine. But should it persist longer then avoid. Its an engine out jobbie and costs a fair bit. Other than that you WILL need to budget to replace the extra radiators/coolers, although its not too expensive. I think in terms of performance it has plenty of shove, but isn't going to be in the same level as the BMW's as regards to handling. Still, a great car by the looks of things. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what I end up with. Paul_B said:
At 7k I would add an E36 M3 to your list...I was hoping to get back in to one of these but unfortunately at my budget, decent ones are extremely few and far between and prices seem to be rocketing!
They have indeed shot up, to nearly that of E46 level. Couple the uninspiring (but not altogether bad) looks of the E36 and the lower performance and reliability, I do not see it as a wise purchase. That being said, I think it possible that a decent EVO Coupe may actually be worth more than a normal E46 in years to come. Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 18th November 02:05
fathomfive said:
How about a Jaguar S-Type R?
Having just picked up a very nice example of the above comfortably within your budget I wouldn't rule one of these our.I wasn't sure of the "old man" image button the right colour its a good looking car that does not shout its performance but looks good
Very comfortable, no more weak points than any of the others mentioned, rare (1274 sold in UK), good specialist network and a bit of a left field car - nearly four weeks into my ownership and very pleased with mine
Hmm, interesting shout with the S type R. Almost forgot that i rather like these. I guess my ownership of an X Type left a rather bitter aftertaste with me and subconsciously made me brush over it. I'm aware of course that they are hardly a similar car.
Just brought up the Top Gear episode that features one hooning around on the beach. Looks good!
might have to do some info digging.
Just brought up the Top Gear episode that features one hooning around on the beach. Looks good!
might have to do some info digging. Pebbles167 said:
Just brought up the Top Gear episode that features one hooning around on the beach. Looks good! might have to do some info digging.
Funny you should mention that episode... might have to do some info digging. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Yiliterate said:
homologeo said:
I am not necessarily recommending these, but worth adding to the list:
Vauxhall Monaro
Nissan 350Z
Monaro would be nice, i had no idea they were in budget. I'd imagine they are fairly reliable to with that large V8 and relatively low electronic features. A rather stone age car. Good!Vauxhall Monaro
Nissan 350Z
350z is out purely because of lack of seats, otherwise i like them a lot.
h0b0 said:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but this trader is to be avoided. S H Car Sales in Bedford I believe.Dodgy geezers- the Keighley/ Motorhub of the south imho.
Spotted a well-priced, well-specced Supra there, agreed a price over the phone before making the journey, when I arrived they denied any knowledge of the phonecall or agreed price, presumably because someone called with a better offer.
Off topic rant over (just incase OP or anyone else was planning to view that Audi!).
Back on topic: E46 M3 is what you want. Manual, not SMG, checked thoroughly for splitty-floor issue. It will appreciate too.
daveofedinburgh said:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but this trader is to be avoided. S H Car Sales in Bedford I believe.
Dodgy geezers- the Keighley/ Motorhub of the south imho.
Spotted a well-priced, well-specced Supra there, agreed a price over the phone before making the journey, when I arrived they denied any knowledge of the phonecall or agreed price, presumably because someone called with a better offer.
Off topic rant over (just incase OP or anyone else was planning to view that Audi!).
Back on topic: E46 M3 is what you want. Manual, not SMG, checked thoroughly for splitty-floor issue. It will appreciate too.
Thanks for the reply.Dodgy geezers- the Keighley/ Motorhub of the south imho.
Spotted a well-priced, well-specced Supra there, agreed a price over the phone before making the journey, when I arrived they denied any knowledge of the phonecall or agreed price, presumably because someone called with a better offer.
Off topic rant over (just incase OP or anyone else was planning to view that Audi!).
Back on topic: E46 M3 is what you want. Manual, not SMG, checked thoroughly for splitty-floor issue. It will appreciate too.
Yeah I've heard all sorts about the trader, and a few others in the Keighley area. Think there is a thread on this particular one.
M3 is pretty high on my list. Looks like a good one is in budget. I was considering the SMG though, not worried about it possibly going wrong. Heard they were pretty good?
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