Biker-turned-driver looking for some guidance

[Albigularis]

Long time lurker, first time poster here... So, finally fed up being soaked on the bike, I want to get myself a car. I'm coming from a background of using big bikes (ZX10R, GSXR 1000, most recently a Hayabusa) as daily drives for about 15k miles a year so speed isn't much of an issue.

My requirements in a car are that it is fast enough to entertain and reasonable to insure at 25yo (Or I'd just buy a WRX Foxeye and be done with it!). Budget is £4,000 although I could stretch a tiny bit for something special. I guess figuratively, 0-60 in under 7s/200BHP would be good ballpark figures to start from. I like something with a bit of character, or again, I'd get a 525i and call it a day. Tax cost isn't a concern either, if the car is worth it.

So far my list has come down to-
Civic Type R EP3 (My worry here is the lack of onboard kit, cruise control, air con etc...)
Focus ST
Nissan 350z (Hard to find in the price range, but they are out there)
BMW 130i (High milers are a risk)
Audi TT Quattro (The 225 ps model, naturally)


So, throw me some other options in the mix. The car world is bigger than what I'm used to when buying bikes, I'm enjoying the hunt already!

[wemorgan]

Mercedes C350 / CLK350
Toyota Celica

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're looking for something that's drama free whilst having a bit of poke then I'd suggest take a look for a CLK they're quick relatively easy to maintain (yes I'm bias) being N/A there are no real problems there were a few issues with the 280/350 but by now those issues will have been dealt with or not raised their head.

I find when I'm not using the bikes pace comfort & reliability are the most important things as I find when sitting in traffic etc auto cruise & heated seats become needed as it makes the monotony of driving more bearable.

The BMW's are good & normally quicker but they seem to have more niggly problems.




2003 CLK320 Avantgarde 215bhp Keyless go Nav etc 100k well under budget

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2004 CLK320 Avantgarde 215bhp FMSH 88k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 CLK280 Sport 89k 231bhp (higher tax) but comes with the AMG kit

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 CLK350 Avantgarde Sport 272bhp (this one qualifies for the lower tax) 90k haggle & you should get it for close to budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Trabi601]

If you haven't been driving, lack of NCB may be a rather large hurdle to overcome.

Some of the suggestions could be eye wateringly expensive for a 25 year old without decent NCB.

[ZX10R NIN]

Insurance wise I switched the NCB to the car as it was always the more expensive of the two & then built up my NCB on the bike but because I'd stayed with the company I was given two years NCB so it wasn't to bad.