Discussion
Hi. New to the forum, and would appreciate some advice. I have a £3k budget and am looking for something around the 200bhp mark. Insurance no problem as I am 42, mpg not a real concern as I only do 7000 miles per year. Small hatches like clio etc are out, and I have been considering stuff like e46 325, focus st170 and bora v5. Anything I might be overlooking?
WRX Wagon / bugeye saloon or wagon might fit your bill. For £3k you might be able to get a blob, but you'll definitely be able to get a bugeye for that, if you can live with the unconventional looks that is.
Go for one with a decent SH, check for rust (there's a buyers guide in the Subaru sub forum). If you find one with PPP power will be up to 260 bhp, but to be honest you could get a standard one (220 bhp) and chuck a decat, fuel pump, panel filter and a remap, get about 270/280 bhp for around a grand all in. Finding a good one might take some time as there are loads of ropey ones out there.
Imprezas are quite tough as well, plus the benefit of AWD. Interiors are crap, but the wagons are particularly versatile and give around 20-30 mpg depending on how you drive it. Fairly reasonable to insure at your age as well.
Go for one with a decent SH, check for rust (there's a buyers guide in the Subaru sub forum). If you find one with PPP power will be up to 260 bhp, but to be honest you could get a standard one (220 bhp) and chuck a decat, fuel pump, panel filter and a remap, get about 270/280 bhp for around a grand all in. Finding a good one might take some time as there are loads of ropey ones out there.
Imprezas are quite tough as well, plus the benefit of AWD. Interiors are crap, but the wagons are particularly versatile and give around 20-30 mpg depending on how you drive it. Fairly reasonable to insure at your age as well.
How about a mk4 Golf 2.8 V6 4 motion? 204hp and selling for £1-4k. Not blisteringly fast or sharp, but quickish and makes a nice noise.
Other option is Mk1 Leon Cupra with 180hp (and a remap). The 225hp Cupra R might be a little out of budget.
Astra 2.0 turbo (197hp) or a VXR for only £600 over budget http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Maybe an e90 330i for £3350 or best offer http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222546406418
Loads of old E/C/CLK 320s on autotrader for £500-a few £k. Eg this CLK320 £1290
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Alfa 166 3.0 (226hp) for £1750.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Ford Mondeo 3.0 (201hp) for £1250
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... you could find an ST220 in budget too like this.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Ropey Honda Civic type R
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Or a 2.4i Accord
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
SAAB 9-3 2.0t (210hp) in time for summer
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... loads of 9-3 and 9-5s cheap and the 2.3t would be lovely too.
MGZT 190+ is very cheap and makes a nice sound.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Other option is Mk1 Leon Cupra with 180hp (and a remap). The 225hp Cupra R might be a little out of budget.
Astra 2.0 turbo (197hp) or a VXR for only £600 over budget http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Maybe an e90 330i for £3350 or best offer http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222546406418
Loads of old E/C/CLK 320s on autotrader for £500-a few £k. Eg this CLK320 £1290
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Alfa 166 3.0 (226hp) for £1750.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Ford Mondeo 3.0 (201hp) for £1250
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... you could find an ST220 in budget too like this.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Ropey Honda Civic type R
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Or a 2.4i Accord
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
SAAB 9-3 2.0t (210hp) in time for summer
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017... loads of 9-3 and 9-5s cheap and the 2.3t would be lovely too.
MGZT 190+ is very cheap and makes a nice sound.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Blimey! Some cracking replies and I must admit I am liking the idea of a big engined bmw 5 series or merc E class, and both Volvo and Saab appeal too but not keen on Alfas, vauxhalls or anything French, and I have had enough fords to last a lifetime! Strictly speaking I guess I am aiming for a big slightly sporty cruiser instead of just a sports car...but if I can get a decent mix of comfort, performance and handling then I'll be a happy chap!
CLK 320 Avantgarde 78k 215bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CLK 350 Elegance 87k 275bhp Swift fast transport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CLK 500 Elegance 107k 305bhp (needs a good valet/detail clean) but it give you room to haggle the price down to around £2700
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-clk-500-/122547...
BMW 540i 286bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Saab 9-3 2.8TT 65k 250bhp (a map away from 300bhp)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Audi A3 3.2 Sport Quattro 75k/98k 250bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Out of that lot I'd go for CLK350 as it's a whole lot of go for the cash with reasonable maintenance cost
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CLK 350 Elegance 87k 275bhp Swift fast transport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CLK 500 Elegance 107k 305bhp (needs a good valet/detail clean) but it give you room to haggle the price down to around £2700
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-clk-500-/122547...
BMW 540i 286bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Saab 9-3 2.8TT 65k 250bhp (a map away from 300bhp)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Audi A3 3.2 Sport Quattro 75k/98k 250bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Out of that lot I'd go for CLK350 as it's a whole lot of go for the cash with reasonable maintenance cost
themoog75 said:
Many thanks to everyone. Looked at some of the links in the previous posts, and gonna go for a 5 series E39 BMW as they seem pretty bullet proof...although have heard that the auto gearbox needs thorough testing before buying.
Easy fix OP - do what kiethon did and find a manual! Now's the right time to go for a big old V8 (E39 540i is a good shout, to be fair). Petrol prices are just about the right side of mental, road tax on an older car is bearable, and with the current trend for hybrid powertrains and turbocharging, big naturally aspirated V8s are a dying breed.
The BMW M62 V8 is a cracking engine, too. I've had examples of it in two cars (BMW 740i and my current Range Rover V8).
If you pick a good 'un, you won't regret getting a beefy V8.
The BMW M62 V8 is a cracking engine, too. I've had examples of it in two cars (BMW 740i and my current Range Rover V8).
If you pick a good 'un, you won't regret getting a beefy V8.

MorganP104 said:
If you pick a good 'un, you won't regret getting a beefy V8. 
A couple of Jaguar V8 options:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Or, if you're feeling adventurous, how about the 'lucky dip' approach?!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Over the weekend I have been made aware of an e39 528i that will be coming up for sale. Basically it's a one owner car, automatic, 126k with a fully documented bmw and bmw specialist service history, light green, mint condition but needs a valet and detailing and it's £995. It's got all the kit, leather, air con...even got the glove box torch, first aid kits and a full tool kit! The only issue is that it's a 1997 R reg and a bit older than I really want but still a stunning car.
themoog75 said:
Over the weekend I have been made aware of an e39 528i that will be coming up for sale. Basically it's a one owner car, automatic, 126k with a fully documented bmw and bmw specialist service history, light green, mint condition but needs a valet and detailing and it's £995. It's got all the kit, leather, air con...even got the glove box torch, first aid kits and a full tool kit! The only issue is that it's a 1997 R reg and a bit older than I really want but still a stunning car.
for <£1k you can't go too far wrong.28i is a pretty good engine too form what I hear. I'd give it a go, can always upgrade in 6 months if you enjoy it and sell it on without too much cost (presuming it's had a bit of work on the common areas done and isn't going to cost you too much to put right if not)
themoog75 said:
Over the weekend I have been made aware of an e39 528i that will be coming up for sale. Basically it's a one owner car, automatic, 126k with a fully documented bmw and bmw specialist service history, light green, mint condition but needs a valet and detailing and it's £995. It's got all the kit, leather, air con...even got the glove box torch, first aid kits and a full tool kit! The only issue is that it's a 1997 R reg and a bit older than I really want but still a stunning car.
That sounds like a cracking buy!!! I have a 1997 523I (2.5l engine) with manual gearbox and M sport suspension. It's on 98k, has had consumables like discs, pads, lower arm joints, a fair few bushes, a rad/coolant system overhaul but nothing major.
I've covered about 15k in 2 years an it's been an absolute pleasure. It's also glacier green which I have to say when I first got it I was lot that keen but when it's well polished it has a really nice warm almost gold hue to it.
There are a shed loads of parts available fr e39, the Facebook E39 buy/sell page is handy. Gsf/eurocarparts can source most parts plus there are still e39 in scrap yards so I picked up a new air con pipe, some original floor mats and a couple of trim clips for a fiver!! Bmw wanted 150 for just the pipe!!!
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