Shed search - decent size engine, £2,500 or less

[OzzyR1]

Been looking through classifieds here and elsewhere, doesn't seem as much choice nowadays as I remember a couple of years ago unless they are older (90's models) or very rough around the edges.

I'm looking for something to use as a daily. Commute is less than 15 miles round trip so economy not important.

My other reasons for a larger size engine are that models in that bracket tend to have more options/creature comforts when originally purchased which are nice to have (if they still work!!). Also, it's good if the car responds with a tiny bit of urgency should you put your foot down at 60+mph, although its probably in the same league as many modern, smaller vehicles.

Bit of history in this area:

Six years ago I bought a 2002 3.0 Jag S-type which had done 80K. Had it for just under 3 years and another 40K miles (unexpected work project during that time which meant a 300 mile round trip 4 times a month for a while).

Cost me £1,800 to buy, add in a couple of years servicing and MOT's (four tyres, front disks and pads plus other minor bits and pieces) was around £1,200. Say £3,000 total cost / £1,000/year. Was like driving around in an armchair too, I was gutted when it ate it's gearbox - would have been a big bill to repair plus it needed another set of tyres at the same time so it got scrapped.


After that, bought a Mondeo 3.0 V6 - 2004 reg, on a verified 58,000 miles (full stamped main dealer history) for £2,000. Again, no box unticked when it was new and remarkably for a car of this age/price, everything still works - even the air-con and heated/cooled seats!! Had the car for coming up to 3 years now and all seems OK but I'm conscious a big bill could be around the corner at the next MOT/service in October.


There are still a few Jags & Mondeos for sale which fit the bill but I fancy something different. So far, all I have seen are 330i's in various conditions plus the odd ropey Alfa which I'm not brave enough for.

What am I missing? Suggestions appreciated!!

[Joe5y]

/thread

[Master Bean]

^ But it's in Australia.

[Lozw86]

Plenty of E39 BMW 5 series about, 530i / 540i

[OzzyR1]

Thanks for the replies, as I thought, a BMW might be the obvious option.

Might take a while to find a decent one among the many "innit bruv" examples for sale at this price point.

[ambuletz]

plenty of

BMW... 330i, 530, 535, 540i
Lexus GS300, LS400, LS430

early 00's merc S-classes.

[caelite]

Surely the obvious option would be an LS400?



Big wafty barge, Toyota 4.0 V8, running costs to suit a £2500 pricetag, everything bar certain suspension components are fairly cheap to replace.

[TobyLerone]

caelite said:

Surely the obvious option would be an LS400?



Big wafty barge, Toyota 4.0 V8, running costs to suit a £2500 pricetag, everything bar certain suspension components are fairly cheap to replace.

I think the air suspension was only fitted to imports? But I'll happily be corrected of I'm wrong - may in a year or two buy one myself, so any info could be useful!

[Mr Tidy]

OP, it depends whether you just want a comfy barge or something you can just rag about!

So a non-Australian photo of my daily:-



2.5 straight 6 petrol and RWD - works well for me!

I just hope you find something you like.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 2nd August 00:57

[anonymous-user]

caelite said:

Surely the obvious option would be an LS400?



Big wafty barge, Toyota 4.0 V8, running costs to suit a £2500 pricetag, everything bar certain suspension components are fairly cheap to replace.

aha, the Chris Moltisanti choice. Mafioso certified!

[caelite]

DoubleTime said:

aha, the Chris Moltisanti choice. Mafioso certified!

They do look pretty smart blacked out with a set of big council wheels on them... One of the VERY few cars that do.

Plus I'm not sure exactly what it was that was a particularly big job to rectify, all I know is my pal had one for the longest time until something broke that was going to cost a rather large (but still 3 figure) sum in parts to fix, all I remember was that it was some suspension component, I think he was getting major shimmy at speed. Although my mates was on the mid 200ks miles, I think it was at 260k when he sorned it, it's still sitting on his mums drive come to think of it.

[milu]

407 coupe look good value. Either petrol or diesel V6

[Dog Star]

Volvo V70R or S60R?

[Andy665]

I recently bought a FSH 83k Saab 9-3 V6 with a Stage 1 map (32obhp) for £2600, lovely car, just creeps into the lower tax bracket and is a little bit different to the norm

[FN2TypeR]

Dog Star said:

Volvo V70R or S60R?

The 2003+ V70R/S60R are still a bit dearer than that even at the lower end of the market sadly.

I'd love a lazer blue V70R

[culpz]

TobyLerone said:

I think the air suspension was only fitted to imports? But I'll happily be corrected of I'm wrong - may in a year or two buy one myself, so any info could be useful!

You are right. These don't have any fancy or trick suspension. Wasn't that on the LS430 or just the newer, next-generation of these? Either way, i don't think that's what Caelite meant. I think the generic suspensions components that need a refresh simply aren't cheap.

The problem you'll find with Lexus is that they don't have much of an aftermarket following for certain parts. Meaning that some stuff needs to be bought directly from the manufacturer and obviously that doesn't come cheap.

OP, if you're after something of similar size to a 3 Series, then you could consider an IS200 or an IS300. Otherwise, as already said, i'd go for a GS300/GS430/LS400. It will be a much better and cheaper ownership proposition compared to ze Germans.

[lukasprague]

Will watch this thread with interest as I'm thinking about getting something similar and have same criteria as OP. Was looking at W208 CLKs 320 or 430, however those rust issues and lack of manual put me off. Probably got to the point where there is only one choice - e39 with straight six.

[Calza]

Andy665 said:

I recently bought a FSH 83k Saab 9-3 V6 with a Stage 1 map (32obhp) for £2600, lovely car, just creeps into the lower tax bracket and is a little bit different to the norm

Problem is the standard kit on the Aero isn't that great, and the 9-5 is a much better wafter, even if it doesn't have the v6.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

CLK320

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

530i SE

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

535i SE

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

E280 Avantgarde

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[POORCARDEALER]

e38 750 V12