New Car Decisions - Budget of £15,000 - Page 1 - Car Buying

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Morning People,

I am finding it very hard to find a new car, i'm after RWD or 4wd - I started looking at focus RS's (i know fwd but i moved on quickly) but theres so much more car for your money elsewhere commanding a price tag of 26k.

I then moved between the Audi S4 and Bmw M3 and i reckon the Audi is too refined and mature, the BMW is just ... too common

Then the Jap market, things like the Silvia, 200sx, S2000..

I JUST NEED SOME DIRECTION, help please haha.

It will be a daily, doing about 20 miles per day, so cant be something proper outlandish but i'm open to discussions.

ZX10R NIN

29,768 posts

145 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Mazda's are too high maintenance for my liking and Jaguars are thirstier than the cast of Geordie Shore

I was after a very hot hatch, but silvia is ticking the majority of boxes, but corrosion and the likes are rife.

Jasandjules

71,658 posts

249 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

TVR Chimaera.......

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Jasandjules said:

TVR Chimaera.......

as a daily? Really?!

KevinCamaroSS

13,592 posts

300 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

Jasandjules said:

TVR Chimaera.......

as a daily? Really?!

Yes, why not? All cars benefit from being used every day. I used a TVR 350i as a daily (more miles then you do) for 6 months. Only issue was a connector came loose, refitted and away again. Car had 85K on when I sold it.

Left field option - S197 Mustang V8 (LHD)

dibblecorse

7,230 posts

212 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

Mazda's are too high maintenance for my liking and Jaguars are thirstier than the cast of Geordie Shore

I was after a very hot hatch, but silvia is ticking the majority of boxes, but corrosion and the likes are rife.

R32 ?? TTS ??

ZX10R NIN

29,768 posts

145 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

If you want a very hot hatch get one of these fit a stage 1 kit on it & you'll have your very hot/ best drivers hatch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Dynamically these cars are a better steer than something like the M135i etc.

As for the possible rust issues get the car checked over before buying, as some cars will have been treated already.

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

dibblecorse said:

BigDaveRS said:

Mazda's are too high maintenance for my liking and Jaguars are thirstier than the cast of Geordie Shore

I was after a very hot hatch, but silvia is ticking the majority of boxes, but corrosion and the likes are rife.

R32 ?? TTS ??

R32 is a shout, did consider these.

TT not so much, i don't cut hair.

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

[report]

[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want a very hot hatch get one of these fit a stage 1 kit on it & you'll have your very hot/ best drivers hatch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Dynamically these cars are a better steer than something like the M135i etc.

As for the possible rust issues get the car checked over before buying, as some cars will have been treated already.

This is why i asked here! i never even considered the Megane as previous models were so... Vile haha

Mark Benson

8,261 posts

289 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

Do you need full size back seats?

If not, GT86?

I just bought one ofter an R32 and I'm really chuffed with it. Driver feedback!

BigDaveRS

Original Poster

8 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Mark Benson said:

Do you need full size back seats?

If not, GT86?

I just bought one ofter an R32 and I'm really chuffed with it. Driver feedback!

One of my mates has the GT86 and he said the same, but i was put off by the power output for such a lovely looking car, if i get one i am going to hear no end to it, i have seen the stage 4 turbo kit though for them that takes it to 400+ so that's a possibility with the change ha.

Buggyjam

539 posts

99 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

I’m biased but you’re into generation 1 Porsche 987 Cayman range. Just outside of gen2 987 Cayman, which is the improved version of the 987.

ZX10R NIN

29,768 posts

145 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

This is why i asked here! i never even considered the Megane as previous models were so... Vile haha

Have a read of this thread:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-fleet/renaults...

awlp16

137 posts

112 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

I've a lovely 370z for sale... wink

But being serious. I was in the same position with you, test drove quite a few cars, RS's, Cayman, Boxter, Evo's and settled on the 370z as something comfy, fun and slightly left field that you don't see about that often.

GinSour

52 posts

100 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X...

You will get a good model in your budget. Great all rounder tbh.

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

192 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

32k miles, Recaro seats. This would probably be near the top of my list at that price point.

J4CKO

45,340 posts

220 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

Mazda's are too high maintenance for my liking and Jaguars are thirstier than the cast of Geordie Shore

I was after a very hot hatch, but silvia is ticking the majority of boxes, but corrosion and the likes are rife.

You are in that budget place where you are into older performance cars and all the joys that can bring, the Mercs are a good shout.

it really depends on what kind of driving you do and what you look for in a car, do you want the fastest for the least money or something that is a good package ?

I went for a 2 year old M135i, but if an M3 is too common, you wont want an 1 series with a big engine ! thing is though, if something is good, there will be a few about.

A Silvia is likely to be hard work in comparison, have you thought about the Fiesta ST ? get one nearly new and could spend a few quid on tuning ?

For most of the big hitting hot hatches, Golf R, M135i, S3, Leon Cupra etc, with 15 grand its doable but its entry level at the moment, older, leggier examples and Cat registered ones.

Key is to get something either newer or if older, a well looked after one, so much crap out there, look for enthusiast owned cars if you can.

Herbs

4,994 posts

249 months

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Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

Mark Benson said:

Do you need full size back seats?

If not, GT86?

I just bought one ofter an R32 and I'm really chuffed with it. Driver feedback!

, but i was put off by the power output for such a lovely looking car, if i get one i am going to hear no end to it, i have seen the stage 4 turbo kit though for them that takes it to 400+ so that's a possibility with the change ha.

Genuine bit of advice, your posts come across as more interested in pub top trumps rather than how they drive.

Big BHP and 0-60 times does not necessarily make a good car. Work out what you really want from a car and then go and test drive some.

Been through the same with twin turbo Supra's and fixated with big BHP , the 118BHP S1 Elise that followed it remains one of my favourite cars of all time and had the slowest 0-60 and top speed out of my last 20 cars.

Have a read up of TT-RS's and 911 Turbo's and a lot of people will agree they are fast and capable but very anodyne. smile

Z4M coupe/roadster would be where my money would go.

Mark Benson

8,261 posts

289 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

BigDaveRS said:

Mark Benson said:

Do you need full size back seats?

If not, GT86?

I just bought one ofter an R32 and I'm really chuffed with it. Driver feedback!

One of my mates has the GT86 and he said the same, but i was put off by the power output for such a lovely looking car, if i get one i am going to hear no end to it, i have seen the stage 4 turbo kit though for them that takes it to 400+ so that's a possibility with the change ha.

I was worried too - going from 310bhp (it was a Golf R, not an R32, no idea why I typed that) to 200bhp. Drive one and see, they're such a different car to drive from anything else modern it's impossible to say whether the power output is a problem for you until you drive the whole package.

It won't be for everyone but as soon as I drove it a light bulb appeared and I just 'got' it.

Don't let one aspect of the car put you off - it's definitely more than just an engine.

For your 15k you'll get one with low miles and the balance of the 5 year warranty too.