What to daily after selling my S2000? - Will post results!
Discussion
I'm going round and round in car hunting circles.
Sold my S2000 as didn't fancy the winter in it and felt id ticked that box.
Had an offer accepted on a house that needs plenty of work and getting more into my mountain biking so want something of reasonable size.
Budget is 8k max.
Ideally want around 70-90k but happy to go over 100k for an obviously pampered car as I know you can't always buy on mileage
Not a fan of saloons, almost always prefer the estate version
Resale is a consideration to me as I like to change my car a fair bit when I get bored and dont like being stuck with something for ages.
Previous cars are
205 CTI
Clio 182
1.0 Yaris
2015 1.0 140 Fiesta
2017 Fiesta ST
VW T4 Camper
Current vehicles are: Classic Mini, 1986 T3 camper + VW T5 camper project
The only real criteria is that its something performance related, has a decent turn of pace but also wont cost a fortune to run...so no WRX/STI (already have the use of one) or Focus St 2.5.
Currently on the list are
E91 BMW 320/330d/325i etc (concerned about running costs/bork factor also difficult to find one that hasnt done moon miles) Always liked the shape and has a certain stealthy but smart appeal.
DC5 Integra - Reasonable size in the back, great engine and gearbox. Another car I want to tick off at some point, good examples getting expensive now and the cheaper ones in not very good condition. Might not be the right shape for a bike/house stuff?
Ep3 - Lower end of the budget but some premier facelift editions seem to have silly asking prices attached to them. Again difficult to find a good one that has good full service history etc but plenty to choose from but then not very...different.
Mk5 Golf GTI - The typical all rounder, the answer to everything but a bit dull?
I have also considered things like Suzuki Ignis sport, Suzuki Swift sport, Panda 100hp, Polo GTI, that sort of thing, but feel as though would be quite a step away in terms of performance after the s2k.
I must have spent the last week trawling the internet so I'm opening it up to a bunch of strangers to help me decide and I will be posting what car I end up with, this is a genuine call for help.
Sold my S2000 as didn't fancy the winter in it and felt id ticked that box.
Had an offer accepted on a house that needs plenty of work and getting more into my mountain biking so want something of reasonable size.
Budget is 8k max.
Ideally want around 70-90k but happy to go over 100k for an obviously pampered car as I know you can't always buy on mileage
Not a fan of saloons, almost always prefer the estate version
Resale is a consideration to me as I like to change my car a fair bit when I get bored and dont like being stuck with something for ages.
Previous cars are
205 CTI
Clio 182
1.0 Yaris
2015 1.0 140 Fiesta
2017 Fiesta ST
VW T4 Camper
Current vehicles are: Classic Mini, 1986 T3 camper + VW T5 camper project
The only real criteria is that its something performance related, has a decent turn of pace but also wont cost a fortune to run...so no WRX/STI (already have the use of one) or Focus St 2.5.
Currently on the list are
E91 BMW 320/330d/325i etc (concerned about running costs/bork factor also difficult to find one that hasnt done moon miles) Always liked the shape and has a certain stealthy but smart appeal.
DC5 Integra - Reasonable size in the back, great engine and gearbox. Another car I want to tick off at some point, good examples getting expensive now and the cheaper ones in not very good condition. Might not be the right shape for a bike/house stuff?
Ep3 - Lower end of the budget but some premier facelift editions seem to have silly asking prices attached to them. Again difficult to find a good one that has good full service history etc but plenty to choose from but then not very...different.
Mk5 Golf GTI - The typical all rounder, the answer to everything but a bit dull?
I have also considered things like Suzuki Ignis sport, Suzuki Swift sport, Panda 100hp, Polo GTI, that sort of thing, but feel as though would be quite a step away in terms of performance after the s2k.
I must have spent the last week trawling the internet so I'm opening it up to a bunch of strangers to help me decide and I will be posting what car I end up with, this is a genuine call for help.
Well if you had an S2000 you obviously don't mind RWD! 
After one of those I think you might find an Ignis Sport or Panda a bit disappointing!
I need a practical daily and earlier this year I bought a "moon miles" E91 325i (132K miles) for less than half your budget, but you could surely get a good 330i with less miles on it well within budget.
Or just be prepared to remove bike wheels and buy a BMW Z4 Coupe like my late-life crisis car. Although that is probably at the top of your budget.
While I'm obviously a BMW fan there are other options, but I've never tried them.
Good luck anyway!
After one of those I think you might find an Ignis Sport or Panda a bit disappointing!
I need a practical daily and earlier this year I bought a "moon miles" E91 325i (132K miles) for less than half your budget, but you could surely get a good 330i with less miles on it well within budget.
Or just be prepared to remove bike wheels and buy a BMW Z4 Coupe like my late-life crisis car.
Although that is probably at the top of your budget.While I'm obviously a BMW fan there are other options, but I've never tried them.
Good luck anyway!
Sensible option it'll obviously not handle anywhere near as well as the S2000 (then again nor will any of the BMW's listed) but it will be handy for your bikes & doing up the house.
2.0T Mondeo Titanium X Sport with a little tickle from Mountune you'll be upto near 300 so it'll have some pep & they're a good steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C/E280 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Less sensible E500 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you can get past the looks the R Class is a good buy but might be a bit heavy fuel wise but for space & grace it's unbeatable once you're inside.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Infiniti G37 Saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Insignia VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.0T Mondeo Titanium X Sport with a little tickle from Mountune you'll be upto near 300 so it'll have some pep & they're a good steer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C/E280 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Less sensible E500 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If you can get past the looks the R Class is a good buy but might be a bit heavy fuel wise but for space & grace it's unbeatable once you're inside.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Infiniti G37 Saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Insignia VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A4 TFSI Avant Quattro
Looks great IMO
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Octavia VRS Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
V70 2.5T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Looks great IMO
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Octavia VRS Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
V70 2.5T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I’ve had a few interesting motors over the years (sports cars / hot hatches etc.) plus more mundane stuff so I’ve some experience here.
A year ago I bought a good 2008 E91 330d touring (off my brother so it was a known good car) for £5k with 122,000 miles as a short term stop gap after I sold an Audi S1.
I’ve actually grown to really like it and I’m considering upgrading to an F31 330d.
It’s now about to tick over to 150k and it has cost pretty much pennies to run (fuel / tyres & servicing), it’s been bullet proof!
It’s very comfortable, big boot to swallow the bikes, pretty frugal (41mpg measured – mainly motorway) but can really lift up it’s skirt and get a move on when you want it too.
It’s no sports car so you can’t throw it about but on wide open fast country roads it’s genuinely rapid.
Definitely recommended.
A year ago I bought a good 2008 E91 330d touring (off my brother so it was a known good car) for £5k with 122,000 miles as a short term stop gap after I sold an Audi S1.
I’ve actually grown to really like it and I’m considering upgrading to an F31 330d.
It’s now about to tick over to 150k and it has cost pretty much pennies to run (fuel / tyres & servicing), it’s been bullet proof!
It’s very comfortable, big boot to swallow the bikes, pretty frugal (41mpg measured – mainly motorway) but can really lift up it’s skirt and get a move on when you want it too.
It’s no sports car so you can’t throw it about but on wide open fast country roads it’s genuinely rapid.
Definitely recommended.
dc5 is a great daily in terms of mpg and reliability/practicality but the cheap ones are rotboxes, and aren't really "cheap" anyway...all the good ones stay off the road in winter. Parts not exactly cheap either, although coming from an s2000 you already know this.
i would say an ep3 type R for £2-3k is a better alternative.
alternatively, up your budget by £2k and buy my DC5
i would say an ep3 type R for £2-3k is a better alternative.
alternatively, up your budget by £2k and buy my DC5
Edited by designforlife on Wednesday 29th August 11:15
Hi
No real use this post. I also have a 1982 T25 van. To go with this I have an E92 N53 (330i) Coupe.
In 18 months ownership it has not let me down. It is swift and cossetting, if not that involving to drive (previously I had many RWD convertibles and a few MINIs - so probably not a fair comparison!). I would recommend the engine, the later N53 allegedly has more issues, but is cheaper tax wise, more fuel efficient, more powerful and the last straight six NA engine BMW manufactured. It is so smooth and silky.....
Mike
No real use this post. I also have a 1982 T25 van. To go with this I have an E92 N53 (330i) Coupe.
In 18 months ownership it has not let me down. It is swift and cossetting, if not that involving to drive (previously I had many RWD convertibles and a few MINIs - so probably not a fair comparison!). I would recommend the engine, the later N53 allegedly has more issues, but is cheaper tax wise, more fuel efficient, more powerful and the last straight six NA engine BMW manufactured. It is so smooth and silky.....
Mike
Vtec Life.
Full proper service history with every stamp and receipt, 82k, 5 owners. Updated clutch and flywheel, inlet manifold, air intake, downpipe, mugen exhaust and TDI north mapped to around 240bhp.
Just had chain, tensioners etc with valve clearances set.
Should do for the winter.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff