Fun daily driver for £5k
Discussion
Hey all,
I'm currently looking for some options for my next car.
I'll be 21 with 4 years ncb so insurance is getting cheaper.
Requirements:
Refined
Good handling
0-60 in around 6 seconds.
MPG above 20 ideally
Cost £5k
Rwd
Reliable
I'm willing to compromise because I know there isn't a car out there that can do everything.
Current Options :
Mazda RX8 (Running costs are a concern)
Mazda 6 MPS (Reliability a concern)
Nissan 350z
Bmw E92 330i
Nissan 300zx Non turbo (Reliability a concern)
I'm coming from a Mk3 MX5 and would like a little more luggage space. Don't need 4 seats although it would be nice.
Any thoughts anyone?
I'm currently looking for some options for my next car.
I'll be 21 with 4 years ncb so insurance is getting cheaper.
Requirements:
Refined
Good handling
0-60 in around 6 seconds.
MPG above 20 ideally
Cost £5k
Rwd
Reliable
I'm willing to compromise because I know there isn't a car out there that can do everything.
Current Options :
Mazda RX8 (Running costs are a concern)
Mazda 6 MPS (Reliability a concern)
Nissan 350z
Bmw E92 330i
Nissan 300zx Non turbo (Reliability a concern)
I'm coming from a Mk3 MX5 and would like a little more luggage space. Don't need 4 seats although it would be nice.
Any thoughts anyone?
Edited by DomV77 on Thursday 13th September 14:51
Same age and situation as you. Looking for a cheap but fun car next and definitely RWD.
E92 330i looks good but once you start looking M-sport (just has to be) and getting everything you want they really do creep up in price. Rx8's look a lot of fun for the money. Not sure if I could justify the road tax though personally, the maintenance doesn't seem all that bad if you keep on top of it though.
Always worth considering an E46 330i. Can definitely be had for good money. I've also seen the E60 5 Series for a decent-ish price.
E92 330i looks good but once you start looking M-sport (just has to be) and getting everything you want they really do creep up in price. Rx8's look a lot of fun for the money. Not sure if I could justify the road tax though personally, the maintenance doesn't seem all that bad if you keep on top of it though.
Always worth considering an E46 330i. Can definitely be had for good money. I've also seen the E60 5 Series for a decent-ish price.
Yeti97 said:
Same age and situation as you. Looking for a cheap but fun car next and definitely RWD.
E92 330i looks good but once you start looking M-sport (just has to be) and getting everything you want they really do creep up in price. Rx8's look a lot of fun for the money. Not sure if I could justify the road tax though personally, the maintenance doesn't seem all that bad if you keep on top of it though.
Always worth considering an E46 330i. Can definitely be had for good money. I've also seen the E60 5 Series for a decent-ish price.
There's so much choice isn't there!E92 330i looks good but once you start looking M-sport (just has to be) and getting everything you want they really do creep up in price. Rx8's look a lot of fun for the money. Not sure if I could justify the road tax though personally, the maintenance doesn't seem all that bad if you keep on top of it though.
Always worth considering an E46 330i. Can definitely be had for good money. I've also seen the E60 5 Series for a decent-ish price.
Yeah unfortunately that is a slight issue, muddy have to settle for a more standard car and then modify it?
The thing with the RX8 is the fuel economy. Everyone seems to get different figures which makes it hard to determine what is actually like. If I can get a definitive answer, that'll be the car I get. As you say, maintenance costs aren't that high, just more frequent. They're awesome to drive too!
The E46 just seems a bit boring now for me, bye that's just me haha.
Also an option.
BMW 125i or 130i? That sort of budget will get you in to one of those at the lower end of the price range.
Refined - tick
Good handling - they're not shabby
0-60 in around 6 seconds. - tick
MPG above 20 ideally - tick, unless you're having fun
Cost £5k - tick, but another grand wouldn't go amiss to get something a tad less leggy
Rwd - tick
Reliable - no idea!
Take RWD out of the equation and there's a whole world of opportunity - is it really that important?
Refined - tick
Good handling - they're not shabby
0-60 in around 6 seconds. - tick
MPG above 20 ideally - tick, unless you're having fun
Cost £5k - tick, but another grand wouldn't go amiss to get something a tad less leggy
Rwd - tick
Reliable - no idea!
Take RWD out of the equation and there's a whole world of opportunity - is it really that important?
Edited by FN2TypeR on Thursday 13th September 16:03
DomV77 said:
Hey all,
I'm currently looking for some options for my next car.
I'll be 21 with 4 years ncb so insurance is getting cheaper.
Requirements:
Refined
Good handling
0-60 in around 6 seconds.
MPG above 20 ideally
Cost £5k
Rwd
Reliable
Mazda RX8 (Running costs are a concern)
Mazda 6 MPS (Reliability a concern)
Nissan 350z
Bmw E92 330i
Nissan 300zx Non turbo (Reliability a concern)
when i was in this same situation many moons ago i opted for a ST150. Not quite as quick or refined as your seeking but certainly fun for the time. I'm currently looking for some options for my next car.
I'll be 21 with 4 years ncb so insurance is getting cheaper.
Requirements:
Refined
Good handling
0-60 in around 6 seconds.
MPG above 20 ideally
Cost £5k
Rwd
Reliable
Mazda RX8 (Running costs are a concern)
Mazda 6 MPS (Reliability a concern)
Nissan 350z
Bmw E92 330i
Nissan 300zx Non turbo (Reliability a concern)
Edited by DomV77 on Thursday 13th September 14:51
If i were looking now i would think in that budget, either a
lowish mileage mk5 Golf Gti - Fun, refined, can be mapped to be as quick as anything you have listed.
Megane R26 i think has actually aged well, and will be fun either standard or to modify if you wish.
z4 3 litre.
Mini cooper JCW
Can the budget stretch to a mk7 Fiesta st?
RX8's drink fuel and oil in almost equal quantities.
Mazda 6 MPS I actually quite like
350z looks ok, sounds good, very slow for engine and fuel consumption.
330i- A good shout and my pick of your list. As mentioned nicer example M-sports might start pushing your budget up.
Are 130i available in this budget?
Always found Fuelly a decent website for fuel economy. Seems to get a decent idea of MPG over age for cars.
However, the more you mention it the more tempting an RX8 becomes... Would obviously have to be the 230 bhp variant. Plus I'm pretty certain one of the rotary clubs run a track day at Donington park each year which would be good fun
However, the more you mention it the more tempting an RX8 becomes... Would obviously have to be the 230 bhp variant. Plus I'm pretty certain one of the rotary clubs run a track day at Donington park each year which would be good fun
Big cars tend to be cheaper on insurance, so instead of a 330i, what about a 630i? Maybe even a 645i?
Here's one with less than 100k on the clock for £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Here's one with less than 100k on the clock for £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Liamst said:
350z looks ok, sounds good, very slow for engine and fuel consumption.
Hmmm, not sure i agree with this.Looks - It's a coupe so it's different than the others and personally i think it's the only one which regularly cause even non-petrol heads to turn.
Sounds - Epic with a decent exhaust, which most owners have done now (i have a Cobra and it is epic).
Speed - If you're used to a turbo and you think it's slow you're driving it wrong. Instant throttle response and torque for days, no replacement for displacement as they say.
Fuel Consumption - I am averaging 27mpg over the course of the last 3 months. If you don't live in a city they aren't actually all that terrible.
To be honest, for a £5K daily i would happily reccomend the 350 to anybody. Mine has been flawless.
350Z on the Wolds said:
Hmmm, not sure i agree with this.
Looks - It's a coupe so it's different than the others and personally i think it's the only one which regularly cause even non-petrol heads to turn.
Sounds - Epic with a decent exhaust, which most owners have done now (i have a Cobra and it is epic).
Speed - If you're used to a turbo and you think it's slow you're driving it wrong. Instant throttle response and torque for days, no replacement for displacement as they say.
Fuel Consumption - I am averaging 27mpg over the course of the last 3 months. If you don't live in a city they aren't actually all that terrible.
To be honest, for a £5K daily i would happily reccomend the 350 to anybody. Mine has been flawless.
Granted it may draw the most looks, and it does look different. Personally i think they look a bit lardy. The 370z is alot better looking. Speed and looks are personal opinion, I like big N/A engines but for me the 350z has just always seemed underwhelming for an engine of that size. Maybe its the size and weight of the car that dulls it, i dont know. Looks - It's a coupe so it's different than the others and personally i think it's the only one which regularly cause even non-petrol heads to turn.
Sounds - Epic with a decent exhaust, which most owners have done now (i have a Cobra and it is epic).
Speed - If you're used to a turbo and you think it's slow you're driving it wrong. Instant throttle response and torque for days, no replacement for displacement as they say.
Fuel Consumption - I am averaging 27mpg over the course of the last 3 months. If you don't live in a city they aren't actually all that terrible.
To be honest, for a £5K daily i would happily reccomend the 350 to anybody. Mine has been flawless.
I preferred driving the 130i, and ultimately ended up buying a 135i coupe which even stock pulled convincingly on 350's.
CP12 said:
For the record OP mazda 6 mps isn't rwd.
I would recommend maybe a 335i twin turbo, although they do go wrong here and there
Think you'll struggle to get one at all for £5k- let alone one you'd want to own. The 330i is a much safer bet in that respect though even there that's at the lower end for an E92.I would recommend maybe a 335i twin turbo, although they do go wrong here and there
Edited by ManOpener on Thursday 13th September 17:22
BMW 1 Series?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've always like the stubby looks.
And the 'cameo' interior.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've always like the stubby looks.
And the 'cameo' interior.
ManOpener said:
Think you'll struggle to get one at all for £5k- let alone one you'd want to own. The 330i is a much safer bet in that respect though even there that's at the lower end for an E92.
Fair point, 330 or 325 petrol is probably a safer bet Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 13th September 17:22
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