£6k fast, reliable, practical daily

[Mr Ponkerson]

My LS400 is beyond economical repair (back end rotten) so I need a new car. The boss has agreed a budget of 6K, which is 3x what I've ever spent on a car for myself so I'm a bit bamboozled. I'll be using it to drop my 2 kids off at school a few times a week, commute and visit a couple of local clients so it needs to be big enough to take my massage table and have at least 4 seats. I like the idea of something a littel different to the norm. I like a manual box but currently borrowing a scirrocco with dsg (and LS was auto) so not too precious either way. I prefer the idea of rwd or awd, but again not necessarily a deal breaker for the right car. I'd love something that can get to 60 in around 6s or less (I know this isn't the be all or end all, but it seems like the easiest benchmark to describe what I'm after).

Things that have been catching my eye are Nissan Stageas, skylines (post GTR split), airtreks etc. Legacies are a possiblility (as long as I'm not restricted to 99RON fuel), Caldinas I've only discounted due to a 4 speed auto as I found the ratios for the one in the LS frustrating. Have also wondered about a 335i - are the horror stories exaggerated? The 2 cars below have caught my eye so far:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Stagea-250T-RX-F...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-Infiniti...

Any other suggestions or tips for the things I've been looking at?

[ZX10R NIN]

My first & very bias pick would be a CLK500, your massage table will fit in the boot with ease & they're a very nice place to be along with that sweet V8:

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

They're reliable the drivetrain is pretty much bulletproof & they come with the 7 Speed box.

CLS500

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0505-MERCEDES-BENZ-CLS-...

Skyline GT350 Saloon

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-NISSAN-SKYLINE-350...

Coupe

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-Infiniti...

3.2 Alfa Brera you'll have to try the boot for size:

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

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

Impreza WRX

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

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

Toyota Aristo Vertex (GS300 with Supra running gear)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Aristo-V300-vert...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Aristo-V300-lexu...

Toyota Crown

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-TOYOTA-CROWN-ATHLE...

[Mr Ponkerson]

mmm V8 Merc - hadn't realised these newer ones were in budget. The aristo vertex throws a spanner in the works though - TT supra in a sensible body...

Thanks chap - definite food for thought there. Toyota reliability I know about, what's your experience with the Merc as far as running costs (consumables, service items, borkage etc)?

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr Ponkerson said:

mmm V8 Merc - hadn't realised these newer ones were in budget. The aristo vertex throws a spanner in the works though - TT supra in a sensible body...

Thanks chap - definite food for thought there. Toyota reliability I know about, what's your experience with the Merc as far as running costs (consumables, service items, borkage etc)?

There's no real borkage with the CLK500 but there are some things you'll need to be ready for:

Gearbox fluid & filter change £200-250, along with the Spark Plug Change which isn't cheap as they're 16 of them apart from that they are an easy car to maintain.

I'd say CLK but the Aristo is a very good option that's also a bhin sleeper.

[Mr Ponkerson]

ZX10R NIN said:

There's no real borkage with the CLK500 but there are some things you'll need to be ready for:

Gearbox fluid & filter change £200-250, along with the Spark Plug Change which isn't cheap as they're 16 of them apart from that they are an easy car to maintain.

I'd say CLK but the Aristo is a very good option that's also a bhin sleeper.

cool, have also just seen this, which is another spanner in the works as it's not too far from me:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mitsubishi-Airtrek-Turb...

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to be honest that doesn't do it for me I'd be looking elsewhere first.

[Mr Ponkerson]

A bit like some of the others, I like the unusuallness of it (and when i got in to cars in the 90s, it was always the Evo I wanted over the scooby). Appreciate the advice chap - have been doing some more searches on the Mercs too (this was so much easier when I had a lot less to spend).

[mbwoy84]

CL500 for me given the criteria and budget.

Running costs aren’t cheap, but find one that’s been serviced on the button and had the “big” service done and you’ll be laughing.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1129242

That also leaves a couple of grand of your budget left to keep you covered for a bit anyway.

Huge car, plenty of room for your gear, lavishly equipped, even by today’s standards, 0-60 in 5.8, looks, feels and drives like a car that cost 10 times the price just a lovely place to sit. Lots of glass, so very airy etc. I’ve had 3 of them, but it needs to be a good one!

I love quirky Japanese imports more than anyone and have owned a long list of them, but they’re far more likely to give headaches and parts be more expensive and harder to source and faults harder to diagnose than the “premium” German brands, which are better supported by the aftermarket.

[ZX10R NIN]

My top 3 would be:

CLK500 obviously

Aristo

350 GT

[Mr Ponkerson]

Life has just got even harder now I've spotted this:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=672118...

Biggie was right, mo money mo problems 🤣

[ZX10R NIN]

Nice but if it has to be Japanese it would be the Aristo would be my first port of call with GT Skylines being next, knowing what you want from your car makes it easier not to get side tracked.

[Mr Ponkerson]

Thanks chap, once again, appreciate your opinion.

[ZX10R NIN]

Out of the Japanese entries the Aristo's drivetrain makes it the pick of the bunch out of that & that 2005 CLK500 it's too close to call as both have their charms & only a test drive of both would decide it for me, I'd probably go for the 500 but that's because I love a V8 & I prefer the looks of the CLK but a few tweeks has the Aristo's looking very purposeful.

I don't think you go wrong with either. Nie dilema to have