£15k - 4 seats - manual - sports/gt car. My list so far.....
Discussion
So I am constantly mulling it over but nearly ready to go now - just worried I have missed some options:
1. Monaro -
love the fact it has a 6.0 V8, the fact you never see them, the noise, seems relatively cheap to service etc
concerned it might not be so fun in the twisties - not sure how much pedders suspension resolves this, worried it might be too loud as a daily, is the MPG really as bad on a long trip?
2. E46 M3 Manual - love the engine, love most things about this car - not sure it feels special enough to look at?
3. E9* M3 v8 Manual - again love this car, never been in one or driven but a v8 manual 3 series has to be exciting etc.
Concerned about "M Tax" as I cant be arsed with massive bills for consumables such as discs
again worried that unless it is the perfect colour and has some subtle mods they can look a bit understated
however my head tells me this is the logical choice
4. VXR8 same points as monaro - benefit of more space
5. Audi s5 - just cant get excited about this car as much as the others
6. RS4 - have always wanted one of these but again cant help but think they are a bit understated.
7. 911 on a budget - worried about costs escalating plus cant get a really nice one for 15k. also rear seats arent a realistic option for humans
8. Mercedes AMGs, Jaguars etc are all out due to AUTO boxes
9. Impreza or Evo - sure these are amazing cars but I think I am more inclined to had towards NA than turbo and the aesthetics are marmit
10.Integra type R - just not fast enough otherwise I love the idea of this car, more as a track day car one day perhaps
11. Megane RS 250/265 I love these - probably tuned up to 300hp would be an epic B roader - and some ofthe mods people do make these look absolutely beautiful. BUT it makes me realise I am a bit vain and want something a bit more exciting to look at
12. Focus RS, Golr R etc - same as above for Megane RS
Am I missing some options
Any thoughts on the above
Am I miss
1. Monaro -
love the fact it has a 6.0 V8, the fact you never see them, the noise, seems relatively cheap to service etc
concerned it might not be so fun in the twisties - not sure how much pedders suspension resolves this, worried it might be too loud as a daily, is the MPG really as bad on a long trip?
2. E46 M3 Manual - love the engine, love most things about this car - not sure it feels special enough to look at?
3. E9* M3 v8 Manual - again love this car, never been in one or driven but a v8 manual 3 series has to be exciting etc.
Concerned about "M Tax" as I cant be arsed with massive bills for consumables such as discs
again worried that unless it is the perfect colour and has some subtle mods they can look a bit understated
however my head tells me this is the logical choice
4. VXR8 same points as monaro - benefit of more space
5. Audi s5 - just cant get excited about this car as much as the others
6. RS4 - have always wanted one of these but again cant help but think they are a bit understated.
7. 911 on a budget - worried about costs escalating plus cant get a really nice one for 15k. also rear seats arent a realistic option for humans
8. Mercedes AMGs, Jaguars etc are all out due to AUTO boxes
9. Impreza or Evo - sure these are amazing cars but I think I am more inclined to had towards NA than turbo and the aesthetics are marmit
10.Integra type R - just not fast enough otherwise I love the idea of this car, more as a track day car one day perhaps
11. Megane RS 250/265 I love these - probably tuned up to 300hp would be an epic B roader - and some ofthe mods people do make these look absolutely beautiful. BUT it makes me realise I am a bit vain and want something a bit more exciting to look at
12. Focus RS, Golr R etc - same as above for Megane RS
Am I missing some options
Any thoughts on the above
Am I miss
You need to decide what your priorities are and just go for it.
From reading your post I'd suggest the VXR8. More modern than the Monaro, sound amazing, stands out on the road, cheap to maintain in comparison to other options and will be plenty of fun on the twisties I'm sure. Also unlikely to depreciate much if you buy well at £15k.
Yes it's going to be piss poor on MPG and a bit noisy but there's always a trade-off and fuel is a lot cheaper at the minute.
Not a car for shy, retiring types obviously.
From reading your post I'd suggest the VXR8. More modern than the Monaro, sound amazing, stands out on the road, cheap to maintain in comparison to other options and will be plenty of fun on the twisties I'm sure. Also unlikely to depreciate much if you buy well at £15k.
Yes it's going to be piss poor on MPG and a bit noisy but there's always a trade-off and fuel is a lot cheaper at the minute.
Not a car for shy, retiring types obviously.
Edited by SWoll on Sunday 26th April 10:30
Monaro or E46 M3 for me.
I’ve owned both (I’ve owned other from your list too, but those two seem the most suitable and best based on what you’ve said). I’ll share my experience of the Monaro, as not so many people will have had them as M3s, so no shortage of info.
I owned a Monaro VXR from 2007 to 2010 and ran it daily. It was less than 12 months old when I bought it and a Vauxhall Management car.
MPG wasn’t horrendous at all. Obviously if you floor it, you’ll see single figure MPG, but in 3 years of ownership I averaged around 22-24mpg and could easily see 28mpg on a sensible run, and never below 26. I once decided to try an “economy run” to see if 30mpg was possible and I managed to just scrape it, but that was choosing the right route and consciously driving economically, but was just interested to see how much I could get out of it, as it was a car which attracted the usual comments from people like “how many gallons to the mile then?”
Bear in mind that it’s a big, lazy V8 with no fancy trickery, and in 6th gear at 70mph on the motorway it’s barely above idle speed, so fuel economy isn’t going to be as bad as you’d expect apart from when you really open up the taps.
I didn’t have to spend anything on it apart from serviceables, but obviously it was a “new” car then, so unfair to compare that to what may fail today, but they’re fairly simple cars straightforward engineering compared to similar-powered German or Japanese cars.
I’m not sure what you mean by too loud? The car was as quite as any big BMW or Jag when you’re driving it normally. You get a fairly subtle and low V8 rumble on acceleration and obviously that wakes up a bit when you floor it, but it wasn’t a loud car in the slightest. Obviously an aftermarket exhaust can change that, but as standard it’s just a very normal car.
For the size of the car it handles very, very well. That was the most surprising element of it. Obviously it is a very big car, so it’s not going to handle the same as an MX-5 or such like, but for the size it’s excellent and if you’re into such things, it’s obviously renowned for it’s ability to go sideways, but you do have to really push it to get it sideways, so no real danger of it happening inadvertently.
I’ve owned both (I’ve owned other from your list too, but those two seem the most suitable and best based on what you’ve said). I’ll share my experience of the Monaro, as not so many people will have had them as M3s, so no shortage of info.
I owned a Monaro VXR from 2007 to 2010 and ran it daily. It was less than 12 months old when I bought it and a Vauxhall Management car.
MPG wasn’t horrendous at all. Obviously if you floor it, you’ll see single figure MPG, but in 3 years of ownership I averaged around 22-24mpg and could easily see 28mpg on a sensible run, and never below 26. I once decided to try an “economy run” to see if 30mpg was possible and I managed to just scrape it, but that was choosing the right route and consciously driving economically, but was just interested to see how much I could get out of it, as it was a car which attracted the usual comments from people like “how many gallons to the mile then?”
Bear in mind that it’s a big, lazy V8 with no fancy trickery, and in 6th gear at 70mph on the motorway it’s barely above idle speed, so fuel economy isn’t going to be as bad as you’d expect apart from when you really open up the taps.
I didn’t have to spend anything on it apart from serviceables, but obviously it was a “new” car then, so unfair to compare that to what may fail today, but they’re fairly simple cars straightforward engineering compared to similar-powered German or Japanese cars.
I’m not sure what you mean by too loud? The car was as quite as any big BMW or Jag when you’re driving it normally. You get a fairly subtle and low V8 rumble on acceleration and obviously that wakes up a bit when you floor it, but it wasn’t a loud car in the slightest. Obviously an aftermarket exhaust can change that, but as standard it’s just a very normal car.
For the size of the car it handles very, very well. That was the most surprising element of it. Obviously it is a very big car, so it’s not going to handle the same as an MX-5 or such like, but for the size it’s excellent and if you’re into such things, it’s obviously renowned for it’s ability to go sideways, but you do have to really push it to get it sideways, so no real danger of it happening inadvertently.
I'd say the VXR8 it's a step on from the Monaro & is more of a drivers car too, a little stretch of the budget & 6.2's come into budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
6.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The E90 M3 would be my (my brother has one) other pick but I'd going in knowing it'll be a bit heavy on the maintenance side of things:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
When you say cars are understated there's nothing to stop you making a car your own a loss of altitude wheels with some choice upgrades & your car will be less like the others out there.
I had an RS4 & it was an enjoyable car but test drive one to see if it's for you.
Leftfield:
968 Sport
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
6.0
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The E90 M3 would be my (my brother has one) other pick but I'd going in knowing it'll be a bit heavy on the maintenance side of things:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
When you say cars are understated there's nothing to stop you making a car your own a loss of altitude wheels with some choice upgrades & your car will be less like the others out there.
I had an RS4 & it was an enjoyable car but test drive one to see if it's for you.
Leftfield:
968 Sport
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Loads of Alfa's (depends if that's your thing)
Giulietta 1750 TBI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
147 GTA 3.2 V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
GTV Cup V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Giulietta 1750 TBI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
147 GTA 3.2 V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
GTV Cup V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I love the idea of an alfa but looking g for somethi g with more grunt.
The other posts are helpful..
I think its goj g to end up being between a monaro, a vxr8 or an e90 M3...at which point the monaro starts to look very cheap as can be picked up around 12k. Is the VXR8 4k better than a monaro?
The other posts are helpful..
I think its goj g to end up being between a monaro, a vxr8 or an e90 M3...at which point the monaro starts to look very cheap as can be picked up around 12k. Is the VXR8 4k better than a monaro?
The difference of 3k between a VXR Monaro & a VXR8 is worth it for the 6.2 & suspension upgrades that were made the VXR8 is very close to M5 levels when it comes to handling the Monaro is a bit softer, test drive both to see which you prefer.
The M3 is the better drivers car but it does come at a cost ny brother has had to do the full amount (Throttle Actuators Vanos & bottom end rebuilt) of work carried out it's maintenance heavy but puts a smile on my brothers face everytime he starts it.
I'd actually go for the 6.2 VXR8 when you mix maintenance fun & the sheer breadth of tuning ability as well as being a good steer.
The M3 is the better drivers car but it does come at a cost ny brother has had to do the full amount (Throttle Actuators Vanos & bottom end rebuilt) of work carried out it's maintenance heavy but puts a smile on my brothers face everytime he starts it.
I'd actually go for the 6.2 VXR8 when you mix maintenance fun & the sheer breadth of tuning ability as well as being a good steer.
Z4MCSL said:
Is the VXR8 4k better than a monaro?
No.I test drove a few VXR8’s when I had the Monaro and toyed with the idea of trading, but never did. You wouldn’t tell the difference on the road.
I was very tempted when I drove the VXR8 Bathurst Edition as it came as standard with all of the upgrades I wanted to do the the Monaro (the best-sounding supercharger ever, plus the Wortec switchable exhaust more so than anything else, so it had a LOT more power and noise going on), but a lot cheaper to buy a Bathurst than fit the extras to the Monaro, but there was no way I could downgrade from the looks of the Monaro. Great looking 2 door Coupe in VXR form. The VXR8 still looked quite aggressive, but compared the Monaro it just never did it for me.
From what you’ve said I’d probably rule out a hot hatch on the grounds that it won’t feel special enough.
The most obvious choice, especially if you’re after a 4 seat coupe would be the E92 M3 as there are quite a few available within budget. Another coupe that’s not on your list is the Audi TT RS. Not sure how you feel about those? I like them and they are certainly quick and capable. Or if you want a nice car that’s a bit more modern with lower running costs then an M235i can be had for £15k.
On the saloon front there are a few Evo’s on autotrader but you’ve mentioned them already.
Sounds like you are heading for a V8 though.
The most obvious choice, especially if you’re after a 4 seat coupe would be the E92 M3 as there are quite a few available within budget. Another coupe that’s not on your list is the Audi TT RS. Not sure how you feel about those? I like them and they are certainly quick and capable. Or if you want a nice car that’s a bit more modern with lower running costs then an M235i can be had for £15k.
On the saloon front there are a few Evo’s on autotrader but you’ve mentioned them already.
Sounds like you are heading for a V8 though.
Z4MCSL said:
Ooh hadnt looked at that/realised they had so much power
Although same reservations apply as with the megane, focus, evos and subarus as I am not sure they are me really, and get more excited by the idea of a big v8
That being said I have always wanted to try VTEC!!
The difference, of course, is that you can drive it at 90% without going to prison! Although same reservations apply as with the megane, focus, evos and subarus as I am not sure they are me really, and get more excited by the idea of a big v8
That being said I have always wanted to try VTEC!!
I had a Monaro VXR with pedders suspension, quick rack steering, short shifter, cat back exhaust and remap. Basically the full Walkinshaw catalogue flung at it minus the supercharger.
It was a great big thing, and could be hussled along through the twisties with bit of commitment.
It got a lot of attention, all positive, but its not for the shy or retiring sort.
My only gripe with it, was getting access to the rear seats. There was plenty of room in the back, but the electric seats were so slow to move to get access.
I sold mine back in 2011 to fund a house extention.
It was a great big thing, and could be hussled along through the twisties with bit of commitment.
It got a lot of attention, all positive, but its not for the shy or retiring sort.
My only gripe with it, was getting access to the rear seats. There was plenty of room in the back, but the electric seats were so slow to move to get access.
I sold mine back in 2011 to fund a house extention.
mbwoy84 said:
No.
I test drove a few VXR8’s when I had the Monaro and toyed with the idea of trading, but never did. You wouldn’t tell the difference on the road.
I was very tempted when I drove the VXR8 Bathurst Edition as it came as standard with all of the upgrades I wanted to do the the Monaro (the best-sounding supercharger ever, plus the Wortec switchable exhaust more so than anything else, so it had a LOT more power and noise going on), but a lot cheaper to buy a Bathurst than fit the extras to the Monaro, but there was no way I could downgrade from the looks of the Monaro. Great looking 2 door Coupe in VXR form. The VXR8 still looked quite aggressive, but compared the Monaro it just never did it for me.
It's funny because when I went from the Monaro to the VXR8 it felt more taught straight away (maybe the VXR wasn't the best example) I agree that both are so tuneable.I test drove a few VXR8’s when I had the Monaro and toyed with the idea of trading, but never did. You wouldn’t tell the difference on the road.
I was very tempted when I drove the VXR8 Bathurst Edition as it came as standard with all of the upgrades I wanted to do the the Monaro (the best-sounding supercharger ever, plus the Wortec switchable exhaust more so than anything else, so it had a LOT more power and noise going on), but a lot cheaper to buy a Bathurst than fit the extras to the Monaro, but there was no way I could downgrade from the looks of the Monaro. Great looking 2 door Coupe in VXR form. The VXR8 still looked quite aggressive, but compared the Monaro it just never did it for me.
Type R Tom said:
The difference, of course, is that you can drive it at 90% without going to prison!
The problem being that with VTEC you have to drive at 90% to get anything out of it. A bit marmite IME and was never something I enjoyed despite driving a few of the classics (DC2 Integra Type-R, S2000 etc.)£15k for a 13 year old 75k mile Civic? One for the fanboys only I'd suggest.
Terzo123 said:
It got a lot of attention, all positive, but its not for the shy or retiring sort.
That was the other thing I was going to add, the attention it got was crazy. At the time it was still a "new" car and fresh from all the positive reviews it got from Clarkson et al, so the majority of people who commented referred to having seen it on Top Gear. It always drew a crowd. You couldn't pull up at a petrol station without someone coming over. Door-to-door salesmen or anyone who came to the house wanted to talk about it. People would be filming you driving down the motorway. As above, it was all positive, but could get a bit much, which is the main reason why I moved it on in the end. I was genuinely worried once when I pulled on outside Machine Mart one weekend, which wasn't in the nicest of areas, and a rather large guy came sprinting over from a bus stop opposite. I was bracing myself for trouble, but again he just wanted to talk about the car and how he'd seen it on Top Gear, but never seen one in the flesh before. I think it was one of those "working-class hero" type cars, a bit like the Escort Cosworth, where it drew more attention than far more expensive, but more subtle cars. At the time I had 3 partners who all had far more expensive, and then current-model performance cars (X150 XK-R, B7 RS4 Avant, AMV8 Vantage), all looking nice and classy in varying shades of grey, then there was the Monaro in bright red, which would always get the most attention when they were parked up together.
I would expect some of this will have died down by now as the hype is probably mostly forgotten and wouldn't have the same cult following that an Escort Cosworth would have today, but a bright red Monaro in VXR guise would no doubt still stand out today.
The only time I got any attention that could have been considered negative was when someone commented on how nice condition it was in for an old car, which confused me for a moment, until the realised that it wasn't an old car and they didn't know what it was and assumed it was a modified Calibra! Didn't bother me, but the car is twice the size of a Calibra!
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