10-14k modern classic 4 seater

[Duke Caboom]

It looks like my BMW 428i will be written off following a flood event.

I always respected the car but it neve felt "special". On the other had it was reliable, fast enough, fun to drive, good looking, spacious enough for family, well equipped etc. So I could spend the pay out on a "modern classic".

Lets not get into a "modern classic" debate. If you don't think that such things exist then there is no need to comment, thanks.

Must have / be:

Comfortable for long trips
Modern things to make it comfortable and safe, like air conditioning, ABS etc
Fairly big back seats (4 series big enough, +2 type coupes not big enough)
Reasonably sporty and fun to drive
Reliable
200bhp +
14k or less
Not likely to throw up ruinous bills
Petrol

Thanks

[moffspeed]

OK there are a few obvious choices but something a bit more left-field.

MG ZT V8 260. Well below your budget, spend a couple of grand at a marque specialist to enliven the Mustang engine and still some pocket money for Christmas.

Besides which, we all need to own a V8 engined car before hair dryer power takes over...

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

MK1 Focus RS is pretty much the only thing I can think of that pretty much ticks all the boxes, and could be thought of as a "Modern Classic" Anything that is mass produced is not going to obtain any kind of classic status for 30 or 40 years, unless you got something like an M vehicle, or RS,

[markiii]

audi s8

[williamp]

Xj12?
XJR?
Mercedes of some sort
Holden Monaro
Alpina BMW

[crusty]

E39 M5

[V12 Migaloo]

Audi S6 Avant.... probably around 2012/13, older RS4, 530i, XF V8....

[P5BNij]

Another left field suggestion - a ‘90s Maserati Ghibli V6, go on be brave, they’re not all as bad as perceived wisdom would suggest. Or maybe even a Quattroporte IV from the same era?

[tog]

Mercedes 500SEC (W126-era)

[//j17]

crusty said:

E39 M5

£10k-£14k is only going to get you an 'average' to 'good' condition E39 M5, and you have both the "M" tax and, umm slightly thuggish profile of likely previous owners over the last 20 years.

I'd say drop down a rung to the E39 540i. No "M" badges, so the same £10k-£14k gets you a 'good' to 'concours' condition car and a better chance of a more refind string of POs - and not a huge difference in real world performance ('only' a 4.4L V8 vs 4.9L in the M and 'only' 282hp vs 400hp in the M - but hardly what one would call 'underpowered' for road use). Available as an estate too if you have a large dog you need to move around.

E.G. https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11089093?c...

[Dapster]

I know you said "reliable" and "no ruinous bills" but come on!



https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1249606





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1100109





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1164254





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1199203




https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1276732





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1259203





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1210260





https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1219296

[hilly10]

That C43 Merc would be a contender for me all day long, simply simply beautiful. I had two C240 back in day oh how I loved those cars

[Leftfootwonder]

For reliability and sensible bills, you have to be looking Japanese I'd say.

Evo/Impreza, or you can buy my Accord Type R off me for £14k?

[alabbasi]

That should buy you a Mercedes Benz E55 or CL55. If you go with the W210 E55, they're super reliable but can rust in the wrong climate. Avoid cars like the XJS, R129 Mercedes etc, which might have back seats, but would take longer to climb in them than anyone would want to spend.

In my opinion, the W208 CLK55 is the bargain of the decade at the moment.

Edited by alabbasi on Wednesday 9th December 14:34

[plasticpig]

Probably not to every ones taste and probably more of a sleeper than a modern classic. But it's a V8 ,pretty left field and ticks the rarity box:



https://www.lcdcarsales.co.uk/used-volvo-s80-riple...

[Mr Tidy]

I can't believe nobody has suggested a BMW M3 yet - E46 or E9* would work!

Or maybe a Rover 827i Coupe for something more unusual?

[SUPER Author]

XJ-R or that gorgeous Alfa 164 for me, based on the above criteria, please.

[AMGSee55]

On the left field count, I raise you a Renault Safrane Bi-turbo. A 152 mph sofa



Slightly more plausibly, a Maserati 430 4V - may not fit your ‘no ruinous bills’ criteria, but you only live once!



Slightly more sensible....Alfa 159 3.2 V6??

[cerb4.5lee]

Mr Tidy said:

I can't believe nobody has suggested a BMW M3 yet - E46 or E9* would work!

They are a good shout for sure.

Maybe a touch too predictable, but great nonetheless.

[williamp]

Gosh there are some exciting suggestions here. Good luck hunting, OP!