The "Do it All" Car Thread ... Again - Page 1 - Car Buying

Tuesday 10th August 2021

I will be the first to say i've posted in the last 12 months about what to have next.

I have aspirations for a v8. I have aspirations for a really glorious naturally aspirated car. But i don't think i can get this at the moment and will come later.

However, its still a quandry and i'm slowly narrowing down my criteria as both time passes and i listen to the options on the table from other fellow petrolheads.

I am a single father. I have two kids and a good job. I have my kids 50/50. Meaning every week i have my kids 3 days and every other week i have them 4.5 days.

We go everywhere together when i'm with them so a 2 seater is out of the question. As much as i would buy a Cayman / VX220 / Elise/Exige as a properly engaging drivers car. I simply cannot as the children will always be coming with me for the majority of the time i use the car.

I enjoy a spirited drive on B-roads (frequent Wales alot), limited Track Dates, odd occassional Hill Climbing events are all elements i enjoy. As infact do my kids. So would likely come with me. Though of course i do them on my own too. So the car can't be too big as to feel that i'm in a taxi that i'm hooning about on track in. BUT... 4 seats is a must.

The obvious choice is a 911, but as a sports car and given my budget (£25-30K) i think the option is compromised by age/model/issues etc. I could take my time finding one and ultimately i think it will be a car i get but at the moment i don't believe it fits the bill as well as it could.

Therefore i'm left wondering what other do it all cars there are.

Monday - Thursday it needs to be a general, go to the shops, drive around town, hit the motorway for work, car. Therefore i don't believe i can justify a massive engine like a v8 in the c63 or the VXR8, which would handle those duties of weekday fine, but the costs would be quickly ruinous on a daily basis. I am sure something along that line would feel special and an occassion but ultimately, overly compromised by the split in duties.

It does, though, on the weekend, need to be engaging. Sharp. Exciting. Sonorous. Draw attention of like minded folks. It needs to have that "zing" factor that i call it.

I really don't feel i could live the daddy of the do it all brigade the Golf as ultimately - its just a golf and having driven a few, i find them a bit too sanitzed and dull. R included. The RS3 is an option i guess - but its not really that sharp a steer and ultimately i am not buying it for a straighline dash. It has to be a car that puts a smile on my face and makes me sweat alittle when i'm pushing on because you have to concentrate, be engaged etc.

Mercedes perhaps in the form of an AMG - but can't be the c63 for reasons above i think. Is the original A45 as bad as people make out - can it really not be as good to handle as much lesser hot hatches? I really can't justify £50K right now or EVER for a hatchback.

Its an interesting question as the brief seems to denote that a Hothatch is built to do. But at the same time i am 42 and in the time of life where hooligan aesthetics and shouty paintjobs aren't necessarily bad just maybe too much for an old guy like me. That said i like my cars to be special, to have something about them and to spark conversation and comment when i meet fellow enthusiasts. Something i've commented on before. But not something that is so dull and boring that no one knows what it is or that doesn't excite me. So a medium ground for hooniganism??

Lord/Pistonheads members help me. I am in a quandry.

Basic list of requirements to save anyone having to reread my dribble -

£25-30K budget
No older than 2010
Useable Seats for family of 3.
Useable luggage space for family of 3.
Safe (hence over 2010)
NOT an estate
Not a Golf
20's MPG
Exciting to drive on the weekday as well as the weekend.
Sharp handling, Smile enducing. Adrenaline pumping when you want it to be.
Makes a good noise - exhaust tone/engine.
Power - Hmm I would say it has to be over 300hp and under 400bhp to be useable everyday.
Drive - Can be FWD/RWD/4WD - But it will be used ALL year and everyday.
So reliable too.
Gearbox - I love a manual BUT given the town aspect i'd consider Auto's

cerb4.5lee

43,948 posts

208 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

Apart from the noise the F82 M4 could fit your remit perhaps? It is quite sensible one minute, but press the throttle hard and I guarantee that it will put a smile on your face. A decent sized boot and it seats 4 too.

1,816 posts

156 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

I'm biased but mustang.

£30k will see you in an early model 2016 V8 but that'll take you above the 400bhp cap. Having said that it'll easily top 35mpg on a run and doesn't 'feel' like it's got north of 400bhp.

My mustang is my 53rd car in <20 years and it'll be 2 years old in November. Honestly I wouldn't change it for a thing. The sound is immense, it's the most comfortable car I've owned (air con and heated seats) and the boot easily fits luggage for a family of three as I've done it a few times. It'll also happily accept three paddleboards in the boot including pumps!

1,816 posts

156 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

I should also add my daughter is 10 and at 5ft 3" she can still easily fit comfortably in the back.

x5tuu

12,778 posts

215 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

I would suggest an RS5 Sportback but not sure you’ll get one in budget … the regular RS5 coupe is def in budget and could be possible but maybe tight on rear legroom

Shuff4

222 posts

115 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

Audi S4?

Large enough for the children, boot for away days.

3.0 v6 supercharged, pulley and map, north of 400bhp and can still do decent mpg.

I know you say no taxis, but isn’t this the all round car?

Northernboy

12,642 posts

285 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

It doesn’t quite tick every box, but what about a GR Yaris?

RonnieHotdogs

1,066 posts

129 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

cerb4.5lee said:

Apart from the noise the F82 M4 could fit your remit perhaps? It is quite sensible one minute, but press the throttle hard and I guarantee that it will put a smile on your face. A decent sized boot and it seats 4 too.

If not an m4 then a 440i (coupe or GC), especially with the MPPSK.

Gives it more power (rated at 360bhp but more like 380-390), an additional 50NM torque, and a lovely valved exhaust which sounds incredible.

Plus with being the b58 engine you'll get better economy than most 2.0T cars if driven sensibly.

Walter Sobchak

5,739 posts

252 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

Maybe a bit big but what about a Panemera Turbo?.

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

I'd say the M3 (I think it looks so much better than the M4) ticks all of your boxes sensible ish on fuel great handling & good for trackdays, no V8's eating into your wallet smile

There is a sacrifice & that's that the exhaust note isn't the greatest but it can be improved.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107245...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106063...

Cascade360

11,630 posts

113 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

Agree with the FK8 suggestion, seems to tick all your boxes

georgeyboy12345

4,581 posts

63 months

Tuesday 10th August 2021

FastEdd11e

205 posts

84 months

Wednesday 11th August 2021

How about a C43 AMG?

Great performance and ought to be within budget.
I'd not discount a C63 (W204). At your budget you'll be at the higher end so ought to be able to find a really good one.

If you can go a bit older, there is a B5 Alpina with 90k of miles, 2013 plate for sale mid £20's. That's tempting.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...

stevekoz

Original Poster

577 posts

190 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I like the F80 M3 and even the e90 but not the e92. I think the Saloon just suits the M3 better and its rarer. Though, having had an e92 for a short period of time, i didn't gel with it. It was a manual and it honestly didn't feel like all that special. It was mainly just a beefed up 3series and whilst i understand that there are masses of differences - the car didn't feel like it was all that more special.

The other issue with the BMW is that the image it holds - esp. where i live. Birmingham - M3's are the cars to hate because of the straight pipe pops and bang "crew" who just annoy everyone in car parks. Dont' get me wrong, i don't mind a tunnel run - but banging a car off its limiter constantly in a car park screams d*ckhead to most people, and it puts me off the car. Because i know people will automatically think i'm "that guy". Likewise sadly AMG Merc's.

However, I do really like the idea of the c43 as its the new shape c-class and i much prefer that car. I had a c200 amg and it was a nice car to drive. I may end up wishing i had the 6.2 but still, its going to be a good car. I think the reason i liked the c200 was that it didn't feel all that big. And that is something that got me thinking.

Having gone through alot of these links/options you've kindly posted i think that the size of the car may come into it, as i've found myself thinking these are huge and can't feel agile/nimble/sharp being so big? Maybe a hatchback is the way to go. I do love a good powerful saloon though, but i'm questioning how sharp and nimble it will feel. The F80 looks a big car - anyone comment for me on that?

So that leaves me with smaller saloons and hatches again. C43 seems to be almost top of the list, but its missing the larger beefed up body of its bigger brother - meaning do i stretch my budget??!

The FK8 ticks a lot of boxes and i actually quite like the looks as its all very functional and every road review and video on the car i've seen sing its praises as to how it handles. It certainly is a car that sparks conversation so there is that too. It just again looks MASSIVE against older hatchbacks, i have an r26 that is 1100kg and parked next to one of the more modern hatches it looks like a mini, even with its FAT ass.

The EVO is an interesting one as i am a fan of the 5/6/8/9 Evo's and whislt i like the X, the SST puts me off most of them and i've heard that they really just aren't as good. The FQ360 is manual so that is a tick and its AWD and i know will handle all the UK has to offer weather wise, perhaps better than any other car on the list. I haven't had any ownership/driving experience of them. I've had 6 subaru's though, so i wonder if it offers anything different/standout over those?

So i think the shortlist so far

c43 AMG
A45 AMG
FK8 Type R
F80/E90 M3 Saloon. - outsider
Evo - hmmm outsider

Options i have thought about since -

Focus RS - Are these as BORK factor intensive as i have heard? It sounds more chocolate than a 2.5 Impreza (of which i have had 3 - so doesn't necessarily put me off).

Anymore for anymore?

James-gbg1e

429 posts

108 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

I just had a similar problem but also needed to account for a ladrador, therefore an estate was my priority.

I went with the C43 W205 which I'm loving so far. I live rurally so 4WD and something to overcome B roads was of importance, the drivetrain is superb on the lanes and with the 9 speed box means point to point can be very quick... The power is definitely more mid-top of the rev range so when the kids are in the car in comfort it feels like a 2.0L turbo.

Equipment is great generally but if you can get one with the Premium Plus pack you basically are ticking every box.

If you wanted a smaller less practical car the coupe C43 is worth a look. Plus if you want it tuning you have MSL just down the road in Birmingham, they'll remap it for £500 and put you in the 420-430bhp area.

Just DM me if you want to know anything specific.

1,816 posts

156 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

georgeyboy12345 said:

Good list that!

If I didn't have my mustang I'd definitely be eyeing up the Stinger, that's a great shout. Same with Maserati's, the sound on those are one of the few cars that sound better than a mustang gt, both as standard at least!

Having come from an M140i and test driven M2's and M4's during my ownership when I was thinking of upgrading they were definitely better than the M140 but not enough to warrant the extra cost imo. That said the M140 was a great allrounder, spacious enough for family, <5secs quick yet could do north of 50mpg. BMW's don't have the visual impact though, there's just too many of them around and the ride is god awful hard on UK roads.

James-gbg1e

429 posts

108 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

For me, any Maserati looks good as it drives past. The interior is horrible by comparison. Went to look at a GranCabrio and a Levante recently... not for me. Also sat in a Mustang as my wife liked the idea of one, but ruled out on grounds of terrible visibility.

1,816 posts

156 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

James-gbg1e said:

For me, any Maserati looks good as it drives past. The interior is horrible by comparison. Went to look at a GranCabrio and a Levante recently... not for me. Also sat in a Mustang as my wife liked the idea of one, but ruled out on grounds of terrible visibility.

Visibility is a bit of a pig. But you do get used to it. Bonnet length isn't a problem and rear visibility is good but the passenger wing mirror is just decorative it serves no purpose as they've not converted the mirror angles for rhd so you literally can't see the side of the car without leaning over into the passenger seat!

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

Thursday 12th August 2021

stevekoz said:

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I like the F80 M3 and even the e90 but not the e92. I think the Saloon just suits the M3 better and its rarer. Though, having had an e92 for a short period of time, i didn't gel with it. It was a manual and it honestly didn't feel like all that special. It was mainly just a beefed up 3series and whilst i understand that there are masses of differences - the car didn't feel like it was all that more special.

The other issue with the BMW is that the image it holds - esp. where i live. Birmingham - M3's are the cars to hate because of the straight pipe pops and bang "crew" who just annoy everyone in car parks. Dont' get me wrong, i don't mind a tunnel run - but banging a car off its limiter constantly in a car park screams d*ckhead to most people, and it puts me off the car. Because i know people will automatically think i'm "that guy". Likewise sadly AMG Merc's.

However, I do really like the idea of the c43 as its the new shape c-class and i much prefer that car. I had a c200 amg and it was a nice car to drive. I may end up wishing i had the 6.2 but still, its going to be a good car. I think the reason i liked the c200 was that it didn't feel all that big. And that is something that got me thinking.

Having gone through alot of these links/options you've kindly posted i think that the size of the car may come into it, as i've found myself thinking these are huge and can't feel agile/nimble/sharp being so big? Maybe a hatchback is the way to go. I do love a good powerful saloon though, but i'm questioning how sharp and nimble it will feel. The F80 looks a big car - anyone comment for me on that?

So that leaves me with smaller saloons and hatches again. C43 seems to be almost top of the list, but its missing the larger beefed up body of its bigger brother - meaning do i stretch my budget??!

The FK8 ticks a lot of boxes and i actually quite like the looks as its all very functional and every road review and video on the car i've seen sing its praises as to how it handles. It certainly is a car that sparks conversation so there is that too. It just again looks MASSIVE against older hatchbacks, i have an r26 that is 1100kg and parked next to one of the more modern hatches it looks like a mini, even with its FAT ass.

The EVO is an interesting one as i am a fan of the 5/6/8/9 Evo's and whislt i like the X, the SST puts me off most of them and i've heard that they really just aren't as good. The FQ360 is manual so that is a tick and its AWD and i know will handle all the UK has to offer weather wise, perhaps better than any other car on the list. I haven't had any ownership/driving experience of them. I've had 6 subaru's though, so i wonder if it offers anything different/standout over those?

So i think the shortlist so far

c43 AMG
A45 AMG
FK8 Type R
F80/E90 M3 Saloon. - outsider
Evo - hmmm outsider

Options i have thought about since -

Focus RS - Are these as BORK factor intensive as i have heard? It sounds more chocolate than a 2.5 Impreza (of which i have had 3 - so doesn't necessarily put me off).

Anymore for anymore?

The F80 does shrink around you once you're on it &would be the car I'd take from your list, I'm Mercedes bias but the C/E43 don't work for me (I think it's because I expect AMG performance) I'd have the 63 everytime.

James-gbg1e

429 posts

108 months