Time for a 4 seater, still looking for something fun

[rotaryjam]

I've owned mostly 2 seaters and currently driving a 350Z

I now need a 4 seater but still want something fun, so requirements are:

Coupe, hatchback or saloon at a push
4 seater
V6 or bigger engine
Must sound good standard
RWD or 4WD
250 bhp+
Petrol
2000 onwards
Under £10k

Would be great to hear your suggestions

[Mouse Rat]

Merc E Class 350 / 350d / 400 / 500 - Pros = Great engines. Pillarless. Well built. Facelift version looks fresh. Modest running costs Cons = Petrol's are rare.

BMW 630/645/650i - Pros = Great V8 engine, value, interior nice place to be. Cons = Looks, not the most reliable. Rear seats not the largest.

Infinity G37 - Pros = Great engine, reliable, looks. Cons = Try find one.

BMW 3/4 series - Pros Drives well. Loads of options, good engine range. Modest running costs. Cons = Rear seats not the largest. Everywhere.

Maserati Quattroporte - Pros = No more depreciation, sound, looks, sound, 4 door supercar, sound, well built, great engine and sound. Cons = Supercar running costs.

[Xcore]

Early m135i

[Evil.soup]

How about one of these? It's a bit left field, but it is 2014 car, V6, turbo charged, AWD and well over 300hp. It is rare too...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

[ZX10R NIN]

Monaro

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302204...

G37 Coupe this will be more of what you know & like as these use the similar platform to the 370Z:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125760496616?hash=item1...

E500 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206237...

VXR Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301203...

R32:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...


330i M Sport Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302194...

[nobrakes]

500 CL

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106043...

[Rotary Potato]

rotaryjam said:

I've owned mostly 2 seaters and currently driving a 350Z

I now need a 4 seater but still want something fun, so requirements are:

Coupe, hatchback or saloon at a push
4 seater
V6 or bigger engine
Must sound good standard
RWD or 4WD
250 bhp+
Petrol
2000 onwards
Under £10k

Would be great to hear your suggestions

How flexible is your 250bhp+ requirement?

There's no mention of weight ... 250bhp in something around a tonne is very different to 250bhp in something around two tonnes.

I have a similar dilemma to you (986 Boxster S currently - got a large dog and sooner or later likely to need a car that can fit me, the dog and someone else in) and my current 2 favourite options are either a classic Impreza STI Wagon, or a GT86/BRZ. My head says that running a 25+ year old Impreza as a daily is a silly idea. My heart says that a GT86 is going to feel slow compared to the Boxster. I'm prioritising fun, low(er) weight and handling over pure power and performance - so our tastes are different in that respect, but I'd be interested to hear what you end up going with.

I have reached such a stalemate in my head that unless a car comes along and absolutely wows me, I'm likely to just keep the Boxster for as long as I can (the dog loves being driven in it - her ears flapping in the breeze) and not make a decision until the Boxster really doesn't work for my life anymore.

[coldel]

A leggy Jag XFR !

[TameRacingDriver]

coldel said:

A leggy Jag XFR !

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

For under 10k??

A normal XF 5.0 looks interesting though

Other options I like:

130i
330i
Golf R32

Thanks for the suggestions all, keep em coming

[rotaryjam]

Evil.soup said:

How about one of these? It's a bit left field, but it is 2014 car, V6, turbo charged, AWD and well over 300hp. It is rare too...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Interesting but not for me

[rotaryjam]

Rotary Potato said:

How flexible is your 250bhp+ requirement?

There's no mention of weight ... 250bhp in something around a tonne is very different to 250bhp in something around two tonnes.

I have a similar dilemma to you (986 Boxster S currently - got a large dog and sooner or later likely to need a car that can fit me, the dog and someone else in) and my current 2 favourite options are either a classic Impreza STI Wagon, or a GT86/BRZ. My head says that running a 25+ year old Impreza as a daily is a silly idea. My heart says that a GT86 is going to feel slow compared to the Boxster. I'm prioritising fun, low(er) weight and handling over pure power and performance - so our tastes are different in that respect, but I'd be interested to hear what you end up going with.

I have reached such a stalemate in my head that unless a car comes along and absolutely wows me, I'm likely to just keep the Boxster for as long as I can (the dog loves being driven in it - her ears flapping in the breeze) and not make a decision until the Boxster really doesn't work for my life anymore.

Not really exact, I'm just assuming that a big engine car, 4 seater is going to be fairly heavy and so need 250 bhp+ to give it enough poke

[TameRacingDriver]

rotaryjam said:

TameRacingDriver said:

For under 10k??

A normal XF 5.0 looks interesting though

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012335...

Not saying you should buy this one, but they're out there...

[the-norseman]

SAAB 9-3 Turbo X

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012335...

Not saying you should buy this one, but they're out there...

Ah couldn't see an option for it, only FR-S

This looks a great option thanks

[edc]

I had a similar requirement but for a daily/comfortable/family oriented car. I chose a 2005 C55.
I like the under the radar looks and the slant to comfort rather than out and out sharp handling.

[ZX10R NIN]

rotaryjam said:

Ah couldn't see an option for it, only FR-S

This looks a great option thanks

Monaro or G37 not working for you?

[coldel]

rotaryjam said:

Ah couldn't see an option for it, only FR-S

This looks a great option thanks

When I read up on these, was shocked to read about the good handling characteristics, apparently a very underappreciated beast. And with 500bhp you are getting an absolute monster sleeper.

[Krikkit]

coldel said:

rotaryjam said:

Ah couldn't see an option for it, only FR-S

This looks a great option thanks

When I read up on these, was shocked to read about the good handling characteristics, apparently a very underappreciated beast. And with 500bhp you are getting an absolute monster sleeper.

I think it's under-appreciated how good the XF was to drive. A car set up really well for UK roads despite its big wheels.

[rotaryjam]

ZX10R NIN said:

Monaro or G37 not working for you?

I like them both but don't think they are quite right

G37 too rare, I'd be worried about resale and finding a good one

Monaro - just not a fan of the looks and seems just a bit big overall