Fun in an Automatic???
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Discussion

Big_M

Original Poster:

5,602 posts

291 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all
OK – so I have now accepted that I am never going to be able to drive our Griffith due to a lack of soft tissue in my left knee - my surgeon says he has replaced better knees on 70 year olds - but I am just too young for a new knee.

So it looks like even the Nova will have to go . I have got about a year to save up some money to buy another car when I expect to have about £10-12k to spend. I want something that looks a bit sporty and not too big. I am seriously considering the Mitsubishi FTO – I like the styling and it comes in an automatic version.

But PHers is there anything else I should be considering. I do about 300 miles a week and it will not be garaged and I am not fussy if it is a 4 or 2 seater – it just needs to be an automatic.

incorrigible

13,668 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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When I broke my leg I bought a Range Rover, and I know it doesn't neet any of your criteria but I enjoyed some nice off road driving when I couldn't have handled the physical forces of fast driving

dom_911

141 posts

292 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Get an old(early 90s, I think) Merc E500. 5 litre V8 and around that price bracket. Subtle, fast and automatic? Porsche had something to do with the brakes and/or engine.

CarZee

13,382 posts

295 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Auto's are okay, but you need the extra torque and power that a larger engine gives you..

So if you were after the FTO you'd be well down on usable power unless there's a V6 version..

personally I'd want minimum 2.5L V6 for a slushbox.. anything less & you might as well walk.

All IMNSHO of course..

dave_s13

14,015 posts

297 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Nissan 200sx (s14a)
Nissan 300ZX
Toyota Supra

Unlucky about the knee m8.


>> Edited by dave_s13 on Wednesday 22 January 14:00

danhay

7,549 posts

284 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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As a big fan of rear wheel drive I would suggest a BMW 3 series of some sort.
Alternatively, how about a Nissan 200SX Auto?

cotty

42,146 posts

312 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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CarZee said:

personally I'd want minimum 2.5L V6 for a slushbox.. anything less & you might as well walk.

All IMNSHO of course..



Yep I have 2.5l but straight six with an auto, after pulling away the other day a bit sharpish I eventually had to back off to stop the wheel spin

pdavison

1,639 posts

305 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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You could buy my BMW 328i Convertible (Auto !), but if you're after something with a little more performance you might be able to get a Merc C36 AMG in your budget.

Friend of mine had the auto FTO and it was a good car, but not actually that quick to be honest.

Happy hunting and if you do 300 miles a week you might be surprised how much you get to like an auto !

granville

18,764 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all
Sorry to hear of your woes, Big M but not to worry - autos are gaining credance in the world of performance barnstorming - just ask the man who runs EVO mag, with an RS6 & SL55 AMG in the shed...

Leftfield suggestion, here: you say the FTO - although it is rather dull, to be honest and possessing slightly less poke than a desiccated pudding of the paddy field...instead, how about the contradiction in terms itself, an EVO VII GT-a?

Thus freeing up both hands with which to try and stay tarmac bound!

Bon chance, whatever.

incorrigible

13,668 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Just thought, might just get in with an XJR in that price range 400hp hmmmm.... and plenty of leather

davidy

4,492 posts

312 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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My wife has a dodgy left knee (result of snowboarding and paragliding incidents) however she found that she can drive manuals if the seating position is low ie Griff or very upright Land Rover Defender, anything in the middle caused her too much pain.

This has meant that we have had a string of cars that are automatics. Now purists may decry them beacuse they are not manuals but having a good auto allows you to concentrate on other aspects of your driving, smooth pedal controls and steering. In fact I became so converted that for regular road use I use an automatic as well now. Cars that we have had are (all autos):-

Porsche 944 - only a 3 speeder, but once it was going it was great, fabulous handling, little depreciation and cheap to run (at a specialist)

String of Volvo Estates 240/265/960 - Can't think of a lot of good to say about them apart from they can carry lots of gear

Audi A8 Tiptronic - great gearbox, hardly ever used the tiptronic and handled like a big car shouldn't, expensive to run though

Saab 9-5 - our current car, nothing outstanding but smooth automatic and very comfortable.

If you wanted something sporty in a years time at £10-£12K I would go for a Porsche 968 Auto or Tiptronic, you'll get a cracking car that would eat at FTO and handling wise embarass most 'true' sportscars. It also will go forever and depreciate very little.

davidy

anonymous-user

82 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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When I bust the my knee skiing I found the best solution was a chauffeur.

This was possible as well which was a bonus.

I have a Volvo V70 T5 auto. Plenty of grunt from 250 bhp, especially on kickdown.

>> Edited by paul-b on Wednesday 22 January 14:15

Fer

7,771 posts

308 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Sorry to hear about the knee, Big M, lets hope it does not stop you having too much fun.

What about a Merc 500 SEC? I had one of these for a few years, good fun, lots of power (but also lots of weight) and a wonderful V8 sound that might make up for having to loose the other cars?

Big_M

Original Poster:

5,602 posts

291 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
quotequote all
Excellent suggestions here guys. I will be surfing the pages of Autotrader tonight to compare prices etc. Ben loved your suggestion of the XJR - very sexy. Hard thing will be waiting to get all the money together.

Mr E

22,981 posts

287 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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GTO auto.

3 litres. 2 turbos. 1 smile.

incorrigible

13,668 posts

289 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Big_M said: Ben loved your suggestion of the XJR - very sexy. Hard thing will be waiting to get all the money together.
And some people have the nerve to say I've no class You could always save for a bit (a lot) longer and get an XKR

Shaguar baby yeah

Ali_D

1,115 posts

312 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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There's a V12 XJS in the classified's for a whisker over £2k. 300bhp if I remember correctly and fairly comfortable. Then with the £8-£10k you have left you'll be able to afford the petrol for it!

raceboy

13,846 posts

308 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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Alpina BMW E36 with the Switchtronic gearbox, 3l straight six and buttons on the steering wheel, at that price it's going to have a few miles on it and it'll be hard to track one down but it would be worth it

Terminator

2,421 posts

312 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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My BMW 328Ci has a Steptronic® box, fully auto for when your pootling around town or five-speed clutchless sequenting shifting for scaring the Mondectras. Not sure if the earlier model (E36) had this, the later models may be more than you rbudget figure.

My wife's new Galaxy has a similar gearbox, but I doubt if one of those would be what you're looking for!

danhay

7,549 posts

284 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2003
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[pic]www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/Images/Vehicles/8629_53.JPG
[/pic]

Ferrari 400i Auto for £10,995?
Go on...be brave!

It's at www.verdiferrari.co.uk/showroom/default.htm