Ideas for a speedy option?

[cjno1]

Hey all, I'm looking to draw on your collective experience!

I just started working in September and have managed to save a bit of money to get myself a nice motor. I want something quite quick, maybe golf GTi standard or better. I don't want a stripped out racer, I'm a guy who likes his comfort! Ideally it will have bluetooth, decent stereo, ipod connection, etc, but they are not essential.

I have about 10K to spend, but my main problem will be insurance. I'm 22, and this will be my first car so I don't have any NCD, so I have set myself what I consider a "sensible" insurance limit of £1500.

I would appreciate any ideas, and feel free to plug your classifieds to me if you think they match my needs!

Cheers all,

Chris

[paul450]

do you want fwd, rwd, or 4*4 mate , would help us to help you

[paul450]

welcome to the forum aswell , very helpful bunch here.

[cjno1]

Thanks for the welcome :-D

Emm, in order of preference would be 4WD, RWD, then FWD. I should have also stated, since it wasn't clear, I'm not looking for a new car. My limit on age would probably be around 8 or 9 years old!

Thanks again,

Chris

[paul450]

cjno1 said:

Thanks for the welcome :-D

Emm, in order of preference would be 4WD, RWD, then FWD. I should have also stated, since it wasn't clear, I'm not looking for a new car. My limit on age would probably be around 8 or 9 years old!

Thanks again,

Chris

4wd with comfort you are looking at an audi s3 or s4

something like these two , not sure what the insurance would be like
just try a quick quote online.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1497654.htm

and

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1444085.htm

Edited by paul450 on Sunday 14th February 12:37

Edited by paul450 on Sunday 14th February 12:37

[kmm]

Hi Chris,

Lots of really nice cars for up to 10k, but as you pointed out the insurance could be the sore point.

If you don't do a lot of miles and don't care about mpg then there will be loads of cars to choose from. You might find some higher insurance group cars might be reasonable to insure. A sabb turbo or an M3 might be cheaper to insure than a Civic tyre R. I think it depends on how many drivers in your age group make claims on specific cars. I could be talking bull, but someone who works in the insurance market could clarify this. I'd choose a few cars, then go on to one of the comparison sites and check insurance. The cars that fall under your limit you can then look more in to/test drive etc.

Go in to classifieds and browse through various makes, then you can always ask fellow p/headers what they think based on ownership or experience.

Hope this help and good luck.
Kenny.

[paul450]

kmm said:

Hi Chris,

Lots of really nice cars for up to 10k, but as you pointed out the insurance could be the sore point.

If you don't do a lot of miles and don't care about mpg then there will be loads of cars to choose from. You might find some higher insurance group cars might be reasonable to insure. A sabb turbo or an M3 might be cheaper to insure than a Civic tyre R. I think it depends on how many drivers in your age group make claims on specific cars. I could be talking bull, but someone who works in the insurance market could clarify this. I'd choose a few cars, then go on to one of the comparison sites and check insurance. The cars that fall under your limit you can then look more in to/test drive etc.

Go in to classifieds and browse through various makes, then you can always ask fellow p/headers what they think based on ownership or experience.

Hope this help and good luck.
Kenny.

kenny just take him for a passenger ride in yours

[cjno1]

Thanks very much for the quick replies. Those audis look like exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, and an insurance quote for me on the S3 came in at £1,230! But I will also take kmm's advice and have a look through the classifieds for anything that jumps out at me before I go ahead and start making calls.

If anyone does have a 2000-2004 S3 or S4 maybe they could share their joy and let me know the good/bad points about ownership?

I appreciate the help, keep the ideas coming!

[paul450]

trust me the more you look the more cars you will find

as kenny said lots to choose from

fwd: astra vxr, focus st, saab9-3 aero, honda ctr, seat leon cupra etc
rwd: bmw 330ci,bmw330d, nissan350z, vx vx220 (no comfort) etc

Edited by paul450 on Sunday 14th February 12:54

[slipstream 1985]

obviously at 22 your moe sensible than a 17 year old but arnt some of these cars a little quick as a first car?

[Stevenj214]

slipstream 1985 said:

obviously at 22 your moe sensible than a 17 year old but arnt some of these cars a little quick as a first car?

I'd say any car is too quick for someone who will drive irresponsibly but any car is safe for someone who will drive responsibly.

[SXi Lad]

First car? tbh, id recommend getting something a little less powerful and work your way up. Something like a Citreon C2 VTS or something like that.

[Easty-5]

There is no such thing as too fast a car for a first car. At the end of the day it comes down to how responsible the driver of the car is. Any car can be driven at a speed which could be considered as dangerous for the conditions.

My older brother got his Evo XI MR FQ360 as his first car. He has had it over 6 months now and has had no accidents, no near calls (which he was responsible for) and no tellings off from the boys in blue, touch wood.

It is all down to the mentallity of the driver IMO.

[cjno1]

Maybe I should clarify! Whilst this will be my first car, I have been driving regularly since I got my license at 17. I drove my parents car then had company cars through a job in an insurance company. All of the cars i have ever driven have been 2L+ which is why I want to get a 'fast' car, not because I want to race but because it is what I have become used to, and anything less just feels slow.

I agree that the 'average' first car should be something more conservative, because in reality younger drivers are not as safe, but that doesn't mean that everyone who's first car is quick will crash it.

[a11y_m]

How many seats do you need? Something like the 330Ci if you need 4 seats, or a 3.0i Z4 (same engine) if you only need the 2. Fun cars, lots of toys and comfort, decent bit of speed while not being daft. Quality feel about them too. Not that I'm biased in any way...

[OlberJ]

Comfort and fast? Buy yourself a TVR.

[paul450]

OlberJ said:

Comfort and fast? Buy yourself a TVR.

true, he didn't say it had to be reliable

[slipstream 1985]

cjno1 said:

Maybe I should clarify! Whilst this will be my first car, I have been driving regularly since I got my license at 17. I drove my parents car then had company cars through a job in an insurance company. All of the cars i have ever driven have been 2L+ which is why I want to get a 'fast' car, not because I want to race but because it is what I have become used to, and anything less just feels slow.

I agree that the 'average' first car should be something more conservative, because in reality younger drivers are not as safe, but that doesn't mean that everyone who's first car is quick will crash it.

my mistake, in that case get a tvr or a holden!!

[cjno1]

haha great idea, but I think picking up a TVR for under 10k which would make it past the weekend would be impressive! In terms of number of seats, I don't really care as long as I can get my golf clubs in (cue the groans)

[SXi Lad]

Lotus Elise?