Narrowing My Car Shortlist - £10k

[JakeS]

Hopefully in the next few months I will be changing my car due to a change of work. I will be doing about 60 mile round trip and my car just won't cut it. So I have a short list of possibilities.

Astra VXR - Seems to be the right balance of looks, rarity, speed and fun. But quite happy to sit on the motorway.

BMW 325 Ci - Looks Ok, Reliable and safe. Just a bit... boring.

Audi S3 Quattro - Similar to the BM

MX5 - Although a PH staple I have always wanted one and will have one at somepoint, Just not sure it is so suitable for motorways.

RX7 - The Dream Car, but using it as a daily driver... maybe not which means I will need a £2k shed for commuting and also means 2 lots of insurance/tax/fuel not ideal but still needs considering. And then there is actually insuring the 7.

Nissan 350Z - I don't really know a great deal. I like there looks, will be reliable but insurance is the issue.

I shall be 21 so the insurance on the VXR, BMW, Audi & MX5 are all around the same mark £900 - £1300 which is fine. The last two are more of a dream.

Am I missing anything else and what would you go for? I am leaning towards the VXR.

Thanks!

Jake

[300bhp/ton]

Jake, this is only my take on this.

But if you could get a 350z, why the smeg is the Astra even on the list??

It’s a dull FWD rep mobil hatch. Ok it’s got a pokey engine. But it doesn’t look great, doesn’t drive great, isn’t much fun and in the world of fast cars not all that fast either. It’s not comfy, classy or cosseting.

Same goes for the Audi in many ways. Some might claim it has a better badge, but they would be wrong. And it’s still a rather dull car overall.

If you want comfort, buy something comfy like a Jag, Lexus or big Merc.

The BMW is ok, but why only a 325? If you don’t need to seats (and buy look of your other suggestions you don’t), why isn’t a Z3M or Z4 3.0i on your list?

The RX7 is pretty cool, but I suspect would require dedication to run 60 miles every day. They will like a drop of oil, huge amounts of petrol and are known to like an engine rebuild fairly regularly. However, if you think they are suitable, it does open up a wealth of alternatives.

MX-5 is a stable PH answer. They are fun and likeable. But if I’m honest they don’t and never have really done much for me. But still a good “fun” candidate, although motorways won’t be their best environment. And one would have to ask, if you have £10k, why buy an MX-5 over an Elise?

So from your list, I’d say 350z. But if you are looking at these I’d also have a gander at cars like these:
-Corvette C4
-Mustang Mach 1 or Cobra (DOHC 4.6 V8)
-BMW Z cars
-RX8, not as raw or fast as an RX7, but newer and I suspect more suited to 60 miles a day
-Elise
-Elan M100 Turbo
-VX220
-smart Roadster Brabus
-4th Gen Camaro z28 or SS
-Jaguar XK8/R
-Honda Integra Type R DC5
-Toyota Supra TT MKIV
-Nissan Skyline GT-R
-Subaru Impreza STI
-Mitsubishi Evo
-GTM Libra


EDIT: Just noticed your age and insurance. But my suggestions still stand.

If Insurance is an issue, kit and classic cars are probably the way to go, as insurance, while specialist, is generally a lot cheaper.

So something like a Wedge TVR, classic Triumph or MG with a modern motor in, would be a good bet. Or cars like the GTM and similar.

Seriously, why be practical and boring at only 21? There's plenty of time for that later on.

With regard to the Vauxhall, it's not that I don't like it. But it's so boring. I see it as the type of car you buy when you don't have the imagination to buy something more interesting.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 30th March 10:55

[Gizmo!]

I assume you don't need 4 seats if you're looking at a 350Z, so I'd be looking at a Z4 3.0 or a Boxster S - I don't like the image of the 350Z anyway.

Either will be very comfortable on the motorway and great fun on a B-road.

[papabear]

300bhp has it covered, may add S2000 to the list too.

[JakeS]

300bhp/ton said:

Really Useful stuff

Thanks for such a detailed answer! What a selection of cars you posted! The main issue with some of the cars you posted is actually me and my driving ability I know PH is full of people who say they are awesome drivers. But my current car has 75bhp on a good day and is obviously FWD. Jumping straight into a 270+ bhp RWD car is asking for me to kill myself, which is something I am trying to avoid!

The VXR is on there as well its FWD and hopefully be more natural for me to drive. Just did an insurance quote on the 350 and it comes back at £1200 Happy with that! will cost a fair bit in petrol and I would have to show it some massive respect to go with any car I choose next!

You posted a lot of Jap stuff which I seemed to completely forget about So I will definitely look into that!

Gizmo - The thing is I don't like the image of the Boxster S. Personal choice I guess, but will look at the Z's and also the S2000.

[300bhp/ton]

JakeS said:

300bhp/ton said:

Really Useful stuff

Thanks for such a detailed answer! What a selection of cars you posted! The main issue with some of the cars you posted is actually me and my driving ability I know PH is full of people who say they are awesome drivers. But my current car has 75bhp on a good day and is obviously FWD. Jumping straight into a 270+ bhp RWD car is asking for me to kill myself, which is something I am trying to avoid!

The VXR is on there as well its FWD and hopefully be more natural for me to drive. Just did an insurance quote on the 350 and it comes back at £1200 Happy with that! will cost a fair bit in petrol and I would have to show it some massive respect to go with any car I choose next!

You posted a lot of Jap stuff which I seemed to completely forget about So I will definitely look into that!

Gizmo - The thing is I don't like the image of the Boxster S. Personal choice I guess, but will look at the Z's and also the S2000.

If driving ability is a worry I'd highly recommend some driver courses. They aren't that expensive. And would be a worthwhile investment.

Many years back I did a Road skills course at Silverstone Race circuit. Which did candence braking, skid pad, emergency high speed lane switching and other things.

I've also spent some time at the Silverstone Rally school learning the art of sideways action.

There are loads of great courses out there and training, so well worth a look.

Apart from that, just don't drive like a tosser and I'm sure you'll be fine

[excel monkey]

If you're considering an Astra VXR, how about a Mk5 Golf GTI?

Practical, reliable, OK on fuel, can take a thrashing when you're in the mood, can cruise when you want to take it easy.

[simonrockman]

I did 70 miles each way in a VX220 for a while. A lot of it motorway. Twas great.

Simon

[300bhp/ton]

excel monkey said:

If you're considering an Astra VXR, how about a Mk5 Golf GTI?

Practical, reliable, OK on fuel, can take a thrashing when you're in the mood, can cruise when you want to take it easy.

all true, but it is a bit like going from the boring to the outright dull

[JakeS]

300bhp/ton said:

excel monkey said:

If you're considering an Astra VXR, how about a Mk5 Golf GTI?

Practical, reliable, OK on fuel, can take a thrashing when you're in the mood, can cruise when you want to take it easy.

all true, but it is a bit like going from the boring to the outright dull

I don't really like the Golf's looks to be honest. They just seem a bit common and unexciting. I have been researching the 350z more and seems to be exactly what I'm after. A little thirsty but insurance and tax aren't too bad and reliability is good. Seem to be able to pick up a reasonably good example for £8-9k and I prefer the looks of it to the BMW's

[OnTheOverrun]

JakeS said:

Jumping straight into a 270+ bhp RWD car is asking for me to kill myself, which is something I am trying to avoid!

Don't worry, they have a clever throttle modulation device operated by your right foot which allows them to be driven at any speed you choose.

[JakeS]

OnTheOverrun said:

JakeS said:

Jumping straight into a 270+ bhp RWD car is asking for me to kill myself, which is something I am trying to avoid!

Don't worry, they have a clever throttle modulation device operated by your right foot which allows them to be driven at any speed you choose.

These Japanese come up with some great inventions. My car currently has a "Go" (albeit slowly) and "stop" pedal and not much in between!

[RobCrezz]

JakeS said:

300bhp/ton said:

Really Useful stuff

Thanks for such a detailed answer! What a selection of cars you posted! The main issue with some of the cars you posted is actually me and my driving ability I know PH is full of people who say they are awesome drivers. But my current car has 75bhp on a good day and is obviously FWD. Jumping straight into a 270+ bhp RWD car is asking for me to kill myself, which is something I am trying to avoid!

The VXR is on there as well its FWD and hopefully be more natural for me to drive. Just did an insurance quote on the 350 and it comes back at £1200 Happy with that! will cost a fair bit in petrol and I would have to show it some massive respect to go with any car I choose next!

You posted a lot of Jap stuff which I seemed to completely forget about So I will definitely look into that!

Gizmo - The thing is I don't like the image of the Boxster S. Personal choice I guess, but will look at the Z's and also the S2000.

Dont be such a pansy, you dont have to use all of the power right away! Plus its a good opportunity to get some driving training

You have a pretty good budget there to play with. I bought a 2002 Civic Type R a few weeks ago and it has been brilliant fun. Not as fast as some of my previous cars, but its very good fun to grab by the scruff and throw down a b-road. I bought mine for about half your budget, why not play with some cheaper cars and work your way up?

DC5 Integra was a good suggestion too.

Edited by RobCrezz on Tuesday 30th March 15:34

[Pulse]

JakeS said:

Hopefully in the next few months I will be changing my car due to a change of work. I will be doing about 60 mile round trip and my car just won't cut it. So I have a short list of possibilities.

Astra VXR - Seems to be the right balance of looks, rarity, speed and fun. But quite happy to sit on the motorway.

BMW 325 Ci - Looks Ok, Reliable and safe. Just a bit... boring.

Audi S3 Quattro - Similar to the BM

MX5 - Although a PH staple I have always wanted one and will have one at somepoint, Just not sure it is so suitable for motorways.

RX7 - The Dream Car, but using it as a daily driver... maybe not which means I will need a £2k shed for commuting and also means 2 lots of insurance/tax/fuel not ideal but still needs considering. And then there is actually insuring the 7.

Nissan 350Z - I don't really know a great deal. I like there looks, will be reliable but insurance is the issue.

I shall be 21 so the insurance on the VXR, BMW, Audi & MX5 are all around the same mark £900 - £1300 which is fine. The last two are more of a dream

Alright Jake! I'll go through your list with my opinions...

VXR - Ignore what others have said. Yes, it's not the best handling car out of the bunch, but I'm assuming it'll get you in the newest car out of the bunch. I've had 2, and really enjoyed both of them. The seats are fantastic, and it actually sounds quite good too. It'll be cheap to run, and the engine has been used for years and had no issues.

325ci - Lovely car, in sport trim. Don't buy an SE - they look awful. If you don't mind 5-door SE though, you can get the E90s for around that price now in 330i form. P.S. Don't bother with the 325ci; get the 330ci. Price difference is negligible, but the car is much better and more desirable when you come to sell. Interior is fantastic and has dated well. 6-cyl sound is fantastic!

S3 - Wouldn't interest me. Expensive hot hatch, and to me the VXR is much better. The S3 you'd get for the money would be far older.

MX5 - Fantastic choice, and 10k would get you into something extremely new! Mk3 2.0 Sport is the only one to consider in that price bracket. I'd still prefer the 330 coupe or the VXR though...

RX7 - No.

350z - Would sound and look fantastic! Don't know much about them, but that would be my choice of what you've mentioned. In fact, I was going to suggest a Z4, but I'm not that keen on it in convertible guise, and the coupe is way out of your price range. Thirsty though, so just make sure you're OK with the petrol costs. I think it'll be 10mpg worse than the VXR, quite easily.

I could suggest plenty of other cars too, but that's my thoughts on those.

P.S. If you're leaning towards the VXR because you're worried about changing to RWD and lots of power, don't be! You can easily get used to RWD! As someone else has said, you don't have to use all the power!