M25 drive - but must have go when required?

[g7jhp]

OK I do 300 miles a week and spend a fair amount of time on the M25.

Having 2 kids under 3 I don't have time to enjoy a second car at the weekend, so I'm looking to move back to one car for work and fun.

We have a family hack so it doesn't have to do family duties.

What's the best car to do the daily and still offer fun when the opportunity arises?

I'll put a max of £35k?

[Dift]

I use my Honda Elise, but I'd imagine it's a very rare choice for motorway commutes.

35k... You'd have to give us more to go on... Mpg, style etc.

For me... My elise is great (once your strapped in), plus the dartford tunnel with the roof off in the morning is a great way to start your day!

[Rawwr]

What are your feelings on fuel consumption?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1453955.htm

[g7jhp]

Dift said:

I use my Honda Elise, but I'd imagine it's a very rare choice for motorway commutes.

35k... You'd have to give us more to go on... Mpg, style etc.

For me... My elise is great (once your strapped in), plus the dartford tunnel with the roof off in the morning is a great way to start your day!

OK so I've been doing the run in a 3.2 Carrera which does arounnd 23mpg.

Owned 911 x 3, Pug205 GTI x 2, Elise x 1, Caterham x 1, MX-5 x 1, Audi S3 x1

I prefer well built, performance and handling.

[g7jhp]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I spend 90% of the week driving myself and don't want to wreck the car as kid transport. Plus like to have something with style that holds it's value!

[Rawwr]

g7jhp said:

I spend 90% of the week driving myself and don't want to wreck the car as kid transport. Plus like to have something with style that holds it's value!

Meh, it's already lost six figures of its list

Besides, >600bhp and >700ft-lbs are interesting numbers.

[charliedaker]

+1 for the XKR

or what about...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1678831.htm

or...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1585770.htm

[rfn]

335i Salooon/Coupe/Touring?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1571794.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1656039.htm

M5: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1696551.htm
S5: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1658307.htm

[james_gt3rs]

996 Turbo.

[mat59]

RS4/6, M3/5/6, 911. loads of options out there.

[plg]

Audi S4 Avant (new one)

Edited by plg on Thursday 6th May 07:56

[HellDiver]

VXR8.

[The Wookie]

james_gt3rs said:

996 Turbo.

This is probably what I'd go for if I were looking for an enjoyable day to day car, but I can understand someone not fancying it.

Alternatively, you might just get a nice 993 Turbo for that money if you wanted a bit more 'personality'

[g7jhp]

OK so I've looked down the list and added a few comments against each car:

Audi S4 Avant (B8)
Think it's still new, so £££ to lose plus RS4 would be more special.

Audi RS4 Avant (B7)
Tried liked it but not sure if it was special enough. Also concerned over reliability (DRC etc)

Audi RS6 Avant (C5)
Lot of car for the £. Not sure if i could live with the MPG or reliability (DRC, gearbox etc). Loved in layer cake though

BMW 335i Coupe (E90)
Probably very capable but doesn't really get me excited. M3 would be more special.

BMW M3 (E90)
Hadn't really considered as the E46 left me a little flat (although I liked the E36). May have to have a closer look.

BMW M5 (E60)
Not sure if I could live with the MPG, but a lot of car for the £.

BMW M6
Similar thought to M5,but not sure the package adds anymore over the M5.

Jaguar XKR
Tried at Jonathan Palmer Experience, nice car, quite heavy and handling was a blunt due to weight, plus MPG.

Porsche 996 Turbo
Done the test drive, my current favourite. Not sure how it will cope with the M25 as a daily.

My other thoughts were:

Porsche Boxster/Cayman 3.4 S
Good MPG, fun. Only downside would be not that special as there are so many about.

Mercedes SL 500
Auto so good motorway car, cabriolet for sunny days. Not sure on handling and performance

Mercedes SL55
As above. Downsides would be MPG and reliability.

Keep those comments coming!

[frosted]

Is f ?

[sebhaque]

I'm probably going to get lambasted for this, but the Impreza is a fairly decent family car. The woman who owned mine before me used to use it as a daily hack to take the kids to school - it's got proper Isofix mounts in the back, and the doors are pillarless to make it easier to load children into the back. Plus, you'll be able to put the best RB320/WR1/whatever you fancy on your drive for under your budget, leaving the rest for petrol. The turbo does like to tear your face off so it's good fun when you're on your own.

RB320:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1668465.htm

WR1:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1690561.htm

I prefer the WR1 - looks, major price difference, and it's also a damn sight quicker - 4.2 seconds to 60 as opposed to 4.8 for the RB320.

Just a suggestion.

[g7jhp]

frosted said:

Is f ?

Not sure what this means?

[rfn]

g7jhp said:

frosted said:

Is f ?

Not sure what this means?

Lexus ISF:

[g7jhp]

Ah thanks certainly hadn't considered and ISF. Thanks.

[rfn]

g7jhp said:

Ah thanks certainly hadn't considered and ISF. Thanks.

Having driven one, they're certainly good fun to drive, but rarer than rocking horse poo!