What car 5k, fun/quick, room for MTB & reasonable economy

[digger_R]

I want to change my car this week as I'll be working again in the next week or two so probably won't have much time to hunt around afterwards.

I have an e39 528 (2000) that I will px (or alternatively will px my dads Merc C200 auto (1999)
Budget is up to 5k, assuming up to 2k for px'ing mine.

Ideally it should be something
-chuckable through the twisty stuff, LSD would be a massive plus point
-maybe with room to get a mountain bike in the back (not essential though)
-capable of giving decent mpg at motorway speed (ideally with cruise control)
-leather/recaros a bonus
-has to be reasonably reliable (to me that usually means jap/german) though other ideas welcome

There is absolutely nothing that catches my eye looking around the classifieds, all the generic euroboxes leave me feeling cold, so what should I be looking at.
Examples of cars in the classifieds would be great too!


cheers

[ewenm]

If you like the 528 why not a BMW estate?

[oOTomOo]

Seat Leon...?

[patmahe]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1880217.htm

You could do a lot worse than one of these.

[300bhp/ton]

digger_R said:

I want to change my car this week as I'll be working again in the next week or two so probably won't have much time to hunt around afterwards.

I have an e39 528 (2000) that I will px (or alternatively will px my dads Merc C200 auto (1999)
Budget is up to 5k, assuming up to 2k for px'ing mine.

Ideally it should be something
-chuckable through the twisty stuff, LSD would be a massive plus point
-maybe with room to get a mountain bike in the back (not essential though)
-capable of giving decent mpg at motorway speed (ideally with cruise control)
-leather/recaros a bonus
-has to be reasonably reliable (to me that usually means jap/german) though other ideas welcome

There is absolutely nothing that catches my eye looking around the classifieds, all the generic euroboxes leave me feeling cold, so what should I be looking at.
Examples of cars in the classifieds would be great too!


cheers

What is reasonable mpg?? 22-25 or 45-50??

I'd say get a bike rack, will give you far more choice.


Some ideas:


-DC2 ITR
-early R53 MINI CS
-MX-5 and turbo/supercharger
-Camaro (yes, because I have one... )
-Modded Defender (very different, but a lot of fun)
-Accord Type R
-TVR Wedge V8
-Lotus Excel
-BMW e36 M3

[TomS146]

This screams DC2 Integra to me, although that may be because I want to get one this month!

[digger_R]

300bhp/ton said:

What is reasonable mpg?? 22-25 or 45-50??

I'd say get a bike rack, will give you far more choice.


Some ideas:


-DC2 ITR
-early R53 MINI CS
-MX-5 and turbo/supercharger
-Camaro (yes, because I have one... )
-Modded Defender (very different, but a lot of fun)
-Accord Type R
-TVR Wedge V8
-Lotus Excel
-BMW e36 M3

reasonable mpg is round town, 528 struggles to get more that 25mpg

Had a DC2 before this only changed as the valve stem seals finally gave up on the autobahn a couple of years ago.
That car did make my ears bleed on the autobahn though, ITG maxogen, decat and tanabe SMR didn't really help that though.

Maybe a DC5 ??

I also have a tow bar mounted bike rack (I use it on the 528)
E36 doesn't do it for me but can you fit a tow bar to an E46 M3?

I could happily consider an Accord Type R too, a charged MX5 sounds like fun too (any ideas of a realistic price for one that won't go pop?

[anonymous-user]

This is a good place for info. http://www.itr-dc2.com/forum/

25-32MPG, lots of room, handle well. They are pretty raw on the motorway but just about bearable if you keep them above 80.

Clutches will be dead by 60K so if it hasn't had one budget accordingly. Look for rust on the arches and most will need the dampers and bushes replacing to bring them upto scratch.

Go for it.

[300bhp/ton]

digger_R said:

300bhp/ton said:

What is reasonable mpg?? 22-25 or 45-50??

I'd say get a bike rack, will give you far more choice.


Some ideas:


-DC2 ITR
-early R53 MINI CS
-MX-5 and turbo/supercharger
-Camaro (yes, because I have one... )
-Modded Defender (very different, but a lot of fun)
-Accord Type R
-TVR Wedge V8
-Lotus Excel
-BMW e36 M3

reasonable mpg is round town, 528 struggles to get more that 25mpg

Had a DC2 before this only changed as the valve stem seals finally gave up on the autobahn a couple of years ago.
That car did make my ears bleed on the autobahn though, ITG maxogen, decat and tanabe SMR didn't really help that though.

Maybe a DC5 ??

I also have a tow bar mounted bike rack (I use it on the 528)
E36 doesn't do it for me but can you fit a tow bar to an E46 M3?

I could happily consider an Accord Type R too, a charged MX5 sounds like fun too (any ideas of a realistic price for one that won't go pop?

Couple of points. DC5's and e46 M3's are not £5k cars. Also I think most things that are fast/fun will struggle to do much more than 25mpg unless they are very small lightweight cars.

MX-5's with FI are available for your budget, but you'll have to hunt for one.

[digger_R]

300bhp/ton said:

Couple of points. DC5's and e46 M3's are not £5k cars. Also I think most things that are fast/fun will struggle to do much more than 25mpg unless they are very small lightweight cars.

MX-5's with FI are available for your budget, but you'll have to hunt for one.

would an extra 3-4k get me a DC5/E46 M3 that is not a complete dog?
I'm assuming the MX5 will be fairly solid at that price point too?

[300bhp/ton]

digger_R said:

would an extra 3-4k get me a DC5/E46 M3 that is not a complete dog?
I'm assuming the MX5 will be fairly solid at that price point too?

I've seen DC5's for £9-12k. Don't know about e46 M3's, I've never looked.

MX-5 is an oddball one IMO. Prices range from £1k for early models, so they can lose money. But a tidy FI one will likely retain better value.

I'd buy on spec and condition not model or age though. Not point over paying.

[ad551]

Celica 190? Quite similar but a bit softer than your old DC2...

E46 M3s are waaay over £5k but you could probably get a 325/8 or maybe even a very early 330 for this price...

[Thudd]

Breadvan Civic Type-R?

I doubt you'll get a bike in an MX5!

[andye30m3]

I know they're french but Megane 225's look like good value at the moment, 2 friends have had them with no problems at I can think of.

[djt100]

Friend has a Alfa GT , easily fits the bike in the back with the seat down, it's the diesel so mpg is ok too.

[dave328]

Thudd said:

Breadvan Civic Type-R?

I doubt you'll get a bike in an MX5!

Was going to suggest this too.

[300bhp/ton]

Thudd said:

Breadvan Civic Type-R?

I doubt you'll get a bike in an MX5!

Bike rack

[aka_kerrly]

300bhp/ton said:

Thudd said:

Breadvan Civic Type-R?

I doubt you'll get a bike in an MX5!

Bike rack

Can you get a bike rack that allows you to fit 2 bikes on the back of a mx5? i have only ever seen single racks.

+ if it were me id rather have the bike INSIDE as it means i can leave the bike in the car overnight rather than having to take it indoors all the time.

Leon Cupra R would do the job nicely

[300bhp/ton]

aka_kerrly said:

300bhp/ton said:

Thudd said:

Breadvan Civic Type-R?

I doubt you'll get a bike in an MX5!

Bike rack

Can you get a bike rack that allows you to fit 2 bikes on the back of a mx5? i have only ever seen single racks.

+ if it were me id rather have the bike INSIDE as it means i can leave the bike in the car overnight rather than having to take it indoors all the time.

Leon Cupra R would do the job nicely

I don't see why you can't get one. We had one that fitted on the MGF's and carried 2 bikes with ease.

As for leaving it, well it all comes down to a compromise on what is more important and likely. But only the OP can answer that.

[Chris71]

300bhp/ton said:

-TVR Wedge V8
-Lotus Excel

I doubt you'd get a bike in either. Trust me, I've been there and thought about it!

I'd say learn to love lift off and get a Corrado VR6 (bit of a cruiser, but good on the motorway) or Integra (bit of a screamer, but a true legend); do some mechanical mods on a 328 Touring to create a bit of a Q-car; or get a 200SX - you can just fit an MTB frame (minus wheels) in the boot of the later ones or the early ones have folding seats which should make it a doddle.