Tentative What Car thread - GT type car - £2.5k

[pbirkett]

I'm currently getting the usual itchy feet syndrome about my car.

I'm currently driving an Eunos RS-Ltd, which is a really fun car, but I'm starting to feel like I want to move on.

These days, I don't do so much B-road blasting as I used to, and am more likely these days to be seen pounding down sweeping A-roads or going down the motorway. I also tend to do a fair bit of town driving now.

I am yearning for something with a bit more comfort, but I still want something that is an enjoyable drivers car.

I think I'd like to rule out hot hatches - they don't have the kind of image I want, and frankly, I've done hot hatches to death.

So, my requirements are thus:-

• More comfort and refinement (than the Eunos)
• Torque - the more the better
• Reliability is a must - I don't want something that could bankrupt me at an instant.
• Handling - I could simply not put up with something that didn't handle after the Eunos; I'm not expecting it to handle like that, but it should still have fun, accomplished handling.
• Driving position must be good - I loathe cars that feel as though your sitting on it rather than in it; cars where everything seem to envelope you are desirable to me.
• Something that could potentially give me half decent fuel economy on a run.

Also desirable attributes could be (but are not absolutely essential):-

• A sunroof or convertible would be nice - I do still like that open feeling
• More than 4 cylinders would be nice, but not essential
• RWD would be preferred if possible, but I wouldn't rule a FWD car out as long as it was an entertaining steer - I'm not one of these folks who think you cant have fun unless its RWD.
• Genuine performance - the faster the better as far as I'm concerned, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the fastest thing on the road as long as its nice to drive.
• Road presence - I've always liked my cars to look imposing.

Car should cost no more than £2.5K max - I could maybe stretch to a teeny bit more depending on how much I could get for my Eunos, if I decide to go ahead with it.

So, stuff I am considering, and would like feedback on would be...

• Alfa 156 V6 (could be unreliable? And expensive to run? Addictive engine noise)
• Alfa Spider (again, could be unreliable?)
• Alfa GTV V6 (thirsty, expensive to run? Glorious looks and engine noise)

• Audi Coupe (like the look of these, good engines, but could be a money pit?)

• BMW E36 328i (possibly might be ropey for this money?)
• BMW Z3 2.8 (I'm amazed at how cheap these are now, but possibly ropey?)
• BMW E39 5-series of some description (would have to be manual, though - not ready for retirement just yet)

• Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo (very fast, decent looking, but potentially scary running costs?)

• Honda Prelude (would have to be 200+ bhp, but nice looking, comfy, handle OK?)
• Honda Accord Type-R (might be dogs for the price, possibly too highly strung for what I'm looking for)
• Honda Integra Type-R (probably a bit tired for this price, and I've been there, done that, not what I'm looking for now)

• Hyundai Coupe Mk3 V6 (nice looking, but somewhat boring to drive, not particularly fast, thirsty and potentially horrific road tax)

• Lexus IS 200 (too slow, too many barried up ones, not many manuals)
• Lexus Soarer (intriguing, but possibly jaw dropping running costs? And could be a nightmare to sell on if I didnt like!)

• MG ZS 180 (reliability issues? Expensive road tax?)

• Mitsubishi Evo I / II (exciting, but eye watering running costs?)
• Mitsubishi FTO Mivec V6 Manual (rare, potentially OK to drive, underrated? Not much torque? Sweet engine? Lives in the ITRs shadow?)

• Nissan 200 SX S14a (like the look of these, RWD, quick, comfy, but are they reliable?)

• Peugeot 406 Coupe V6 (pretty anonymous, not very exciting? Low rent interior)

• Porsche 944 (I'd ideally like an S2 but it'd probably be out of budget? Potentially a scary money pit, but fulfills the role of "bigger and more comfy MX5?")

• Saab 900 Turbo (An interesting car I know very little about, would consider it for sure)
• Saab 9000 Aero (This would make quite the sleeper - again, I dont know much about)

• Skoda Octavia vRS (Too much like a taxi? Quick though)

• Toyota MR2 Mk2 (I'd really like a Turbo Rev3+ but I doubt £2500 would stretch to a good one, and perhaps the NA model lacks performance in what is a heavy car. Love the looks though)
• Toyota Supra 3.0 NA (Again maybe not quick enough, looks quicker than it really is, too many are autos and I'd be really lucky to find one within budget)
• Toyota Celica GT4 (Probably be an early one with the pop up lights, dont know much about these TBH)

• VW Corrado VR6 (Possibly would be lucky to find one within budget? Possibly too much like a hot hatch? But can forgive it for being a V6)

• Volvo 850 T5 (Possibly a little "old man", high running costs? Poor handling? Quick though, and a nice 5-pot engine)

Anyone who has owned any of the above I'd like to hear from. And if I've missed anything out that I should consider, then I'll be interested to hear about it...

[Opengate]

Silvia S13 or S14.

[pbirkett]

Opengate said:

Silvia S13 or S14.

Prefer the S14a to either, mainly for looks... well actually, the S13 is a very nice looking car, but most will be rotten or chavved up by now?

[andy43]

I'd stretch another £200 for this
E36 M3 for £notverymuchatall.

[ManOpener]

andy43 said:

I'd stretch another £200 for this
E36 M3 for £notverymuchatall.

Why does that have non-M3 rear lights?

-EDIT-

Or did non-Evo M3's have the same lights as the standard 3-series?

Edited by ManOpener on Saturday 14th August 12:35

[Kawasicki]

My first choice from your list would be a nice BMW 528i E39. They handle really well and are pretty quick, I seem to remember the 528i was around as quick as an Escort Cosworth to 100mph. The Z3 shouldn't be overlooked either, I've driven only the 1.9l version and the M coupe. Both were great fun, the 1.9l was much better than I expected.

Also I owned a 944 for a couple of years and I loved it. It was a turbo se and I reckon it would still feel competitive today against the nissan 370Z and the like.

[EDLT]

Jaaaaaaaag?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1826929.htm

Reliability was better by the time that one was made, and you didn't mention fuel consumption.

[Vidal Baboon]

andy43 said:

I'd stretch another £200 for this
E36 M3 for £notverymuchatall.

If you can stretch to it, or are quite good at negotiating I'd go with that.

RWD check
280bhp straight 6 check
LSD check
Manual check

Everything else is a bonus.

[pbirkett]

E36 M3 - I did think about this, but when I looked, even 328is were going for more than £2.5k usually, which led me to discount the M3 on the basis that I didnt think there would be any for that price, and if they were, then they might end up being dogs. M-division parts prices scare me a little too, or are we saying that really they dont cost any more to run than a 328i ?

The Jag - nice... but a 4.0 V8 is probably going to be a little juicy for me - to be fair I did mention needing something that could potentially do half decent fuel economy

Anyone got any further comment on the 528i ? Are they fun to drive? I always assumed that the 2.8 in that car might not make it feel that quick as they are pretty big and heavy, I assumed I may have to stretch to a 530i (or d). The 535 or 540 would be nice but again I suspect a little harsh on the drink.

[K321]

volvo c70 t5

[AndySpecD]

K321 said:

volvo c70 t5

Good choice. Certainly would be a good car for the roads mentioned, pretty reliable (engine really bomb-proof), 300bhp+ with a remap on the T5.

I would go for this over any of the old Hondas, BMWs, Alfas etc.

[AndySpecD]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1913984.htm

Certainly looks an impressive car for the money. Only problem is founding one with sensible mileage and a manual.

[Vidal Baboon]

pbirkett said:

E36 M3 - I did think about this, but when I looked, even 328is were going for more than £2.5k usually, which led me to discount the M3 on the basis that I didnt think there would be any for that price, and if they were, then they might end up being dogs. M-division parts prices scare me a little too, or are we saying that really they dont cost any more to run than a 328i ?

Would you buy any parts for a car of that age from the Main Dealer if you could get them cheaper through a Motorfactor?

I'm guessing all parts bar specific items like engine components & drivetrain could be sourced via either MFs. even then Specialist stockists/breakers- we use FAB Direct who are very prompt can come up trumps on specialist items.

At the end of the day, i'm guessing it would be a cheaper secondhand buy in the long term than the FIAT Coupe 20VT. Most people decide to ditch when either they need Cambelt/Clutch/Manifold/Oil Cooler & Pipes. Sometimes one of those needs doing, mostly a combination of at least 2- all of which will run into the hundreds.

IIRC- & i'm only going by what I've read on the web & my mate who owns a bargain LHD e36 M3 that the rear subframe bushes are the only thing to look out for- bar the usual suspects (smoking/drivetrain whines & knocks) as per any high powered car.

Edited by Vidal Baboon on Saturday 14th August 13:42

[K321]

bmws- too common and shabby at that price
alfas- dont bother at that price
volvo c70 t5- you can pick up a good one for 2.5k,. shape is still modern, good sound sytem inside, fast, comfy, sunroof, 5 cylinder.

[pbirkett]

OK I'll add that volvo to my list... I do appreciate a good sound system in a car too so thats a positive!

Any comments about the Saabs I mentioned?

Edited by pbirkett on Saturday 14th August 14:09

[nogsk]

Well, I had a similar problem, losing my company car next month.
My requirements slightly different as I had to have 4 doors, big boot for fishing kit, leather and air, comfort and sounds.
I found a nice 535i E39 for that money, had to look at a few, but there are some nice ones around.
Drives very nice, has M suspension, sports seats and a few extras, goes well too and sounds nice.
Really compares well with the 2 year old A6 I have for ride quality. I went auto with steptronic on the BM, but it's so torque manual isn't that necessary.
However, remember that anything you buy at that money is bound to need something doing, so budget for that.
Having bought mine as daily hack I found myself in a body shop 'tidying up' a few bits, can't help myself! Now looking at lights from an M5 for an updated look, it's like a disease!

[pbirkett]

I've just discovered that V6 converted MR2s are going for an affordable price, so I think my mind is made up!

[taldo]

slightly off topic, but correct me if im wrong, i think the jag mentioned above is an x300, and not an x308. therefore its a straight six rather than a v8 as advertised? unless they started putting the v8's in the '300 earlier than i thought?

[otolith]

Opengate said:

Silvia S13 or S14.

I can see why you would buy one as a track slag or for drifting, but I've not seen one good enough to be a daily driver for ages - they all look like council estate pool cars. And he fancied more than four cylinders.

[Ephraim]

My '87 944 is about to go on the Market and I'll be looking for about 2.5k. It's not an S2 and is a bit leggy, but has had all the major bits and pieces done (sills, belts, pump, etc). Full years MOT on it too. We used to own a mk2 mx5 and I think that the 944 would offer the upgrade you're after.