£3000 - £4000 Budget and out of ideas

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Hi All ,

As above budget. Have a few ideas in mind but not entirely sure which way to go, if any.

I had an Audi S3 in mind but I have had one before and it didn't really do it for me! Maybe it was a bad one I honestly don't know.

Then I was thinking along the barge route and noticed S Class Mercs, but I think that they could be utterly ruinous at this money? Suspension faults seem to be the cars downfall! Although I do know a Merc tech quite well and he seems to be rather knowledgeable about them.

So I am open to suggestions!

Doesn't have to be frugal, doesn't need more than 2 seats really as 2nd car and insurance shouldn't be too much of a problem as I was only paying £650 for my E46 M3. Although I have always hankered after a convertible I am really not suited to one (READ Ugly, Fair haired, Fair skinned Bastid)

So I open it up to you chaps!

Thanks in Advance.

PS Budget can be stretched for the right car and I am looking for a car that will be an experience or an event every time I get in it. I also will not be reliant on this car for getting to/from work.

Edited by Foxtrot Oscar on Saturday 25th September 09:07

[badger_royale]

I'm biased of course but maybe an Alfa GTV V6? You could get a very good one with your budget.

They are FWD, which puts some off, but handle very well none the less. Seats are a bit rubbish but you can forget that when you open up the V6 and hear the noise! Mine's also been 100% reliable, and not cost a massive amount to maintain. Values seem to have bottomed out for good examples (you can still get £1000 snotters), so it may be a good time to buy.

[chrisispringles]

If an S-class takes your fancy I suggest you look at a W140, a £3-4k W220 will be an absolue money pit, but a W140 in that budget will be pretty decent.

W140 Mercedes S500: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1511985.htm

C140 Mercedes CL500: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1368370.htm


E36 BMW M3: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2099551.htm (Bit of a punt at this price, but would be a laugh)

E34 BMW M5: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1865879.htm (As above)

BMW 645CSi: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2087202.htm

BMW 750iL: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2081928.htm

BMW 850Ci: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2072644.htm

Ford Sierra Saphire Cosworth: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2084293.htm

Jaguar XJS V12: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2071832.htm

Jaguar XJR: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2052065.htm

Nissan 300ZX: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2012070.htm

Nissan 180sx w/SR20 engine: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2049408.htm

Nissan Skyline R32: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1873291.htm

Porsche 944 turbo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2094254.htm

Porsche 928: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2087232.htm

Subaru Impreza WRX STi: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1692699.htm

Toyota Supra: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2099066.htm

VW Corrado VR6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2015353.htm

[Stu R]

E38 7 series. I'm convinced there's no better car in that price range.

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Hmmm....... Now I seem to be even worse off!!

Thanks for the input so far.

I like the look of the Alfa but I have had a 156 2.5 V6 so I think I may have had my Alfa days. Good shout though.

Re the others
The only ones that really appealed were the XJR, moneypit again? The M3 looked a good buy, but I can't help thinking it screams chav/barryboy?

The 300ZX looked an amazing bit of kit, but a little dated?

There were a few others that looked ok but perhaps not for me and I might be on my own but I don't like the E38 7's.

Sorry.

Thanks for the many suggestions though.

[300bhp/ton]

Foxtrot Oscar said:

I am looking for a car that will be an experience or an event every time I get in it.

Edited by Foxtrot Oscar on Saturday 25th September 09:07

Foxtrot Oscar said:

I had an Audi S3 in mind but

[cheadle hulme]

If you like the S class and hanker after a convertible, then why not an SL?

R129s are within your budget, hewn from solid granite.

[chrisispringles]

I wouldn't say an E36 M3 screams chavmobile at all. If it was a 316/318i coupe with an M3 bodykit and alloys on it then it would scream chavmobile. The XJR could become a moneypit, but frankly any fast car for less than £5k could. You just have to buy carefully and not rush it.

[300bhp/ton]

chrisispringles said:

I wouldn't say an E36 M3 screams chavmobile at all. If it was a 316/318i coupe with an M3 bodykit and alloys on it then it would scream chavmobile.

Yeah because most people (including car enthusiasts) can so easily tell them apart.... lol

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Sort of my point 300, they are value for money though!! Next problem 3.0 or 3.2 evo? I know about the vanos thing but are they that bad? 286 bhp or 321? Do they make claimed figures especially after circa 100k miles?

Things to look out for? Surely good history a must on these? What's servicing like as e46 was horrific for inspection 1 and 2? Buy on condition I guess?

[vit4]

chrisispringles said:

Ford Sierra Saphire Cosworth: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2084293.htm

I'd bet on that being fitting; plus, if after x months you're bored of it you wouldn't lose any money, and after a bit longer could probably even make a bit. That'd be my choice anyway, although I am a bit biased

[Legacywr]

Subaru B4 RSK?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1971409.htm

[speedtwelve]

If you want to have brisk, 2-seat fun, yet not drive something with 5 doors that weighs and handles the same as the Middlesbrough transporter bridge then MR2 Turbo, or forced-induction Mk1 MX5 will provide suitable entertainment.

Corrado VR6 is also a good shout. Had one for years, excellent car.

[G-Lader]

Legacywr said:

Subaru B4 RSK?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1971409.htm

This..

[Foxtrot Oscar]

G-Lader said:

Legacywr said:

Subaru B4 RSK?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1971409.htm

This..

Good shout. What are they like to live with though? And with a slush box? hmmm comfy cruiser and animal when unleashed?

[Platinum]

300bhp/ton said:

Foxtrot Oscar said:

I am looking for a car that will be an experience or an event every time I get in it.

Edited by Foxtrot Oscar on Saturday 25th September 09:07

Foxtrot Oscar said:

I had an Audi S3 in mind but

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1821636.htm

Okay, the interior is not very special; but the drive is always an event!

There is something really special that I can't pinpoint.

Edited by Platinum on Sunday 26th September 10:40

[Sline]

No doubt Ford Racing Puma, I use mine everyday and love it to bits. Its a special car to drive im not to sure what the racing division have done with the steering but the turn in is awesome as are the brakes which more than make up for the lack of power.

My problem was driving the Tuscan at the weekend then jumping into my boring saab on a monday made me hate it so something a bit different was needed that i could also do the odd track day in.

I also think they are at their lowest now and cant see then getting any cheaper, a future classic for sure.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1960558.htm

Sam

Edited by Sline on Sunday 26th September 13:04

[Legacywr]

Foxtrot Oscar said:

G-Lader said:

Legacywr said:

Subaru B4 RSK?

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1971409.htm

This..

Good shout. What are they like to live with though? And with a slush box? hmmm comfy cruiser and animal when unleashed?

I had one for four years and loved it. In fact I replaced it with the next version of the Legacy turbo, which I have had for the last 3 years, and I'm still not itching to replace it! The fuel consumption isn't very good, around 20 mpg!! there is a bit of a flat spot where it changes turbos but I had a manual but I assume that you wouldn't notice in an auto as it will just change down?

Fantastic and overlooked cars!!