Sort of what car query....

Sort of what car query....

Author
Discussion

Z28fan

Original Poster:

148 posts

171 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
well I'm already at that stage again and am looking for something "interesting" (of course interesting is open to debate). Budget is 3.5 MAX and not one penny more wink Other requirements are a reasonable turn of speed, decent(ish) MPGs, history would be a major plus, comfortable for long distaces (thinking about a 2500/3000 mile Euro driving holiday later this year), not interested in convertibles. A major thing is (if possible!!) low revving (running an SS Camaro which turns about 2500rpm which is soooo nice... also currently running an MG ZT 190+ which is turning 4000rpm @ 85/90 which drives me insane on even shortish journeys, no Honda VTECs for me lol wink)

As far as interesting goes I like coupes rather than sports cars so the inimitable MX5 is out (besides my kid sister has one). I have a pathological dislike of virtually all BMs the only even remotely affordable exceptions are 8 series and 6 series (original) and so (scared stless of the money-pit 8s and too old 6s) the obvious choices are out. I liked the looks of the 2000 CLK but the quality issues that MB had at that point togther with (potential for) eyewatering repair maintenance costs put me right off that idea. I wouldn't have minded an RX8 but price-range wise I suspect that it would be a little "tired", and fuel consumption would be a worry. As I'll be having to sell my beloved 2000 SS Camaro in the next few months <sob> I'm not interested in any Yanks. Thought about a GTV but at a 'gigantic' 5'9" my head was brushing the sunroof (WTF???) and over-all it seemed a little small

My thoughts at this stage are:

C70 2.4t GT
<shudder> Hyundai Coupe
SAAB 9-5 Aero
Nissan 200SX S14a (potentially a little too F&F for my tastes)

Any other suggestions or "you've gotta be fking kidding" comments and why, rather than just the normal keyboard warrior "they're st" moments......

Edited by Z28fan on Saturday 8th January 00:23


Edited by Z28fan on Saturday 8th January 00:24


Edited by Z28fan on Saturday 8th January 00:34

MX7

7,902 posts

175 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
C70 makes sense.

kiethton

13,926 posts

181 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
porsche 944???

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

210 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
What are the prices like on Nassan 300ZXs? Hammond had a dodgy one on the series a couple of years back so I'd assume a nice one can be done for 3.5.

Z28fan

Original Poster:

148 posts

171 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
I must admit that I did consider the 300ZX love the idea of a big bruising cruiser (pretty much a given my love of my SS) but I have to say that the interior (to me) looks a litte dated and gloomy/plasticy plus there's the added problem of a lot of them will have been barried up frown

rb5230

11,657 posts

173 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
3000gt?

Chris71

21,536 posts

243 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Nice 6 or 8-cylinder BMW of some description?

I'd also second the idea of a Hyundai coupe. A friend of mine had last generation the V6; it went quite well, looked nice and sounded fantastic (in the context of its price and practicality).

rb5230

11,657 posts

173 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
Nice 6 or 8-cylinder BMW of some description?
did you not read the op`s 1st post?

Tuvra

7,921 posts

226 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Jaguar XJS
Lexus Soarer?

Tuvra

7,921 posts

226 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Jaguar XJS
Lexus Soarer?

varsas

4,014 posts

203 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
Nice 6 or 8-cylinder BMW of some description?
E46 330Ci or E36 328 were my first thoughts, but this:

OP said said:
pathological dislike of virtually all BMs
Says no, doesn't it?

Does it have to be a coupe? 4litre X308 XJ seems to fit the bill, except that it's a saloon and depending on your definition of reasonably economical. Other then that...AudiTT?

Cost Captain

3,917 posts

181 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
alfa GT?might get one in budget if your ok with high miles.

Tuvra

7,921 posts

226 months

Saturday 8th January 2011
quotequote all
Cost Captain said:
alfa GT?might get one in budget if your ok with high miles.
Despite loving Alfa's and owning one in the past, I wouldnt fancy going around europe in an old one!!

Z28fan

Original Poster:

148 posts

171 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
varsas said:
Does it have to be a coupe? 4litre X308 XJ seems to fit the bill, except that it's a saloon and depending on your definition of reasonably economical. Other then that...AudiTT?
doesn't have to be a coupe (though I'll admit I prefer!) suspect a Jaaaaag of that size might be a little too enthusiastic at drinking though... that being said I'd consider looking at an S-Type


Cost Captain said:
alfa GT?might get one in budget if your ok with high miles.
not got too much of an issue with high(ish) miles - condition and service history is more important.... that being said an Alfa with 140k would be a leap of faith too far to be honest

Efbe

9,251 posts

167 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
s14 isn't F&F tbh. a nicely done one looks very nice, and is a joy to drive.

i'd also second the coupe if performance isn't just what you're after. fast enough, and sounds great. really like the looks too, and there aren't many other excuses to buy koreansmile

varsas

4,014 posts

203 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
Z28fan said:
varsas said:
Does it have to be a coupe? 4litre X308 XJ seems to fit the bill, except that it's a saloon and depending on your definition of reasonably economical. Other then that...AudiTT?
doesn't have to be a coupe (though I'll admit I prefer!) suspect a Jaaaaag of that size might be a little too enthusiastic at drinking though... that being said I'd consider looking at an S-Type
25mpg on a good day, you'd have to really bank on low 20's.

S-types are very colour/wheel sensitive. Compare this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2310771.htm

with this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2250710.htm

I'm not particularly bothered by car colours but that top one is awful...it makes the interior look really cheap 'n' nasty. I've looked round a few, they seem alright. Never driven one though.

Edited by varsas on Sunday 9th January 15:51

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

164 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
Is a Ford Puma too small ? easily get a nice one for 3.5 or its big bro

the Cougar ,although i dont like them much spin

Z28fan

Original Poster:

148 posts

171 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
iva cosworth said:
Is a Ford Puma too small ? easily get a nice one for 3.5 or its big bro

the Cougar ,although i dont like them much spin
I suspect a Puma would suffer the same problems as the MG.... that is quite chuckable and fun but on a long drive the high revs (MG @ 90mph = 4k rpm) would drive me nuts. The Cougar while an interesting choice is I'm afraid a little too awkward looking for my tastes

CampDavid

9,145 posts

199 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
Mercedes CE? An E320 could be ideal

volvoforlife

724 posts

164 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
quotequote all
The C70 coupes are hard to come by now but there are some convertibles around in good condition. Even though they look well ahead of their time, they can be a bit rattly.

Vauxhall Monaro is a nice coupe. Also Vauxhall Astra coupe is quite nice.