What to buy...and where to find it

[benjo83]

Hi all,

Ok, so its time to upgrade. Got £7k to play with and should have around £1500 toadd to that either from px(preferable) or private sale.

Question is, what shouldI get and where should I be getting it from? Any suggestions?

On the list at the moment are: 350z / Evo / R33 GT-R (pushing the budget a bit I know) / Integra DC5 / S2000 / Celica(Gen 6 or 7)
I know there's probably loads of models I havent thought about. I'd love to get an RX-7 but dont want the issues that so many people talk about.

Cheers

[mazdajason]

Thats a nice situation to be in! Do you need to factor in insurance and maybe a first year service/s too? ALl the cars you have mentioned are great cars in their own right and I would struggle to choose from that list. Have you owned any of them before and maybe fancy something else?
Good luck with teh search either way.

[benjo83]

mazdajason said:

Thats a nice situation to be in! Do you need to factor in insurance and maybe a first year service/s too? ALl the cars you have mentioned are great cars in their own right and I would struggle to choose from that list. Have you owned any of them before and maybe fancy something else?
Good luck with teh search either way.

I should say first off that the above is the "top-budget" but you're quite right,I cant complain
I'm planning on picking the insurance up monthly so no, insurance isn't included (takes along hard look at bank balance).

In answer to your other question, no, never owned any of them so they are all sorely tempting.I find myself getting lost in the classifieds...I need to get some more focus haha.

[e36er]

Well if it were my money I'd buy a bugeye STI and spend the remaining pennies on some go faster goodies to take it to ~350bhp. I'd keep this until until May before selling it to buy a 330 convertible for the summer, then save a few grand to buy an e46 M3.

[benjo83]

e36er said:

Well if it were my money I'd buy a bugeye STI and spend the remaining pennies on some go faster goodies to take it to ~350bhp. I'd keep this until until May before selling it to buy a 330 convertible for the summer, then save a few grand to buy an e46 M3.

haha, 3 cars in a year eh?

I had considered an m3...but I am a bit of a jap fanatic so think it'd have to be jap. Went to have alook at an STI today, and I do like them, just not sure I lke them enough tbh

[e36er]

I feel the same about Imprezas, I quite like them, but at the same time they're really not my thing at all. However, everyone I've spoken to who's had one, and all the reviews I've read, say they're an absolute hoot so I'd just like to experience one for a few months.

I also quite like the S2000 and 350z, I can imagine the S2000 being a great drive. However, again, I don't think it'd tickle by taste buds for too long and I'd soon be saving for an e46 M3. I'd recommend test driving an e46 M3 if you've not driven one, they've really got a lot going for them!

[FreezerWeasel]

if it has to be jap?

evo 6 or 8.

[nottyash]

I would have an E46 M3, however a nice one may be just over your budget.
Impreza Sti would be high on my list, although its not in the same league as a BMW for build quality, mind most Jap stuff isnt.

[paulmoonraker]

For pure 'fun' you cannot beat a scooby. However, they do lack the refinement of other manufacturers, and are not much fun for cruising around with the partner and kids. If you need something more balanced then personally I would not be after an Evo or an Impreza. This is coming from an STi owner

[benjo83]

paulmoonraker said:

For pure 'fun' you cannot beat a scooby. However, they do lack the refinement of other manufacturers, and are not much fun for cruising around with the partner and kids. If you need something more balanced then personally I would not be after an Evo or an Impreza. This is coming from an STi owner

Fortunately, balanced is not a priority...this is just for me, and just for fun. Not a daily commuter so will be used evenings and weeends for some entertainment

[paulmoonraker]

Its an STi then

[nottyash]

paulmoonraker said:

Its an STi then

[rovermorris999]

Sti definitely. Consider one with PPP if you want more power as it'll be easier on the pocket for insurance. If that's not an issue, there's plenty of well-tried routes to lots of power if that's your thing. Go and try one, I love them, especially with a prodrive spring pack. Favourite of all is the RB320, though that's well out of budget. They got it so right with that car in my opinion.

[paulmoonraker]

If you have experience then somebody like Keith Michaels will insure you. In this case you could not bother with a PPP and do the mods yourself. The PPP is good on the STi, but not as dramatic as the PPP on a WRX. STi’s and Evo’s are bonkers fun – a good choice.

[benjo83]

paulmoonraker said:

If you have experience then somebody like Keith Michaels will insure you. In this case you could not bother with a PPP and do the mods yourself. The PPP is good on the STi, but not as dramatic as the PPP on a WRX. STi’s and Evo’s are bonkers fun – a good choice.

Interesting, I will be honest, I wasn't expecting the Impreza to come out as the most popular. What year would you guys say was best. I heard somewhere that the older ones can often be better than the newer ones?

[paulmoonraker]

As far as newages go I would say the last of the 2.0ltrs (2005). Classics are another matter, which I know nothing about

[rsv gone!]

benjo83 said:

Interesting, I will be honest, I wasn't expecting the Impreza to come out as the most popular.

Make sure you test drive an Evo, too.

[benjo83]

rsv gone! said:

Make sure you test drive an Evo, too.

On this note...which Evo? IV, V, VI, VII or VIII? These all seem to be in budget

[rsv gone!]

benjo83 said:

On this note...which Evo? IV, V, VI, VII or VIII? These all seem to be in budget

Try a six and a seven/eight. Very different. Sixes and earlier are more raw, which might be tolerable as a weekend car. Later cars are more refined, although still relatively uncompromising.