What car, 4k - quickish, comfortable and nice interior.

[obob]

Sooooooo, need a run around for a year or so. Downgrading from a Passat TDI and an s2000 to one car.

So criteria -

- 4/5 seats
- Nicely specced interior
- Cheap/easy to fix as a home mechanic
- £4k max, would prefer £3k
- Quickish and a nice drive.
- Fuel economy above 20mpg.

I'm short on ideas, the Octavia Mk1 VRS is the only thing I can think of but it's just not quite quick enough at 7.7secs 0-60. So can I get all teh above and 6.5ish 0-60.

[obob]

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

Accord type R - Good idea but I've had loads of Hondas over the years so if I get another Type R it has to be a JDM 98spec Integra.

Can I get a well maintained E36 M3 in budget? I'll have a look and how cheap to fix if something goes wrong?

Saab Aero??? 2.3 HOTT?

[obob]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3655459.htm

Think this thread may die an early death!!

[obob]

300bhp/ton said:

obob said:

Jags and Volvos are a bit old man - I'm 26. Will save them for later.

I've never understood this mentality tbh. I see more old people driving hatchbacks than nice cars.

BTW - I had my first Jag at 19!

Hmmmm, what I mean is it's more a barge than a fast saloon. Plus they are nearly all autos, I don't get on with autos.

[obob]

300bhp/ton said:

I can't speak for the Volvo, but the X-Type ain't no barge. Very good handling, maybe not as dynamic as an 3 Series but better than anything Audi has to offer in this sector. Very very good steering.

The E36 is not that dynamic, I've already had an M3 - and although it handles good, the steering feel is so st it's unbelievabe. Is the steering improved on the E46?

Are the ST220s reliable?

[obob]

SuperHangOn said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

That is very nice but seems to be 3k cheaper than any other so doubt it will still be for sale when I have sold both my cars - Or at least the S2000 so I have money to buy a new car. The Passat might just get scrapped.

[obob]

Tonberry said:

The steering feel is st on an E36 M3?

A few posts ago you were asking if you could pick one up within budget and whether they were expensive to run or not.

Now you're claiming you've owned an M3?

Make up your mind.

Steering felt crap to me but I had just come from an Integra. I had one about 5 years ago and paid 9k for it so I had no idea if you can get one for 4k. And as mine never went wrong and at 21 you don't ever consider the possibilty of it going wrong I wondered what likely costs I might accrue. But I've just remembered parts are expensive and there's always the Vanos in the back of your mind.