What car, Toyota Blade Master or?

[cheddar]

Firstly I'm in New Zealand but we can (mostly) buy over here the same cars as in UK, prices obviously vary but I'm after ideas.
I live in the middle of nowhere with quiet, bumpy but straight roads

Just sold a V8 X5, now need a hatch/saloon/estate, I fancy the Toyota Blade Master (basically an Auris with the 280bhp Lexus motor from the is350) but they're quite rare and I wonder what else is out there, no four pot motors thankyou, preferably a six pot in a small body, I'd like reliability and don't need it to loosen my fillings or corner on rails, more of a refined gentlemans express.

Budget $10,000 (£6k Max) any thoughts?

[cheddar]

Zadkiel said:

Stretch the budget a smidge and get a VW R32?

Thanks Zadkiel (Ukrainian?), the R32 was considered, it's even in budget but rejected on too much shpooortiness, there's 3.2 litre A3's too but parts are expensive here and reliability questionable, that seems to leave BMW 6 pot motors fitted in a hatch, usually lovely things, lubricated by double cream and with a taste for revs but I've just climbed out of a Munich mile muncher and a 123D Coupe before that (dear lord that thing was effective but it lacked soul) so unless a 130i is incredible the propellor badge is off of the wish list.

Has anyone here driven a Blade Master? I've poked around them but beyond the veneer of alcantara they're an Auris, because.........they're an Auris, I'd love to know of a driving experience

[cheddar]

Zadkiel said:

You could always get a RunX Z instead with the 2ZZ engine, it breaks the no 4cyl rule but it's worth it.

Cheers Zadkeil, it's gotta be a 6 pot though

[cheddar]

kurt535 said:

Lexus IS300?

Only one for sale is £25,000

Made me look at is350's though, they're just in budget, bit too Alan Partridge though?