Time for a 4 seater, still looking for something fun

[rotaryjam]

I've owned mostly 2 seaters and currently driving a 350Z

I now need a 4 seater but still want something fun, so requirements are:

Coupe, hatchback or saloon at a push
4 seater
V6 or bigger engine
Must sound good standard
RWD or 4WD
250 bhp+
Petrol
2000 onwards
Under £10k

Would be great to hear your suggestions

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

For under 10k??

A normal XF 5.0 looks interesting though

Other options I like:

130i
330i
Golf R32

Thanks for the suggestions all, keep em coming

[rotaryjam]

Evil.soup said:

How about one of these? It's a bit left field, but it is 2014 car, V6, turbo charged, AWD and well over 300hp. It is rare too...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Interesting but not for me

[rotaryjam]

Rotary Potato said:

How flexible is your 250bhp+ requirement?

There's no mention of weight ... 250bhp in something around a tonne is very different to 250bhp in something around two tonnes.

I have a similar dilemma to you (986 Boxster S currently - got a large dog and sooner or later likely to need a car that can fit me, the dog and someone else in) and my current 2 favourite options are either a classic Impreza STI Wagon, or a GT86/BRZ. My head says that running a 25+ year old Impreza as a daily is a silly idea. My heart says that a GT86 is going to feel slow compared to the Boxster. I'm prioritising fun, low(er) weight and handling over pure power and performance - so our tastes are different in that respect, but I'd be interested to hear what you end up going with.

I have reached such a stalemate in my head that unless a car comes along and absolutely wows me, I'm likely to just keep the Boxster for as long as I can (the dog loves being driven in it - her ears flapping in the breeze) and not make a decision until the Boxster really doesn't work for my life anymore.

Not really exact, I'm just assuming that a big engine car, 4 seater is going to be fairly heavy and so need 250 bhp+ to give it enough poke

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012335...

Not saying you should buy this one, but they're out there...

Ah couldn't see an option for it, only FR-S

This looks a great option thanks

[rotaryjam]

ZX10R NIN said:

Monaro or G37 not working for you?

I like them both but don't think they are quite right

G37 too rare, I'd be worried about resale and finding a good one

Monaro - just not a fan of the looks and seems just a bit big overall

[rotaryjam]

I've discounted the merc options, just something about them I don't like and maintenence costs concern me...

[rotaryjam]

So I've narrowed it down...

Audi S4 (B5 or B6)
BMW 130i
Golf R32
Subaru WRX blob

The WRX is a wild card entry as I know it doesn't have a v6/v8

I realises I also need min 4 doors so some other options out the window.

Edited by rotaryjam on Wednesday 8th March 11:51

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

Not fancy the XFR then?

I just decided its a bit big and for a good one just a bit out of budget with higher insurance and top rate tax too

[rotaryjam]

Xcore said:

B5 s4 or s5.

Avoid the b6

Interesting, what's wrong with the B6?

I prefer the look of the B5 but finding a good one is tricky

[rotaryjam]

Xcore said:

Very expensive cam chain guide issues. I don’t think they are present with the s5 v8 but I may be wrong.

Prices of b5s have shot up since I had mine, remember they are an old car and quite afew engine/turbo related repairs require engine removal.

The supercharged 3.0 v6 in later s4/5 will produce more power with simple modifications

Edited by Xcore on Wednesday 8th March 17:23

Thanks, neither sound ideal from a maintenance perspective.

Currently the 130i is the lead and incidently has almost exactly the same bhp/tonne as my 350Z, it felt like a good amount of power

Edited by rotaryjam on Thursday 9th March 14:24

[rotaryjam]

So I thought I'd update the thread as I made my choice....

I ended up with a noise 130i with M performance exhaust and airbox.

I have to say though, I'm a bit underwhelmed. It sounds ok but not as good as I expected, especially with the exhaust and airbox. Certainly not as good as my stock 350Z.

I drives nice enough but isnt as playful as my 350Z and I miss the torque. The BMW feels like it needs to rev out more which just doesn't fit with most of my journeys.

It all just feels a bit too sanitised and insulated. I feel the massive M steering wheel doesn't help - I personally hate this.

So I'm thinking about switching again! My additional criteria though is that I do need a 5 door which limits my options.

Initial thoughts are:

RX8 - I assume it will feel more sporty and less insulated but the low torque puts my off.

R32 - these sound awesome which is the main draw but I worry it will handle in an even more sterile manner.

Subaru WRX - sounds good and more of an old school feel that I want, maybe this is the one? I'd want the PPP pack so looking at 265bhp.

To update the criteria then here is what I'm after:

- £8k budget
- 180 bhp per tonne or better
- Nice sound
- Low down torque (i.e. not something you need to rev out)
- 5 door practicality
- Sporty drive
- RWD or AWD at a push
- not too big, no estates or SUVs or luxo barges!
- Not too modern / insulated

What do you reckon?

[rotaryjam]

TameRacingDriver said:

Very interesting write up given that I've always had a 130i on my radar at times. Even a standard 350z sounding better than a modified n52 surprised me. I think I can write this one off my list forever now.

You may as well get rid of the rx8 now if you don't want something that needs revving as they're truly gutless and sound crap in my opinion.

I reckon the Golf might still be quite dull, I'd go for the scooby I reckon.

I should maybe just the qualify the poi t around the sound, it seems like it would sound great to people outside the cabin but there is too much sound insulation muting it. Also at full rev it sounds pretty good but in normal everyday driving it's not that great, whereas the 350Z sounded great from startup and at any speed.

I think you're right about the RX8