Discussion
This is great - a sub £4k discussion - love it. Too many people (particularly this site) forget that you don't need shed loads of cash to enjoy motoring!
Don't have too much specific advice, but it always surpises me how the larger saloons, with bigger engines depreciate. Provided insurance, and parking aren't issues, you can get a lot of good metal if you go for the 'larger than the Mondeo' cars. I have been told by various people that the Vauxhall Omega and Senator were good drivers, only spoiled by the badge.
Don't have too much specific advice, but it always surpises me how the larger saloons, with bigger engines depreciate. Provided insurance, and parking aren't issues, you can get a lot of good metal if you go for the 'larger than the Mondeo' cars. I have been told by various people that the Vauxhall Omega and Senator were good drivers, only spoiled by the badge.
How about a leggy VR6 Golf.
Ended up selling my 94 5dr VR6 with 138,000 for less than 4K, the guy that bought it was laughing all the way to his insurance company, who charged him 1,600 quid.
Damn fine car, if I could justify the fact that the insurance was almost as much as the Griff I would have kept it...
... Oh hang on I'm not really selling this idea am I...
... I'll get me coat.
Ended up selling my 94 5dr VR6 with 138,000 for less than 4K, the guy that bought it was laughing all the way to his insurance company, who charged him 1,600 quid.
Damn fine car, if I could justify the fact that the insurance was almost as much as the Griff I would have kept it...
... Oh hang on I'm not really selling this idea am I...
... I'll get me coat.
How about a Ford Probe?
Admittedly they won't set the world on fire but you should be able to get a fairly decent 24v v6 one for £4k - should be well spec'd as well with leather, air con, cruise etc.
Alternatively you could go for its soul mate the Mazda MX-6. There’s a good one on the Autotrader site at the moment - 2.5v6, leather, aircon, 32k, Auto all for £3,750
The Xedos 6 (2.0 V6) is quite cheap as well although I have no idea what they are like - seem well spec'd though.
Matt
Admittedly they won't set the world on fire but you should be able to get a fairly decent 24v v6 one for £4k - should be well spec'd as well with leather, air con, cruise etc.
Alternatively you could go for its soul mate the Mazda MX-6. There’s a good one on the Autotrader site at the moment - 2.5v6, leather, aircon, 32k, Auto all for £3,750
The Xedos 6 (2.0 V6) is quite cheap as well although I have no idea what they are like - seem well spec'd though.
Matt
Currymonster, Its a bit difficult to say really, I sold my old E30 M3 and I hadn't had the current policy for long, When I went to change/cancel/get a refund they basically stiched me up rotten (no surprise there!) and it worked out cheaper for me to just carry on with the policy, with a small refund.
So after all that bollox, I think its roughly £500 fully comp with FNCB, car on driveway, no alarm (the M3 was about £700)
I hope to reduce this a a fair bit at renewal time.
I think the bigger engined BM's are quite high on insurance, but they loose value quickly and hence become a right bargain.(unless they go wrong!) I was luckey though, I nearly bought one for almost the same price in nowhere near as good condition.
I was supposed to be buying a Cerb this year, but my miserable xmas bonus canned that, so the BM is a stop gap (hopefully)
Still, at least I still have a job, at the mo'
So after all that bollox, I think its roughly £500 fully comp with FNCB, car on driveway, no alarm (the M3 was about £700)
I hope to reduce this a a fair bit at renewal time.
I think the bigger engined BM's are quite high on insurance, but they loose value quickly and hence become a right bargain.(unless they go wrong!) I was luckey though, I nearly bought one for almost the same price in nowhere near as good condition.
I was supposed to be buying a Cerb this year, but my miserable xmas bonus canned that, so the BM is a stop gap (hopefully)
Still, at least I still have a job, at the mo'
To be honest I am not a fan of Jap cars, I can't stand the dodgy interiors and the lack of comfort etc.
I drove a mates Scooby STI and whilst impressed by its speed and handling, I spend more time in my car driving in traffic than I do punting down lanes, so I would rather have a bit of luxury than just stripped out racer. Thats why I would rather have a TVR over a evo7/scooby any day, a bit of luxury and leather (ooerr!)
I drove a mates Scooby STI and whilst impressed by its speed and handling, I spend more time in my car driving in traffic than I do punting down lanes, so I would rather have a bit of luxury than just stripped out racer. Thats why I would rather have a TVR over a evo7/scooby any day, a bit of luxury and leather (ooerr!)
I had an N reg'd (so the current shape) 200sx. The Turbo was uprated to produce around 260bhp. Very nice car, and in my eyes good looking in a grown up kinda way. 30mpg if driving normally. Went like stink, RWD handling, comfy for a lanky git like me. Very reliable and quite rare. Not cheap insurance though (same as TVR for me).
Swapped it for a Chimaera 4 years ago - the TVR is easier to drive fast in the wet and we know the other benefits.
If you get one, get a manual, Touring version (Leather, air, CD). (I've never understood why people bother with Turbos on an Automatic).
T/.
Swapped it for a Chimaera 4 years ago - the TVR is easier to drive fast in the wet and we know the other benefits.
If you get one, get a manual, Touring version (Leather, air, CD). (I've never understood why people bother with Turbos on an Automatic).
T/.
Currymonster, I have a N reg 200sx Auto, had it about six months as a stop gap, goes like stink I have used it most days to go to work in on M3 and M25 hence auto choice, servicing is cheap body work seems to last well alloys are still mint and interior has lasted very well, at the time I bought it it was the newest fun car with aircon, leather and all the toys that I could get for the money.
Its done 62k now and I am selling it for about £5,200, as I have got another couple of cars now and I am not using it.
Gets my vote as you get all the toys and its quicker than a 328 for less money.
Its done 62k now and I am selling it for about £5,200, as I have got another couple of cars now and I am not using it.
Gets my vote as you get all the toys and its quicker than a 328 for less money.
Firstly, can anybody help me out too. I need a big 4/5door family/tow car. I can't decide between ST24, a PUG406 V6 or Laguna V6 ? Any ideas ? Anybody had one of these ? Is the 406 faster than the ST24 ? Please help me spend my 6 grand !!
As for 4 grand, I would go with the above, and say Porsche944/924, Nissan 200ZX or a nice BMW. Now if your mate can afford the insurance, I could also mention that some RS Saphire Cosworths and the odd 3dr Sierra Cosworth can be found around the 4 grand mark. Perhaps a PUG 205 GTi or Mazda 323 4x4 Turbo ?
Regards John S
As for 4 grand, I would go with the above, and say Porsche944/924, Nissan 200ZX or a nice BMW. Now if your mate can afford the insurance, I could also mention that some RS Saphire Cosworths and the odd 3dr Sierra Cosworth can be found around the 4 grand mark. Perhaps a PUG 205 GTi or Mazda 323 4x4 Turbo ?
Regards John S
Like Trevor I used to have an N reg 200SX and would agree with everything he said (except one bit;see below) but definately the bit about the TVR being easier in the wet. The 200 was actually quite scary at times and nowhere near as predictable. Very quick though.
>(I've never understood why people bother with Turbos on an Automatic).
Um, Saab 95 Aero AUTO estate (my day-to-day car) does 0-60 in 7.1 (or 7.3 depending on mag). The Turbo helps quite a lot and in sport mode will wipe the floor with just about anything between 50 and 100! Unless, of course, you have shagged front tyres like mine does currently in which case all 230bhp and a lot of torque just helps you do a ver stationary 0-60 with the front wheels spinning beautifully...
>(I've never understood why people bother with Turbos on an Automatic).
Um, Saab 95 Aero AUTO estate (my day-to-day car) does 0-60 in 7.1 (or 7.3 depending on mag). The Turbo helps quite a lot and in sport mode will wipe the floor with just about anything between 50 and 100! Unless, of course, you have shagged front tyres like mine does currently in which case all 230bhp and a lot of torque just helps you do a ver stationary 0-60 with the front wheels spinning beautifully...
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