Car Suggestions £5k max

[GreatGranny]

I recently sold my E36 328i Touring which I loved but realistically didn't have the time or inclination to maintain and give it the love it deserved.

We now have 3 cars in the household, X1 for family duties, MINI E that my wife and daughter share and 13 year old Fezza which my son will learn to drive in and I use for tip runs, MTB trips etc..

My wife has said that's enough but I would love a car to replace the E36.

She has then said if you clear out the garage to have space for a car there may be a chance

So £5k absolute max. but prefer between £3-4k, for a car which I can use whenever for fun, commute occasionally, weekends away with the wife and even for MTB trips.

Coupe preferred, either with hatchback (is this strictly a coupe?) eg TT or 3 series coupe.
Could go for a hot hatch or convertible (had an A4 convertible which we both enjoyed)
Petrol
Manual or auto
Not too modern but not more than 25 years old ish
Not stupid tax (less than £395)
Bit of poke (180+ ish BHP)
Not too hardcore but can be driven in the twisties if needed
And finally something that is very subjective, it needs to look nice.

Let me have your suggestions

[Max1111]

GreatGranny said:

I recently sold my E36 328i Touring which I loved but realistically didn't have the time or inclination to maintain and give it the love it deserved.

We now have 3 cars in the household, X1 for family duties, MINI E that my wife and daughter share and 13 year old Fezza which my son will learn to drive in and I use for tip runs, MTB trips etc..

My wife has said that's enough but I would love a car to replace the E36.

She has then said if you clear out the garage to have space for a car there may be a chance

So £5k absolute max. but prefer between £3-4k, for a car which I can use whenever for fun, commute occasionally, weekends away with the wife and even for MTB trips.

Coupe preferred, either with hatchback (is this strictly a coupe?) eg TT or 3 series coupe.
Could go for a hot hatch or convertible (had an A4 convertible which we both enjoyed)
Petrol
Manual or auto
Not too modern but not more than 25 years old ish
Not stupid tax (less than £395)
Bit of poke (180+ ish BHP)
Not too hardcore but can be driven in the twisties if needed
And finally something that is very subjective, it needs to look nice.

Let me have your suggestions

I just picked up a 630i from £3500. Has CarPlay, Heads up display and electric everything so feels modern, 258BHP, low tax options depending on year, mega comfortable and is fast enough for what it is! N52 engine before 2008 so should be fairly safe going forward and its ULEZ exempt.

I was looking at the E92 3 series but they all have the N53 engine which sounds way too problematic for a relatively cheap car. Plus they are more expensive and not quite as nice to look at (imo).

My wife would not stop complaining about the Boxster but she absolutely loves this. People think it's way more expensive than it is. I guess since you don't see many about it hides its age well.

[ZX10R NIN]

2.0T A5 S Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310233...

CLK 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...

CLK280:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312225...

1.6T GTC SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

RCZ GT 200 these ahve the stronger engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311204...

[bodhi]

Rather than a 3 Series how about a 1 Series? This one has the best engine and is a remap away from 130i power levels has a decent spec and looks to have been well looked after.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...

I've had mine almost 10 years now and have no plans to move it on. Similar size and weight to my old E36 328i, slightly better noise and much faster post remap.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Fezza (which means Ferrari) used for tip runs and your son learning to drive in…?

[Scaleybrat]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Fezza (which means Ferrari) used for tip runs and your son learning to drive in…?

I think he means a Fiasco

[Flame Grilled]

13 year old Fiesta

Lexus IS
MX5 (but obviously small, but most fun for pounds pre mile)
A Subaru with some light tuneage

[GreatGranny]

Scaleybrat said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Fezza (which means Ferrari) used for tip runs and your son learning to drive in…?

I think he means a Fiasco

Fezza is our house means the 13 year old Fiesta, sorry for confusion.

[GreatGranny]

ZX10R NIN said:

2.0T A5 S Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310233...

CLK 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...

CLK280:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312164...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312225...

1.6T GTC SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310253...

RCZ GT 200 these ahve the stronger engine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311204...

Cheers ZX but you took your time

Like the RCZ
Don't like the GTC
Wife did mention Mercs so will have a look at those.
Didn't think about the A5, not sure if too big.

ETA: that CLK280 is very nice, just got to get over the front styling.

[GreatGranny]

bodhi said:

Rather than a 3 Series how about a 1 Series? This one has the best engine and is a remap away from 130i power levels has a decent spec and looks to have been well looked after.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...

I've had mine almost 10 years now and have no plans to move it on. Similar size and weight to my old E36 328i, slightly better noise and much faster post remap.

Always liked the 1 series coupe.
After having a few BMWs and the present X1 I feel like I need to try another make but it's on the list.

[Gastons_Revenge]

You've had Audis before, why not a Mk2 TT? I got myself a 2.0TFSI non-quattro in November to get off a lease and it's been a hoot while remaining great for everyday duties!

In your budget you have a choice of sub-100k mile 2.0 I4s or 110k+ 3.2 V6s, you will be looking at £360/yr tax on the 2.0 and £675/yr on the 3.2.

[georgeyboy12345]

Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 is a coupe with a decent rear hatch opening. This one is a lovely bright red and appears to have been well looked after
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312285...


Grab yourself a bargain with this Audi S4 Cabriolet that's had its troublesome timing chains replaced recently
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401045...


Another coupe with a rear hatch is this Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTL-i GT. You'd have plenty of fun winding that 2ZZ motor up past 8000 rpm
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312184...


Another high-lift Japanese 8000 rpm screamer in a possibly more practical hatch guise - Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204275...


One last Japanese motor with even more practicality would be something like this Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...


Finally what about a Focus as a stablemate to your "Fezza" in the guise of this mk2 ST?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308170...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Thursday 11th January 17:11

[ZX10R NIN]

GreatGranny said:

Cheers ZX but you took your time

Like the RCZ
Don't like the GTC
Wife did mention Mercs so will have a look at those.
Didn't think about the A5, not sure if too big.

ETA: that CLK280 is very nice, just got to get over the front styling.

Personally I prefer the look of the CLK over the E coupe, the interior feels classier too (I have both so get to compare on a daily basis) with the CLK check the front of the rear arches as it's a potential rust point.

It's normally a cheap fix around £200-300 from a decent bodyshop.

The gearbox needs servicing every 40k.

[GreatGranny]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6 is a coupe with a decent rear hatch opening. This one is a lovely bright red and appears to have been well looked after
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312285...


Grab yourself a bargain with this Audi S4 Cabriolet that's had its troublesome timing chains replaced recently
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401045...


Another coupe with a rear hatch is this Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTL-i GT. You'd have plenty of fun winding that 2ZZ motor up past 8000 rpm
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312184...


Another high-lift Japanese 8000 rpm screamer in a possibly more practical hatch guise - Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204275...


One last Japanese motor with even more practicality would be something like this Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401065...


Finally what about a Focus as a stablemate to your "Fezza" in the guise of this mk2 ST?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308170...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Thursday 11th January 17:11

Cheers for these.

GT is a possibility
S4, no way sorry, that's got money pit written all over it
Celicia, just don't like the looks
Type R, have been looking at these, just not sure if they are 'me'.
WRX, definitely not 'me'
ST, looked at, it's a possibility