Always another what car... grown up and fun?

Always another what car... grown up and fun?

Author
Discussion

stevekoz

Original Poster:

532 posts

169 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
Hey all

It's been a while but time is great approaching to start car shopping again.

Budget 20k

I've currently got a Focus RS mk3 and I've just never really bonded with the car. I'm sure if you can exploit it's handing on track and push it to 9/10ths all the time it's good. But it's not been for me. It's twitch and Un-composed on most british road surfaces. It's looks although striking are too "ASBO" and has drawn attention from thieves where I live. So I've decided to move on.

Unfortunately I think the ideal situation for me is a two car garage, which given where I live is out the question insurance wise. I can barely get insured as it is on one car (not my own fault I might add it's simply down to the postal code being "black balled").

So why the post? Well I'm sure I can think of a number of cars but it's always good to get lists from other people on the same wavelength.

As for me...and what I want. Well....

I am 45.

I am 6ft 3.

I have two daughters in their teens both tall for their age (over 5ft 9).

The car will need to be able to carry all 4 of us.

I don't want something ASBO or that draws the wrong attention. I feel at 45 driving the same cars every vaping dr*g dealer wannabe in bham is not really the image I want. I'm thinking it needs to be more grown up. So time to move away from hot hatches??

BUT

I love to drive. Most of my spare time is taken up places like the evo triangle, Welsh mountains, Scottish Highlands, German back roads. Etc. etc. and the girls often come with me so it has to be able to carry people and stuff too.

So the car needs to be sharp. Punchy. Handle well. Not heavy or feel too weighty or big. Good steering. Good brakes.

Id like some creature comfort but only really aircon and Bluetooth.

The seats need to be good.

Mpg is not really a concern but 25mpg average is where I tend to find a sweet spot for performance and economy.

And if I could id like something interesting. By that I mean anything really, an interesting engine, design, something that is a bit different or special or mad. I'm not sure but I think you get what I mean.

I have an inking what most will suggest but let's see if you are all thinking the same as me.

Cheers

Disco You

3,694 posts

187 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
340i or 540i are I guess what you expected to be recommended?

You could scrape an M5 but sounds like insurance might be an issue, plus the increase in running costs. Similarly a quattroporte is in budget.

There are VAG options in budget too: S4, S6, Leon cupra or golf R estate. But the BMWs are better steers.

AnhBanhBao

220 posts

54 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
Looks like you’ve had some Subaru history, so you either have a thing for them or have been put off for life! How about a Forester STI or a newer WRX, STI or otherwise? I’d imagine a 5-door is still what you’d want/need. A bit ASBO maybe, but spacious, practical and a bit different.


Its Just Adz

15,017 posts

216 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
RS4 might fit the bill?
Don't think it would feel too big, be great for carrying your passengers.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408213...

samoht

6,289 posts

153 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
This would seem to have 996 written all over it, preferably one with some engine work already done? If the back seats are big enough, that is.

Toyota GT86 is marginal for rear space but likely more reliable than other options

My understanding is an Evo 7, 8 or 9 are the best driving four-doors, they definitely have the space.

BMW E60 M5 is attractive for the V10



stevekoz said:
Unfortunately I think the ideal situation for me is a two car garage, which given where I live is out the question insurance wise. I can barely get insured as it is on one car (not my own fault I might add it's simply down to the postal code being "black balled").
You might be surprised. A single 'do it all' car is likely to end up 4wd, 4 door and fast, which is exactly what car thieves want too. Conversely a 'lesser' everyday four seater plus a more 'extreme' two seat fun car could each be much lower risk.

However if the four door car also needs to be quick and fun then you're perhaps heading for a single car anyway.


Neil1323bolts

1,167 posts

113 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
Try a different hot hatch, I also never loved my mk3 RS focus, have you tried RS megane,i30N or i20N ?,probably barking up the wrong tree but my i20N has been absolutely fantastic such a fun car to drive at not stupid speeds.

ZX10R NIN

28,382 posts

132 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
stevekoz said:
Hey all

It's been a while but time is great approaching to start car shopping again.

Budget 20k

I've currently got a Focus RS mk3 and I've just never really bonded with the car. I'm sure if you can exploit it's handing on track and push it to 9/10ths all the time it's good. But it's not been for me. It's twitch and Un-composed on most british road surfaces. It's looks although striking are too "ASBO" and has drawn attention from thieves where I live. So I've decided to move on.

Unfortunately I think the ideal situation for me is a two car garage, which given where I live is out the question insurance wise. I can barely get insured as it is on one car (not my own fault I might add it's simply down to the postal code being "black balled").

So why the post? Well I'm sure I can think of a number of cars but it's always good to get lists from other people on the same wavelength.

As for me...and what I want. Well....

I am 45.

I am 6ft 3.

I have two daughters in their teens both tall for their age (over 5ft 9).

The car will need to be able to carry all 4 of us.

I don't want something ASBO or that draws the wrong attention. I feel at 45 driving the same cars every vaping dr*g dealer wannabe in bham is not really the image I want. I'm thinking it needs to be more grown up. So time to move away from hot hatches??

BUT

I love to drive. Most of my spare time is taken up places like the evo triangle, Welsh mountains, Scottish Highlands, German back roads. Etc. etc. and the girls often come with me so it has to be able to carry people and stuff too.

So the car needs to be sharp. Punchy. Handle well. Not heavy or feel too weighty or big. Good steering. Good brakes.

Id like some creature comfort but only really aircon and Bluetooth.

The seats need to be good.

Mpg is not really a concern but 25mpg average is where I tend to find a sweet spot for performance and economy.

And if I could id like something interesting. By that I mean anything really, an interesting engine, design, something that is a bit different or special or mad. I'm not sure but I think you get what I mean.

I have an inking what most will suggest but let's see if you are all thinking the same as me.

Cheers
Alpina B3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406170...

Lexus IS-F these are underrated but a very special car real world you'll average 24-26mpg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...

RS5, with the sport diff:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

M3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408183...

M4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

andburg

7,690 posts

176 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
Maybe not exactly what you want but my first though was a Porsche Macan


430i gran turismo to get the gears room for your daughters?

fflump

1,760 posts

45 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
samoht said:
This would seem to have 996 written all over it, preferably one with some engine work already done? If the back seats are big enough, that is.
He's 6 ft 3 and has teenagers. It really does not have 996 written all over it.

I'd consider a Panamera if I was the OP.

andyalan10

427 posts

144 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
Well I'm not going to join in with the recommendations of M Cars and Audi S and RS models for someone in a high insurance area worried about car thefts...

This one is slightly over budget, but a Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...

Slowboathome

4,460 posts

51 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
ISF, depending on how much luggage room you need.

fflump

1,760 posts

45 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
andyalan10 said:
Well I'm not going to join in with the recommendations of M Cars and Audi S and RS models for someone in a high insurance area worried about car thefts...

This one is slightly over budget, but a Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406060...
If saloons are an option then consider a Ghibli V6S.

stevekoz

Original Poster:

532 posts

169 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
stevekoz said:
Hey all

It's been a while but time is great approaching to start car shopping again.

Budget 20k

I've currently got a Focus RS mk3 and I've just never really bonded with the car. I'm sure if you can exploit it's handing on track and push it to 9/10ths all the time it's good. But it's not been for me. It's twitch and Un-composed on most british road surfaces. It's looks although striking are too "ASBO" and has drawn attention from thieves where I live. So I've decided to move on.

Unfortunately I think the ideal situation for me is a two car garage, which given where I live is out the question insurance wise. I can barely get insured as it is on one car (not my own fault I might add it's simply down to the postal code being "black balled").

So why the post? Well I'm sure I can think of a number of cars but it's always good to get lists from other people on the same wavelength.

As for me...and what I want. Well....

I am 45.

I am 6ft 3.

I have two daughters in their teens both tall for their age (over 5ft 9).

The car will need to be able to carry all 4 of us.

I don't want something ASBO or that draws the wrong attention. I feel at 45 driving the same cars every vaping dr*g dealer wannabe in bham is not really the image I want. I'm thinking it needs to be more grown up. So time to move away from hot hatches??

BUT

I love to drive. Most of my spare time is taken up places like the evo triangle, Welsh mountains, Scottish Highlands, German back roads. Etc. etc. and the girls often come with me so it has to be able to carry people and stuff too.

So the car needs to be sharp. Punchy. Handle well. Not heavy or feel too weighty or big. Good steering. Good brakes.

Id like some creature comfort but only really aircon and Bluetooth.

The seats need to be good.

Mpg is not really a concern but 25mpg average is where I tend to find a sweet spot for performance and economy.

And if I could id like something interesting. By that I mean anything really, an interesting engine, design, something that is a bit different or special or mad. I'm not sure but I think you get what I mean.

I have an inking what most will suggest but let's see if you are all thinking the same as me.

Cheers
Alpina B3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406170...

Lexus IS-F these are underrated but a very special car real world you'll average 24-26mpg:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407312...

RS5, with the sport diff:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

M3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408183...

M4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...
Hey ZX, thanks, I had considered several on the list. Mainly the m4.

I'm interested in the V8 of the rs5 having had a could of e9* m3. The V8 is tempting and certainly adds that "interesting" factor. You dont see many either.

Do ask rs5's come with the sport diff or is there a way you can tell when looking?

Cheers

ZX10R NIN

28,382 posts

132 months

Monday 26th August
quotequote all
All RS5's have the diff it's the S5 that has the sports diff as an option, I meant sport pack sorry I was replying to different threads.

Watch this review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kf-2D1vge8

alfabeat

1,188 posts

119 months

Tuesday 27th August
quotequote all
Have you considered an Alfa Giulia Veloce?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407292...

Good performance for the budget. Good fun to drive, grown up, reasonably under that radar compared to all the RS and S models suggested earlier.

Baldchap

8,370 posts

99 months

Tuesday 27th August
quotequote all
Its Just Adz said:
RS4 might fit the bill?
Don't think it would feel too big, be great for carrying your passengers.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408213...
Ex RS4 owner. My wife HATED being a passenger in this car because the suspension is too hard.

Baldchap

8,370 posts

99 months

Tuesday 27th August
quotequote all
ISF is a spectacular car. Solid residuals and reliability too.

geeks

9,738 posts

146 months

Tuesday 27th August
quotequote all
Similar requirements to you and I have zero'd in on an S6 Avant.

I really really wanted an RS4 but the ride in the S6 is so much better, all of the performance for less drawbacks/ear ache from SWMBO

raspy

1,790 posts

101 months

Tuesday 27th August
quotequote all
Lightly modified V8 powered Audi S8

700bhp should be fun!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...

Summit_Detailing

2,009 posts

200 months

Wednesday 28th August
quotequote all
XFR
Quattroporte auto
S6
Stinger GTS
MINI Countryman JCW