What car for £0-£10,000
Discussion
Time for a new car and I'm trying to be realistic, but I'm conflicted by my aspirations.
In terms of practicality, the car must have space for a passenger and a large dog. It must be reasonable to run (+-30mpg) and as cheap as possible to maintain. It must be driveable around town. does it have cup holders?
In terms of fun:
0-60 around 6 seconds
Discrete aggressive looks
RWD for oversteer
Must have grin factor
Now as I'm sure you can understand I'm in that old head/heart problem. I want a car that I can use every day, that makers me smile every time I drive it, that isn't going to bankrupt me in fuel and maintenance costs.
Head says get an 05-08 fiesta zetec 1.6tdci/mondeo st 2.2tdci
Heart says: Monaro, R34 Skyline GTT, s15 Silvia spec R, P1 Impreza, 300zx, Supra and on and on.
I've come up with a couple of compromises, but I'd like to hear your suggestions that I may have overlooked. Max budget is 10k, but I'd like to keep it as close to 5k.
RX8- low purchase price of 3k would offset it's woeful fuel economy, plus there are plenty of them around.
BMW e46 330i msport- seems to tick all the boxes. BMW image though.
Integra Type R- It does everything except RWD. And finding one that isn't a rot box may be difficult.
Anyone with experience of ownership of any of these cars, I'd love to hear about it.
Cheers
In terms of practicality, the car must have space for a passenger and a large dog. It must be reasonable to run (+-30mpg) and as cheap as possible to maintain. It must be driveable around town. does it have cup holders?
In terms of fun:
0-60 around 6 seconds
Discrete aggressive looks
RWD for oversteer
Must have grin factor
Now as I'm sure you can understand I'm in that old head/heart problem. I want a car that I can use every day, that makers me smile every time I drive it, that isn't going to bankrupt me in fuel and maintenance costs.
Head says get an 05-08 fiesta zetec 1.6tdci/mondeo st 2.2tdci
Heart says: Monaro, R34 Skyline GTT, s15 Silvia spec R, P1 Impreza, 300zx, Supra and on and on.
I've come up with a couple of compromises, but I'd like to hear your suggestions that I may have overlooked. Max budget is 10k, but I'd like to keep it as close to 5k.
RX8- low purchase price of 3k would offset it's woeful fuel economy, plus there are plenty of them around.
BMW e46 330i msport- seems to tick all the boxes. BMW image though.
Integra Type R- It does everything except RWD. And finding one that isn't a rot box may be difficult.
Anyone with experience of ownership of any of these cars, I'd love to hear about it.
Cheers
Is the m3 much different from the 330? Big difference in price. I have looked at a couple e36 328i sports too, but they're getting pretty rare now. I do like BMWs, it's just that no one else on the road does.
If you have any suggestions for something not quite so silly that would be a good compromise between the two I'm all ears.
If you have any suggestions for something not quite so silly that would be a good compromise between the two I'm all ears.
Well I do have up to 10k, but maybe I don't want to spend that much. My current daily is a ford cougar- shed territory. Its pretty fun, a bit thirsty but ticks all the boxes.
One option I could do is spend £1000 on a diesel focus or similar and that would leave me with 9k to spend on a toy. I've had bikes in the past, and a bike may fit the bill. If I were to blow the full budget I'd want something that would hold it's value. JDM Imports seem to hold their value well, and rust tends to be less of an issue with an imported car.
One option I could do is spend £1000 on a diesel focus or similar and that would leave me with 9k to spend on a toy. I've had bikes in the past, and a bike may fit the bill. If I were to blow the full budget I'd want something that would hold it's value. JDM Imports seem to hold their value well, and rust tends to be less of an issue with an imported car.
300bhp/ton said:
Reckon an RX-8 if you don't want a hatch. But would a hatch make more sense for a dog??
But mpg is terrible on these. But a good drive for a small outlay.
BMW 130i or even a 123d might make for a newer car that's fun but sensible.
M3's are great. But if you are watching costs then more risky.
Lots of interesting cars for this money however. Ford Focus mk1 RS. And with strong residuals.
Alfa Brera with AWD and a V6.
ITR's are great too.
I do like the 135 Msport coupe. Performance is very healthy. I've not looked at Breras yet, but I have looked at alfa GTs.But mpg is terrible on these. But a good drive for a small outlay.
BMW 130i or even a 123d might make for a newer car that's fun but sensible.
M3's are great. But if you are watching costs then more risky.
Lots of interesting cars for this money however. Ford Focus mk1 RS. And with strong residuals.
Alfa Brera with AWD and a V6.
ITR's are great too.
As for a hatchback, An Impreza wrx estate would keep the dog happy, which seems to be the best all round compromise. Fuel economy is a bit down but I'm have to make a compromise somewhere.
Is driving like a tit a prerequisite for BMW ownership? I can drive like a tit (when the road's quiet)
Yeah they do seem rather cold and lacking in character, but maybe that's the price of compromise. I mean they will do 30mpg, 0-60 in 6.3 seconds, plenty of room in the back for the dog, decent boot space, I quite like the looks. Insurance is reasonable, road tax is steep but doable and 5k will buy a good one. I have to admit I'm quite tempted. Seen quite a few club sports which have a lot of the sound deadening removed, no? The spoiler is ridiculous but I think it dilutes that stuffy image.
How expensive are they to maintain? I know parts will be more expensive than Ford. I'll be using a local specialist for jobs I can't do myself.
I think the strongest competitors are the integra and the wrx. WRX has better practicality but slightly thirstier, integra has a much more interesting interior and slightly better economy but FWD. But it seems a more raw driving experience.
Years back I had a shot in a TVR S series and the sensation at the steering wheel was like no other car I'd ever driven. I felt very connected to the road, almost like you could feel the road surface with your finger tips. The closest car I had was the Ford puma, but power steering dulled that sensation somewhat. I guess the BMW will lack that quality.
How expensive are they to maintain? I know parts will be more expensive than Ford. I'll be using a local specialist for jobs I can't do myself.
I think the strongest competitors are the integra and the wrx. WRX has better practicality but slightly thirstier, integra has a much more interesting interior and slightly better economy but FWD. But it seems a more raw driving experience.
Years back I had a shot in a TVR S series and the sensation at the steering wheel was like no other car I'd ever driven. I felt very connected to the road, almost like you could feel the road surface with your finger tips. The closest car I had was the Ford puma, but power steering dulled that sensation somewhat. I guess the BMW will lack that quality.
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