Anything Jap to replace an E39 BMW
Discussion
A while ago I had a BMW E39 530d estate, had it from newish and kept it for about 12 years. Since then I have had various German equivalents but they and most modern stuff disappoints with its plastic fall apart nature. When things fail you look at them and it is obvious that they failed because 4p was saved in the build. Not something I found with the E39.
The obvious thing is to go back to an old 530 but I was wondering if there is an equivalent iconic Jap car. Ideally I would like an estate or large hatch with rear wheel drive with a reasonably agreeable engine. I don't need somewhere to plug in a telephone/store music/ or an electronic women with a map to tell me how to get places. I just want something that is nicely engineered with nuts and bolts holding it together not brittle plastic clips.
Don't mind something older or ugly, there is no requirement to be fashionable. Would prefer a car rather than something on stilts that you need to climb up into.
Any suggestions ?
The obvious thing is to go back to an old 530 but I was wondering if there is an equivalent iconic Jap car. Ideally I would like an estate or large hatch with rear wheel drive with a reasonably agreeable engine. I don't need somewhere to plug in a telephone/store music/ or an electronic women with a map to tell me how to get places. I just want something that is nicely engineered with nuts and bolts holding it together not brittle plastic clips.
Don't mind something older or ugly, there is no requirement to be fashionable. Would prefer a car rather than something on stilts that you need to climb up into.
Any suggestions ?
I was in a similar quandary, posted a thread here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I finally decided on a Forester STi, but there were a few good options. My second choice would probably have been a good Nissan Stagea RS Four - just for the rarity and coolness. But good ones with a manual 'box are VERY rare. Next choice would definitely have been a Legacy. As others have mentioned, maybe a Legnum VR4 or even a Lancer estate:
http://www.evo.co.uk/mitsubishi/evo/6345/mitsubish...
Regards the plastics, you may steer away from the evo or impreza-derived type of car (Forester / Lancer). The interiors are pretty solid in my experience, but don't have the nice feel of many German cars from the same period. Would agree with the poster who mentioned the Legacy being more refined.
Edit: sorry I somehow missed the requirement for RWD.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I finally decided on a Forester STi, but there were a few good options. My second choice would probably have been a good Nissan Stagea RS Four - just for the rarity and coolness. But good ones with a manual 'box are VERY rare. Next choice would definitely have been a Legacy. As others have mentioned, maybe a Legnum VR4 or even a Lancer estate:
http://www.evo.co.uk/mitsubishi/evo/6345/mitsubish...
Regards the plastics, you may steer away from the evo or impreza-derived type of car (Forester / Lancer). The interiors are pretty solid in my experience, but don't have the nice feel of many German cars from the same period. Would agree with the poster who mentioned the Legacy being more refined.
Edit: sorry I somehow missed the requirement for RWD.
Edited by MurderousCrow on Sunday 25th February 12:36
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