What car? £5000 budget, fast (ish) practical.

[Dms86]

Hello

I recently had my e46 330ci written off whilst it was parked up innocently minding its own business outside my flat!

So I am on the hunt for something to replace it. My budget is around £5000 but I could stretch it a little for the right car. My criteria is something which is fast ish. I would not like anything much slower than my last car. I still want a petrol car and economy is not a worry as I only drove 15000 miles in the last 5 years.

It needs to be fairly practical. Room for two children in the back but I dont mind a 3 or 5 door car. I have been looking at Focus ST's around the 2006 year. I am open to all suggestions though.

Your help is appreciated!

[ZX10R NIN]

Here are some options:

I'd say get the ST225 it's a cracking car, but I will say even if you want to leave it standard change the Intercooler in standard form it's just not up to the job, but don't discount the Megane it's a very good car & the wildcard is the Astra it's underrated & has a healthy following.

2006 Focus ST-3

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 Megane F1 R26 (with your price point this is the Megane to have)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 Astra VXR (these are good value for the money)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2006 Golf GTI

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Leftfield

A3 3.2

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2008 Mazda 3 MPS

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2007 Tuned Leon Cupra

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[PeteinSQ]

You are the king of the autotrader search. I've seen you give so many good ideas to people on here.

[ZX10R NIN]

I source (& have owned a fair amount of cars) cars for people so why not help a fellow PH with some ideas while I'm at.

[Dms86]

Thank you for putting some suggestions up. I think I've got my heart set on a focus and there seems to be plenty of choice. Just have to find a good one!