4 seat fun car

[george79]

I'm looking suggestions for a weekend car. It needs to be 4 seats, and a good drive. Obviously there will be some driving compromise.

I'm thinking 4x4's, kit cars, sports cars, convertibles. Something a little unusual.

The kids are 4 & 8, so could fit in small rear seats now, but not for long.

Budget £5 - 10k.

Any ideas to help me?

[defblade]

JDM Subaru Legacy GT Spec-B 2 litre twinscroll turbo.
The spec-B bit is due to the suspension being Bilstein, the clever twinscroll turbo giving good low torque and decent high rev power, about 260/280BHP auto/manual.
4x4, 5 seats, plenty of family room, feels very sportscar-like to drive considering it's a reasonably big estate, looks good (IMHO ), sounds good with decent back boxes, unusual/rare, pretty quick on the road, plenty around smack in your price range. Good community of owners.
Downsides: likes 99RON, and frequent oil changes. Japanese spec radio needs sorting unless you only love Radio 2. Front brakes poor, but full EBC greenstuff/slotted disc kit only £260 and approx 1,000% better (other brake companies available).

[george79]

Nice. I'm fancying something I can take the roof down I think.

Just been looking at CLK's. I hadn't looked at the Jap cars before. I'll go browse some more.

[bearman68]

Audi A4 convertible. Corner like they are on rails, and the 2.0 diesel is awesome. Just so much power, and really refined.
Looks great in white - but is much nicer with chrome 19 inch alloys.

[george79]

They are on my list to look at.

[300bhp/ton]

george79 said:

I'm looking suggestions for a weekend car. It needs to be 4 seats, and a good drive. Obviously there will be some driving compromise.

I'm thinking 4x4's, kit cars, sports cars, convertibles. Something a little unusual.

The kids are 4 & 8, so could fit in small rear seats now, but not for long.

Budget £5 - 10k.

Any ideas to help me?

4.0 litre manual Jeep Wrangler TJ. Lovely lovely engine and quick enough to upset some hot hatches and sports cars. Also a complete riot to drive.

Bonus is the roof comes off too, in fact so do the doors and you can even fold the windscreen down. Few cars can offer such open air experiences. And to top it all residuals are rock solid on them too.

[george79]

The Wrangler is something I keep coming back to. They have a real pull on me.

[300bhp/ton]

bearman68 said:

Audi A4 convertible. Corner like they are on rails, and the 2.0 diesel is awesome. Just so much power, and really refined.
Looks great in white - but is much nicer with chrome 19 inch alloys.

I assume you are jesting? Corner as if it's on rails, it's an Audi, so means dull handling. And a vert will be floppy. And come on, no 2.0 litre diesel can be considered 'awesome' unless you are talking mpg.

[seadragon]

How about a VW beach buggy? I have seen one in Hertfordshire and even away from the beach environment, it still looks cool.

Can fit kids in back and you get loads of bang for your buck. Get one with an uprated engine etc and the fun levels increase

[george79]

seadragon said:

How about a VW beach buggy? I have seen one in Hertfordshire and even away from the beach environment, it still looks cool.

Can fit kids in back and you get loads of bang for your buck. Get one with an uprated engine etc and the fun levels increase

That would be great fun.

[bearman68]

300bhp/ton said:

bearman68 said:

Audi A4 convertible. Corner like they are on rails, and the 2.0 diesel is awesome. Just so much power, and really refined.
Looks great in white - but is much nicer with chrome 19 inch alloys.

I assume you are jesting? Corner as if it's on rails, it's an Audi, so means dull handling. And a vert will be floppy. And come on, no 2.0 litre diesel can be considered 'awesome' unless you are talking mpg.

I don't understand what you mean. The diesel engine is really awesome. it's really powerful, and goes really well and does about 55 mpg. OK,you might not like Audi's but you have to admit, they do drive really well. And OP, if you can get one with leather seats that's really great.

[GrumpyTwig]

bearman68 said:

300bhp/ton said:

bearman68 said:

Audi A4 convertible. Corner like they are on rails, and the 2.0 diesel is awesome. Just so much power, and really refined.
Looks great in white - but is much nicer with chrome 19 inch alloys.

I assume you are jesting? Corner as if it's on rails, it's an Audi, so means dull handling. And a vert will be floppy. And come on, no 2.0 litre diesel can be considered 'awesome' unless you are talking mpg.

I don't understand what you mean. The diesel engine is really awesome. it's really powerful, and goes really well and does about 55 mpg. OK,you might not like Audi's but you have to admit, they do drive really well. And OP, if you can get one with leather seats that's really great.

Have you been sniffing glue?

[bearman68]

No, just trolling a bit I'm afraid. It adds interest to my life, and possibly the thread

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a CLK55 Coupe rather than the convertible but if you want the convertible grab one they're low on bork factor or another alternative is an Audi S4.

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

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

Audi S4

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

M3

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

335i

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

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 14th May 15:08

[george79]

Good suggestions. Liking those.

[kurt535]

I often see, 04/05 plate 3 series rag tops on Autotrader for @5k. They've always had low miles and cared for by people in big houses :0

[Nickp82]

Mazda RX8 R3? You can get a nice one at the lower end of your budget, they handle superbly and comfortably fit four.

[george79]

Interesting

[mac96]

I'll second the RX8- I had one for 6 years or so up until a few months back and there is actually room for real adults in the back, so no problem with kids. And they are a real bargain.
Drive one- you will either love or hate it!

[mickyc79]

I've been considering a convertible recently and while looking around, up popped the Volvo C70 T5.
The hood is a thing of engineering beauty, and the engine speaks for itself! Safe and reliable too with the kids in mind...