What Would You Buy? Tough Car Purchase

[boombang 2]

Been talking about this at work, people been coming up with all sorts of machinery. This is mostly hypothetical, but came from me selling my VX220 and wondering if I were to replace it, what would I buy.

 

Basically the scope is:

 

A decent semi-grown up RWD car with performance, power and a touch of refinement - something liveable

 

It must however cover a whole plethora of uses, from a small daily commute, to track days, to trips out with the missus, to a European tour (and be exciting enough to keep it interesting!).

 

Only needs 2 seats, and the budget is variable. Ideally £4k, but can go up to £8k or even £10k so long as still offers good value.

 

Been some great and some terrible suggestions so far. What's your take?

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

A mate of mine recently bought a Z3M, very similar criteria to the ones you mention, plus something that the Mrs could also drive. He describes it as "like a TVR but without the unreliability, and it doesn't want to kill you".

[welshpug 1,657]

Monaro?

[boombang 2]

A mate of mine recently bought a Z3M, very similar criteria to the ones you mention, plus something that the Mrs could also drive. He describes it as "like a TVR but without the unreliability, and it doesn't want to kill you".

 

Great start! That was actually my suggestion and in my opinion one of the best of all that came up - however we struggled to find one that was on sensible miles/price apart from a couple of chav'd cars. Most definately right at the top end of the money, but offers a hell of a lot.

 

All the girls at work did however say how horrible it looks and all the blokes love the styling. We all agreed the interiors are a touch on the garish side, but it's hardly a subtle car.

[mr_exe 1]

Honda S2000

[205turbo 32 2 Cars]

lotus sunbeam

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

Capri 2.8i Ghia.

[AJA_GTi 0]

Bmw 328 or bigger.

 

Age to suit your budget

 

manual!

 

 

Edited March 12, 2010 by AJA_GTi

[carbers205 1]

8 series. Preferably 850 in manual. Prices are all over the place though

[MerlinGTI 3]

Capri 2.8i Ghia.

 

I would get a Capri . A sexy 'Brooklands' methinks.

 

It does seem you want something 'grown up' (which im translating as boring ) and something 'refined' (again... ) so thats the capri out of the window I guess

[sonofsam 5]

charged miata

S2000

350z

[Jrod 7]

Capri... they are hardly fast and it will rust away on you if used daily.

 

I'm currently looking aswell and it's between a clio V6, Monaro and Z3M coupe. They all seem to be around the 10k mark though with Monaros maybe a touch more. I've also been seriously considering another Capri but its just not useable daily and I'd have to get one with a 2.9 24v as the old 2.8 just doesn't cut it.

 

I wanted a Mx5 until my budget got bigger.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Jrod

[gtmotorsport 0]

A good e36 M3 would fit your budget, but how about a Jag XK8 if you want a bit of class.

[boombang 2]

I would get a Capri . A sexy 'Brooklands' methinks.

 

It does seem you want something 'grown up' (which im translating as boring ) and something 'refined' (again... ) so thats the capri out of the window I guess

 

Yes, on the grand scheme of things the result would be more grown up and refined than anything owned before, but that doesn't rule out something seriously quick and a hoot to drive.

 

Paul has named my all time favourite car, but it just wouldn't be right - I'd certainly not like to do 3k mile pan-European trip in one.

 

350Z was shortlisted before buying VX220, the S2000 ruled out before buying VX220 (back to back drives absolutely no contest) - times have changed for me now though so it could be considered. Can see an S2000 being tracked, but not the 350Z (perhaps wrongly). Also can anyone seriously live with those door handles?

 

One marque not yet mentioned (which was suggested by almost everyone at work) was Porsche. Boxsters are well within that budget now, although it's just not quite me. 968 seems overpriced, massively overpriced in fact, but ticks all the boxes. This then led to a lengthy discussion about 944s. We all like them in a weird retro way, but none of us have driven one.

 

Thing that's a bit irritating about it all, is if the VX220 was even a tiny bit more practical, it'd have ticked all the boxes easily. Plus not many cars that can outpace 90% of cars on the road and still give 35MPG.

[miamigtimark 3 1 Cars]

E36 m3 .

3 litre=286bhp

3.2 litre=321 bhp (claimed)

Had mine (avus blue coupe) for seven years. I love it.

You WILL need deep pockets.

[Baz 421]

E39 M5, or an S6 Avant.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Baz

[Masekwm 2]

RX-8?

[shalmaneser 26]

A good e36 M3 would fit your budget, but how about a Jag XK8 if you want a bit of class.

 

or an e39 M5. Brilliant value ATM, future classic etc etc.

 

or if you don't fancy M-tax then an e36 328i sport - LSD as standard, very tunable engine.

 

I reckon if i ever get shot of the 205 my money's going on a really nice e36 328i.

[screwloose 6]

You'll need even deeper pockets with the M5.

 

What about these:

 

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1508927.htm

 

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1518642.htm

 

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1244606.htm

Edited March 12, 2010 by screwloose

[Anthony 1,003]

One of the later supercharged Jaguar XJR's? An awful lot of car for the money, and surely perfect for meetings and touring across Europe...

[MrG 3]

depends if you want basic and good rwd fun or one with gizmo's to keep you on the straight and narrow?

 

Personally I'd go for an e36 M3, but as has been said before deep pockets needed to keep it on the road. Then again I have a soft spot for the Capri. A 2.8i possibly but better still a Burton engined all steel 3.1 V6 3.0s with a 4spd box, LSD out back would do the job nicely. I had one (amongst many I might add) and it was truly an awe inspiring car when driven properly. Janspeed exhausts, Holley 4 barrell carb. Recaro fishnet seats. Brilliant.

 

Or maybe find a high miles e30 M3, brilliant on the track, and good enough on the road.

 

or an SD1 Rover twin plenum Vitesse?

 

However I'd probably go retro for some fun and just to be different if it were me, and with the figures you're talking about a decent Mk2 Escort would be high on my list. I'm not a fan of the Japanese electric this and that keep you out of trouble cars. So perhaps a strong RS2000 or Mexico flat front shell with a choice engine, twin 50's, trimmed inside to make it comfortable but its all there to play with when you want to.

Edited March 12, 2010 by MrG

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

the E87 130i is a wee belter, but maybe just outside your budget for a good example. not far off though.

[floodys 4 1 Cars]

Granada? scorpio? transit? princess? allegro? all lovely motors that would suit you down to the ground alex!! or save your money for something else and use your old chaps monaro for track days and use the corsa for daily use!!

[Bigtimmy 1]

Audi S4 estate. Theres a stunning one for sale up by me and it was owned by a local guy who I know and he LOVED it. A proper sleeper but with proper performance and 200 + bhp.

 

It did go well and being an Audi it'll still look good and go well in 10 years time!

 

Add to all that a big boot to carry all your 205 bits that you will undoubtably collect and hey presto its ideal!

 

Although I've just realised that it clearly isn't RWD....but still a great car!

Edited March 12, 2010 by Bigtimmy

[Jrod 7]

One of the later supercharged Jaguar XJR's? An awful lot of car for the money, and surely perfect for meetings and touring across Europe...

 

You've made me really consider one of these.

 

Not quite the sporty car I considered but a nice daily drive with a bit of power! 205 for the weekends....