Time for a replacement of the Mazda 3 next year. I want an estate, with some poke, but that looks average.

So, what Q car would you have?

I’ll start: what’s a Q car?

T5

I’ll start: what’s a Q car?

Urban dictionary has it.

Alpina B3

aha.

I once valued the workshops in south London where special branch “Q’d” their cars. Was always surprised how big an engine you could fit in a cavalier…..

^ like the idea of a heavily chipped 2.5l diesel in a T5 🙂

It’s STW, it’ll probably be an Audi

Alpina’s aren’t really Q, though – they’re still a “nice looking” 3 series.

not massivly fast but an Alfa 159 3.2 must do well in the looks and sound stakes

otherwise its got to be an S4 or S6 right?

330d SE 258bhp and 55mpg does it get any better? The reason for SE is because it has the std body kit on and normal sized wheels. Take the 330d badge off it and it could be anything.

I’m thinking more subtle than German, which will all be assumed to be quick (even when they’re not).

The old Subaru Legacy spec B 3 litre would be one.

Just need a sort of new-ish equivalent.

550i altough you’d be lucky to get one of those as there weren’t many made

you can probably get a Saab 9-5 Aero for peanuts these days. We have a 3.0 Tdi but think the petrol version would be quick enough to be interesting (fwd aside).

How much for a Lotus Carlton?

The old Forester used to be the ultimate Q car. I soo wanted one, but driving with the knees round my ears was a major drawback. Small much?

Nowdays, for true Q status has to be a debaged T5/6 Volvo.

Instead of the forester, i bought and chipped a v70 T5. booooom! 😆

And you could get a full 3 seat sofa from ikea in it nae bother.

Was always surprised how big an engine you could fit in a cavalier…..

My father once owned a s/h Audi 100 when he traded in his last ur Quattro. Whatever Dave Sutton Motorsport had done to that family saloon, it went like “a bat out of hell” as my mother once said to the vicar’s wife*.

*Not a euphemism – she did. V embarrassing for all concerned. Vicar didn’t care though – AFAICT only his wife believed in God….

Saab 9-5 Aero Estate, 250BHP/320Nm and plenty of room for bikes, with a little software tweeking 290BHP/440Nm….. 😆

and cheap as chips.

ourmaninthenorth – Member
Alpina’s aren’t really Q, though – they’re still a “nice looking” 3 series.

In the definition that it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the b3 is a Q-car.

What’s yours?

Vectra 3.2 estate.

I had an old 405 Mi16 saloon, just looked like your average diesel taxi, but seriously quick. In fact most of my recent cars have been quite ‘Q’.

Omega 3.0, BMW 535i, Jag X-Type 3.0i – all plain colours and quite ‘used’. None looked quick, but all were.

MD at my old place had a BMW 1-series. Not sure on the actual model, but it was the fastest they did. He had it de-badged, de-trimmed and fitted smaller wheels so the missus wouldn’t know 🙂

Not sure I can “stoop” to a Vectra…. 😉

In the definition that it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the b3 is a Q-car.

Fair point. I sort of meant more Q than that. Like a Mazda 6 MPS.

ourmaninthenorth – Member
I’m thinking more subtle than German, which will all be assumed to be quick (even when they’re not).

The old Subaru Legacy spec B 3 litre would be one.

Just need a sort of new-ish equivalent.

I once drove a Subaru Forester with an Impreza WRX engine in it, now that was a q car! Surprisingly easy to stall apparently due to the racing clutch that Subaru had fitted. I’m not sure if this model ever came to market or if it was just a play thing for Subaru UK as it was one of their drivers who I went out with. Must have been 7 or 8 years ago now.

Volvo V70

Subaru Legacy (mine was very stable at 130) 8)

The Legacy’s really don’t look anything special. Not bad on mpg either.

Don’t get a VRS- Gawd they are hideous.

Too old now but I always liked the Mitsibushi Galant, reckon that qualifies.

iemonster – Member

How much for a Lotus Carlton? Was going to suggest this – surely the last word in Q-cars. Imagine it would be a labour of love owning one though.

Nissan Stagea.

Passat W8?
Mondeo ST220?
Vauxhall Zafira GSi

Or how about a Lancia Thema 832?

Or how about a Lancia Thema 832?

The Ferrari one? RARE.

I’d have a BMW 130i SE personally, but for an estate, either the Saab posted above or maybe an old shape 330d Touring.

Id have a debadged 330i SE, they don’t look remotely ‘fast’.

I have a 330i m sport, and my nickname at work is now ‘barry boy’ 🙁

I would buy back my 1994 1.9 TD Passat Estate. Then I would fit a big turbo, bigger injectors, intercooler, bolt the head down a bit better, fit a nice big downpipe, a new gearbox and some big wheels and tyres. 200bhp should do nicely in there.

Ex-Police Omega MV6 estate? If you can find one that’s not rusted away…

Ex-Police Omega MV6 estate

Perfect in a straight line, but did even the police ones go round corners? 😉

How about a C5 3.0tdi – no-one expects them to be quick. As no-one expected my 3.0V6 24v Citroen XM to be quick. Accord 2.4 petrol? 200bhp?

Alternatively a Vectra/Insignia VXR (2.8l turbo +300bhp). Maybe not Q enough?

An old Sapphire Cossie – Q as ****

Subaru Legacy

Come to daddy….

That Lancia Thema is epic..!

Buy pre-2006 (VED increase).

Saab Carlsson modified by Abbott Racing. I truly loved that car – it even handled relatively well once you got used to the torque steer… It also liked front tyres too.
Currently have an old Forester S which I think also counts as a bit of a Q-car.

M5 estate.

Only giveaway is the tailpipes = 400hp

or +1 for Passat W8.