[Closed] New car time - sports saloon

Big Merc?

Nissan 350z?

Older RS4?

Mate had a Jag S-R and although we both wanted to like it, we didn't. Not certain why but it didn't work. If fast on a flat straight is what you want then but an Audi. If you want a sports saloonj buy something else.

Doesn't answer the question but confirms your thinking. Also AVOID Audis. I don't care how nice the finish is, they are dull to drive. Everything is adequate. Make love to a woman and she says 'that was adequate' and that is the feeling you get driving an Audi.

Just read the other comments.

I switched an Audi S8 for a Mercedes CL600AMG. The Merc isn't quite as comfortable but is SO MUCH BETTER I need to use capitals.

Nissan Z cars are good. 370 has the edge over the earlier 350s

Earlier RS4s. Great is a straight line. depends if your jurnies ever involve corners and enjoying the drive

Make love to a woman and she says 'that was adequate'

I have no idea what that might be like.

Skoda octavia vrs...... ?

@Als comment - me neither...if that is the price for not owning nice cars I think I can live with that 😉

I have no idea what that might be like.

something to aspire to though

[i]I have no idea what that might be like. [/i]

Because they're normally asleep?

😀

I'm still a virgin

I have recently sold a PX'd 2003 E500 with every conceivable toy, one owner & FMBSH for £6k, it must of been about 80K new, now that was a sports saloon!
If it wasn't for the 15mpg I would of kept it for myself.

If it wasn't for the 15mpg I would of kept it for myself.

BMW M3. It'll have to be an old one for that money. Or even an M5

I'd say E39 M5 all day long, but for some reason the OP has specified Auto only. So...

Merc E55 AMG
Audi RS6
Alpina B10 (almost an auto M5 basically)
Jag XJR
Holden/Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8
VW Passat W8 (not obvious, but v nice and v different)

That's about all the options I can think of now other than the X Type you already drove that have an auto box. Why auto only if you don't mind me asking?

I had a W8 Passat as a company car, and although it was deeply impressive in many ways, it was absolutely not, in any way, sporty.

The newer Phaeton is a fabulous car; well made, powerful and effectively a Bentley under that dull exterior. But not sporty. Vanessa Feltz is more sporty.

For my money I'd go Jag, but XJR. This just makes the budget.

[img] http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=1740305972 [/img]

Infiniti G35 sedan

Same engine as the Nissan 350Z but 4 doors and lots of luxury.

[img] [/img]

Same engine as the Nissan 350Z ..

A Renault V6 then.

At least no-one could accuse you of being a badge snob.

This is a classic error. There is no such thing as a sport saloon, just sports cars and saloons. Decide which you want and buy that.

This is a classic error. There is no such thing as a sport saloon, just sports cars and saloons. Decide which you want and buy that.

What a typically STW-like answer and totally wrong spw3

Just to pick one of the above mentioned cars - what would you describe an M3 as, if not a sports saloon?

You will just about get an E46 M3 BMW for that money which is by far anway the best of the cars mentioned above. Might only be a 2 door but they ar stunning cars and a proper drivers car.

My ideal car would be an E39 540 touring. Loads of space and the excellent stiff chassis E39 handling.

A Renault V6 then.

At least no-one could accuse you of being a badge snob.

A Nissan engine used in four Renault models does not make the engine a Renault.

At least no-one could accuse you of knowing what you're talking about 😛

Going to get flamed on this but....Alfa 156 GTA 3.2V6 at that budget would get a very nice one, best sounding engine note by far and not very common.

This is a classic error. There is no such thing as a sport saloon, just sports cars and saloons. Decide which you want and buy that.

You should visit Bathurst sometime ...

Neighbour just traded his S type R on a new XF, the S type was incredibly quick, had every bell and whistle, but chewed tyres apart, wouldn't move if there was a hint of snow or ice, slid all over the place in the wet and generally scared the wife every two minutes.

He's never regretted the XF (nor do i ... as also have one) Might be a personal thing but the torque of a large diesel is more usable. Ive had a Holden Commodore SS in the past which is similar output and issues to the S types

Infiniti are also Nissan....

there's is nothing sporty about an old man's Jag IMO. M5 all the way

[i]I'd say E39 M5 all day long, but for some reason the OP has specified Auto only. [/i]

Last manual I had was a 405 Mi16, had many auto's before and lots since - m/c is a manual though, with a proper (sequential) gearbox 🙂

The Nissen's are fun cars, but only 2 seats so no good - have 3 kids.

Looked at E500's, good spec and well quick - but as said heavier on fuel than I'd want.

Audi's just don't do it for me.

Monaro's are fun (but manual) and I nearly managed one as a company car - I could have any Vauxhall as my grade was a 530i. My boss signed the form, but then mentioned to the Accountant (car buff), that I wanted one of those little people-carrier things - confusing Meriva with Monaro...

Hadn't thought of the XJR; quite like the XF's, but I'm too tight to spend the current £20k I'd need to.

Passat CC?

bigbloke - Member

Going to get flamed on this but....Alfa 156 GTA 3.2V6 at that budget would get a very nice one, best sounding engine note by far and not very common.

I'm with bigbloke here. Alternatively what about my current steed, an Alfa 159 3.2 Q4 - automatic versions are extremely rare though and probably out of budget.

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If you need more room an Alfa 166 3.2 would be well within budget - just need to add some Koni dampers to sort out the handling.

[img] [/img]

what about that mazda 6 MPS thing? You see the odd one about, look tidy.
Also the Lexus thing, again don't know the name or the details as I have no interest in eastern stuff whatsoever.

Guess you could just get a newer 530/535?
I love jags, but I completely fail to get excited about the X or S type models, just look/feel/are(?) american interpretations of what a jag should be like. Guess for the price a 5yr old XJ-R'charger would be the ticket?

M5... I doubt you'd do better.

I've said it before but a Mondeo ST220 in a massive ammount of fun for not much cash, but if your after jags etc you won't want a ford

I'd go with a newer 535d, always auto, bit od a lazier drive maybe than a petrol but a huge amount of torque.

volvo s40 or s60
skoda octavia

I assume rear drive would be a requirement? Best handling by far. As Top Gear said, BMWs are safe to drive now as all the d1ckheads are now Audi-botherers!

[i]I'm with bigbloke here. Alternatively what about my current steed, an Alfa 159 3.2 Q4 - automatic versions are extremely rare though and probably out of budget.[/i]

No, a friend has a manual Brera version - he drives like a granny and still struggles with early 20's mpg - plus its not really an Alfa engine, more a GM one...

I've been looking at 535d's, but tbh at twice the price of the Jag for the same age - they look dear.

[i]As Top Gear said, BMWs are safe to drive now as all the d1ckheads are now Audi-botherers! [/i]

This was due to me, as I bought my Beemer the week before Clarksons' announcement 🙂

A Lotus Carlton if you can find one or if not a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4*4.
But : they are not autos.
In that case how about a Bentley Turbo R : that's an auto!
Or even an Aston Martin Lagonda 😉

This is what I'd have for the money: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201117385719585/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/legacy/make/subaru/postcode/la50rn/page/1/quicksearch/true/radius/40?logcode=p

Bigbloke - Nice choice. I couldn't stretch to a Q4 so I got a 159 TI Sportwagen. I LOVE it. It just puts a smile on my face everytime I get in.

Having had my 535d for over 4 years now I would say try one!
Post 07 they are a bit more efficient. But as somebody has already said - you have to have an auto.

DaveP

I've driven a 535d as my old boss had one - it was good, but his wasn't particularly 'special' on fuel (which tbh is the only reason I'd swap to diesel) - what mpg do you get?

You realise it's a twin turbo 3 litre with ~300bhp and 500 torques, right?

And for a alternative choice,
Subaru Legacy Spec B
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Just man-up and change gears 🙂

Road tax of £450 a year on the Scooby - that would wipe the smile from my face unless I was driving it all the time....no time for cycling then though.
How about man up and get a GSXR 1000 and some turbo-diesel for the day to day? (dangerous I hear you say).

[i]How about man up and get a GSXR 1000 and some turbo-diesel for the day to day? (dangerous I hear you say). [/i]

My daily transport is a Triumph 1050 😀

[i]You realise it's a twin turbo 3 litre with ~300bhp and 500 torques, right? [/i]

That almost sounds like a H-D/Buell advert...