Currently driving an impreza, it's fun and fast, willing to part chop her but my total spend will probably not get a funding sign off (from the wife) above 14k. We're stuck, it's gotta be fun, economy not a major issue as it does approx 5 or 6 k a year. Similar size due to two kids and holidays/camping over her. Where to start??
Where to start?
If economy isn't a huge issue, and you're not doing many miles, then what about a BMW 530i or 530d Touring? Nowhere near as in-yer-face as an Impreza, but they're beautiful to drive. You'd get an 06 for your money if you shopped around.
All depends on your main priority.
Infiniti G35?
Mmm, do love 5 series beemers but thought they'd be out of reach, whats bit and bobs like for them, stupidly expensive??
Is that 14k in addition to the part ex income? 3 year old 730d - sit back and relax in the knowledge someone else lost the 25k depreciation...
You could get a 2003/04 (ish) Mercedes AMG E55 for that kind of money - shopping around and haggling may be required. Serious amounts of fun and beautiful to drive...not sure on cost of parts though.
Using logic.
- Anything diesel is out.
- You need something reasonably nippy.
- Needs to be at least mid-sized.
Octavia VRS or Golf GTI 2.0T petrol.
BMW 3 series estate?
"Octavia or Golf GTI 2.0T petrol" but they are just dull to drive!
Darn the answer was infront of my chevvy-chase.
Subaru Legacy Sportswagon.
Mmm, do love 5 series beemers but thought they'd be out of reach, whats bit and bobs like for them, stupidly expensive??
A 5-series which is 4+ years old and costs £14k is will still be expensive to service at a BMW dealer, though some offer discount rates for the older car; I used to use an excellent specialist who luckily was less than a mile from my wife's office. Literally half the price of a main dealer. Ironically, they provided better service in terms of mechanic's feedback and the tracing of a particular problem, though the dealership did have a lovely receptionist and nice coffee.
That said, if you're used to the not-inexpensive running costs of an Impreza, BMW prices aren't that scary.
I don't know why but used 5 series says to me 'ex rep mobile/person couldn't afford new Beemer'.
Alfa 159 🙂 or an old 166 and keep the change to run it!
Yeah the impreza has cost it's fair share. No offence but I couldn't go from running something that quick to a golf. Imprezas have took a hammering at part ex lately so it's prob 8k max then I might and it's a big might be able to afford upto another 7 to make it 15k total!! And have a newer one but just can't bare the hatchback shape!!!
I don't know why but used 5 series says to me 'ex rep mobile/person couldn't afford new Beemer'.
Strange point of view. Whilst I could [b]afford[/b] a new 5 Series, I could not stomach the £30k of depreciation I'd suffer over 3 years on a £45k car. It would ruin my enjoyment of the car.
After 3 years/60-70k miles, it'll drive very much as well as a new one, and I have the smug satisfaction of a man who has a low-depreciating car that someone has serviced on a maintenance contract and generally looked after.
Focus ST
Mazda 3 MPS
Mitsi Galant Estate (VR4, I think it's called)
Astra VXR
Leon Cupra (not sure the handling is up to much from what I've read)
Mazda RX-8 ('sports' car with usable-ish back seats)
Audi S3
I reckon draw up a handful of wannabe's then go and testdrive them all.
Steering and going round a bend is key to me (Audi's out) but speed isn't that important (as I can't drive properly).
FunkyDunc - Member
BMW 3 series estate?"Octavia or Golf GTI 2.0T petrol" but they are just dull to drive!
In what way are they "dull"
Son had an Octavia for a while and it was a hoot compared to his mates rattly/clunky Focus ST which was just horrendous(and that was just the seating/driving position!!! )
hora - Member
Using logic.- Anything diesel is out.
Used to think that until I got my Touran 😈
What about the Audi A5?
Steering and going round a bend is key to me
Seating and driving position is my first priority followed by space for bikes and then grand kids 🙄
If you're no bothered about fuel economy then how about an Audi RS6 as you should be able to get something like an '03 or '04 for £14K.
I like my Octy vRS estate but I'm not going to kid myself its as quick or fun to drive as an Impreza would be. But then I wasn't looking for something silly quick when I bought the Octy!
What about a JDM TypeR saloon? Are they £14k'ish?
Old shape V8 S4 Avant possibly?
If he only drives 6k a year a diesel would be a pointless purchase.
Is there much difference nowadays? I don`t notice it having gone from 1.4/1.6 petrol up to 2.0ltr diesel.
Except for better fuel consumption 😆 when driving with consumption in mind 😉
3.0ltr Audi A5 would be my choice over a BMW or Merc.
I had a look at the s4 but you are as you rightly said getting into older car territory for the money!! I really don't want to trawl car showrooms when I could be out riding at the weekend. Time to shell out for an auto trader me thinks!!
Ok do you like awd, rear wheel or no preference?
Fun at £14k you want? Golf GTi or even better an R32. £14k will get you a Mk V R32 which I can personally confirm is a LOT of fun and very quick. Mine is coming up for 2.5 years old now and I still love it - usually get bored with cars after 2 years. Get a topbox for when you go camping.
130i BMW if you dont need a big load carrier.
Nicer than anything FWD IMHO
Bazzer
"In what way are they "dull""
Front wheel drive and quite powerful = fast on the straights but dull in corners.
As above has to be rwd for proper fun.
Cant say I would get a 1 series though, they are stupid money for such a small car.
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http://www.compucars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes/cl-class/cl600/for-sale/?1434932
£10K for the car leave £5K for the increased running costs although they are not that bad. Loads of car for the money and some iother sucker has lost the £100,000 depreciation. That is right, these babies were £108,000 new before touching the options
WCA the OP hasn't mentioned his age but I'm sure he didnt type 'now I am newly retired from the boat industry and would like something that reminds me of riding a boat on the waves'...
😀
I've always fancied a 2.0 WRX Sportwagon with the PPP.
As suggested an V R32 Golf. Just make sure you don't come up against any lightly chipped Mark 5 Gti's. The only issue i has with them is the cheapish interior.
Or perhaps a bespoke 130i.
To me though that Audi costs a lot of money for an old car that doesnt look any thing special. I dont think they are supposed to be that great to drive either (not that I've driven one)
I'd prefer a slower more modern BM than that
Don't know about the RS6 I have never driven one.....always wanted one though.
I have a 330d m-sport with all the trimmings, compared to my previous car which was a Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B the Subaru is head and shoulders ahead on all counts particularly when driving in the snow or across camping fields. Legacy Spec B's are a bargain at the moment due to low mpg and high emmissions.
Don't believe the BMW hype.
"Don't believe the BMW hype."
About what driving across muddy fields or on snow?
For £14k, something fun and nice I would be test driving the following:
BMW 130 - Fun
Renault Sport Megane F1 R26 - More Fun
Golf R32 - not a GTi, they're boring
Evo 8 - similar to your scooby.
R26R? I think you could spec them with back seats, would be a good steer.
v8 rs4?
Unless your Impreza was an STi rather than the more typical WRX then their won't be a massive difference in performance between a Golf Gti / Cupra/ Focus ST et al and your Impreza.
For 14k I'd probably go for a newish Golf R32
Did someone really just suggest a Renault? Really? I hope you have deep pockets to fix the inevitable electrical problems.
Vauxhall Monaro - 6 litre V8 goodness for between £10-£15k
Should be a laugh to drive and big enough for the family. 🙂
Cant say I would get a 1 series though, they are stupid money for such a small car
Thats a good thing small but still quite powerful and RWD. Why have a big barge if you don't need the room.
Mate has a 130i with a LSD fitted and its a great road car. I had a go in it and it was excellent. Bit more power than the wifes 120d 🙂
Another mate has a 135i and has just had it chipped to nearly 400BHP he is going to get an LSD 🙂
Both fantastic well balanced cars that get the power down really well and have a great feel to them.
Front wheel drive and quite powerful = fast on the straights but dull in corners.
I've never understood this. Why are fwd cars 'dull in corners'?
Unless anything other than tail out sliding is counted as 'dull' (which, incidentally, I've only ever seen once on a public road and that was a fwd car).
p.s. I have driven a range of cars including both fwd and rwd, and I still don't understand.
VR4
My Scoob was the wrx 300 prodrive with a few extras, running at 270 brake. 0 to 60 in under 5 apparently but the turbo was standard so didn't have quite the mid range as the sti. Plus different box ratios as it's a 5 over a 6 speed. I would really love the rb320 (pure Chav) but they're still holding money well. I'll keep looking and cheers for the suggestions folks.
I've never understood this. Why are fwd cars 'dull in corners'?
Not all of them are, R26 Megane, Focus RS are great to drive. Its just that the Golf GTi / Octavias and Leon FRs of this world are rather uninvolving and quite boring to drive.
I've only got a 1.6 Focus but boy does it love going straight on in corners.
You don't get that on a Subaru. It GOES round a corner (well maybe not on sheet ice or torrential rain) 🙄
LHS - indeed.
Some fwd cars are boring, but that's not simply because they are fwd. Equally, some rwd cars are boring.
p.s. incidentally, I currently have a hired vw polo at my disposal and it's definitely not boring - in fact it's terrifying, due the the total lack of any feeling in any of the controls!
Subaru Legacy Sportswagon.
good shout..
you can get an imported twin turbo version that will blow pretty much everything off the road
like this one but the estate version, cant find a newer one...
[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2186604.htm ]tinker[/url]
Getting a FWD car to get its power down coming out of a corner is solving a problem that just does not exist in a RWD car and its normaly at the expense of making it do something else badly like reducing steering feel.
The laws of physics are with a RWD car and against a FWD car.
But this does not mean all FWD cars are dull some are not, but IMHO the best RWD car will always be more fun the than the best FWD car.
Snow hora snow, tis the chink in every scoobs armour, simply shit unless you have the correct tyres! Four wheel drive counts for nowt in the snow!!
I wouldn't get an RS6, lovely car but very very heavy and they just feel like driving an incredibly fast tanker. Was not impressed and that was the old and new 2010 models.
For that money i would go for a B5 RS4 wagon and get it serviced by a good independent. They are pretty bulletproof engines (V6 biTurbo) and at say 80k miles just about run in 😉
Just very nice vehicles, light enough, roomier than an impreza and nicer to drive.
disclaimer: i've had 4 wrx's inc sti and now drive a 2008 RS4 😆
Renaultsport Megane is the current choice of the mags is it not...
The thing is though all the Renault have an interior that is one step up from a cardboard box. Seriously horrible places to be.
Before the RS4 i drove (in no specific order)
New legacy GT
Mazda MPS (old and new model)
Gold GTi and R
Corrado R
Octavia VRs
S3
Renaultsport Megane the one with the chequered roof
And honestly the MPS was the most fun (fwd 2 ltr turbo), the Golf R was the most disappointing. The Legacy, in black, looks like a fast hearse. The renault was fast and drove well but rattled like a box of matches and was horrible inside, crapy driving position as well.
There is only one answer to this problem
An MG ZT 260
Check out evo mag for best drivers cars. Be selfish and get a car that you like driving:
Mini cooper s 180bhp great fun
Renaultsport Clio 192 cup
Lotus Elise 111r
Audi Tt 2nd gen 2006 2.0
BMW z4m or even z3m
Audi s3
Mitsubishi 8 or 9
Those MG's get about 4 mpg don't they? 😉
Loved my sisters old renault clio 172, it was just dangerous but so much fun! As much as id love the lotus its gotta be a "family" car at the end of the day coz theres four of us to cart off on hols, camping etc.
Nz col is the mps mazda the impreza sized one thats now 4wd, based on the 6 series i think. I went on a mazda freebie track day and was impressed by it if thats the one. Doing j turns in it and all sorts!
147 GTA
[i]I don't know why but used 5 series says to me 'ex rep mobile/person couldn't afford new Beemer'. [/i]
Better a s/h 5 series than a new 1 series!
I'd spend less, way less - 535i E39 for me.
Those MG's get about 4 mpg don't they?
Not sure that is what you worry about when you buy one.
Estate V8 for around 7k. Apparently there are various test models floating about with supercharges and other additions from the factory.
I would love one, but I could never afford it.
[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201101376476325/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/zt/make/mg/postcode/ne209lf/page/1/radius/1500/keywords/260?logcode=p ]MG ZT - 1[/url]
Wrightyson I think it was more me keeping my footdown and not lifting....3 folk won't get into a car with me again yet binners thinks I'm slow as I drive like an angel with him in 🙂
wrightyson - no this was the 3 based MPS which is smaller or probably almost same size as an impreza, 5 door though hatch. I've never heard of a larger MPS and/or a 4wd system on any of them ?.
For what you want though the RS4 is the answer - decent sized hatch, not the largest boot in the world but adequate. We had 4 bikes,a surf ski, 100 bottles of beer, 2 sets of golf clubs and a load of long sheeting that needed to be delivered in ours for 800k and it was perfectly fast enough thanks 😀
£14k (or quite a bit less actually) would get you a VERY nice E39 BMW M5...
Somewhat overshadowed by the headline bhp figure of its follower, the E60 with the 500bhp V10, but the 5 litre V8 in the E39 has an almost identical torque output, at lower revs, in a lighter car. In other words, unless you're driving 10 10ths all the time, an E39 is as "real world" quick as an E60 M5. Exceptionally capable cars too, really lazy when you need them to be, will pick up its heels and show many lighter more outwardly sporting cars the way home if you want it to! Proper comfy for a family car too.
Oh, and the V8 in them is a very unstressed motor. It'll rev well for a big engine, but it's VERY easy to get more power out of the engine just by allowing it to breathe better. And they sound AMAZING with a decent stainless exhaust fitted... Think small block V8 only more refined and more muscular!
I'd have one in a heartbeat if I had even £10k to spend on a car that I didn't do much milage in. To be fair though, my old chap used to get 28mpg on a run on the motorway at about a steady 75-80mph in his old one. Not economical, but not too thirsty until you hoof it. WAY more fun and more rewarding than any 4wd Jap car IMO, and a lot more refined! Get friendly with a decent independent BMW specialist (I know of a couple in my area who are VERY good) and it won't even cost the earth to run...
I've had 2 Imprezas but with a growing family I got an rs6 5 years ago.
Fantastic car but will make your impreza look economical!
I do low miles like you so it's affordable.
This is the longest I have ever owned a car and I still love it.
MM
Funny mix of classy motors and chav dreams being recommended here!
And re diesel, some people like the way they drive. Plus even at 6k/year you'd still save money on fuel and tax, and probably wouldn't cost much more than one of the fancier petrols possibly.. but that's a guess.
I would go with a BMW too. Test drove a lot of cars prior to getting my latest and most VAG stuff Audi A4, Golf GTI felt dull to handle and uninvolving like my old Vectra but with nicer interiors.
I ended up with a 5 series Touring mainly because my wife has a 3 Series Touring and it was too sad to have identical cars. Both are Msports and hers rides harder and is a bit more fidgety but probably more fun where mine is smoother but less involving.
3 Series are easier to find and a 330 petrol or diesel would be very nice and fun.
Or if you prefer high tech turbo stuff and can cope with a saloon there are any number of Evo's to consider.
An independent garage is an essential for any of these so might be worth looking at what is available near to you and seeing what they have to offer.
Have fun choosing.
e39 m5 looked after shouldnt depreciate much at that mileage pa.
zt is a great idea, would have preferred one to my e39 estate.
In reality though why change the subaru? you will end up with something either slower or with higher miles.
That ^^^^^ might just be the answer Ivan!!
Plus you wouldnt be able to wear your beanie hat and a sullen look in a M5 😉
Yep m5 or rs4 would be my pick. M5s really are beautiful.
On depreciation-my rs4 was just shy of 170k dollars new in 2008. 35k on it and I paid basically half that. OUCH. How and why would you buy it new ? Even now the same year with more mileage change hands for what I paid.
Sound amazing. Boxer-crotch rippingly nice 😯
I would concur with Mouintainmutant - I purchased a RS6 a couple of years ago and whilst they are not the type of car to chuck about the 460bhp certainly makes up for it and they can be made to hustle reasonably well despite the size of it.
I gues it depends on what you are after - myself with two kids, need to drive to France etc on holidays carrying 4 bikes etc etc. This definately made the drive down enjoyable and in comfort - even managed 20mpg cruising on the motorway.
Having said that whilst relatively cheap to buy 2nd hand now the running costs are HUGE and you need a rock solid warranty