Wooly car.
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them + heated seats = heaven
Get yourself a nice BMW E46 M3. I had one last year and loved that car. Made every trip fun and was very good at "making progress".. Never once considers the environment as I gave it a boot full of the load pedal. What a noise!
Oh and the mention of Nissan Pulsars GTI-R's always makes me smile. My Dad and Brother had them and used to embarrass silly expensive cars on a regular basis. 315bhp and just shy of 400bph respectively in a small hatchback will do that! Sub 5 seconds to 60mph.. Mental quick and great handling.
Had a similar talk with myself about cars and am off to look at a Mk.2 TT on saturday. It's a hard top and based on teh Golf chassis, so it's hardly a silly car, but it is the 3.2 V6 Quattro, so it more or less qualifies.
If I need to take passengers or carry extra stuff I'll take the van.
This looks amazing, the Pi55ed up owner is in the photo. One careful lady owner!
[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501039919217/sort/pricedesc/radius/1500/model/boxster/usedcars/price-to/5000/postcode/bs110yb/fuel-type/petrol/make/porsche/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p ]Boxster[/url]
Fun car is a Porsche 944 S2, boring car is Octavia 1.8t 4x4. Both have been known to get into double digit mpg starting with a 3.
944 is bloody ace fun and smoother than some newer stuff I've driven.
RX-8? They're very cheap to pick up, good fun RWD cars and can drink petrol like nobodies business.
£5k? Here, take two!
Jag S type R
Supercharged 4.2L V8 and your cheapest way into the 400bhp club.
Get yourself a nice BMW E46 M3
This.
What a noise!
In a tunnel building to the redline is something to behold.
😀
Glad to see the Pulsar love, it's the only car I've been in that made my eyes hurt. Sci-fi levels of traction.
Minor drug dealers in Manchester used to buy 3.2 A3 and R32's. Even they've gone up to 530's now 😆
From memory the 3.2 A3 Audi has a very expensive Achilles heel. I'll try to remember it..
Ah yeah google timing chain.
E39 M5.
430bhp V8 Rwd.
End.
Suzuki Alto
OP get a WRX.
Suggsey, I mention the comparison with the golf because on paper they're the same car, but in reality the feeling you get from them is quite different. That's not to say the golf is wild - it's anything but - but it's certainly more exciting than the a3 despite sharing lots of bits.
To say that cars which are not super car levels are all similar is a bit naive I think. Fiesta STs of the same era as the Clio 182 are are different kettle of fish, as are fabia VRSs compared to other diesel hatchbacks. Not to mention the panda 100hp compared to other 5dr shopping cars. You don't have to be driving on the limit to appreciate those qualities either, they're very apparent at legal speeds driving safely and considerately.
And, for the same reason a 330i is less capable in the snow than a Quattro a3, the 330 would not be the car of choice for someone who wants to drive sideways everywhere. No LSD, no walloping amounts of torque and traction control keeping things sensible just in case. It does however offer a decent power/drivetrain, is comfortable and can drink lots of juice if required. Are those not qualities the OP seems to be looking for in the A3?
Lots of chat about monetary cost but not a thought about the environmental cost. It should be part of the equation, especially for those of you who plan on/have procreated.
Running an older gas guzzling V8 that's already been manufactured is probably a whole load more friendly to the environment than placing an order for a new eco or hybrid car. Most of the CO2 and environmental damages associated by a car in its lifetime comes during the manufacture stage.
Anyway back to the OP, an A3 V6 is a good competent and swift car but hardly an exciting one. Having said that I'm sure you'll enjoy it coming from a van. If I was in the market for a sub £10k fun car that I could also use every day then you shouldn't rule out the following:
E46 M3 (RWD, fantastic chassis)
Renaultsport Clio 200 (amazing grip, handling, revvy engine)
Renaultsport Megane 225/250 (bigger than clio, with added turbo punch and a LSD)
Fiat Coupe 20VT (bags of Italian character 5cyl burble - massive turbo shove)
Audi S3, 8L (one of the best drivers Audi's - better than TT)
MK 5 Golf Gti (does everything well)
Nissan 350Z (RWD fun and nice V6)
BMW 130i (RWD, pace and practicality)
Loads more but you get the idea. All the above have bags more character than a V6 A3 and if you like driving you won't get bored of them.
As I am now 40 I've been looking at this thread with interest.
Is it possible for something around 250ish bhp to retain some kind of economy ? (say 30 ish mpg)
The new Golf Gti will return those figures but anything producing that sort of bhp (unless you go for a torquey diesel) will if you use the power be below 30mpg on a tank full in my experience.
I think the new GolF R also gets close.
Don't forget to look at road tax too and factor that in as a lot of older dirtier engines are in the £475 a year bracket!
The various 3l V6 diesels will do 40mpg afaik, at least, and the BMW one seems very well regarded. There's also a 2.0 diesel twin turbo in the new Passat that delivers 240bhp.. Whilst it wouldn't really qualify as a silly car it would be a nice sleeper 🙂
Running an older gas guzzling V8 that's already been manufactured is probably a whole load more friendly to the environment than placing an order for a new eco or hybrid car.
Lol.. Hilarious how people keep saying this as if those are the only two choices.. In an effort to justify gas guzzling!
RX-8? They're very cheap to pick up, good fun RWD cars and can drink petrol like nobodies business.
There's a good reason they're cheap - usually because the Renesis block is ready to, or has, gone past the point of no return. That and people realise they are a complete bastard to live with.
If you were looking long term though I can think of worse donor cars for an engine swap 🙂
Here's one already done, £4k:
Get an e92 M3 instead.
If you do, then get a BMW warranty. My mate had bills of over 30k for 2 1/2 years and 30k miles ownership. Luckily all under warranty. Suspension creaks, driveline knocks, steppermotors on throttle body failures. The bills were just immense. My MD has one and hearing of his woes, is scared to drive it. In fact the last time he did, the traction system failed and without warning spat him across the road, which he managed to get back. Don't forget the 18 mpg, which is what he used to average. Its a 85 mile trip between my boss's house and work and he couldn't manage 2 days travelling without filling up.
The do sound epic, especially with the Miltek system on my MD's car, but tread 'very' carefully with these !!
Oh and resale.... Mate bought his for £45k from BMW and sold it back to them for ............... £16k..........Oooooooffffff
If u want something reeaaaally stupid go back about 15-20 years and get something with a blower
200sx
Mr2turb
Rx7
Pulsar gtir
Impreza p1
Evo of some form
Astra mk2-3 2.0t
Some form of cossworth
With a 4-5k budget most of those will put enough power to put the wind up most people and show up allot of new cars,
I had some spare cash when a bit younger pre children so shoehornd a 2.0 turbo into a sleeper corsa b gutted it and screamed it everywhare was awesome fun
You'll not get a non-disastrous RX7 for less than about £7k nowadays. MR2 are fairly bombproof, but no good for bike and spaniel.
There's a good reason they're cheap - usually because the Renesis block is ready to, or has, gone past the point of no return. That and people realise they are a complete bastard to live with.
And ignore this about rotaries. People who say this have either never owned one, or never looked after the one they did own [u]in the way they were supposed to[/u]. They're fantastic engines, just a bit thirsty is all.
boardsiAs I am now 40 I've been looking at this thread with interest.
Is it possible for something around 250ish bhp to retain some kind of economy ? (say 30 ish mpg)
Loads will. Almost too many cars to list, you'd need to narrow it down a bit. The only thing is, the more power and/or weight you add to those figures the more likely it'll be that figure will be a target as opposed to a reality.
According to Honest John you can get 36mpg out of a 328i and they're 240bhp ish.
Personally I'd be impressed with that. I drove to work this morning in our lass's 140bhp Ibiza and got 38mpg on the computer. That's 12 miles, two thirds town/one third dual carriageway at 75.
Last petrol I had was a 180 TTq that made 26mpg long term.
boardsi - Member
As I am now 40 I've been looking at this thread with interest.Is it possible for something around 250ish bhp to retain some kind of economy ? (say 30 ish mpg)
POSTED 14 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
BMW 330D - I know it's an oil burner, but it has more torque than the new M3/M4
And ignore this about rotaries. People who say this have either never owned one, or never looked after the one they did own in the way they were supposed to.
Or option C) the person who owned it before you never looked after it and you're left with a dog. The seals wear without near constant constant servicing, fact. Once they do they can't be saved without sustantial cost (if at all) which is why the dogs go cheap and the ones that have been looked after go for higher premiums (whodathunkit?). The very fact that the last incarnation was fitted with an extra oil ports was very telling, not to mention the fact that pre-Renesis 13B's were far more sturdy and reliable.
Ignore at your peril.
No, I've not owned one but have certainly done my homework (and known a couple of people who got sucked in by cheap prices having not done theirs).
I wanted something silly about a year ago, but eventually ruled out anything with 2 seats as it's my only car and I think I'd grow to loathe it if I had to spend an hour trying to get a bike rack to fit whenever I wanted to go out on the bike. Ended up with a BMW 130i. Goes like a scalded cat, makes a wonderful noise, enough space for bikes and doesn't actually cost the earth to run. Fuel economy in town is predictably bad but it gets around 34mpg on a run if you drive at the speed limit and I average about 30mpg overall. The only downside is the jiggly ride. 330i would be another good choice - same engine in a more grown up and comfortable package and taller gearing so it is probably a bit more economical.
The seals wear without near constant constant servicing, fact
How do you service an apex seal?
The key point was "looked after how you're supposed to". Not how Mazda told you (because they [i]really[/i] dropped a bollock with the RX8), not how you'd treat a Golf GTi, how you're supposed to treat a rotary. Run premix or get the oil metering pump sorted, and look after the cooling & ignition systems and they're magical cars. What they aren't is a car for someone not interested in treating them correctly, because as you rightly say they end up as £1000 snotters. Same reason as I wouldn't touch an RX7 under £7k now.
I wasn't meaning servicing the seal itself, I meant the other parts that contribute to their wellbeing (oil changes and the items you mentioned). Constant care is needed to keep it good and to find one in that condition is going to beyond the OP's budget which was the main thrust of my point.
Sorry if it appeared that I was implying they're all bad and going to give you grief, they just require significantly more care than other cars at that price point. Kinda like some dogs are easier to live with than others; the harder ones aren't inherantly bad, they just require more care and attention or will end up causing bother.
BMW 330D - I know it's an oil burner, but it has more torque than the new M3/M4
Very nice, very quick cars. However, also very comfy, quiet and sensible so not exactly silly
thatscoldBMW 330D - I know it's an oil burner, but it has more torque than the new M3/M4
As do plenty of tractors. It doesn't matter how much torque it has, a sporty diesel will never be a sporty petrol. I was in a vehicle recently that had nearly 1000nm of torque, and yes you read that right. Just under 700lbs ft. It was a diesel, and it felt like diesel. To my complete lack of surprise.
if i had the cash id get one of these, future classic and scary... only car i sort of pooped myself in.
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It doesn't matter how much torque it has, a sporty diesel will never be a sporty petrol
Could still be better though 🙂
I gave in the other day and, after much searching, bought a 2008 TT 3.2 Quattro.
It sounds lovely, but the fuel consumption scares me. I'm actually planning on ridign to work on the nike a lot more now, just so I can save the fuel for weekends.
molgrips - Member
It doesn't matter how much torque it has, a sporty diesel will never be a sporty petrol
Could still be better though
Yes, there's definitely a time and place where diesels would be more suitable, but I think in the context of what the op is asking, it's gonna be more petrol orientated.
There will always be exceptions though 🙂
BMW 330D - I know it's an oil burner, but it has more torque than the new M3/M4
Very nice, very quick cars. However, also very comfy, quiet and sensible so not exactly silly
I had knew last year for 4 months or so as a stop gap while I was waiting to take delivery of my new car. I loved it, lovely lovely engine. Not very silly at all though.
Came pretty close to buying a BMW 540 estate instead of the Octavia as the closest thing to an M5 estate (because they are as rare as rocking horse pooh).
I keep looking at abarth 500s. Not in the same league as a M5 but should still be a bit of a laugh.
Bought the 3.2 Quattro! Holy sheet it's awesome! I think the silly category does fall into its mpg averaging around 26.. I've turned off the mpg on screen display now! It's got a lot of comfort toys and is sline so I'm really happy with the choice - can't believe how powerful it is but silky smooth delivery. Dsg is awesome!
Berlingo is for sale in the classifieds for anyone wanting a sensible car!
*prays that some one buys the berlingo and shoves a mahoosive engine in it*
Alexx, glad to hear you're enjoying your toy, I only run with range left showing just so I never run out by accident 😆
And yes DSG is also great, best of both worlds......you got/ tried launch control yet?
I can thoroughly recommend the guys at VagTech down in Milton Keynes for servicing/any issues/upgrades etc.
Bit too North for mk but thanks for the suggestion! Launch control yep! The guy didn't even know it had half the features! Happy boy! Do you run 98 or 95 ron (assuming you've got a petrol)?
test drove a golf GTI, 2.0 turbo 200 bhp standard(£500 ecu change for 250 bhp) reliable, cheap tax and 30-35mpg. feels very quick. really need an estate tho...
^ Golf R estate then.
