matt85

Hi.

I don't post here very often any more so hello again.

I originally decided I wanted an RS4 but, well i cant afford one unfortunately (who can i guess). Now have 20-25k ish in the next coming months or so to blow on a car dependant on whether I end up moving house (currently live in company housing with on street parking in the inner city..25k car, yeh right...)

I know these threads get done to death so I apologise, but must be as follows...

-"Semi-practical" (no Caterham's please!)
-Coupe (would maybe consider Convertible etc)
-No stupid running costs/intervals
-Definately NOT buying new

Currently considering M3's, 350z's, S3's S4's, S2000's and all descriptions of 911's that fit into the budget on the advice of my Dad. Never really been taken on Boxsters/RX8's for some reason to be honest.

Got to be honest I'm not the complete petrolhead I once was hence the lack of Skyline's, Evo's etc and the general inkling I have towards M3's at the minute as they seem to be a shedload of car at the price.

So, suggestions please...

Regards,

Matt.

scoobynutta555

996 c2.

Jimpreza

I think from your post you really fancy an M3. I love em personally and would be my choice if I could afford 25k on a car. I think the running costs are high though compared to something like a 350z though.

gallois

i wouldn't get a s2000 unless my employer was vidal sasoon, the audis are fast and, well.....efficient, the M3 is the obvious choice but; get used to the key marks down the sides, 911 stunning but very expensive to run, so 350z it is....fast, relatively rare, unoffensive.

The Chief

A 98-01 996 Produces around 300bhp you could get a half decent one for that but i know you said you would not consider one but you could get a 987 (new shape) 3.2 Boxster for 25k these have around 280bhp and a 166mph top speed is not to be sniffed at.

I used to hate Boxsters and labeled them like a lot of people do i.e. Hairdressers cars, Bufty boys drive them blah blah - then my mate bought one even though i ripped into him over it - anyway i soon shut my mouth when i drove it. even though it was the old shape and was not as fast as my turbo terror (Impreza) The handling was out of this world, the brakes were amazing and the sound when you opened it up used to make my hairs on my neck stand up.

Surprisingly practical (two boots) and get this i was getting 18-22mpg my buddy in his Boxster 28-30Mpg if taken easy.

Fairly cheap to run and as above fuel consumption not that bad the only thing that costs money is the 50k service (about 6-800 quid) and usual stuff tyres and brakes.

A superb car and i'd buy one tommorrow if i could.

Tidgy

isnt that noble sort of money?

Brendan Hughes

Noble, on-street inner city parking -

Remster

I'm in a similar position to you matt85.

Looking to change my Audi A4 TDi Avant for something a little more interesting in March. I have £35k including the Audi trade-in and like you can't see past a 996 c2/c4, M3 (e46) or fast Audi.

However, I do have a 2yr old to consider so have to look a little more at practicality. This is where the Audi scores highest having 4/5 doors and a big boot and where the Porsche is more compromised although it still can be done.

My main headache at the moment, is accepting the huge increases in running costs that come with said vehicles. Having run a frugal diesel on long-life servicing for over 2 years you really start to forget motoring costs. A £70 fill up will give me 600 miles from a tank of diesel compared to a probable 250 miles from the new car choices. Based on 12k annual mileage I will be paying an extra £1960.00 in fuel alone. Added to this, there are obviously higher insurance, servicing and consumable costs which will easily add another £2k. So, in total, nearly an extra £4,000 per year (extra £0.333p per mile) in motoring expenses!!

I know you don't get 'owt for 'nowt in this world but more than doubling motoring running costs begins to take the shine off things. As a result of this I have also looked at replacing my aging Audi with a newer TDi model and getting something impracticle and fun as a 3rd car. However, when you begin to add up the running costs of said 3rd car and work out just how much (or little) time you have to enjoy it. You very quickly arrive back at the enjoyable daily driver option. Decisions, decisions!

Must admit that I am also tempted by a TDi Audi Q7 which are hovering just above my budget.

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

20-25K get you the older shape (2000-2001) RS4, probably with a Stage3 map as well.

NACRO

An RS4 is no good as he wants a coupe otherwise the obvious best choice is an E39 M5.

Failing that a 996 C2 is a good choice. You might even be able to get a facelift (more power) at the top end of that budget.

In fact here's a leggy one but it's a hell of a car for the money

2 Doors, Manual 6 speed, Coupe, Petrol, 116,000 miles, Metallic Lapis Blue. 911 Carrera 2 coupe 6 speed manual (996 model) 3.6. First registered November 2001 51-registration. 2002 model year facelift. Finished in Lapis Blue with full grey leather interi. Possibly the best value for money car currently in stock and without doubt one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, UK C16 specification RHD 3.6 Carrera currently for sale in the UK. There are no nasty stories or ghosts in the closet. In fact this car would comfortably sit shoulder to shoulder with cars' advertised for £10,000 more. Supplied with service history from new. Fitted with climate controlled air conditioning, driver, passenger and side airbags, hard-backed sports seats, sunroof, on-board computer, CDR 22 CD player / tuner + all the usual electrics. Virtually depreciation proof and such a lot of car for the money. The interior, exterior and drive train are all in good order and the car drives as well as any of its peers. Click on the dealer website button to see our different price options. This car is available from £24,995.

at 911virgin.com

I wouldn't believe any of that guff about 'depreciation proof' though and I'd offer them less than the asking price.

I've found my 911 to be the best car I've ever owned, it does everything except carry lots of stuff and does it to higher standard than anything I've owned before. What would you rather own, something that looks like a repmobile (M3) or one of the finest sports coupes ever made with a heritage to boot?

LG John

LOL,

For that sort of money I'd be looking at an M3 personally. Does everything well.

nickwrxstiV2

Have you ever driven an S2000? I assume not with your assumptions! A very good drivers car!

scoobynutta555

£70 fill up for only 600 miles in a diesel? I can get near those levels in my highly modded Impreza. I got 600 miles from under £40 in a Golf tdi, or for £70 in a Fiat Scudo van. Something amiss with your economy there!

jonc

You luck git! Might I suggest the following, some sensible and some not so sensible:
Merc SL500
Merc SLK350
Merc CLK55
Aston Martin DV7 3.2
Honda NSX
BMW Z4 3.0
Daewoo Matiz
TVR Tuscan
Holden HSV
Maserati 3200GT
Vauxhall Monaro 6.0 VXR
Jaguar XKR 4.2

richs2891

Err would disagree with you on that - as will a few others on here that have driven one - especially on a bumpy damp B road - wahey - hedge time !!

If was looking for coupe a 350Z or an older 911.

Richard

LG John

Not driven one but even JB (who hated his M3) said it did everything 'well' but nothing exceptionally. It was fast(ish), comfortable(ish), handled ok(ish), etc(ish)

wilffive

M3 - Yeah pretty average - Evo only rated it in the top 10 ECOTY of all time. Oh Autocar last year rated the e46 M3 as better than the new M3 and RS4 in a road test.

Remster

Nothing wrong with my figures my friend. Maybe it's just that they are real world facts and not manufacturer quoted or pub talk figures.

My A4 TDi 1.9 is chipped to approx 180bhp and is returning an average of nearly 42mpg (600 miles on £70 diesel @ £1.059p/L). As most of my driving is either town or B road stop/start, I am quite happy with this figure. During the summer on a run down to Cornwall from Leicestershire, I averaged 54mpg and was not hanging about.

To say you can get near those levels in a modded Scoob is a little bit silly!

richs2891

I drive a friends M3 a 55 reg one, fast on smooth (dry) A roads, not very good on B roads and on bumpy B road it was awful, rear suspension felt like it was bobbing up and down - simlair feeling upon braking. Possibly the 19" wheels didnt help - but ultimately left me feeling disapointed!
Brakes where not too clever either. In town it was very jerky as well.
Whether you love the car or not I feel is dependant on the roads that you mostly drive on !

Richard

nickwrxstiV2

How about a brand new S2000 for £21,600 from Bob Gerrard, the £3,500 - £4,000 for a supercharger install. Talking about 350bhp through the rear wheels!! Not much would keep up with that! Plus, you get top down action!

Brendan Hughes

matt85

Hi.

Glad this thread generated some responses.

Still no nearer to be honest! Although 996 C2 would be awesome if I can find a decent one, ill have a look into that thanks.

scoobynutta555

Ok a rolleyes, a cuckoo and a laugh at me symbol with a dose of pub talk figures, oh dear.

I've already said I've got the figs I've shown in those vehicles, without driving like there was a fuel crisis I may add. I think you want to wind yourself in a bit sunshine. Using your figures a quick online calculator says you're averaging 38.9 mpg. I average quite easily 300 miles before I break into the quarter fuel mark, so I'd say I average around 28 mpg, not bad for a highly modified Impreza. And 'near' the actual returns you claim (awaiting shock horror from Impreza drivers who manage 150 to a tank).

What you have now mentioned (you didn't before) is most of your driving is stop start which goes a long way in explaining your very poor economy.

However, if you're in a diesel now and worried about running costs, as bi-annual servicing suggests you are, then either get another diesel (330d are quite fast and economical) or get something like a Lotus Elise S1 and get 49 mpg, yes 49 mpg on long trips and a 20k diesel runabout.

Oh, a sensible reply without childish gifs.

scoobynutta555

You'll easily get a c2 996 with that budget.

ChrisSTI8

Wouldn't discount the S2000 but wouldn't pay more than 15k for one as new one around the corner. Very good car and cheap to service any nothing really between it and an unmodded MY03 STi 265bhp.

Possibly 350Z although hardly any quicker than the S2000.

Maybe something different like a BMW 535 M sport 04 with about 40k miles for 25K.

Remster

Seriously, please stop!

First off your calculations are wrong.
600 miles travelled on £70 of diesel at £1.059p/L = 66.100094L used (14.54202 gallons). Therefore 600miles/14.54202g = 41.259742mpg

You then quote that you "believe" your average to be 28mpg (best to check that) and that you consider this to be "near" to my actual 41.259742mpg! IT'S NEARLY 1/3 LESS!!

Childish? maybe, Appropriate in this case? Deffinately!

Oh yes, finally "please wind yourself in a bit sunshine", whatever that means in your playground!

The Chief

Come on chaps lets not have a row

Its Friday when all said and done

Remster

Cheers Chief.

Life, Perspective, Scoobynet & Friday all in check.

Apologies to matt85 for taking this thread away from his original topic.

The Chief

Nice one fella

scoobynutta555

First off go to this website and you'll see the calculator provided for mpg, I'm unsure which one you used.

MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon - calculate MPG

Yes I do believe it to be 28, possibly higher, as I'm estimating how much fuel I have left in the tank, normally over a quarter with 300 on the trip. Anyhow, I'm about 3p per mile more to run on fuel than your car, well done, not bad for an oilburner with 140 bhp less! I've surmised 360 per full tank on 60 litres at 101.9 (Watford Shell). But hey, of course my calculations are out.