cfoulstone Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi I have recently changed my job and I'm earning enough extra cash to think about changing my car. I currently drive a VW Bora 2.3 V5 and it isn't quick enough for me. My budget will be approx £15-17k and I need to use the car every day to drive to work. This means that I would like to avoid the Scooby/Evo brigade as the ride will be too hard for my 3 hours a day commute to and from work. Ideally I would like a motor that can push me up to 60 in under 6.5 secs (I also have a clio 182 that my missus drives and I want something quicker!). It must have good handling and be refined/well kitted out on the inside. The age restriction is 3-4 years old and max 45k mileage. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me decide what to buy? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Welcome to TSN cfoulstone! Unless you already have done, I'd recommend test driving an Impreza WRX (standard version, not the STi). The ride is perfectly acceptable, and I doubt you'll find anything vastly better in the same price/performance bracket. If you want to avoid the chav image, get a nice subtle 5 door - more practical and just as quick. And for £15-17k you could afford a brand new one from one of the car supermarkets! I'll have a hunt for alternatives... (better than work ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 I would have thought an E46 BMW 330i would be a good fit for your requirements. Oh and welcome as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Unfortuately it sounds that a scooby is perfect. TBH i can't see why it's ride would be any harder than anything else in it's class. Unless you want an UBER barge, but then you'd have to go slightly older and slightly leggy (although most of the big boys can handle the miles easily). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Unfortunately [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfoulstone Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Thanks chaps I have driven the WRX, monty's of sheffield let me take one for an hour and half (bless 'em). The drive and performance were great but I'm still unsure of the longer journeys. I always make a point of 'testing' the cars that i test drive and actually had the brakes smoking on the WRX with a bit of hard driving. Is this common or did I give it a little too much? If it is common, is there an easy way to solve it via aftermarket upgrades? The 330 is also a car that i have been considering but have not driven (yet). The problem I have is insurance. At 24 with no NCB and 6 points I am penalised with around 2k for a scooby - any suggestions for cheaper insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 elephant are usually fairly good. and welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 IMO any car that does 0-60 in less than 6.5 secs will give you an insurance headache. I agree with the 330 suggestion, if the Impreza ride is too harsh for you. Does it have to have a lid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Ah - the Impreza is expensive insurance-wise, compared to... well, just about anything really. Smoking brakes may just have meant it had been stood for a while and you were clearing the crap off the discs! The Impreza's brakes are pretty good - and there are lots of good mods out there. A BMW 330ci would certainly tick all the boxes, and it's a tad more subtle/refined than the Scooby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfoulstone Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 James: it doesn't necessarily have to have a lid - open would be fine. I will give elephant a try on the insurance but both of these suggestions give me plenty to think about. Before i took a reality chech I was considering an M3, around 2002. At 24-25k that would have cleaned me out completely - but worth it?? Since then I decided to save about 8-9k and have something a little cheaper. If anyone else has any suggestions, I would be more than happy to hear from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 You didnt really say what kinda size car you want or how you like to drive - 330 is a great car, but might not give you the same thrill as a smaller engine with a turbo. The top end of your budget pushes you into new Golf GTi, MK4 R32, The £17k also isnt too far away from a Nissan 350z either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbd2675 Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I currently drive a VW Bora 2.3 V5 and it isn't quick enough for me. My budget will be approx £15-17k and I need to use the car every day to drive to work. This means that I would like to avoid the Scooby/Evo brigade as the ride will be too hard for my 3 hours a day commute to and from work. Ideally I would like a motor that can push me up to 60 in under 6.5 secs. It must have good handling and be refined/well kitted out on the inside. The age restriction is 3-4 years old and max 45k mileage. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me decide what to buy? [/ QUOTE ] How about my RX-8 Link? Ok so it won't crack 6.5 seconds to 60 but will put a smile on your face. I moved to the RX-8 from a Passat V5 and the RX-8 is at a different level for performance. The suspension set-up is very forgiving and I've never felt jaded after 1-2hours in the driving seat! Another plus point is that it's only Group 16 insurance so should save a few £££'s. As for standard kit it's fairly impressive (have a look at the link for more info)! It'll drink a bit of juice on a 3 hour commute but if you've already considered Scooby's and Evo's I guess you aren't too concerned about that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfoulstone Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Shao: I like to drive a car hard at the weekend but also like to just cruise on my daily commute to work (mainly because of all the damn "road safety" cameras). Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfoulstone Posted May 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Marco: I'm not a big fan of the RX8, sorry. the rotary engine puts me off for some reason - how have you found it and what's the reason for your sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Another option might be the TT - plenty choice in your price range, a couple of £k on some mods and it will easily see you under 6 sec, retain ride comfort, return good economy on a commute and should behave pertty much as you want it to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbd2675 Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 It's the best car I've owned by a long way! The rotary engine is something completely different to the norm, unique sound and rev happy, and as such needs a different approach to driving. I've had no problems with it in the 2 and a bit years I've had it. A family and need for something more practical to lug it around is the reason for sale, swapping for an A4. My wifes nagging to buy a sensible car has finally worn me down but I'll be sad to see it go. (the car not the wife ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 How about an S60 T5? Fast reliable, smooth ride and within your budget if you look hard enough. Was looking at a 52 reg 2.0T with 60k for £9k. Insurance was too much. S40 isn't too much though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveknott Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Beemer 330 would suit you down to the ground I reckon. Or how about a 330d? very quick, and with a DMS chip, even quicker Apart from the bimmer, there's the Mk IV R32, or how about a Focus ST? Good ride, practical, fast, and you could get a new one for around 15-17K......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torino101 Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 These are exactly the requirements I have for a car and I keep coming back to the 330Ci or, (330 clubsport if you want it a bit more bling), it ticks all the boxes you mentioned. With the new one coming out at the moment though - prices for the E46 might take a bit of a dip in the coming months..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 330 is a very good suggestion. My Ci is lovely. Also, the nice people at the BMW dealership tell me that I should have changed it earlier this year, because the new Coupe is about to launch, and mine is therefore worth 2p. So that should help you. Mrs P doesn't like the ride - says it is too hard. I've no idea what this means... The Clubsport is a bit in-your-face, I always feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v15ben Posted May 10, 2006 Report Share Posted May 10, 2006 Lots of info about the WRX over on ScoobyNet. My girlfriend is about to get one so I have been researching away for the past week or so. If you want any info about where to buy and how to mod the car please drop me an email or a PM. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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