Budget Indulgence ..........

[iquadius]

OK fellow wammers, whilst I may not attempt to illict any hifi advice from you lot (I am a little stuck in my ways) ... I do find myself in the unusual situation of having a (compared to my life up to now) rather fine budget (for me) for a new car ...... so I can retire my 1999 rover 414 si which has given me exemplary service for 5+ years and cost me the princely sum of £860 at the time and seek something rather more exciting. I am in the process of early retirement from a rather arduos job here in NI and as my annual mileage will now be under 6K a year I can spread my wings a little ..... so here is my short list of cars vavailable for £5000 - £6000 which interest me ..... but please any further suggestionjs welcome ..... I have not been a petrol head for over 20 years .......... (well except for my 675 in the garage) ........ but need something which is still capable of motorway cruising at 60mph and nipping to the shops for beer etc, so ..... any ideas ??

alfa 147/156 gta

mazda rx8

nissan 350z

audi 3.2 something or other

jag xk8 (pushing the envelope a little maybe)

 

[browellm]

6,000 miles a year isn't very many, so make sure you get something absolutely preposterous :^

 

[Liquid]

That's a bit of a mix of cars there.

Personally, I'd avoid the Alfa 147 (nice but small and dated) and the RX8 (obstreperous to the point of a clinical breakdown).

As the rest are two seat coupes, how about a BMW 8 series? Solid residuals an dynamic and a great V8 in the nose...unless you fancy the V12, of course.

 

[iquadius]

lol ..... yes, anything other than 'fannying' about the town can be done in my wifes rather more sensible car .......... ho hum, she must continue to work :rofl:

 

[Jezzer]

Nissan Skyline?

The Jap cars are nice shouts. I'd take the RX8 over the Nissan 350z (the 350z is a bit hairy-chest wig for my tastes).

I would avoid the Alfas. They're a liability at that age. I'd forget about the Audi TT/A3 because it'll be completely bland/dull/prone to break.

For £6k you can get a nice e46 BMW 330CI (lovely straight six and bullet proof - a much better buy than the Audi or Alfas).

 

[meninblack]

Budget fun? MX-5, no contest. Not as quick as an XK-8, but nicer to drive and more fun IME. Also vastly cheaper to run. :^

 

[Audio Al]

Pre 1973 Morris 1000 , No road tax and you can FIX everything with a basic tool kit , Maybe even a Traveler

Very collectable nowadays ;-)

 

[iquadius]

..... if I was going 'classic' it would probably be from the ford stable ..... mkI/II rs2000 or mexico ..... take me back to my teens ..... nope, year 2000 and younger ('cept maybe for the xk8)

 

[pmac]

Budget fun? MX-5, no contest. Not as quick as an XK-8, but nicer to drive and more fun IME. Also vastly cheaper to run. :^

That's a good call, I used to love driving ours

 

[myles]

S Type R. Waft in luxury and all the power you need should the situation arrive. Also the XJR. Well within your budget, and save the rest for the repairs if you need them.

 

[iquadius]

.... yeah mx5 .... great little cars, my brother and cousin have/had one .... dosnt quite tick the 'exotic' box tho ...... beemer 330 sounds like something i may have overlooked

 

[meninblack]

The MX-5 isn't exotic, but it's brilliant. A BMW isn't either.

 

[iquadius]

.... dont forget I am comparing with a rover 414 .... my exotic threshold is pretty low ;-)

 

[pmac]

.... dont forget I am comparing with a rover 414 .... my exotic threshold is pretty low ;-)

Does it have cushions on the rear parcel shelf, and a tartan blanket on the back seat?

 

[iquadius]

yes, blue tartan blanket for flasks of tea whilst down the Ards Penninsula ...... no cushions tho ...... damn, have I missed out??

 

[meninblack]

It kind of depends what you are after. An MX-5 is great to drive, but if you are not very interested in driving you won't notice. A BMW or Jag will make you look good down the pub/golf club/lodge. If you crave status, it's a better choice. At your budget you might be buying a clunker, so beware long-term running costs.

 

[brystonian]

Honda S2000, E30 318is, Toyota Supra/Soarer TT, Merc CLK, S14 200sx, Porche 944?

 

[pmac]

yes, blue tartan blanket for flasks of tea whilst down the Ards Penninsula ...... no cushions tho ...... damn, have I missed out??

Cushions are mandatory in Rovers

MX5's are great to drive :^ Not fast, but real fun ;-)

 

[meninblack]

MX5's are great to drive :^ Not fast, but real fun ;-)

It does depend on the road. On the motorway you'll have the Audicunts all over your back bumper. On a twisty Exmoor B-road, you won't.