Jonathan Davies

I think the Regacy RSK is a good call.

A chipped VAG 1.8t car might do the trick too. People seem to get quite tasty figures, but then again that might not tick the handling box.

I'm sure I've read about a chipped and brisk Octavia 4x4 on here - that sort of thing maybe?

Sleeper Imprezas don't seem too popular!

BrettC

I have wittled it down pretty much to an M3 E36 saloon or a Legacy RSK. (The leagacy is a bit out of budget though for a nice low mileage car).

'Sleeper Imprezas don't seem too popular!'.....excellent, that's the car for me then!

Jonathan Davies

I like the idea of a subtle scoob, but finding one?? Wagons are a bit more discreet, but not like a Legacy would be. They're a bit nicer inside by all accounts too.

I can't honestly see an M3 as a discreet vehicle either. Certainly very nice though.

Andy M3

I am not an E36 fan - but i think the 4 door is pretty subtle. In fact i have argued with people on forums saying they don't exist before now - only 2 door Evo's exist

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/50585.htm

Brendan Hughes

When you get your M3 saloon, don't forget to put a 320d badge on the back

Jonathan Davies

318i surely?

They're discreet for a sports saloon I suppose... can't help feeling that people will still want to race it or nick it. Although it's not up to scoob/evo standards in that dept, for sure.

The Zohan

Mitsi Galant VR4 - understated looks v6 twin turbo 4wd active yaw control 4dr or estate a real Q car

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/

yopu need to register to get access to some of the good forums but it does not cost.

BrettC

Paul, will check out the galant. Other than being a bit heavier than a lancer they should be similar in performance terms shouldnt they?

Andy, what is it about the E36 that you don't like?

Also I was going to try to avoid an M3 evo due to the double VANOS unit concern

thanks guys.

Actually, pretty much all the suggestions are less flash looking than an Evo though....just of different degrees.

What's the world come to when I'm choosing my car dependent on whether it is eye catching to scum bags!!

alloy

I know what you mean, last month i had a gentleman key my car, leaving a good 14inch gash on my nearside wing , then two weeks later some one else decided a swift kick to the door would surfice, leaving an unattractive dint

Andy M3

I like my BMW’s in general. The E36 is not a bad car, I just don't favor the looks too much. Those classically 90's spoilers and massive door bump strips etc. Not my thing.

I like modern or modern classic really.

We have spoke about - 'cars to own before you die'. One other marque I had on my list was an Alfa Romeo. I know all about the residuals / build quality / dealers etc. But I have to have a Alfa t spark.

Maybe you should half your budget and try an Alfa for a while

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/58174.htm - 2001 car £4000 !

Sell it in May and get a Fiat Barchetta / Alfa Spider then in September ask us how you want to spend your remaining £2k - lol.

BrettC

alloy, scum bag indeed. how much restraint did it take to refer to him as 'Gentleman'?

Andy, thanks. I've already ticked alfas of off my cars to own before you die list.

I'm tempted with something that is still fun but old enough that thieves etc wont give it a second look. something like a Honda prelude vtec 2.2 (pre 1994?) its pretty hard to find a nice low mileage manual 4ws one of those too though.

alloy

Alot!
Doctors order that it's not appropriate to re-live those recent memories. . In an unconventional way I take it as a compliment, working on the theory "jealousy is the best form of flattery"

GrahameS

Have a look at this place, they have an RA for sale for £5995 without the spoilers.

http://www.newacrecars.co.uk/25514/newacre.htm

NotoriousREV

How about a 1978 Cortina with Cossie lump?

BrettC

alloy,

GrahameS: Thanks. Anything but white/yellow etc. Also it says it has tax until 04/06 but has yet to be SVA tested?? how does that work, i thought it had to be SVA'd to get an MOT? am i completley wrong.

NotoriousREV: Im only a keen average driver, would be a bit reluctant to change direction in that and live!! plus finding a company to insure the sucker!

Brendan Hughes

which leaves you 2k for the FMIC

Jonathan Davies

I bought a 96 Jag XJR (6cyl s/c, not the v8) on foolish whim. Quite cheap for an interesting car (8k in 2003)... hefty but 325 bhp so no slouch, and quite nice to drive. Manuals are rare to be fair, and mileages frequently stellar... but they wear em well and they're often motorway miles. Cheaper to insure than the wrx I had before it. Parts are dear though, but that's the deal on a 50k car. 4 or 5 grand tops these days I reckon - there are a few in pistonheads now. Or you could get one like mine that's tatty but still runs as it should for buttons... no one's going to nick that I assure you.

Erm, 15mpg in town. 20ish tops.

I quite like the arthur daleyness of it all. But I fancy an estate now... Legacy maybe or an A4 if I get a sensible attack.

scoobynutta555

I'd have thought it would be very easy indeed to make an sti into a standard car looks wise

All the skirting trim etc will just come off will it not? The rear boot could be replaced for a standard boot if you wanted no spoiler at all, or, just pick up a pancake spoiler for a few pennies and screw that on. The bonnet must be easy to replace. The only DIY sus job would be to fit a FMIC, but these are quite common conversions and the kit itself isnt expensive. Picking up standard impreza items like wheels exhaust must also be pennies compared to the uprated items. All standard components must be very easy to source through breakers etc.

Also all the sti bits that come off can be sold on to fund other items needed. Or if you get bored of the invisable image, just put the sti bits back on.

The whole thing should cost no more than 5k. Even if you just got an old wrx, you could do it all within 3-4k. With the money you save, just tuck it away for emergency repair fund. What's an engine rebuild? 2k plus VAT?

A legacy would be more expensive in the first place, and it surely must be a lot heavier than a wrx.

Dunno too much of BMWs as never been a fan of them, but surely to get "evo power etc" youre going to have to shell out a lot more than 3-5k.

Surely the whole thing can be done in less than a week, why bother looking for a car thats already a sleeper when you can make your own easily.

Piece of ****!

Brendan Hughes

Jonathan - 50k in 96, 8k in 03, 4k now - yeeouch!

Jonathan Davies

Shocking isn't it... I don't feel too badly done - any nice-ish is going to lose a few grand in 2 or 3 years. But if you bought new... god help you.

There's also the possibility that something will go badly bang and leave it worth next to nowt.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

How about the non EVO M3, there are supercharger kits available, forget the website but silly HP available

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Any Saab with a turbo, the visit Abbot or Elkparts, mine has placcy wheel disks and will be an honest 225 bhp when I get the chip done, dont get much more sleepy looking than a plain jane 9-3, 300 bhp is possible, trouble is, if you want handling as well as straight line go it gets more complicated.

BrettC

I've had 8 of them mate and having a break from saab ownership.

Will definately return at some point though.

GrahamG

How about an old skool skyline? R31

Scumbag

B4 RSK every time - best car I have ever had/driven - everyone thought it was some sort of primera with a bonnet scoop. Also the absolute best compromise between performance and comfort in a suspension set-up. 80,000 trouble free miles- fan-bl00dy-tastic car

BrettC

Scumbag

Having trouble finding one in budget with lowish miles though. The problem seems to be that I am being picky, I dont want a flashy colour, black, or silver (found a gold one that ticks all the other boxes though) and it has to be a manual.

Looked on AT and pistonheads can you recommend anywhere else to look?

cheers

labrat

Paul_M

Well I quite like my BMW 840Ci, very unusual yet not "in your face". It does attract a fair bit of attention though so not really a sleeper. Also not that quick compared to a Scooby etc off the line, 4.4 32valve V8 engine but it's a heavy car. Top end though it'll do 173 MPH if you get it derestricted (standard electronic limiter at 155 MPH). Oh and it sounds fantastic at full chat!

Difficult to find manuals though, apparently I have one of only 57 RHD manual gearbox 840s produced worldwide :O. 6-speeder is great though, relaxed M-way cruising at low revs without compromising the ratios for acceleration.

Other than that, how about an E34 M5? Even more subtle than the E36, and apparently pretty reliable too. Although mileage will almost certainly be high. Later models had the 6-speed box, likely the same one as my 840 - and they can take over 500 BHP with no mods if you fancy sticking on a supercharger :O

BrettC

Paul

I do like the 8 series but like you say, not really a sleeper. Also, If I was honest I would be a bit apprehensive owning one in case something went wrong. I've heard they can be hideously expensive to repair. Do you agree?

ryn004

Get any version of Gran Turismo on the palystation and try the cars for yourself....get someoen to compete against you with a Evo.

My suggestions of a great sleeper:
- Lexus IS200 (...look for the RS models for more push)
- Audi A4 quattro
- Toyota Rav4 (one version has the same engine of the mr2, so with some tweaking you should get the levels of performance you want)

BrettC

Nice cars the Lexus and Audi.....rav4...thanks mate I've just covered my computer screen with bits of crisp!