Thinking about my next car... any ideas?
24 May 2004, 05:49 PM
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Thinking about my next car... any ideas?
Well, the time has come to start thinking about my next car. I currently own a 96 Jaguar XJR, which is fast (320bhp, 6million lb/ft), silky and basically very nice. It does weigh about 45 tons though, which was a shock after the bugeye WRX I ran before (even if the XJR's faster in a straight line).
The thing about the jag is that it's not practical. It's massive and heavy, but it's still cramped for four people (ffs!) and the boot's so shallow it won't even take a box of wine. I don't really need a practical car... but all the useless metal involved annoys me vaguely... I'd rather have a small car or big one I could put stuff in. A cupholder would be nice, too.
I'll budget 10k or so plus the Jag - say 5k. It needs to be (i) fast, or at least brisk (ii) insurable on the road in SE15 (XJR's grp 20, but mods could be too much) and (iii) not boring or overly Max Power-ish. I'd quite like something small for a change.
My thoughts so far:
Scooby again... or EVO?
Clio 172? Maybe?
Supra... bit old now maybe.
'Ondas - CTR or ATR?
Focus RS (not that keen)
Skyline... probably R33 gtt i suppose
Octavia is a possibility, but that might just be too sensible.
I know there are hundreds of possibilities, but are there any obvious ones I've missed? Groovy suggestions from the scooby community?
The thing about the jag is that it's not practical. It's massive and heavy, but it's still cramped for four people (ffs!) and the boot's so shallow it won't even take a box of wine. I don't really need a practical car... but all the useless metal involved annoys me vaguely... I'd rather have a small car or big one I could put stuff in. A cupholder would be nice, too.
I'll budget 10k or so plus the Jag - say 5k. It needs to be (i) fast, or at least brisk (ii) insurable on the road in SE15 (XJR's grp 20, but mods could be too much) and (iii) not boring or overly Max Power-ish. I'd quite like something small for a change.
My thoughts so far:
Scooby again... or EVO?
Clio 172? Maybe?
Supra... bit old now maybe.
'Ondas - CTR or ATR?
Focus RS (not that keen)
Skyline... probably R33 gtt i suppose
Octavia is a possibility, but that might just be too sensible.
I know there are hundreds of possibilities, but are there any obvious ones I've missed? Groovy suggestions from the scooby community?
24 May 2004, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by st/EVO
m3
Bimmers are possible tho...
or do I mean E36? kinell
Last edited by Jonathan Davies; 24 May 2004 at 07:18 PM.
24 May 2004, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by P_v_G
SAAB 9-3 or 9-5?? 2.3 HOT will give you the performance you crave and fair sized boot
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24 May 2004, 07:16 PM
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Esprit - exciting! I love the idea of it... but could I fit my golf clubs in it? I do like old cars too... been thinking about a Lotus Eclat mebbe... cheap.
Teg - well, definitely a possibility, that. Quite practical... I don't spend hours in the car at a time, so it can be quite hard/noisy. What are prices like? DC5 bit doesn't mean anything to me - like an ITR but more so? Import or UK?
All good info - cheers.
Teg - well, definitely a possibility, that. Quite practical... I don't spend hours in the car at a time, so it can be quite hard/noisy. What are prices like? DC5 bit doesn't mean anything to me - like an ITR but more so? Import or UK?
All good info - cheers.
24 May 2004, 07:24 PM
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Two generations of Integra - DC2 is the old shape one with a 5 speed 1.8 giving around 190bhp, later upped to 200bhp if I understand correctly. The DC5 is the new shape one with a 6 speed 2.0 giving 220bhp.
24 May 2004, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Stiff
Older stuff?
Lancia Integrale, Audi Quattro Coupe.
Lancia Integrale, Audi Quattro Coupe.
UR Quattro - I did think about that one hard, before I bought the ****... part of my search for a depreciation-proof daily runner. I still really like the idea, but maintenance is ******* expensive, and the cars out there are either high milers or not cheap at all.
Still on the list, probably.
Edited to add that it wasn't that rude.
24 May 2004, 10:03 PM
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Merc SL500?
I love mine. Performance is devestating between 50-100mph, V8 soundtrack is awesome, yet it's still as quiet and refined as anything when tootling. Bulletproof construction, probably one of the most solid and best engineered Merc's (if not car's full stop) ever made.
Electric hood is still a wheeze, top down is great in this weather. The golf clubs fit in. Still looks classy IMHO.
Tiny depreciation and dirt cheap classic insurance offsets the fuel cost.
I love mine. Performance is devestating between 50-100mph, V8 soundtrack is awesome, yet it's still as quiet and refined as anything when tootling. Bulletproof construction, probably one of the most solid and best engineered Merc's (if not car's full stop) ever made.
Electric hood is still a wheeze, top down is great in this weather. The golf clubs fit in. Still looks classy IMHO.
Tiny depreciation and dirt cheap classic insurance offsets the fuel cost.
25 May 2004, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Olly
Merc SL500?
I love mine. Performance is devestating between 50-100mph, V8 soundtrack is awesome, yet it's still as quiet and refined as anything when tootling. Bulletproof construction, probably one of the most solid and best engineered Merc's (if not car's full stop) ever made.
Electric hood is still a wheeze, top down is great in this weather. The golf clubs fit in. Still looks classy IMHO.
Tiny depreciation and dirt cheap classic insurance offsets the fuel cost.
I love mine. Performance is devestating between 50-100mph, V8 soundtrack is awesome, yet it's still as quiet and refined as anything when tootling. Bulletproof construction, probably one of the most solid and best engineered Merc's (if not car's full stop) ever made.
Electric hood is still a wheeze, top down is great in this weather. The golf clubs fit in. Still looks classy IMHO.
Tiny depreciation and dirt cheap classic insurance offsets the fuel cost.
25 May 2004, 10:07 AM
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Porsche 968 Clubsport? £15k will buy you the very best one and apart from being bombproof (with some tlc) it will be the sweetest handling on your shortlist.
I would second Olly's SL500 suggestion if you want something a bit less hectic (and the SL320 if the 5lt V8 is a bit much) - guy at work has one and he done 160k miles without a squeek.
What about a Mondeo skip and a Caterham for the same money?
I would second Olly's SL500 suggestion if you want something a bit less hectic (and the SL320 if the 5lt V8 is a bit much) - guy at work has one and he done 160k miles without a squeek.
What about a Mondeo skip and a Caterham for the same money?
25 May 2004, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Dapster
Porsche 968 Clubsport? £15k will buy you the very best one and apart from being bombproof (with some tlc) it will be the sweetest handling on your shortlist.
I would second Olly's SL500 suggestion if you want something a bit less hectic (and the SL320 if the 5lt V8 is a bit much) - guy at work has one and he done 160k miles without a squeek.
What about a Mondeo skip and a Caterham for the same money?
I would second Olly's SL500 suggestion if you want something a bit less hectic (and the SL320 if the 5lt V8 is a bit much) - guy at work has one and he done 160k miles without a squeek.
What about a Mondeo skip and a Caterham for the same money?
968 goes on the shortlist.
And the 5.0 v8 too much? eh? nahhh!
25 May 2004, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Jonathan Davies
And the 5.0 v8 too much? eh? nahhh!
1993 MERCEDES 600 SL, 1993, K
reg. Metallic Blue, Cream Leather interior, hard top, top of the range when new, 97,000 when new, every extra, 450 BHP, V.G.G, excellent summer vehicle. £16,000 . ono.
Tell me you don't fancy a V12!
25 May 2004, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Dapster
In which case (from Autotrader)......
1993 MERCEDES 600 SL, 1993, K
reg. Metallic Blue, Cream Leather interior, hard top, top of the range when new, 97,000 when new, every extra, 450 BHP, V.G.G, excellent summer vehicle. £16,000 . ono.
Tell me you don't fancy a V12!
1993 MERCEDES 600 SL, 1993, K
reg. Metallic Blue, Cream Leather interior, hard top, top of the range when new, 97,000 when new, every extra, 450 BHP, V.G.G, excellent summer vehicle. £16,000 . ono.
Tell me you don't fancy a V12!
SL on shortlist - I believe that vintage is the W124.
25 May 2004, 03:38 PM
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[uber geek]
The W124 is the 4 door saloon (forerunner to the current E class). The SL of that vintage is the R129.
[/uber geek]
BTW if you go SL600, make sure you get it checked out properly as an 11 year old car costing £100k new will not be a barrel of laughs if it goes wrong.....
The W124 is the 4 door saloon (forerunner to the current E class). The SL of that vintage is the R129.
[/uber geek]
BTW if you go SL600, make sure you get it checked out properly as an 11 year old car costing £100k new will not be a barrel of laughs if it goes wrong.....
25 May 2004, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Dapster
[uber geek]
The W124 is the 4 door saloon (forerunner to the current E class). The SL of that vintage is the R129.
[/uber geek]
BTW if you go SL600, make sure you get it checked out properly as an 11 year old car costing £100k new will not be a barrel of laughs if it goes wrong.....
The W124 is the 4 door saloon (forerunner to the current E class). The SL of that vintage is the R129.
[/uber geek]
BTW if you go SL600, make sure you get it checked out properly as an 11 year old car costing £100k new will not be a barrel of laughs if it goes wrong.....
Thanks for the model code info.
Other suggestions I've had so far include SX200 - plenty £ left for modding, apparently - and Legacy Biturb.
25 May 2004, 04:08 PM
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SL600 - 8mpg anyone !- max out a 19-20mpg if you go on a long run.. 
My W124 E300 24v just about does 25 to 26mpg.
As for the saabs - having just got rid of my 93 Turbo - they are all very nice but the handling is shockingly bad (no pun intended)
You say you want small, you say you want fast so I'd suggest the following (in no order)
BMW 328I coupe or 330CI if you can get on at the price you want
Yup the older M3's
Oh and the Civic Type R is deffo worth a look at (or integra if Civic is too small)
a CLK430 maybe out of your price range if you want a V8 coupe (again MPG isn't brilliant)
My W124 E300 24v just about does 25 to 26mpg.
As for the saabs - having just got rid of my 93 Turbo - they are all very nice but the handling is shockingly bad (no pun intended)
You say you want small, you say you want fast so I'd suggest the following (in no order)
BMW 328I coupe or 330CI if you can get on at the price you want
Yup the older M3's
Oh and the Civic Type R is deffo worth a look at (or integra if Civic is too small)
a CLK430 maybe out of your price range if you want a V8 coupe (again MPG isn't brilliant)
25 May 2004, 04:54 PM
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Another vote for E30 M3 or 968CS- both were on my shortlist, came down on the side of the M3 purely because I couldn't find a decent 968
25 May 2004, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by NACRO
Another vote for E30 M3 or 968CS- both were on my shortlist, came down on the side of the M3 purely because I couldn't find a decent 968
Quite fancy an E36 though...
25 May 2004, 06:31 PM
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25 May 2004, 06:32 PM
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