Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

You can't go far wrong with an Omega The 2.0 one isn't a problem with an autobox. Rovers can be very cheap but can also be very crap but they are alot of car for the money too. Have you considered BMW's like the 520i?

RS Grant

My dad had a 2.5 V6 Omega Estate from a 400mile demonstrator.... til 180,000+ and it never EVER gave him any trouble.

Great cars, his was used for Motorway Commuting as well.


Cheers,
Grant

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Both are very good value and with GSF running a BMW can be reasonable too

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

German Swedish and French a car parts supplier Sells very very cheap parts for cars made in those countries and they have places all over the country

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/

BrettC

How about a Saab 9000 2.3 Turbo? Could get a nice one for your budget.
Good fuel economy for 200bhp.
And very very nice to drive....for a barge!
Also £300~ gets you an extra 40bhp

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

The high pressure Turbo models absolutely fly (as standard ) but I guess the economy wouldn't be great A standard 2.3 Turbo would eat quite a few cars once it gets traction

ian_sadler

I had two Rover 820si's as company cars. Very cheap now but good fuel econo and great on the Mways. Did over 160k in one with no real probs

BrettC

Just to give you an idea. My 9000 2.3 T (200bhp) returns just under 30mpg overall. Over 35mpg on a run. If you 'enjoy' the car though it still isnt too bad with low 20s.
Traction off the line is a bit of a problem but once you are going even a standard car can shock quite a lot of exotica (until the first set of corners arrives that is! ). My last 9000 was Abbott Racing tuned and 50 - 70mph in 5th would take about 4 seconds!!! Tell me what else can do that and transport 5 people with all their stuff in comfort and cost less than a couple of thousand?

Using saab specialists rather than main dealers really helps keep running costs down as well as the use of GSF and eurocarparts.

I totally agree with you about the white thing! euurgh.

Oscar99: If you decide on a saab, becareful about the auto gearboxes on high mileage examples. I think they are good for about 100,000 miles before needing attention whereas the manual should be fine for about 200,000.

I sold my last one (manual) with 200,000 miles on it bear in mind it had 260 bhp and 320 ft lb and the gearbox was still fine.

Paul_M

Have a look at Omega MV6, they are available as both manual and auto and come with the 3.0 V6 engine (later ones post 2001 with a 3.2 V6). I quite fancy one myself as an M-way muncher but in my case it would have to be manual. Apparently even the auto can do 60 in 8 secs which is reasonable and once on the go they are pretty quick as the aerodynamics are really good (for the saloon that is) 0.29cd drag.

I think they can suffer a lot of minor niggles if you're unlucky but overall seem to be mechanically sound. Cambelt should be done every 40k to be safe though, but it's not as expensive as a scooby to do. Traffic cops throughout the UK used them and ran up substantial mileages, some over 200k, so that's a good sign that they can take a bit of abuse.

Let me know if you go for one, I'd be intersted to hear how it goes.

Paul_M

I also considered a 9000 2.3 Turbo, was going to look at one but it sold very quickly so didn't get the chance. One thing I don't like is that the Aero is the fast one but it's only available as a 5-door hatch. WTF?!? Where's the logic in that, most manufacturers tend towards the saloon for their performance models if they're restricting the choice of body styles. The saloon is nicer looking and less family-esque although neither are particularly stunning looking

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

If you do look at the Omega MV6 (and I did consider one for a while) the manual ones are hard to find... but there is a web-site (which some kind soul will no doubt show a link to) which sells ex-police cars and there are some real bargains to be had.

Good Luck!

Dracoro

I've got a 1995 2.5 V6 Omega GLS manual. 90k on clock, cost just under £2k a year ago at a dealer. Apart from new central locking control unit, it's had no problems. Same car must go for £1500 these days, maybe one with more equipment. My dad has a 2.5 v6 estate auto that has just had the head gasket go but not bad given that it's done over 200,000 miles. Apart from that it's been fine apart from a new gearbox at 140,000 miles. 2.5V6 or diesel 2.5 are the ones to go for. I get 30 mpg which is good for a big car that does 0-60 in 8 secs or so (9 secs for the auto).

The MAIN reason that these cars are cheap is that they don't have bmw, audi or merc badges on the bonnet. They go well, handle well for abig car, comfy, cheapish to run (vx parts are cheap) and you can leave them anywhere. Great on motorway runs too. Mine only cost £300 a year insurance too.

Petem95

Another vote for an Omega - excellent cars for the money - few people want a big car without a German premium brand badge on the front, so theyre a bargain.

The 2.5 diesel is BMW sourced from memory so should be good. Handling is meant to be good too, and RWD so could be a bit of fun if you get a V6 model.

BrettC

PaulM:

The whole point of the 9000 is of practicallity, hence the 5 door hatchback. The carrying capacity of these cars is pretty amazing! The Aero is fantastic. 225 bhp out of the box yet still with all the practicallity of the 5 door hatch.

However, didn't they make a CD (4 door saloon) Aero, carlson version? I thought they did although I may be wrong.

The Aero has body coloured bumpers etc, 225 bhp and the best seats (IMHO) of any car I have yet to drive. I think there are other improvements over the 'normal' 200bhp 2.3T as well but can't think of them off the top of my head.

The cheapest I have found is about £2500 with FSH and about 150,000 miles. High mileage Saab 9000s with FSH are not really a problem however.

Again, IMHO, the 9000 is a good looking car especially when lowered (not too much though) with standard aero 16" wheels. (sorry, i don't go in for the massive wheels and things) and the Aero looks really nice. Each to their own though. And I know that with most things, especially saabs, you either love them or hate them....a bit like marmite!

The other reasons I like saab 9000s is that they can be the ultimate wolf in sheeps clothing. I know that the Aero especially can be tuned to 300+ bhp. I know in scooby terms that isnt a great deal but when someone in their porshe/ferrari (dare I say even scoob) etc isnt expecting it its a lot of fun.

A nice picture here:

http://www.kyankton.net/saab9000/saab9000.htm

Ylee Coyotee....what do ya reckon?

Oscar99: Good luck in your decision.

That 2.5 diesel in the Omega is a very nice engine though.

MGJohn

With that sort of mileage and price range, you can find good or bad on just about any car. Luck always plays a part with high milege cars.

I picked up off Ebay a tidy R800 Vitesse with 94,000 on the clock for a fifth of your budget - superb, spacious, comfortable (Recaros) motorway cruiser and the turbo gives it a useful turn of foot.. 25-30 mpg too depending on that right foot.

With 1500 to play with you could find a well cared for or even mint example for that.

But, most who frequent this site would advise against Rovers .... not me though.... Good luck in your quest.

BrettC

Even though I am a bit of a saab nut...really???...never.

The one rover that i did drive that i did enjoy was the 600ti. You can pick these up quite cheaply too.

MGJohn

600ti - now that is a wolf in mundane sheepish clothing.... Because at first glance, it looks like any other R600.

Same or similar spec Rover T16 Turbo power plant in the larger and thus heavier R800 Vitesse and some of the higher spec lighter 220/420 Coupe cars. All useful performers particularly the Tomcat.

There are those who like me would like the T16s to have continued post BMW but the Bavarian mob thought otherwise whilst they had control.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

That omega sounds ok to me for the money How old was it?

BrettC

Oscar99: I can't help with any of the rover info as I don't know much about them. However, despite you owning a 900c and your dad having a 95 please give me a shout for any 9000 info if you need it. You could also check out:

http://www.saabscene.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi for some really helpful advise.

What 9000 is it you are going to look at?

My one complaint about 9000s is that if they aren't turbo they are far too heavy for their n/a powerplant, but again thats just my opinoin. I have also had a 900 Aero LPT (as well as a 96, 2 x 99 and 2 x 9000)and despite it looking very nice it just didn't have that turbo surge. Which is what saab ownership is all about, for me anyway.

good luck with your viewing.

Paul: Have you found the right supra yet? any pics if you have?

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Not yet I've found one that sounds ideal (that caused me to start a thread that turned into an argument ) but the guy hasn't replied

Take a look at this for my first thread in general on the mark iii supra board

BrettC

Paul: Like you said...what have you started over there?
You wouldn't get such discussions at SN about such things as ICs!

Talking of which...Iv'e heard that Saab 9000 2.3Ts and Aeros have nice big (for big read massive, as big as the rad in fact) front mount inter coolers (none of this 'on top of a hot engine' nonsense flame suit on! )...probably just a rumour though
Abbott Racing make a nice uprated IC for saabs that may be able to fit other cars. (I'm just speculating here though)

http://www.abbottracing.com/2003/index.htm

Sorry Oscar99 for change of subject.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

lol

MGJohn

Hmmm sounds like a bit of "Germany" Clarkson type brainwashing....... I have found just the opposite but then, I do lift the bonnet occasionally.

Thinks, I've never seen Clarkson lift a bonnet in all those years he's been pontificating on things automotive.

Very suspect credentials ...... Thus, I wonder if he really is the right man for the job....

Any road up, you're in banger territory so Good Luck - it's always useful.