lowlander

Hi there,

With a budget of 5K which do you think is the best bet. Car to be used for everyday transport. Requirements include reliability (must have), performance (in particular I like torque), handling, practicality (hatchback preferred), comfort and value for money. Not fussed about the badge. I reckon the mass market stuff offers pretty good quality these days. Value for money is far more important. The car will likely be run for 2-3 years and I won’t get much for it at the end of this period so running costs more important than re-sale values.

• Ford Mondeo Zetec S 2.5V6
• Saab 9-3 Turbo
• Astra Turbo (not sure the budget will stretch)
• Octavia RS (again, not sure the budget will stretch)
• Passat 2.8 4Motion Estate

Thanks and all the best.

Martin.

fatscoobyfella

Vote for 9-3 turbo(better spec the better)

What about a BMW 535 E39
BMW M3
Audi A4 2.8 Quattro


Mondeo..Crap
Astra.....Crap

lowlander

Hi there,

The M3 could be an expensive nightmare. Too old and too many have been thrashed. Hard (if not impossible!) to find a good one for my budget.

The Audi is good but is basically the same car as the passat. Passat looks like better value for money plus you get more room in the VW.

BMW looks good but very hard to find a car with a manual box which I must have.

Thanks for the suggestions and all the best.

Martin.

fatscoobyfella

Hi Martin,

Agree with the M3 thing,but i bought one last year that was well within your budget,it was mint and been cared for with cotton gloves..They arent expensive to run(3.0 has no vanos issues).And the saloons are a little cheaper again..Buy wisely and 2-3 years of ownership could cost very little.

There are some 535 manuals about,absolute flying machines.And to your advantage,the manuals are a litle cheaper...keep your eyes peeled!!

Audi A4..Fair comment...The 2.8 suffers a little from headgasket and water pump problems IIRC..And the odd AFM too !!!

Good luck mate..

lowlander

Thanks.

You never know the perfect M3 might be just around the corner !!

I'll keep my eyes peeled for the 5 series.

All the best.

Martin.

MikT

Mondeo is cheap as chips to maintain a main stealer. £110ish for a minor service and £180ish for a major. Optional brake fluid change every two years costs an additional £30.

The chassis gets great reviews from a handling perspective but is hampered by the weight of the v6 over the nose so can be heavy on the tyres if you are driving it hard in the corners.

Paul

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Honda Civic Aerodeck VTI?

Dream Weaver

Go for a Focus, fabulous car for the money

lowlander

Focus are great cars but three of my mates have them and I just wanted something different.

Moonloops

93 Turbo is great but the handling is a bit w4nky - can be sorted though.

I had a V plate 93 180bhp turbo - full leather, loads of kit and very comfy. Laughed at a CTR driver who'd got caught out of the vtec zone..

Also ensure that the seatbelt warning beeps, and alarm beeps are truned off as they annoyed the heck out of me

Dream Weaver

If not a Focus then what about Accord Type R? Great car for the money!!

mattbeef

yea accord type r or vectra GSI?

Stryder

Another vote for the Vectra GSi.

Also a few to consider

BMW 325/328
Golf VR6 Highline
Merc C36
Legacy BSK
Laguna 3.0 V6 (to be different)
306 GTi 6

All the in your search.

obi

You can have this for 5K. Handles well, at least 280bp with twin turbo's and space for five adults and their luggage.

Regards Obi

RS Grant

Dont think that Hondas are suitable due to liking a torquey car..

I would have a look at a Vectra GSi. But also think about an older model Mondeo ST200.


Cheers,
Grant

mattbeef

leggy bsk is nice though

StudentScooby

Octavia RS! but high miles for that price.