scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Sold My Evo last month as it was sat on my drive more then I drove it. And when I did drive it was costing way to much in petrol, So the last week or so Ive been thinking of a used cars to buy with a max budget of 18k. Would like to use it as a everyday car, thats quick and not as bad as the Evo's mpg, and can fit a baby seat in the back(not asking to much I hope)!!!!

Now Ive been thinking another scooby, but I was trying to get away from the scooby/evo etc ownership, as Insurance/and the rise of petrol prices/ tax etc really put a downer on owning such a car.

Now I was thinking of a Mk5 Golf R32, insurance is resonable, but not to sure what it would be like on petrol with a 3.2 V6, obviously it would be better then the Evo, so thats a start, but not to sure what sort of road tax band there in!!!!

But then there's Vauxhall VXR range, but I really dont want to spend that sort of money on a vauxhall.

Anyone got any idea's of what sort of cars I should think about/look at.!!!!!

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

To avoid the £400 (today) road tax you need to go Old School ie pre 2001 as any performance car after that date will be in the highest / higher band + they'll all be juicy too. Let's face it, you'll only get really bored with an £18k diesel if you love Scoobs / Evos

I suggest pre 2001 cars as follows:

Integrale.
E30 M3.
Z Coupe (ugleeee!).
Honda NSX.
911
TVR Tuscan (leave baby at home!).
RS4 estate version!
Jag XKR.
Etc.

TX.

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Thats the only thing im scared off, Ive always owned a Scoob or a Evo since ive been 19 years old, had a Focus RS which I wished I never sold last year, but i always think that if I tried something else I'll sell it to buy another scoob or Evo(like I did with the Focus RS)

There are some good cars listed but:

Integrale- To old and wouldnt be a suitable everyday car
E30 M3- Same as above
Z Coupe (ugleeee!)- 350z or Z3M Coupe?? Both have no backseats/or room
Honda NSX - No backseats
911 - Tempting, but £18k wouldnt get me a good un and big bills/servicing costs etc
TVR Tuscan (leave baby at home!)- no backseats, unreliable,not good for everyday use
RS4 estate version- Best one so far, Does everything I need!!!! Good Tuning potential????
Jag XKR - Old mans car, dont think it would suit a 25 year old!!
Etc.

HankScorpio

If I had 18k, I'd get myself one of these, maybe even this particular one:

Classic Marques (Harrogate) Limited : BMW 330d M SPORT COUPE

(also has great chip potential i'm told)

Parkers says VED future is band I at £205 for 2009 and £210 for 2010

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

OK so we've narrowed it down a bit at least - no "old mans" cars, must have kids space in the rear & no old supercars hiding big repair bills

RS4 (keep this one in).
DC5 Integra Type R.
Accord Type R (probably too cheap / old).
Audi S3.
BMW 330 / M3.
Focus ST (you must have thought of this ).
Hummer
LHD Car Company : HUMMER H3 3.5

TX.

beef-on-the-bone

iTrader: (5)

i would go with one of the sporty german diesels and get it remapped with the change........

probably audi, not big on beemers

Mifo

iTrader: (10)

m3

bpm1588

well I've done the move to diesel and what i can say is,if you are used to performance cars unless you go 335D or a few of the other costly marques you will be pissed off with diesel.yes you will save a few quid and feel better going for a fill every 600 miles but I'm beginning to think the performance buzz is worth the higher costs.

next time round I'm going for an Ed30 gti,band f,near 30 average mpg and chippable to 300+brake.yes it'll spin like **** but at least you will get some challenge driving it....might remind me of my r5 gtt,16V gte days

wall

Hi I have a MkV R32. For my current tastes it's the best car I've ever had (good performance, great quality, understated looks, dsg practicality, amazing soundtrack, etc) however as you thought it is quite thirsty ... not like my old sti (and therefore definitely not like your evo) but reasonably thirsty nonetheless. Other than that I can just say that from a person that used to change cars every year (including Stis, elises, evos, etc) I've had the R32 for over a year now and I'm definitely keeping it for another 1-2 and will then change it for the upcoming (late 2009-2010) Golf R36 (or the new Audi RS4 if finances will allow then...).

Wall

Devildog

Wall,

Whats the VED hit on that?

RJM25R

iTrader: (1)

It's £400.

Devildog

Ouch...

Devildog

Ok

So the OP want's an everyday car thats good on fuel, but still fun.

Needs to have 4 seats for the baby seat, be decent on insurance and if its an every day car, reliable.

What about a petrol 330 Coupe?

Will be about the same if not better than the VW on petrol, should be insurable, lower VED band than the VW, so £210 this tear, £300 next to tax.

6.5 to 60, 155mph

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

You can't buy a hummer if you have just sold an evo for running costs I looked at a hummer once but I watched the review on top gear, I saw clarckson try and drive at speed and the average mileage on the speedo dropped to 1m per gallon

phil_wrx

iTrader: (2)

wht dont u spend say 10 grand on a everday diesel and 8 grand on a weekend toy?

markymark34

e46 330d Ive had 2 STIs and a remapped 330d in between and ok its not going to put a smile on your face like the STI but performance wise it is pretty good!
Its a good bit quicker than a 330i and will happily keep up with just about anything once its rolling. other than that an e46 m3.
I was in the same boat as you and test drove just about everything
Golf GTI
Astra VXR
Focus ST
s2000
350Z
R32
330i
type r
boxster
several alfas
and a 330d

the 330d was my favourite followed by the focus.
Most likely to kill you is either the astra or the s2000

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Something different for you.........

Mazda 6 MPS.

Not many people think about these and they are very good. 4wd, 260bhp standard,understated, turbo charged car using a 2.4 ltr engine. Torquey, quick and can put the power down.

Build quality is superb and new car looks inside, 4 doors, 5 seats, and chippable if you so wish, and can be had for well under 18K. 18K gets you a nearly brand new one. Front end is a bit suspect in terms of styling, but think the back looks very similar to an RX8.

Beyond this I do rate the 330I or a 330D BMW's. But good ones with sensible mileage now demanding fair money, and would sooner go the whole hogg and get a E46 M3 for the extra.

markymark34

for example my beautiful one which im forced to sell
BMW : 2002 BMW M3 SMG Imola Red, Black leather

hallsy67

what about an older e55 amg merc ?

lozgti

Amazing how peoples attitudes are changing ie,go pre 2001!

I agree with the £10k sensible car and £8k toy.Family car then an Elise or mx5

RobEvo5

iTrader: (9)

Might be time for go back to Cosworths and the like again

Agree with the sensible car and toy - and if you can get it past the missus, then 8K sensible and 10K toy

CharlesW

Get one of these. New it is a bit above your budget. You should be able to get a good second hand car from Japan well within your budget. Give Ian a call. I'm sure he could get something organised for you.

Litchfield Imports | New & Used Cars from Europe and Japan

When I replace my DC5 Integra Type R, I'll go for one of these.

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Owned 3 cars last month and thats one of the reasons I wanted to sell all 3 and buy 1 car to use everyday. Cant afford 2 car insurance, 2 road tax, service and MOT's etc, Just want 1 very nice car with decent power, and decent running costs!!!!

escott

iTrader: (1)

Find a GB270 Wagon and convince yourself it's a sensible estate

Think there is one on PH.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

I'll not be squeezed by the Govt if I can help it & I'm sure that most people are of the same opinion. You do what you need to to get by after all ... get a pre 2001 car, walk / cycle when you used to drive to the shops, fight scurilous (sp?) parking tickets & speeding fines, refuse to pay a fine for "overfilling" my bin when it wasn't my idea to switch to overy other week collecting etc.

Ah, that feels better

TX.

500

I would seriously have a look and test drive of a 530d Sport. you should be able to pick up a 60k 55 plate one for about 18k. We had one as a courtesy car and saw 55mpg at 100mph on the autobahn on the way to the 'ring in it

Surprisingly economical, loads of torque and can be re-mapped for more!

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Do you really think that a diesel will light this chaps fire? He's owned Evo's & Scoobs remember ...

I still think something Old School would suit although the suggestion of a daily grind car (diesel?) & w/end one (petrol?) is good.

TX.

DB07P1

id say e46 m3.granted mpg may not be brilliant..but it may be at least better then your evo was!!
BMW : 2002 M3 SMG TV Sat Nav

wayno

iTrader: (3)

curious what the new diesel impreza will be like when released

good combi of mpg and power, probably has a lot of torque

500

I take it that you haven't driven one Plenty of torque and a re-map would give huge smiles, Even a standard one is no slouch


Power
235@4000 bhp/rpm
Torque
368@1750 lb/ft