Sporty car suggestions

[DanceswithUnix]

Did they do a Prodrive one like they did with the Brera?

Believe that was just the Brera. That seemed to be largely about paper specifications, getting the 0-60 time improved. They ditched the 4wd system to do that, and tried to make the front wheels cope with 260bhp. That's great in a straight line, but I don't usually drive at Santa Pod They also did some weight reduction, which would be harder in a soft top.

AIUI the Q4 setup is a modern take on the Lancia Integrale layout. No shame in that, and I wouldn't pay a premium to lose it.

[finlay666]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

For the m3, the insurance is bad, as its maintenance afaik. The 330i and ci are ok however. Alpinas and m5s are the same for insurance costs.

Boxster, it's again bad on insurance, but for me it's too common to be that worthy an option (though older Porsche cars are coming under classic insurance this isn't)

I like the Alfa cars, will look into those

The Elise is again more common than the vx220 and insurance is worse.

By unmolested I mean unmodified, mods kill any cheap quote dead and are at least 10x the price

The rx8 it's an option, but the engine issues are a big concern and I wouldn't know what to look for.

350z is another good choice and I am a bit partial to the looks, same with a Chrysler Crossfire

Edit:

Looked at the 335d/335i for insurance, 10p more than the A4, I think that is a reasonable price!

[ehhhhhhh]

How about a 335i coupe? it has crazy performance and lovely sound even if fully stock.

[ConnorLowe]

Can't go wrong with an Alfa Romeo.

Something along these lines of a Brera perhaps?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01307027604533

[jimbouk]

Can't go wrong with an Alfa Romeo.

Famous last words! Although I tend to agree if you're after something sporty but sensible. I do often end up when browsing Ebay for something a little larger than my Roadster.

[kalniel]

Famous last words!

Note he's not saying an Alfa Romeo can't go wrong

[ekamdeep]

best is get the slr maclaren

[ConnorLowe]

I may be biased as I'm an Alfa lover but they run so smoothly and look incredible for their price!

My dad's got a Giulietta and had a 147 t-spark before that. I'll begetting an Alfa myself when I've got the money. Currently whizzing round in my 54 reg 1.2 Corsa!

[kalniel]

best is get the slr maclaren

Did you read the first post?

[finlay666]

How about a 335i coupe? it has crazy performance and lovely sound even if fully stock.

The coupe/convertible is a strong favourite currently, only issue is getting one in budget (ideal budget is about £7k to leave room for insurance/maintenance costs after getting it) but it ticks all the boxes and the gf likes the look of it too, it's not too OTT like the VX220 (and elec windows, aircon etc are a plus )

The Brera is nice looking, but slow (relatively speaking). Apparently the handling isn't as good as it should be and the tuned one (prodrive?) is the car the Brera should have been

[DanceswithUnix]

The coupe/convertible is a strong favourite currently, only issue is getting one in budget (ideal budget is about £7k to leave room for insurance/maintenance costs after getting it) but it ticks all the boxes and the gf likes the look of it too, it's not too OTT like the VX220 (and elec windows, aircon etc are a plus )

The Brera is nice looking, but slow (relatively speaking). Apparently the handling isn't as good as it should be and the tuned one (prodrive?) is the car the Brera should have been

Brera was only heavy by the standards of traditional Alfisti, who expect something very light with a high revving engine. Compared to a ~1600kg E90 3 Series, you would have to wonder what the fuss is about. Most people who come away disappointed with a test drive tried the 2.2l GM engine version, so avoid that.

As I said before, I think the Prodrive version is a paper spec thing. Putting 200bhp through the front wheels is fine, but 260? And how hard must the ride be on 19" wheels? I would say go and test drive a Q4, though my wife ended up with the Alfa GT v6 instead before we got that far. That was because when making the decision she was looking for something for track days for which the long wheelbase GT is a good choice, in the end she started sprint racing and would probably have been better off in a 147 GTA.

What she really wanted (but it wouldn't take the kids on long journeys) was a GTV: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01306127254554 which is a shame she couldn't have one as they are the tool of choice in sprint racing.

[bytejunkie]

im gonna throw you a curve ball. 10k will get you into an RS4. same shape as your B5, faster than any porsche for the same money and most of the sub20k cars, and it retains an element of practicality.

best thing about it? look after it and it might just appreciate. but it won't lose money.

so in summary, if you're old before your time, RS4. if not, S2000. but then you've already ruled one of them out.


you can buy a lot of M3 or Golf GTI for your money. they don't depreciate as fast as some of the other cars already mentioned.

[jimborae]

Unfortunately an RS4 costs even more to maintain than an M3 and for 10K you can only get the less responsive handling older models I believe.

*Edit* A quick look on Pistonheads and the cheapest one is a 13 year old one for £11K

[finlay666]

im gonna throw you a curve ball. 10k will get you into an RS4. same shape as your B5, faster than any porsche for the same money and most of the sub20k cars, and it retains an element of practicality.

best thing about it? look after it and it might just appreciate. but it won't lose money.

so in summary, if you're old before your time, RS4. if not, S2000. but then you've already ruled one of them out.


you can buy a lot of M3 or Golf GTI for your money. they don't depreciate as fast as some of the other cars already mentioned.

S2000 is not for me, the maintenance and insurance are a bit of a killer (and FWIW I'd just get an MR2/MX5 as the S2000 although sporty isn't seen as a 'fast' car with the relatively low torque). I essentially drive a saloon GTI as it is (albeit with a turbo mounted differently which makes it a PITA to tune)

RS4 isn't a bad car, as I said I'd rather go closer to £7k (would like to go on holiday next year ) It is however out of budget as the best is an estate under £12k. I'm looking at 15k for a saloon on AutoTrader nationally

Unfortunately though, the B5.5 is not a shape I'd get again, I've got quite a few gripes about the car and the 'practicality' of it. For me (6' 2"ish and I like legroom there is about 2-3 inches behind me, making the rear seat unusable behind me, the panel trim is not well mad (I'm not replacing ALL the lower door mouldings as they have rusted away (lasting longer than some I might add). Some of the maintenance/electircial issues are a bit of a known annoyance

It's also an estate car, the RS4 B5 is avant only.

One of the main maintencance gripes (aside from the onboard computer screen fading out randomly).... putting the wheel bearings inside the rear disc brakes. Engineering fail there (I put upgraded OEM spec discs + pads in the back, plan to do the same to the front when the time comes).

Thanks though for the very alternative suggestion. Not quite what I was looking for but a very interesting idea all the same

Anyone got any opinions on a BMW 5 series, looking at something like an E60 535d or a 540i, They are in budget around £7/8k for a low mileage car. For insurance a 545i will cost me £50 less on insurance than the B5 A4 1.8T (wtf)

[technodean]

Avoid RX8's, common adverts usually state recon or new engine @ mileage as low as 35k. Having had a 525d chipped with the 19" wheels, went well and looked the part but sporty? No, Just felt huge and uninspiring on A roads.

[bytejunkie]

S2000 is not for me, the maintenance and insurance are a bit of a killer (and FWIW I'd just get an MR2/MX5 as the S2000 although sporty isn't seen as a 'fast' car with the relatively low torque). I essentially drive a saloon GTI as it is (albeit with a turbo mounted differently which makes it a PITA to tune)

RS4 isn't a bad car, as I said I'd rather go closer to £7k (would like to go on holiday next year ) It is however out of budget as the best is an estate under £12k. I'm looking at 15k for a saloon on AutoTrader nationally

Unfortunately though, the B5.5 is not a shape I'd get again, I've got quite a few gripes about the car and the 'practicality' of it. For me (6' 2"ish and I like legroom there is about 2-3 inches behind me, making the rear seat unusable behind me, the panel trim is not well mad (I'm not replacing ALL the lower door mouldings as they have rusted away (lasting longer than some I might add). Some of the maintenance/electircial issues are a bit of a known annoyance

It's also an estate car, the RS4 B5 is avant only.

One of the main maintencance gripes (aside from the onboard computer screen fading out randomly).... putting the wheel bearings inside the rear disc brakes. Engineering fail there (I put upgraded OEM spec discs + pads in the back, plan to do the same to the front when the time comes).

Thanks though for the very alternative suggestion. Not quite what I was looking for but a very interesting idea all the same

Anyone got any opinions on a BMW 5 series, looking at something like an E60 535d or a 540i, They are in budget around £7/8k for a low mileage car. For insurance a 545i will cost me £50 less on insurance than the B5 A4 1.8T (wtf)

you're judging an RS4 on the faults you've got with your current B5.5. they're much different cars. i think they're even made it different factories. but one off one of the audi forums (rs246 or audisrs) and you get a looked after car with money heaped on it. anyway, on with the search.

the only 'sporty' 5 series is an M5. and thats still a barge with wheels. you dont want one of them.

what about a 335 coupe? i or d, they are both very quick cars. or are you looking for roomy rather than sporty now with the comment about your height?