Reply With QuoteJaguar XK would get my vote, although the back seats are more decorative than useful. I'd also consider Alfa Romeo GTV. It's fun, has back seats, but not very useful ones, sounds and looks great.
So, I've been given the news that my office is now closed and that home working will be norm, going forward. With us already having a large car on the drive to ferry my disabled parents around, I've no need for my daily commuter anymore and have an urge to replace it with something enjoyable.
Budget is around 10k - I think I can comfortably sell my outgoing Mercedes B180k for around 7k.
Now, some caveats - I have 2 kids, so it needs to have 4 seats (which sadly puts MX5's off the table) and it MUST be an automatic. Beyond that and the budget, it's fairly open. I've never owned a V8, so that'd be nice and I've got a hankering for a classic (but again, not essential).
I've narrowed my choices down to (but open to any others):
Porsche 944 - rare in auto but they are out there
W140 S500 Coupe
Jaguar XK
Abarth 595, my wife's choice...
Jaguar XK would get my vote, although the back seats are more decorative than useful. I'd also consider Alfa Romeo GTV. It's fun, has back seats, but not very useful ones, sounds and looks great.
I had one of these until it had to sell to fund our camper.
I’d go CL500. With plenty of change to put fuel in it.
If you want a little more left field, a 300ZX ‘Furry Lady’. Great things and the Auto is actually quicker than the manual.
Also, although I wouldn’t recommend based on reliability, I drove a Cooper S Works Auto the other day.
By God it was a lot of fun.
A Mercedes CL500 or E350 Convertible. Job done.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
How mechanically minded are you, will you be doing any work on it yourself? This could have a significant impact on the running costs.
Of those you’ve selected I’d love a sorted 944/968 but suspect entry price of a sorted one would be more like £15-20k.
There’s a chap on ph whose been running one of the C140’s for five years lovely but seem to throw up a bill or two as you’d expect of a top of the range MB
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...f=47&t=1526758
The Jag looks a safer bet in my mind as it’s newer though if you like MB your top budget gets you into a 2010 mark 3 CL C216, lovely places to be.
Quite a lot of cars in that range but finding a good one is another thing!
I would look at the Audi's like an S4 - 4.2 V8, maybe a TT 3.2, lot of choice just do plenty of research..
Some great suggestions folks. I've started having a poke at Alfa GTV's, 300ZX's and very much had my interest piqued by a CL500 and E350's. I've sort of ruled out older BMW's, I've had a raft of E36 328's and gave my last one to my father-in-law to play with.
A Mini is an interesting proposal too.
Choices, choices!
I'm happy to have a crack at most things mechanical. I'm not an expert, but have tools and experience to do things like oil, brakes and such.
*Edit, just saw mention of Audi's too, I've actually never owned one - I'll poke around there too.
I’ve had a couple of Corrado VR6 which were amazing modern classics. Autos were rare but available.
I also had an S Type-R (XFR might be an option) which were auto only and was great but thirsty but makes no odds to your needs.
I’d also consider a Golf R32 DSG, BMW 135i coupe, leggy mile M3, or from left-field a Chrysler 300C.
Just had another thought your budget gets you just into a Scirocco R if that floats your boat
We own a Jaguar XK8 and a 944.
The XK8 is great to drive, but expensive when it comes to parts and repairs.
It definitely isn't a German car. Electronics sometimes plainly suck.
One example: the Dutch dealer (2 dealers were involved) is utterly unable to fix the remote control. The hand units are fine, about every part thinkable was replaced (antenna, module, cables). I've had enough of that crap so just close it with the keys nowadays.
The 944 was a gift from my dad shortly before he died.
It was his for 14 years and mine for 5 now.
Ultra reliable, basic, I tuned it a lot.
However, you really don't want a 944 auto. The auto sucks.
5 speed manual is fine, the 3 speed auto kills any fun in the car.
About the 2 seats in the back;
The XK has a decoration, nobody can sit there. My 3 yo daughter wouldn't fit in there.
The 944 has somewhat useable seats. Kids up to about 10 years fit in them.
Last edited by Bernard; 7th March 2021 at 22:29.
Do your children have legs?
"A man of little significance"
Kids are 6 & 9, usable backseats are a must.
In that case, the XK8 is out due to no room in the back. I cannot put a briefcase there (XK8 convertible).Originally Posted by RickChard
Trust me, you do NOT want a 944 auto. Not a fun car at all.
I have spent the past three months looking at a succession of heavily corroded X100 series XKRs.
Even the well cared for, later 4.2s have obvious corrosion emerging on the underfloor and front subframe area.
A well loved R230 series SL350 would make a great buy, solid V6 engine and no ABC suspension issues to keep you awake.
I picked up a pretty rotten SLK320 from SC in Autumn 2019, I had 18 months of fun ragging the ar5e out of it, and am now breaking it for parts - which should clear around twice what I paid for it.
A late R170 series SLK would be a good buy, but they are very prone to rust.
I bought a mk1 Audi TT 3.2 a couple of months back way way under your budget, back seats are woeful but my kids can and do get in the back for short trips it’s good fun cheap enough for servicing parts etc. I’ve always wanted a vr6 corrado but my budget just couldn’t stretch to a good one so maybe worth a look and the back seats are better. Maybe a high mile M3 e46 I loved mine a few years back but parts could be expensive, golf r32 also a great car however attract the wrong kind of attention.
Correct. You either had them treated with tectyl beforehand (we did) or have enough work to remove rust and treat the areas afterwards.
A disgrace as my 1996 Daimler Century is still rustfree.
V8 + Auto + 4 seater?
I’d look at American cars. How old a Mustang or Corvette for £10K?
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
A four seat Corvette?
Slightly over budget but what about a BMW 8 series.
As you've a big car already, I'd agree with your wife - the Arbath will be fun, big enough for the kids as they grow plus really convenient for parking in town.
Starting an Abarth is really a head turner! That sound is great!
All cars (apart from the Abarth) have high running costs. I would go out and look for a proper workshop or mechanic who can maintain and repair Jags, Mercs or Porsches before buying any of these cars! The reason these big cars are cheap to buy has everything to do with the costs.
My money would be on a VW Up GTi. Have it tuned and you're good to go for the next 10 yrs! A very rare car - it will hold it's value, VW quality, lots of indies for maintenance and repairs.
Might take a bit of finding but these are a hoot;
Edit: forgot the auto bit, sorry!
Last edited by Dave O'Sullivan; 8th March 2021 at 09:27.
Porsche 944 maintenance isn't expensive. It actually is quite affordable.
You just have to go to a specialist, not the dealer. Taking it to a dealer isn't going to help your credit score.
Same goes for an XK: dealer maintenance is expensive - and for some issues a necessity - but there are much cheaper alternatives.
Golf R32 DSG
BMW 650i (V8 as you mentioned)
BMW Alpina B3
Audi S4 (V8 again!)
Audi S3
Audi S6 (5.2)
Jag XFR V8
Love this game!
Sorry for the slight thread hijack. How practical are the up gti and Abarth? I'm asking as I'm thinking about getting rid of my 5 door 62 plate S3 and going smaller because we're just not really using the car. We only did 1200 between MOTs and the costs of servicing, tax etc just don't add up for me currently. I was leaning towards a vw polo gti but the new ones are in the regions of £16-18k and I'm not sure I want to add anymore money to the pot for something that sits on the drive 90% of the time. Just thinking along the lines of weekly food shopping and the odd motorway run when lockdown is lifted.
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I've found a local dealer with some VERY interesting propositions.
R32 - below budget, average mileage but has clearly been 'fettled' with...
Ralliart Lancer GS SST. A bit of a wildcard but £580 tax will hurt...
C55 AMG - the potential to empty one's wallet is high.
Sadly over budget but a good option - it doesn't look that quick on paper though?
High-ish mileage, but that 4.8l engine!
You'd get a nice Triumph Stag for that money and many of those are autos.
The gt86 is the only contender in that list ,go and drive it all the reviews of the car are extremely positive and its not all about power... check the back seats though we would have bought one but they are pretty tight on space..I've found a local dealer with some VERY interesting propositions.
R32 - below budget, average mileage but has clearly been 'fettled' with...
Ralliart Lancer GS SST. A bit of a wildcard but £580 tax will hurt...
C55 AMG - the potential to empty one's wallet is high.
Sadly over budget but a good option - it doesn't look that quick on paper though?
High-ish mileage, but that 4.8l engine!
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I'd have one of these in a heartbeat - the wife would concede to a manual too, but we've looked and nothing anywhere near our budget. We both agreed our standard Puma was one of the best cars we've owned and a FRP would be a grail car!
Might take a bit of finding but these are a hoot;
Edit: forgot the auto bit, sorry!
A GT86 is not really a four seater - though it has four seats - it is very tight in the back. There was a rumour some years ago that they put four seats in largely to attract a lower insurance rating.
Saab 9-3 Convertible - the 2.3 V6 Aero if possible.
4 seats, auto, petrol, 252 bhp, will easily survive living on the drive & well under budget.
______
Jim.
^^^ This ^^^
Classic 90/00s Jap (all available in Auto):
Skyline GTS-T - you may find one within budget.
Nissan 200SX
Subaru Forester Sti
Subaru Legacy Spec B
Lexus SC430 (only V8 on my list but not much in the way of back seat)
Do not buy a selespeed (auto) Alfa if you ever plan to want to drive the car.
I just bought my son a 3 door VW up! To learn to drive in (so not a gti sadly!) - we’re both over 6 feet tall, and there’s loads of headroom and elbow room, and I can even sit behind him in comfort! Ridiculously spacious, even the boot is decent sized - and it also has a full sized spare! - I’m very impressed tbh
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GT86 is non starter for 6 and 9 yo children.
It'll be hard to find a good one, but a late model Nissan 200sx from 1999/2000 is a fun classic
Last edited by J J Carter; 8th March 2021 at 22:19.
i must say my son’s Skoda Citigo (75bhp) is a total hoot to drive. You will easily get 4 people providing they don’t have luggage - not sure about the auto option. But not really a classic.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thanks for the reply. Really startinhg to lean towards one. Good you mentioned about height as I'm 6"2'
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Quite nice cars, I had one before my first born forced me out of it and into a hot hatch.GT86 is non starter for 6 and 9 yo children.
It'll be hard to find a good one, but a late model Nissan 200sx from 1999/2000 is a fun classic
It's just a matter of time...
How about this a VW Eos a generous boot and decent space for two children in the back.
An auto 3.2 V6 sounds great in sports mode and is economical to run.
It's a V8......for 10k.
It's an auto....
Room for the kiddiwinks.....
And looks rather nice....it even has that old forum favourite...winter tyres!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-MASE...cAAOSw3PlgK8lm
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
No way would you get a Triumph Stag worth owning for that money, I think you’re a little out of touch! £20k- £25k is more like it, forget the cheap ones , they’re going to be a whole heap of trouble and expense.
As for the OP’s question, judging from the age of the kids he needs a proper 4 seater, kids that age have a habit of getting bigger.
It’s a brave man who takes on the high potential borkfactor of these, the phrase “Nothing can go wrong now...” is ringing in my earsGenuine low mileage of 56,000 with some recent bills covering the last few years.
I would be considering an e9x Bmw 3 series 330i, 335i or M3. I ran an e93 330 and an e93 m3, both great cars and the kids fit comfortably in the back. You also get the benefit of a hard top convertible, coupe and saloon also available.
I wouldn’t get a 6 series having tried one as the back seats are way too small, even for kids.
I'd also consider a Golf VR6. They do an auto and I reckon these will be a future classic.
No Golfs but some pretty pics of others on KGF Classics who present their cars well.
I used to have a Maserati Coupe just like that - and for such an incredible price I would see how that is very tempting indeed. It has a Ferrari engine, sounds phenomenal, has usable back seats, and is beautiful inside - rare too.
However - a clutch for one of these is 3k minimum - and they tend to eat them. Tyres, brake discs etc all very expensive.
They are complex, twenty year old exotic cars, and service bills, parts etc reflect this.
Fuel economy is appalling - driven with a little enthusiasm, 10mpg, driven carefully - 14-15mpg.
It is not a car to have if you are on a tight budget.
I would also be wary of a 944 at that price point - lovely things but really are old cars now. It still looks good, but will be comprehensively trounced in every real-world aspect by a modern Fiesta Ecoboost. Standard 944's were never quick, the auto even slower. Handling is good, and a definite sense of occasion, but again, service costs and parts aren't cheap. Lots of poorly maintained and abused ones around too.
So clever my foot fell off.
Agree with TFB on the Maserati, we owned a Gran Sport MCV and the clutch did cost £3k and dies quickly in stop/start traffic as we found. They also like hydraulicing if the engine gets a scoop of standing water on a wet day. Sexy cars but the buy price in no way represents the fixing price!
I'd be going for a BMW E30 Cabrio as suggested above, or a 90's Mercedes E320 Cabrio or SL. Quite a few around and pretty depreciation proof.
Chevrolet Camaro Z28, 5.7 v8, auto?
£7,450.00 on ebay
room in the back and a nice soundng V8
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chevrolet...YAAOSwBthf8ilC
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