Want a new car, what do you recommend?

Atomic Pineapple

Finally in the market for a new car, money sorted and all

Only problem is I haven't a clue what car I want! :rolleyes:

So here's another one of those pick me a car threads, sorry!

Here's the criteria:

Budget is €10k - €12k but up to €15k if somebody can show me something special.

Looking for a fast hot hatch/saloon or coupe

Preference would be 4WD or RWD but I wont discount FWD cars either.

Something with 200bhp +

Current car is a 99 so looking for something a bit newer around 2003+

I currently drive 150 miles a week but that could change to 100 miles a day in the summer so thats something to keep in mind.

The car would have to be reliable, I dont mind highish running costs but nothing that would be over the top costing a fortune to maintain.

So what would you recommend?

Links to examples would be handy too

Thanks in advance

squod

By new car you do mean second hand, right?

steve french

how about a 03 focus rs:http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus-RS/2.0---21/201009197123314/advert?channel=CARS

Atomic Pineapple

squod wrote: »

By new car you do mean second hand, right?

sorry yes, new car for me but second hand, I said 2003+ in my OP

Tea 1000

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/Alpina-3/201012197364528/advert?channel=CARS

unkel

E46 M3 at the stretched end of your budget?

unkel

Mazda RX-8 231BHP?
Honda S2000?

Atomic Pineapple

Focus RS doesn't do it for me, dont like the styling and there meant to handle shockingly bad.

Coming from an Integra Type R so good corner handling would also be something I'd be looking for.

The BMW is an Auto, should have said manuals only.

Also if engine size is 2.5l it would have to be something special like an M3 or Nissan 350z

And also no white cars

Testament1

Late model Altezza?? Probably pretty hard to find a good one though...I would suggest a Subaru Legacy B4 but they're alcoholics when it comes to keepin fuel in them!

Tea 1000

draffodx wrote: »

Focus RS doesn't do it for me, dont like the styling and there meant to handle shockingly bad.

Coming from an Integra Type R so good corner handling would also be something I'd be looking for.

The BMW is an Auto, should have said manuals only.

Also if engine size is 2.5l it would have to be something special like an M3 or Nissan 350z

And also no white cars

An Alpina is special! I'd actually rather one than an E46 M3. Much rarer and cheaper!!
How about this? Clubsports are rare and cost a fortune to VRT, so unlikely to have anyone importing one!
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/325I-CLU/200942195534730/advert?channel=CARS

squod

draffodx wrote: »

Focus RS doesn't do it for me, dont like the styling and there meant to handle shockingly bad.

Coming from an Integra Type R so good corner handling would also be something I'd be looking for.

The BMW is an Auto, should have said manuals only.

Also if engine size is 2.5l it would have to be something special like an M3 or Nissan 350z

And also no white cars

keithg89

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1066162

Sell the wheels on it and buy csl wheels and your laughin.

Eoin

unkel wrote: »

E46 M3 at the stretched end of your budget?

I'd say the cheapest M3 could end up costing the most.

Agree with the Mazda RX8 though. I've been looking at them myself, and if you can deal with the economy they seem to be alright value.

Tefral

What about a Blue DC5??

Atomic Pineapple

unkel wrote: »

E46 M3 at the stretched end of your budget?

Would stretch my budget and leave me short for the running and maintenance costs which would be a worry

unkel wrote: »

Mazda RX-8 231BHP?
Honda S2000?

Rx8 is tempting the petrol consumption is worrying if I end up having to do 100 miles a day though.

S2000 is nice but I'd want a latter model that sorted out the twitchy rear end and I dont think my budget would stretch

Testament1 wrote: »

Late model Altezza?? Probably pretty hard to find a good one though...I would suggest a Subaru Legacy B4 but they're alcoholics when it comes to keepin fuel in them!

Altezza does nothing for me in any department I'm afraid, neither does the Legacy B4

Tea 1000

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/Boxster/S-3.2-Ma/200947195911592/advert?channel=CARS

Midnight_EG

Evo 8?
Tommi Makkinen Evo?
A GT-R V-Spec perhaps?
An Evo 8 with 33k?

Marty McFly

How about these;

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.4-V6/201009197084205/advert?channel=CARS

or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/2.0-i-VT/201004196721974/advert?channel=CARS
or
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/euro-r/201007196932277/advert?channel=CARS
or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Integra/dcs/201009197131330/advert?channel=CARS
or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/TYPE-S-2/200948195973815/advert?channel=CARS

or
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/Mazda3/2.3-MPS-/201006196899370/advert?channel=CARS

for me id go for one of the accords or the mazda 3 mps

Atomic Pineapple

cronin_j wrote: »

What about a Blue DC5??

I'd like to try something different to be honest

Tea 1000 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/Boxster/S-3.2-Ma/200947195911592/advert?channel=CARS

argh I should have mentioned so soft tops as well, find me a porsche that doesn't have a detachable or put-downable roof and you'll win

Midnight_EG wrote: »

Evo 8?
Tommi Makkinen Evo?
A GT-R V-Spec perhaps?
An Evo 8 with 33k?

No white cars I'm afraid, the gtr is too old and the 8 is being sold by a dealer on a farm!

Midnight_EG

Hmmmm
03 Euro R, Blue
We all know this S2000

Tea 1000

draffodx wrote: »

argh I should have mentioned so soft tops as well, find me a porsche that doesn't have a detachable or put-downable roof and you'll win

Done!
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/968/Coupe..P/200850191182878/advert?channel=CARS

Tea 1000

Cheap to run, cheap to tax, reliable, would blow your old type R into the weeds...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Westfield/SE/i-W-1800/200930194709542/advert?channel=CARS

Midnight_EG

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Cheap to run, cheap to tax, reliable, would blow your old type R into the weeds...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Westfield/SE/i-W-1800/200930194709542/advert?channel=CARS

Blows his budget and need of a roof out of the way too :P

Atomic Pineapple

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Done!
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Porsche/968/Coupe..P/200850191182878/advert?channel=CARS

haha within the criteria

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Cheap to run, cheap to tax, reliable, would blow your old type R into the weeds...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Westfield/SE/i-W-1800/200930194709542/advert?channel=CARS

ah if I won the lotto I'd have that in a heartbeat

Gary ITR

Just get something quick and give that typeR to the new owner asap.... :rolleyes:

bazz26

Audi TT 225bhp Quattro:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201010197221809

Golf GTi:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200951196224177

Focus ST:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201012197338543

Mazda 3 MPS:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201006196899370
(obviously not 300bhp)

EPM

Not exactly special I suppose, but cash might see it very close to budget. Remap easily and safely to 240+, very fresh too...and dsg:D

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/2.0FR-TF/201011197262598/advert?channel=CARS

Atomic Pineapple

bazz26 wrote: »

Audi TT 225bhp Quattro:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201010197221809

Focus ST:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201012197338543

Both interesting thanks, I prefer the ST over the TT though

EPM wrote: »

Not exactly special I suppose, but cash might see it very close to budget. Remap easily and safely to 240+, very fresh too...and dsg:D

http://www.carzone.ie/search/SEAT/Leon/2.0FR-TF/201011197262598/advert?channel=CARS

That is an interesting one, alloys look awful though and it looks like its on stilts or something or is that just me? Seems really high!

antomorro-sei

Clio V6?

EPM

Alloys are an easy fix - those OEM FR ones fetch decent money secondhand as they are prohibitively expensive to buy from the dealers.

They can look a little high standard...can be lowered quite cheaply...

R.O.R

If the Ad wasn't free, I'd be killing the guy who put it up!

Astra OPC - expecting pictures soon when the weather clears up enough to wash it (not mine - guy I work with).

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/2.0I-16V/201012197380852/advert?channel=CARS

PaddyFagan

Left Field suggestions -

Volvo S40 T5 - http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3641117

Saab 9-5 2.3t - http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=368152A

Alfa 147 GTA (3.2 v6!) - http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3671561#

Jag XJ6 - http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3622359

Paddy

robtri

special and powerful.... yet a great cruiser as well....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A8/4.2-QUAT/201011197281510/advert?channel=CARS


something different.... auto only

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Mustang/3.8/200904191550708/advert?channel=CARS


Cheap thrills low mileage

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Impreza/WRX-2.5-/200928194575542/advert?channel=CARS

safe fun

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S40/T5/201010197162946/advert?channel=CARS

dlambirl

Skoda Octavia VRS?

Stevie Dakota

robtri wrote: »

special and powerful.... yet a great cruiser as well....

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A8/4.2-QUAT/201011197281510/advert?channel=CARS
]

What a car for the money!

stealthyspeeder

I take it your wanting to trade up, not trade across?

Its going to be hard to find a FWD that would be worth your time trading for, examples like the ST or MPS, will be more more powerful and quicker in a stright line, but the handling of anything in and around that range will reduce your enjoyment (given that the ITR is probably the best handling FWD) to the point where it would be impractical to change from the Teg.

So really its got to be AWD or RWD.

AWD hatch - got to be the S3 (couldnt see any decent ones on carzone)
RWD hatch - BMW 130i (dobt there is any to be found in Ireland or in price range)

So really its going to be a coupe or a saloon and its going to be in one of 3 catogories

RWD great handling coupes (S2000, MR2, MX5 RX8 etc..)
AWD B road destroyers (Imprezza's, Evo's, possibly even skyline could creep into thhis category)
RWD powerhouse saloons (330i's, bargain M3's, older powerful cars etc)

I was going to include trackbased cars like VX220 etc but just not practical if there is even the suggestion of doing 100 miles per day!

So which of the above most floats your boat?

Atomic Pineapple

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

RWD great handling coupes (S2000, MR2, MX5 RX8 etc..)
AWD B road destroyers (Imprezza's, Evo's, possibly even skyline could creep into thhis category)
RWD powerhouse saloons (330i's, bargain M3's, older powerful cars etc)

Cars from all the above categories float my boat!

But in order of preference

1)AWD B road destroyers
2)RWD great handling coupes
3)RWD powerhouse saloons

Although 1 and 2 are pretty much on a par

MarkN

Possibly 100 miles a day using some of the cars mentioned here :eek:

That's crazy, you'll notch up some serious fuel bills on anything 300bhp+ with that distance. Just a thought from someone running a thirsty car with 130c per litre prices!!

Atomic Pineapple

MarkN wrote: »

Possibly 100 miles a day using some of the cars mentioned here :eek:

That's crazy, you'll notch up some serious fuel bills on anything 300bhp+ with that distance. Just a thought from someone running a thirsty car with 130c per litre prices!!

Yeh so the hardest thing is finding a car thats both powerful-ish, looks nice but has 25 - 30+ mpg

Eoin

Did you discount the e46 325 coupé mentioned earlier? I can get ~30MPG in my auto 5 series with the same engine.

vectra

draffodx wrote: »

Also if engine size is 2.5l it would have to be something special like an M3 or Nissan 350z
And also no white cars

350z for you?
Oh.
and it is Black
Nissan-350Z-3.5-V6-S

I also live 100 meters from this garage and know this car.
Looks quite good as the garage owners son drove it for a good while
I could even ask waht would be their bottom dollar as i am quite friendly with the Garage owner

unkel

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

RWD hatch - BMW 130i

Didn't think of that one. A 130i hatch would be within budget. Ugly as sin though

Probably not in budget but a 135i twin turbo 6 pot coupe (>300BHP RWD) is hotter than the original M3. 0-100km/h in 5s.

If the head wins this contest over the heart, how about a 123d twin turbo coupe (>200BHP RWD). Same healthy 400NM torque as the 135i but very low running costs for the performance you're getting. Drive one, I'd like to

Atomic Pineapple

vectra wrote: »

350z for you?
Oh.
and it is Black
Nissan-350Z-3.5-V6-S

I also live 100 meters from this garage and know this car.
Looks quite good as the garage owners son drove it for a good while
I could even ask waht would be their bottom dollar as i am quite friendly with the Garage owner

And bring it up to Dublin for me?

Yeh if you get a chance ask what the absolute bottom is.

I have to do a bit of research into them regards maintenace costs and running costs though, I doubt its suitable for 100 miles a day

Eoin

Will that be 100 miles a day for 220 days a year (average working days per year)? If so, then you'll deffo need to do the sums. The difference between a 25mpg car and a 40mpg car might really make a big difference with that kind of mileage.

Are my sums wrong here? Seems very high...

MPG: 25
Miles per year: 22000
Gallons per year: 880
Litres per year: 3995.2
Cost per litre: 1.3
Fuel bill per year: 5193.76

MPG: 40
Miles per year: 22000
Gallons per year: 550
Litres per year: 2497
Cost per litre: 1.3
Fuel bill per year: 3246.1

Difference = 1947.66

vectra

draffodx wrote: »

And bring it up to Dublin for me?

Yeh if you get a chance ask what the absolute bottom is.

I have to do a bit of research into them regards maintenace costs and running costs though, I doubt its suitable for 100 miles a day

Bus to Fermoy?

Atomic Pineapple

eoin wrote: »

Will that be 100 miles a day for 220 days a year (average working days per year)? If so, then you'll deffo need to do the sums. The difference between a 25mpg car and a 40mpg car might really make a big difference with that kind of mileage.

Are my sums wrong here? Seems very high...

MPG: 25
Miles per year: 22000
Gallons per year: 880
Litres per year: 3995.2
Cost per litre: 1.3
Fuel bill per year: 5193.76

MPG: 40
Miles per year: 22000
Gallons per year: 550
Litres per year: 2497
Cost per litre: 1.3
Fuel bill per year: 3246.1

Difference = 1947.66

Hhmmmm thats a months wages for me before tax!

Yeh it will be to and from work 5 days a week so around 22k miles would be right.

Probably have to lean with the head towards a less powerful more economical car :mad:

no1beemerfan

If I were you (I'm a massive BMW fan though!!) I'd be getting this


* and if you do I want a drive!

voxpop

High(ish) powered diesel is the way to go imo. I had(well still have,its for sale btw ) a TDI Golf that was returning ~50 mpg driving up and down to Dundalk - remapped it would give 170, which isnt too bad. I now drive a 523, which drinks petrol in comparison and doesnt feel all that fast.

Eoin

If my sums are right, that's some difference. The difference is higher again if you assume that the 40mpg car is a diesel. If you take a cost of 1.23 for diesel, then the difference is €2122.45 per year.

Someone should really double check my figures though, that's higher than I would have thought.

I'd suggest an Alfa GT 1.9, but to be really honest - as much as I love the look of them, the figures don't seem to add up. 40mpg at best, but not particularly quick. Seems like the worst of both worlds to me.

Atomic Pineapple

vectra wrote: »

Bus to Fermoy?

I have a phobia of buses

no1beemerfan wrote: »

If I were you (I'm a massive BMW fan though!!) I'd be getting this


* and if you do I want a drive!

Jesus thats nice! Know nothing about them though, any good resources to read up on them?

voxpop wrote: »

High(ish) powered diesel is the way to go imo. I had(well still have,its for sale btw ) a TDI Golf that was returning ~50 mpg driving up and down to Dundalk - remapped it would give 170, which isnt too bad. I now drive a 523, which drinks petrol in comparison and doesnt feel all that fast.

Probably right but even if I go for a diesel I'd want something different than a TDi, I just never liked them

eoin wrote: »

If my sums are right, that's some difference. The difference is higher again if you assume that the 40mpg car is a diesel. If you take a cost of 1.23 for diesel, then the difference is €2122.45 per year.

Someone should really double check my figures though, that's higher than I would have thought.

I'd suggest an Alfa GT 1.9, but to be really honest - as much as I love the look of them, the figures don't seem to add up. 40mpg at best, but not particularly quick. Seems like the worst of both worlds to me.

Yes the Alfa was the only diesel I came across that grabbed my attention but all it has going for it is the styling the negatives are you say not that great mpg and lacking in power

voxpop

draffodx wrote: »

Probably right but even if I go for a diesel I'd want something different than a TDi, I just never liked them

Yeah - alot of ppl dislike the TDI for whatever reason. Im surprised I haven't been slated yet for even suggesting it :pac:. Id at least drive one if you are checking out diesels and make up your own mind.
The only other real option is a 330d or 530d, the former probably the better choice as it will be easier on fuel - 5ers are lovely cruisers though - so if you are doing alot of miles it might be worth the slightly higher fuel consumption and the 5-series.