Fast car for

[Gizmo]

OK I have been asked for my opinion for a list of std FAST (not just decently nippy) cars at around £7K

Whats more it MUST have a long list of gizmo’s (heated leather, OE sat nav, AC etc) in it and also look the part, absolute maximum of 10 years old.

Currently the only ones that have not been ruled out are:

330 BM’s,

M5,

RS4 and

RS6

So as you can see they are high powered ‘lazy’ engines rather than only fast when thrashed, they also need to be nimble enough to be ‘pushing on’, so the bigger exec cars are out of the frame.

Suggestions??

[Chronicbint]

Mileage not an issue then? Most of those will be pushing 100k I would have thought at that price.

[Gizmo]

No, the car will be doing fairly low miles as well (weekend car) so mileage and MPG is not really an issue.

[TriggerFish]

My unbiased view says 330. That said, I'd expect the RS* to be faster as they were competing with the M3, which was a decent step up from the 330.

There's something about Audis I don't like though - to me, they seem like the Apple of the car world (I dislike Apple too).

Guessing it's an e46 at that price, or a very cheap e9*? Didn't they do an IS300 with a 3.0 for a while?

Edited 8 December, 2012 by TriggerFish

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

A little more cash and patience will possibly yield a (decent) E46 M3? Or a S4 8E would be near to the top of my list.

[Harry_vRS]

You can grab early e46 M3s for that money

[Gizmo]

The M3’s don’t really appeal TBH, there are far too many rough ones around and insurance is more than the M5 etc.

[dobbey]

I'm not sure there is such a car, if you don't want an M5/RS4 ect.

If you want fast for that money, Honda S2000, Z4 (which does have 'nav), Nissan 350Z ect would be the best option?

[R1DAVIE]

Mazda 6 MPS....wolf in sheeps clothing :evil:

[Gizmo]

I'm not sure there is such a car, if you don't want an M5/RS4 ect.

No those have NOT been ruled out.

My money would be in an RS6 Avant

[JoshH]

R26 Megane, not so many gizmos mind, but for driving pleasure it's awesome.

Cruise control and climate control is about it!

[Porkballs29]

Got to be a late Vectra VXR. All your asking for and seriously quick to boot.

Sent from my phone, using my thumb.

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

Just looked, RS6`s start at £9k minimum on auto trader. If your happy to hunt for a decent one you should just about get a decent E39 M5 for the money though.

[Ad Lav]

Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - 2001 Y reg.

[Gizmo]

Got to be a late Vectra VXR. All your asking for and seriously quick to boot.

Sent from my phone, using my thumb.

and also look the part,

Really??

They may be great VFM but it really IMO ends there,

[VladSoilerOfCarpets]

If you can get an RS6 or RS4 for £7k it'll be either shagged or stolen.

My money would be on the M5 or Audi S4.

[Gizmo]

The only issue with the S4 us I was told ‘no Audi’s’… until I showed him a few RS4/6’s he is warming to them, granted the nice ones are closer to £13K (not a problem, but more than he ‘wants’ to spend)

Oh and no Jap stuff either.

Reading between the lines it needs to be 3ltrs +

[Gizmo]

Not sure on the porker, but it is certainly worth investigating.

Z4’s have been mentioned in the conversation as well.

[Stu08]

Agree with Howard.

Vectra VXR in Arden Blue. Looks aggressive and purposeful.

2.8T is a great engine with 280 bhp and loads of torque.

0-60 in 6.1 seconds is good. However, the in gear acceleration is amazing! Think autocar did a road test and it kept with an Evo and Impreza through the corners, also they couldn't pull away on the straights!

[D15VRS]

Evo and Impreza, do these not fit into your plans. If not why. VXR Vectra 280 bhp 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. Impreza 1 second faster, UK car unmodified. Never have I been in a car that felt so solid. Also cheaper than your alloted price, which means improvements all round, This would and could be the ultimate all rounder.

[Wardy]

The list of spec requirements say to me you're after a larger performance saloon/estate.

If it were me in your position, with the same requirements, I'd go E39 M5.

Or maybe B5 RS4 Avant.

[fordfan]

A Jaguar XK or a supercharged XK.

[karlbar2k]

Monaro? Be a bit different than most and a big 5.7L V8 that sounds EPIC

Not sure on reliability though, being a Vauxhall.

[Aspman]

+1

Monaro would be my bet.

Audi's and Beemers at that price will likely be held together with chip fat and duck tape.

Bently turbo R £6k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201244490730759

Jag XJR 4.0 Supercharged £3k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211144231660

Lexus SC 400 £4.2k (fookin ugly thought)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201237484843424

Merc E55 AMG £3.7k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201226476689532

Mitsibushi 3000GT £5k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201149434220226/

Mitsubishi Evo Tommi Makinen £8k (haggle)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201236484349926

Porche 911 (996) £8k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211244370138/

Lots of (originally) very fast cars about, but I'd consider £7k to be a deposit for most of them next to the running costs.

[Royston]

May I interject at this juncture, and point out that you can secure a 56 plate BMW 335i for minimum 7 grand. Plenty of standard kit and fast as you like.