Well, it's not a decision I've come to lightly but I've come to an end of my time

with my S3 now I think, I reckon I'll be selling it on pretty soon.

 

There are some things about the car I really love and others 

not so much. But the sterile drive has made it so that I've struggled 

to bond with it in the way I thought I would so I think it's time to say 

ta ta while I can still get a fair whack of my money back out of it.   

If I truly LOVED it then it would be staying but the fact is it, I don't. 

It's only done about 800 miles in the last year so it's a bit of a waste having 

such an expensive asset sitting on my drive doing nothing most of the time

gradually reducing in value.

 

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice treat to drive it when I get the chance

but it never really exhilarates me. It certainly doesn't feel as involving as the MX5

I had before it, and although the Audi is much faster than the Mazda was, it doesn't

really feel it until you're in instant ban territory, which is the root of the problem.

I don't want to do 100 plus to feel involved and that's where the S3 starts to

become interesting.     

 

Meanwhile my tired old van in which I do 99%of my pootling about is really overdue

for replacement now as well. And I could definitely do with a bigger van too so

I'm looking to sell the S3 (and once I have a new van also also to sell the kangoo)

and use the proceeds to buy a newer van first and then a new (but older) car.  

 

I still want a nice little car with plenty of go but it will still only get as much

use as the S3 so I don't mind it being a couple of years older really. 

I'm after something else that's a few k cheaper with just as much go 

but RWD. Staying German probably but may Jap out at the last minute

who knows. I haven't ruled out Subaru or Mitsubishi, and like the 350z and 370z

too so there may be room for a little rice burning mischief.

 

The most desperate thing is that I really need to sort my van situation and I want

enough out of what I get for the Audi to buy a new van (about 5k plus vat) leaving

about 10k for different car. Budget of 10k may limit my options but have 

too many other financial commitments this year to add to it. Not least I am currently 

hunting for a 3rd house and need to keep my assets liquid for the right property.. 

 

The only exception to this is what I can get for the Audi and Kangoo for a change of car

and van and that I have money put aside for a motorcycle as I am in the stages of doing

my direct access and I don't want to touch a penny of that. 

It's for my tuition (about 1k) and motorcycle(about 4k) and it is ringfenced for that

and that only. So it's time to sell the Audi on and have a fleet reshuffle.

 

So any suggestions for a 10k 2007ish car, preferably german but possibly Jap,

with around 250bhp and either 4wd or RWD. Oh, and petrol engined.  

Another mx5?

I know they are still out of budget at the moment but have you looked at the Toyota gt86?

BMW 335i. Its the obvious choice, and I guarantee you will love it (until it goes wrong) lol.

For 10k its a 350Z i'm affraid, I'm only driven the 370 which is supposedly the better handelling car but it can realy handle, like I shouldn't have got away with that and its a cracking engine.

350 is same idea just not quite as refined which may suit your requirements more.

The killer for me was insurance :'( sooo too much

Nissain servicing aint cheap the sales man made a big point of that, but at that age its probably less of an issue.

 

Also what about an MX5 and adding the missing power, if you can do that in budget?

BMW 335i. Its the obvious choice, and I guarantee you will love it (until it goes wrong) lol.

/\ which it will lol

330i coupe

Edited 4 March, 201412 yr by BigJase88

/\ which it will lol

330i coupe

Been reading up on these today. 

Power stats and performance very similar to my Audi. 

It's on my shortlist. Theres one near me which I'm going to go and

have a drive of I think.

Having a van I dont need a car with any real load space.

And two seats is workable, there's only me and the Mrs and we have no kids

or pets. If we need 4 seats we have the Fiat anyway. 

E92/93 is a 4 seater anyways (3series coupe / vert)

Haven't driven one myself but have driven the z4 3.0 si and it definately gets along the road well enough. Has a nice little note to it.

Will always feel slower than a turbo car but in reality it won't be

Just be wary of the runflat tyres, they are completely horrible and if you want to have fun with it id seriously consider ditching the runflats if you end up going for it

Edited 5 March, 201412 yr by BigJase88

What about an S2000? 231bhp and a bullet proof engine.... and you'll have plenty of money left over ????.

I was thinking maybe Z4 coupe 3.0??? 

Really like them and they are quite rare compared to the soft top.

Should be stiffer too. Can't quite run to Z4M coupe money with the van

purchase as well, if I do a cheeky property deal then that may change

but at the moment all funds are allocated. But the 3.0 should be plenty

of fun for my 1000 odd miles a year. 

100 % go for a 3.0 Z4. They are good value at the moment and it was my first thought when I started reading your post! A mate of mine has one and the handling and noise are intoxicating.

I thought you were going for a Porker, but having read your thread fully what about something more classic?

 

If you have a van for most of your miles you could get something older than 2007 and it'd be a real involving experience to drive.

I'm not suggesting a Skyline in particular, but having bought an older car it's so much more "full on" than newer offerings.

Fine if you are only going to do a few thousand miles per year.

Plus a older car would loose less money sat on the drive.

S2000 !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

S2000 would be a cracker. A modern classic too so could be a little investment?

Subaru impreza 22B or P1 would be on my list for something a little rare. With doing so little miles per year there is a lot out there to chose from.

All depends if you like contorting your body to fit in an s2000. Cracking drivers car but really not comfortable and getting in and out of it is a PITA. And im neither tall or fat.

The z4 on the other hand is manageable and less likely to **** you off after one trip

In small text so nobody can see it...

 

(Was looking at circa 2010 type R Civics earlier...  Quick ish, more involving, more kit and newer than my current

can even stretch to used approved in budget leaving me with a nice sum for a van purchase and most importantly easily available in black)

 

Awaits flurry of people telling me they are not all that fast...

But remember I'm switching to two wheels as well this year so my

speed itch will be scratched like a good un with the bike so nippy from my

car will suffice. 

I'm not sure what to do at the mo, as said so many possibilities.

But if I follow Bossfoxs advice the Mrs will be scared to drive it and it's important to me

that it's something she'll be happy to drive from time to time.

I'm keeping away from modding cars for now, that's for sure  

Whatever I buy is staying standard apart from a few inevitable cosmetic changes.

Civic will be a good choice for a fun drive. Show it some twisties and you'll come out smiling

Buy a CTR beware of the mapped fabia

Edited 6 March, 201412 yr by BigJase88

Fabia vRS

Lol

Buy a CTR beware of the mapped fabia

If I did it would be black, and I'd quickly hit it with the stealth stick.

Although they do suit matte black too so maybe a wrap could be in order?

I'd have to look at toning the interior down a bit, they are a bit red.

Would look nicer with a nice Black leather and Grey alcantara retrim

and a carpet from one of the lesser models so i could tone down the

almost pink floor....  

I have a mate who sold his MK1 Fabia for a 2009 CTR. It lasted less than a year, while he loved the look and handling, he felt like he was throwing fuel in it left right and centre and it wasn't actually that fast and not as fun as he'd hoped. If I were going down the CTR route it'd be a Teggy I think.

My wife has a Nissan 370Z. Sometimes she lets me drive it. I have to say it is a car which requires driver involvement and is great fun. It is a proper sports car of the old school. A local guy has a 350Z, besides the obvious difference in appearance I think the 350Z has a much sweeter sounding exhaust, it really sings.

 I can't keep up with your car changes Gary. How about one of these for work and play

http://youtu.be/wzrv6PMraG0

Edited 7 March, 201412 yr by Soot1e

Spent all evening looking at used 911s. 

Really started to get excited at what was potentially affordable.

My boyhood dream car could actually feasibly be parked on the drive...

Then, after I sat and had a think about it, I came to the conclusion that 

my street isn't really posh enough for me to get away with having one

parked on the drive. And as I don't have a large (or any) garage (they are quite wide)

I can't hide it away from prying eyes and fingers. 

In all honesty, I need a bigger house with a larger drive and a garage to have one

of these and not spend all night sat up worrying about it. 

It is therefore excluded (despite my Mrs pushing me to get one... ) on the grounds

that I'd be marking myself out too much on the street and not all the attention I would

get would be pleasant or welcome.  

Maybe at my next home....   :(

Porsches are common these days - you see them all-over

Don't think they'd stand out anymore than a Z4/S2000 etc

 

 

My boyhood dream car could actually feasibly be parked on the drive...

go for it - you only live once