Hi to All

I am now in the fortunate situation of looking for a "weekend" car. The car has to satisfy some basic requirements thus:

Rear / 4 wheel drive

6 or more cylinders

Comfortable enough to cross Europe

Fast or very fast

The budget is

FWD But MG ZS180 V6 Should get one for

FWD But MG ZS180 V6 Should get one for

E39 M5? Maybe a MY2000 or thereabouts, with around 60k for that price?

In your (enviable) shoes, with that criteria, that's what I'd plump for....

Steve

There's an MG RV8 at a garage by me that looks everso tempting.

"proper" MG body with modern mechanicals and a nice big V8

Honda NSX. awesome. Get this weeks Autoexpress. There's an article on this. £20k will get you a good un, they have bullet proof mechanicals and they cost a damn sight less to run than your average supercar.

E39 M5? Maybe a MY2000 or thereabouts' date=' with around 60k for that price?

In your (enviable) shoes, with that criteria, that's what I'd plump for....

Steve[/quote']

Hi Steve

Thought about these long and hard. Like them but are a bit "obvious" for my tastes. Fits the brief well though and is on my shotlist.

There's an MG RV8 at a garage by me that looks everso tempting.

"proper" MG body with modern mechanicals and a nice big V8

Would it make it across Europe? Nice idea but nowhere near fast enough.

Chris

Honda NSX. awesome. Get this weeks Autoexpress. There's an article on this.

In the autotrader for 19995 mmmmm

1992 FERRARI 348 TS, J reg.

LHD, Rosso Red, Black Leather, Ferrari serviced, Cambelt 2005, only 37000 km, MOT, immaculate throughout, no Canvassers.

Porsche Boxster S

I have a one which will be for sale in 3-4 weeks time.

will be slightly above your budget,only slightly but well worth it!!!!! LOL

lotus carlton,one up here for sale £9995

In the autotrader for 19995 mmmmm

1992 FERRARI 348 TS, J reg.

LHD, Rosso Red, Black Leather, Ferrari serviced, Cambelt 2005, only 37000 km, MOT, immaculate throughout, no Canvassers.

Porsche Boxster S

I have a one which will be for sale in 3-4 weeks time.

will be slightly above your budget' date='only slightly but well worth it!!!!! LOL[/quote']

Hi

Nice cars but I am not keen on ragtops generally. I like to think that if I park it upside down, I might get a bit of protection from the roof. Have been looking at 993s as a possibility. Really like the new Cayman. Looks rubbish in photos and fantastic in the metal. Way off my price scale ATM.

Chris

lotus carlton,one up here for sale

Why not re-map and mod an Octy vRS??? Crazy power is possible in your price range.

Holden Monaro.

Very fast, V8 and they go for a good price even brand new since GM own it (American cars in general). All you'll need to do is modify the suspension after that

Westfield SEiGHT, rear wheel drive v8 just room to pack a toothbrush, for travalling light across Europe:thumbup: also roll cage for added protection.

Golf R32, 4wd

Any BMW M series you can get for the money, RWD

OR

Save yourself some money and get a really tidy VR6 Corrado, put up with front wheel drive and enjoy the chassis and engine and even reasonable fuel economy for a long distance blast.

If I was in your quite enviable position I'd be looking @ the following (in no particular order) -

M3/M5

Vauxhall Monaro

Mitsubishi Evo FQ300/320/340

Impreza WRX STi PP

Honda NSX

Alfa Coupe 3.2V6

Jag XKR

Nissan 350Z

Boxster S

Clio V6

vauxhall monaro

honda NSX

second hand porshe 911 (If in your budget....)

BMW M-Coupe (awesome!)

Monaro

350Z

Late, low mileage S14A 200SX

...or as Andy said, you could get a very very tidy late Corrado VR6, Storm if you can find one.

Thanks for the suggestions

Octy vrs is n excellent car, but has a couple of major things keeping it off my shortlist. It is FWD and 4 cylinders. I am looking for something a bit special.

Holden Monaro (or Vauxhall as it is here) is a long way up my shortlist, just waiting for the VXR version to come down to my price point. Holden HSV GT SC (the 500bhp one) is also on the list and are going for around £16K used but rare. Niether look too special though.

Westfield SE Eight. Too luxurious. Love it but would but doubt I would get the missus to go in one.

Golf R32, not fast enough, not special enough, looks like a Golf. Good but not good enough.

BMW M series. Keep looking at M5. M3 just too obvious and in between requirements. Would like either unusual bonkers saloon with the comforts and quietness or sports car with good quality noise.

Corrado. Love these but not as a weekend car. FWD.

Mitsubishi EVO. Not a car for distance work and sounds as bland as one can get.

Scooby. Possible but not pretty.

Honda NSX keeps coming up. Right sort of car and running costs, hence at top of my shorlist.

Alfa Coupe. Nice sound, easy on the eye, poor electrics, not fast enough.

Jag XKR. Spot on. High milers are still above my price range.

XJR on the other hand is well in my price range and on the shortlist at number 3.

Nissan 350Z. Also high on the shortlist. Can get supercharger kits for them as well.

Boxter S. Ragtop, would go 911 if Porsche.

Clio V6. I worked in automotive quality assurance for 12 years. Really like the newer shape one, but out of price range and still looks a lot of money for a hatchback without a boot.

M Coupe. MMM forgot about that one. Quite a possible!

200SX is good but 4 cylinders again.

Excellent suggestions so far. My shortlist thus far:

TVR Tuscan or Cerbera. Worrying reliability but so much bang for the buck.

Honda NSX. Still brilliant but the missus is not too keen. Must get her out in one.

Vauxhall / Holden Monaro VXR or HSV GT SC. Fast practical unusual.

Jag XJR (late version). Reasonable reliability, quick, quiet and discreet. Too discrete?

Audi A8 derivatives are possible, but dont know too much about them. Discreet and quick.

VW Phaeton W12. WTF? Is he on drugs? Well think about it, a Bently Continental engine detuned to 450bhp. Rare and quick, more exclusive than most. Out of my price range ATM but with another 6 montsh saving and derpeciating this is possible. Reckon these to be the best VFM used exec on the road.

Still saving, but the temptation to splurge is overwhelming.

Chris

this is one of the main importers of holdens in the uk

http://www.lindenspecialvehicles.com/

sites being redone the now

Lotus Carlton is an 80's Vauxhall with a monster engine. Any other Carlton would be long in the scrapyard by now!

How about a Mercedes E55 AMG jobbie?

Holden HSV?