With a budget of £15-16,000........

[JAG]

.....what car would you recommend?

I'm looking for something sporty and not neccessarily the usual old suspects, as I'm willing to consider something out of the ordinary.

It shouldn't be more than 3 years old.

[garcon]

There's an AA Car Buyer's Guide where you can feed in your preferences. They won't come up with anything too out of the ordinary I guess, but there's a couple in your price bracket, plus some I've added:

2002 Alfa 156 3.2 GTA - a beast, if you can afford to run it. Might be a bit tired at 3 years old.
2004 Alfa 156 2.0 JTS Lusso - great car if you can cope with the depreciation - handles better than the GTA.
2003 Alfa GTV 3.2 V6 - might just slip into your price bracket. A superb coupé, if a little dated.

2003/4 Subaru Impreza WRX - my last car, superb to drive and practical.

2002 Volvo C70 T5. Very nice car, fwd handling a bit iffy but FAST!

2004 Seat Leon Cupra R - 225bhp, proper hot hatch.

2003/4 Ford Mondeo ST220 - one of the best sports saloons out there.

2004 Honda Civic Type R - ask Stephen Green!

2003 Lexus IS200 - not the quickest, but looks good, great rwd chassis and will never let you down

2005/ex-demo Mazda Mazda6 2.3 Sport - got great reviews when it came out, fine if you don't mind a dash that looks like an 80s Aiwa hifi...

2003/4 Mini Cooper S, maybe with the Works pack if you're lucky.

[Carlos]

circa late 80s 911 carrera/super sport
Supra 3.0 TT
TVR Cerbera
Skyline R34 GTIR
M3 Evo
Austin Healey 3000 (mk1)
Mid 70s Mustang
Cobra (kit car)
Escort Cossy
Celica GT4 ST205 (with a lot of change)
Mitsubishi Evo Tommi Mak
Scooby P1

insane ramblings of an idiot

[JAG]

'2003/4 Subaru Impreza WRX - my last car, superb to drive and practical.'

I was just checking these out on the Autotrader site and was suprised you could pick a new one up for 15,999 and a year old example for 13,500.

Any good/bad points about the car i should know about. How about insurance etc.

Thanks

[garcon]

Insurance is steep - get a quote from www.privilege.com

Servicing is very reasonable for a performance car, and although it does drink a bit it's a hell of alot better than the earlier models.

Before buying a Euro import from Motorpoint or similar, I'd check your local Subaru dealer will service it - some of them are a bit iffy on looking after non-dealer cars. Don't ask me why - cutting their noses off to spite their faces as far as I can see.

It can use a bit of oil, so best to check every few hundred miles or so. As long as it's serviced properly they are mega-reliable - I've driven over a hundred thousand miles in Imprezas and never had a problem.

[Logrence]

...and Garcon drives one.

[imull]

My mate has just bought a 4 y/o Galant V6 sport for a lot less than that. Think it was somewhere around 6grand. Sat effortlessly and silently at 105 on the M6 the other day and handled the A483 down from Wrexham to Brecon with no trouble either. Still returned about 300miles per tank too

fairly cheap on teh insurance too.

[Carlos]

The only problem with the Subaru Impreza WRX is they have become so common, A great car but becoming a victim of there on success prestige wise.

[garcon]

Originally Posted by Logrence

...and Garcon drives one.

Correction, garcon drove one.

garcon's an old man now, so he drives a Legacy 3.0 auto. Does anyone know where you can get those tartan blankets to put on the back shelf?

Carlos has a point by the way, but there aren't that many 2003 onwards models about, and the WRX is a bit more subtle than the rally blue/gold alloy STi versions. One result of them being more popular has been higher depreciation - they used to keep their value really well, but having just part-exed mine I can assure you they don't anymore!

[JAG]

Originally Posted by garcon

Correction, garcon drove one.

garcon's an old man now, so he drives a Legacy 3.0 auto. Does anyone know where you can get those tartan blankets to put on the back shelf?

Carlos has a point by the way, but there aren't that many 2003 onwards models about, and the WRX is a bit more subtle than the rally blue/gold alloy STi versions. One result of them being more popular has been higher depreciation - they used to keep their value really well, but having just part-exed mine I can assure you they don't anymore!

The newest shape WRX, with the revised lights, is far less common than the original Impreza and even the bug eyed model which everyone stayed well away from (did you have one of those garcon ).

I have to agree that the WRX is far more suttle than the full on STI/PPP with the big wing etc.

Even if I could afford one of these top of the range Imprezas I would go for the JDM Spec-C model which looks like a standard WRX.

Think I may go for a black or silver model, rather than blue/white.

[garcon]

Like everyone else, I stayed well clear from the bug eyed 2002 car...!

Both black and silver look good. 2003 onwards have graphite alloys, which do look cool. My last one was a 2003 5 door in black, but I'd go for the 4 door unless you really want the estate/hatch.

[Logrence]

A Legacy is a much cooler choice, I have to say, Garcon.

Although, having said that, I would suggest a few sequinned pin cushions or a nodding Yorkie.

[garcon]

Mmmm - might go for the nodding Yorkie...

Even better - a nodding Scooby Doo!

[d-b]

hi there

go American

big V8

nice sound

big V8

rarer than a Scoobie

big V8

d-b

(have i mentioned a BIG V8 ?)

[JAG]

Added the following to my list:-

Alfa 147 GTA
BMW 330 Coupe
Civic Type R
Mazda RX-8
New Golf GTI
Vauxhall VX220

and even a 1993 Lancia Delta EVO II (little concerned about running costs though considering the cars age)

I was looking at an imported 2005 Impreza WRX STI but the £2000+ insurance costs are putting me off!

[Truckosaurus]

Vauxhall VX220 are a serious 2nd hand bargain, and seem to be more usuable as a daily driver than the Elise.

The Honda S2000 is another contender that's not been mentioned.

If you are daring there's plenty of TVR Chimaeras and Griffiths to be had at that price level (although they fail your yr test)

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Guy Humpage

(although they fail your yr test)

Cool Smillie action there. I meant '< 3 year'

[robfenn]

I'm in a similar situation and am planning to get a VX220. The clincher was group 16 (i'm 21) whereas the Elise is 21.

My dad has an NSX, if i could afford the insurance i'd get one of those. You can pick up an ok one for £16k. They don't understeer like an Elise/VX does, have an intoxicating engine note and are genuinely easy to live with.

Failing that, a Clio 182.

-Rob

[JAG]

Theres a TVR/Brabus dealer 5 minutes from my home. Don't seem to have many TVRs under £20,000 though!

They have a few nice Sagaris (sp) though. Bit out of my price range.

The VX220 is a real bargain, even the turbo model.

I've been looking at the S2000 as well, but they tend to be 3 or 4 years old before they come into my price range.

Reading a mag today I noticed the new Renault Megane Trophy which seems quite interesting.

[Slippy Diff]

AUDI A8 4.2 Quattro with all the fruit. I reckon you will find the odd bargain at 15K.

[mac]

My shopping list would include:

Audi S3 - not quite as quick as a WRX, but MUCH classier.
BMW 325TI - Can't fail a good beamer for sporting handling.
BMW 330 - Any 3.0 3-series is worth a look.
Citroen C4 VTS - depends how different you want to be.
Ford Mondeo ST220 - don't know much about these, but they look like good value.
Honda Integra Type S - sweet handling and pretty quick.
Lexus IS200 - Not particularly quick, but these things are a dream to drive.
Mazda RX8 - Might be a touch out of the price range.
MINI Cooper S - Not my first choice hot hatch, but worth a look.
Nissan 350Z - If you can afford any year model, do yourself a favour!
Peugeot 206GTi 180 - Better than the MINI.
Renault Clio Sport 182 - Better than any other hot hatch for the money - you won't be disappointed.
Subaru Impreza WRX - Always worth consideration. Just a blast to drive.
Toyota Corolla Sportivo - 141kW for the not much money - don't need to say more.
Vauxhall VX220 - Must be test driven. Would love one of these.
VW Golf GTi - Very impressive machine with Audi quality for less money.
Volvo S40 T5 - Might be a touch steep, but it is the best handling Volvo yet and is impressive value compared to its rivals

[JAG]

OK, choice now is between a Japanease spec Impreza WRX STI (310bhp) and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII.

I'm off to test drive them later in the week.

Anyone driven an Evo VIII?

[Slippy Diff]

Originally Posted by JAG

OK, choice now is between a Japanease spec Impreza WRX STI (310bhp) and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII.

I'm off to test drive them later in the week.

Anyone driven an Evo VIII?

Go for the EVO, simply easier to insure in the UK. Also the better car in my opinion. Impreza's seem to attract the wrong image I reckon.
I have not driven the 8 but did own a lightly modified 6.

[beau1]

Originally Posted by d-b

hi there

go American

big V8

nice sound

big V8

rarer than a Scoobie

big V8

d-b

(have i mentioned a BIG V8 ?)

But big on petrol
what about an Hyundai Coupe or an second hand Audi TT

[JAG]

Decision made.

After juggling my finances a little I'm going to buy a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 8 MR 280 (300bhp)

Can't wait!