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Another "help me spend money" thread...
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22-05-2009 8:35pm#1So, subsequent to the sale of my car (at long last) I'm now in the market for something else. Warning now that this is going to be a long post!
Looking to purchase within the next two weeks, possibly even next week some time.
The criteria:
Performance - 0-60 in <8.0 seconds.
Economy - >=30mpg.
Sub-90k miles.
Reliable.
Leather.
Prefer manual.
Budget is about 6k, but when searching online I'm looking for maximum 8k in the knowledge cash is king. I'm willing to go to the UK, it's no obstacle, have done it before and I'd greatly enjoy the drive back.
I've had a shortlist in mind for quite some time now, which in order of preference goes something like this:
1) Saab 9-3 2.3 Viggen Convertible
Almost exact same as what I've just sold, which I liked a *lot*.
The good:
Been a bit of a dream car for quite some time (my aspirations are modest!)
Know my way around one fairly well at this stage..
Insane performance, but with torque steer to match - could probably live with it. 0-60 about 6.5 seconds.
Would use the convertible a lot, got plenty of use out of my own.
Rare car, probably about 12 viggens (coupe/convertible) in Ireland, only 2500 ever made.
Future classic? Maybe, and I'm willing to keep it forever.
Electric blue = awesome, rare colour.
The bad:
Still have to get an insurance quote is the only thing, and it's quite possible this will rule it out.
Expensive repairs possible, but same as rest of the list. Engine sludge problem even more likely than my car (any advice on this?)
Not rock-steady reliability, but willing to put *some* €€€ into it.
FWD and only 4 cylinder.
Rare parts, small user base so online community listings limited
2) BMW 323ci / 325ci (e46):
Had one briefly but turned out to be a lemon, back to dealer - but I loved that car.
The good:
6 pot BMW engine sounds incredible, great performance, great RWD handling.
Reliable (I think?)
Amazing interior, one of the best of a car in that era IMO.
Information available online, online communities - any issue, a solution will be online somewhere along with DIY instructions!
The bad:
E46 coupe quite common in the 318 variants.
Very often clocked.
Couldn't afford a convertible model, and don't think they look right. Would miss the cabrio hugely on sunny days.
3) BMW 5 series touring E39 (523/525/525d)
No idea where this fits in, but I'm not over the moon about the looks of the saloon and the touring is quite rare. I think they look a mile better too.
The good:
As above on the BMW, along with miles of space in the boot.
Diesel models available in the guise of 525d, so ~40mpg!
Diesel remap would give good returns I guess?
The bad:
Touring suffers from some sort of rear suspension failure which costs a fortune to fix.
It's only ever me, plus occasionally one other in the car. I don't need an estate, and I don't need the space. I live in Dublin and like to be able to parallel park sometimes, this might be a bit more difficult!
So as you can see, 1) has by far the most good. 1) is going with my heart, 3) is going with my head and 2) is somewhere in between.
Will probably end up going with a BMW coup, as a Viggen is difficult to source in good and unmolested nick.
So, opinions on the above three, perhaps people can add to "the good & bad" and what to look for when purchasing.
I don't care what other people think of what I'm driving (get a lot of stick for driving a "hairdressers car"), but would have some concerns for resale value.
Am I mad to be even considering a Viggen when nobody but me would know what it is, and why it costs so much more than the regular Saab? Would gladly keep it forever, but will it last that long!? Should I just cop on and go for a nice BMW coup.
Finally, other suggestions are welcome based on my interests, but I've pretty honed tastes, so it's incredibly unlikely I'd be interested in much else.
When I do buy, I'll post loads of pics and perhaps a video to this thread!0
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Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!Join Date:Posts: 64857
...nope, you won't get Classic on them yet.
Go on, ask me..........:p
Not on a '89 (20 year old) one?
Somehow I think you told me this before - did you?
Lotus Elan turbo for sale:
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785
My ads on adverts.ie:
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Not on a '89 (20 year old) one?
Somehow I think you told me this before - did you?
89, if you find one, sure (hard to find, though). Mind you, loads of 90's around, and 1 yrs insurance wouldnt kill ya
Ours was only....Eur 300 ?
Oh, and yes, I did.
Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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I don't think that model ever existed. There was a normally aspirated V6 lifted straight from the Opel Omega though, and I presume it would be quite a rare find as a 2002 car.
Yes it does exist. And it's in CorkLimerick man wrote: »:eek:
Is that still for sale? Or am I mixing that car up with another one?
Yes and no. He took it off the market, and got a 3-series for tooling about the rest of the time. I'm only presuming he'd sell it at the mo.
Everytime I drive it, though, I wonder wtf we're doing buying newer/smaller cars......we have it all wrong !Ode To The Motorist
“And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road”
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Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!Join Date:Posts: 64857
VolvoMan wrote:I don't think that model ever existed. There was a normally aspirated V6 lifted straight from the Opel Omega though, and I presume it would be quite a rare find as a 2002 car.
It sure existed! All those 3l V6 petrols were turbocharged in the Saabs!
Mind, only 200bhp from a 3l 6 pot turbo petrol engine is very meh though, isn't it? Years before that, Porsche managed to get more power out of a 3l 4 pot N/A engine. Some feat, considering that was only really half an engine (:p 
to galwaytt - sorry hope I'm not boring you mate) Lotus Elan turbo for sale:
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785
My ads on adverts.ie:
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The only one I'd hold onto "forever" is the viggen - as in drive it until it stops - mainly because it'd never fetch the value it deserves in this country.Talking about holding on to a car for the rest of your life is not wise. Unless you intend to keep the car as a show car or a collectors item, all three cars, while all three are very desirable, will not be worth much in time to come.
In any case, go for the Saab.
If you want it, go for it. If you can afford it and can get a good one, that would be a cool car.
Rare, cool and fast. There is a cool wall for boards, and the Saab would make it on there without too much argument.
The Beemers wouldn't. (and rightly so)
And it is on the cool wall, I put it there - first page.
Wow, very nice - is that the Griffen? The only things holding me back are....mmm, how about this:
a bit of a rare Saab..
9-5
2002
3.0t, (2.9 tax..) V6, so no sludge issues......low stress motor good for huge mileage......
does about 27mpg on the commute the owner does (20kms)
Tiptronic (flappy paddle :rolleyes: ) gearbox
Every toy you can think of. Including cooled seats.
....about....€7k
Absolutely mint - and I'm not joking - condition.
1) the 9-5 body style doesn't do a huge pile for me, and
2) If i was to open myself to 3.0l I'd be considering Jaguar S type 3.0 and 330ci over this
Can still appreciate that'd be one hell of a car, and very very rare - but not for me. Thanks for the good suggestion though!
Whereas 230 is probably a little much, a lá viggen...true, but you're forgetting about torque..........it's like one huge elastic band.
Makes a nice noise too, when pushed. Kinda muted fruity 6-sound....
And 200bhp is quite enough for fwd !
After thinking on this some more today, i've decided... Nothing. Ruled out the 5er touring, but after that it's a toss up. Head says 3 series, heart says Vig.
Having investigated the cost of importing and VRTing the Viggen (~7.5k) it'd be costing far in excess of what it'd actually fetch at sale here, and although I'm willing to hold onto it for a very long time, at 20 years of age it'd be nice to have the fallback of a car that'd sell quick and get some of my money back if the need arise.
Then there's the fact I'd pick up an 01 325ci with low miles, HK sound pack, top spec which would still have good performance, but cost less to insure.
If I could get some kind of a reduction in VRT on the viggen by appeal (they're valuing it at 8k here), I'd be set -what are the chances of this though, how do I prove the market value of a 00' convi viggen when there are probably only about four in the country!!
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Cian
Try this for size: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/857366
As for the 3.0 choices. S-Type not as good as you think. I know someone who had to scrap one last year. Engine issues, and zero resale made it uneconomic to fix.
The 323ci is also out there - pls avoid the 4-pot's. Quite apart from anything else, they do have a propensity for coolant system problems, oil leaks, etc.
I was looking for that, it disappeared off carzone a while ago!
Read a post somewhere about somebody who testdrove it and apparently the torque was just silly, slid everywhere - but eh could be just somebody a bit heavy footed acting the tool. Also, thought this sold about a month back? I had my eye on it...
Re. the 3.0 S-Type, most certainly as good as I think. Mother has had two over the past six years, both for a *long* time and no trouble from either. Grandfather bought one based on this, and again no trouble over the last two years. Only complaint I'd have is they're far too detached from the road, 60mph feels like 30, which is nice - but not for me.
(I'm always sticking up for the S-Type mind, so never mind me.)
Re. a 4 pot, I'd never touch a 316/318 - at least 323.
As would I but for the mileage- I know that's nothing on a decent engine, but I'll be putting up a lot over the next three years so want something ideally 60k, 80k...I thought that 9-3 had gotten sold a month back, no?
Anyway, I'd take this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001Y-SAAB-9-3-2.0-HOT-AERO-COUPE,-BIG-BUMPER-MODEL_W0QQitemZ140319089371QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090507?IMSfp=TL090507122002r11943) over it. An awful lot cheaper, and I dont think it'd be much slower what with the torque steer they;re fairly known for.
Some of the best suggestions yet, fair play..this 320?
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1401932
this 323 (nice leather, doubt it was standard?)
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1401142
e36 328 vert
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1407856
525i m sport
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=985803
alfa spider
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1390897
I have a BMW coupe search bookmarked in my browser and yet none of those E46's have been showing up in it, I'm seriously puzzled..
That 320 looks the best of the lot, okayperformance - 8.2 to 60 from a 2.2, a bit less than I was after but still very nice..
It's a low miles car, it's quite new, sensible and cheap to tax but still fun..
Only bad point is portacabin dealer.
The 323ci I wouldn't rule out either - better performance (marginally), but silver doesn't qutie do it for me, and that red leather only works in an M3.
E36 - good suggestion, but e36 shape doesn't do it for me.
That 5 series Msport is a stunner, the silver interior really does it for me, but the miles - although nothing on that engine, would put me off again. Otherwise, I'd be heading across the canal to see that on Monday!!
The alfa spider -a 'beaut, low miles, looks mint, but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to like them. Appreciate them for what they are, but can't get to like them..
Thanks for the suggestions everybody so far, some great food for thought there - especially those E46's above...0 -
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9-3 Saloon is most definitely out, sorry
Good suggestion on the C70 though. I looked at them last time around.. Heard nothing but bad things about them though???
Edit: Checked carzone - wow, some amazing value in them. All well and good, but that interior is absoultely disgraceful!:
Pity, as they're not bad outside and have some nice 2.5l models...0 -
Yes it does exist. And it's in Cork
Yes and no. He took it off the market, and got a 3-series for tooling about the rest of the time. I'm only presuming he'd sell it at the mo.
Everytime I drive it, though, I wonder wtf we're doing buying newer/smaller cars......we have it all wrong !It sure existed! All those 3l V6 petrols were turbocharged in the Saabs!
Mind, only 200bhp from a 3l 6 pot turbo petrol engine is very meh though, isn't it? Years before that, Porsche managed to get more power out of a 3l 4 pot N/A engine. Some feat, considering that was only really half an engine (:p to galwaytt - sorry hope I'm not boring you mate)
That's strange. I could've sworn I deleted that post after doing a quick google and finding out that you were right.cianclarke wrote: »Pity, as they're not bad outside and have some nice 2.5l models...
I have an S70 with the same dashboard and I can assure you that the interior is a lot nicer than that. The only thing that isn't so nice in it is the steering wheel and maybe that dark wood trim, I'll give you that. But I can tell you, that picture definitely does not do the cars interior justice.
This is a far more flattering picture:
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Hm, guess it's not /that/ bad okay - but after looking at the figures for even the 2.4 GT version, hardly inspiring!
In other news, the Viggen I had my eye on in the UK has just had it's price hiked by about £500, presumably it's been in high demand...
In even worse news, somebody did this to a perfectly good Viggen:
http://short.ie/kbdig8
That made baby jesus cry... Also, it's £5,500 more than the same car without all the crap added on...0 -
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2.4T GT is what you'd want in a C70.cianclarke wrote: »9-3 Saloon is most definitely out, sorry
Good suggestion on the C70 though. I looked at them last time around.. Heard nothing but bad things about them though???
Edit: Checked carzone - wow, some amazing value in them. All well and good, but that interior is absoultely disgraceful!:
Pity, as they're not bad outside and have some nice 2.5l models...
Looked at them myself because they seem to be such stonking good value, but I'm picky and would want them in that gorgeous burnished orange colour, manual, and cream interior.
Here's a nicer pic of the interior:
from http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1041159.htm 0 -
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No probs yeah it was advertised at 3,600 - I was hoping for 3k, I got 2.8k. Lost a fair bit on it since I brought it in (post arse falling out of 2nd hand car market last August), but such is life...
http://short.ie/2e7bn8 - if this has leather, and he'll take £500 less or so, I think I might be going to Belfast! I've found the UK to be less open to negotiation however...0 -
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Okay, I purchased..! A 2002 BMW 325ci Msport, auto.
Absolutely immaculate condition, only 56k miles with FBMW service history, and it was *juust about* under budget at 6.5k!
Great black leather, silver trim, black roof. So far, only two things - one the black surround from the drivers mirror is missing, will get that soon, and two - the drivers seat, the only of the like 10 different movements that doesn't work is forward/backward, the key one. It's drivable ATM, but it'd be better a bit back. Time to start googling..
More pics once I have it washed 'n' polished!
Thanks again for all the suggestions!0 -
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Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!Join Date:Posts: 64857
Sweet car - well wear Lotus Elan turbo for sale:
https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/lotus-elan-turbo/38336785
My ads on adverts.ie:
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Nice selection of cars but maybe you should think outside of the box a bit.
Spending all cash on a car is a great idea but it can also mean...saving on pennies but losing on pounds.
Here is what i am doing. I too want a convertible...and great mileage and diesel...and my preference is a BMW.
So i am going to buy a simple cheap car that is reliable and easy to sell and save up some more...and when the price falls enough...take out a motoring loan with my cash to buy what i think you may like aswell...
BMW E93 320d convertible. 55 mpg. Low tax.
You certainly can choose to hold onto it forever but also it will be an easy one to sell.
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Nice selection of cars but maybe you should think outside of the box a bit.
Spending all cash on a car is a great idea but it can also mean...saving on pennies but losing on pounds.
Here is what i am doing. I too want a convertible...and great mileage and diesel...and my preference is a BMW.
So i am going to buy a simple cheap car that is reliable and easy to sell and save up some more...and when the price falls enough...take out a motoring loan with my cash to buy what i think you may like aswell...
BMW E93 320d convertible. 55 mpg. Low tax.
You certainly can choose to hold onto it forever but also it will be an easy one to sell.
fair enough but you could do that ad finitum, what if in a year you decide you want a porsche convertinle instead and wait another year and so on and so on
and a diesel convertible, a BMW diesel when they do some of the sweetest petrol engines :eek:
please dont0 -
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