What to buy?... but extensive criteria

geelong17

I'm looking to change the car and therefore need to go to a dealer to part ex the old motor so private or UK cars are a non runner. Including that old motor my budget is €35 - €45k.

My criteria are...
Must be fast (0-60 less than 6.5secs)
Good handling and good feel from the wheel
Manual
bullet proof reliability
must ride well, and not break my back on irish roads
relatively low running costs and low depreciation (granted its going to be expensive as its quick!)
can take a set of golf clubs (not in the passenger seat)
coupe not convertible
modern interior

also ideally...
cruise control
bluetooth
ipod connection
some sort of back sat even if tiny

Help!

copacetic

E92 330d SE on 17s.

kingbrumak

Skyline R34 GTR

PjayC

E92 would be a good fit alright. Wouldn't go for the diesel personally, petrol would better meet your needs. If anything goes wrong with the diesel engine, unless it under warrenty, it'll blow your bank account outta the water.

Go to carzone and enter your preferences but not a make or model and see what comes up.

Atomic Pineapple

Not a coupe but Ford Focus RS ticks a lot of those boxes, cant look as I'm in work but I think a few 09's are for sale around the €40k mark

MetzgerMeister

Mazda RX-8

Must be fast (0-60 less than 6.5secs) - 6.4 secs
Good handling and good feel from the wheel - excellent
Manual - yes, 6 speed
bullet proof reliability - if properly maintained, yes
must ride well, and not break my back on irish roads - yes, no
relatively low running costs and low depreciation (granted its going to be expensive as its quick!) - heavy on petrol & insurance. Tax is €551
can take a set of golf clubs (not in the passenger seat) - yes
coupe not convertible - yes
modern interior - yes
some sort of back sat even if tiny - yes, very spacious back seat for a coupe & freestyle rear doors for good access

daveharnett

Sounds like an XF 3L diesel to me.
Fantastic interior and ride quality, 40 mpg.
Handling comparable to the BMW alternatives.
All the toys as standard.

Not available in manual, and possibly bigger than you're looking for.

geelong17

geelong17 wrote: »

bullet proof reliability

Dream on unfortunately, no car is immune from some electronic gizmo failing these days.

robtri

RoverJames wrote: »

Dream on unfortunately, no car is immune from some electronic gizmo failing these days.

just going to say the same... no car model is bullet proof reliability..

mickdw

A 2004 porsche 911 fits the bill apart from
the running costs.

Surprisingly comfortable for what it is. Certainly miles ahead of msport bmw & s line audi in terms of comfort

geelong17

Thanks all,
The RS Focus is one I hadnt considered and certainly in the frame now even though its a little bit boy racer for my personal taste.
The skyline and the 330d are very hard to come by in the spec I want in Ireland unfortunately.
I just dont fancy an RX8, just not to my taste
the Jaguar is a little too much a big executive saloon car
911 2004 would be great

Keep them coming though, a few options there surprising me.
Regarding reliability maybe bullet proof was the wrong term but I think most of you know what I mean. It needs to start every day and not be tempremental at all. If it needs occassional fixing fine, but without the drama. e.g. most big mercs from the mid 90's were what I would consider bullet proof.

CountingCrows

BMW 6 Series?

copacetic

geelong17 wrote: »

.
The skyline and the 330d are very hard to come by in the spec I want in Ireland unfortunately.

true on the 330d, remember a 330i, 335i, 335d would work also if willing to give a little on fuel costs. Even a newer 325i or d will squeeze within .2 of your speed request.

Although getting your manual spec could be difficult in some of them. You could always ask a a garage to bring something in for you..

DonJose

BMW M5

Theboinkmaster

Personally id go the e92 bmw couple - 330 or 335.

Also i like the 6 series though i know their looks aren't to everyone's taste.

The 335i fits all of your criteria - the problem is not being able to go over to the UK as unfortunately most bmw e92 coupes over here are poverty spec 320s.

So you're right it would be tricky but perhaps with some patience the correct one will come along at a dealer.

If you can at all id sell your existing motor and go over to UK to pick up a 330/335i.

Best of luck

Matt Simis

copacetic wrote: »

true on the 330d, remember a 330i, 335i, 335d would work also if willing to give a little on fuel costs. Even a newer 325i or d will squeeze within .2 of your speed request.

Although getting your manual spec could be difficult in some of them. You could always ask a a garage to bring something in for you..

335/535d are autos only, as is the E60 M5.

DonJose

geelong17 wrote: »

I'm looking to change the car and therefore need to go to a dealer to part ex the old motor so private or UK cars are a non runner. Including that old motor my budget is €35 - €45k.

I'd say the following but its out of your price range

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M5/M5/201022198268489/advert?channel=CARS

NewApproach

Any reason you don't want to sell your car privately and go to the dealer with cash? Puts you in a much stronger negotiating position, plus it opens up the option of bringing in a car from the UK.

colm_mcm

yep, i'd get a few trade bids on your own car, and see how you do, then see what you can get.

Most dealers wont mind if theres hp owing on the car, they will just deduct this

Bonito

Audi A5.
Alfa Brera.
Mazda RX-8.
Passat CC.

colm_mcm

fastest Passat CC you can get here is the TDI DSG 8.6 secs.

Donnelly117

3.2 FSI audi A5? 5.9 seconds to 60
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A5/COUPE-3./201025198504659/advert?channel=CARS

copacetic

Donnelly117 wrote: »

3.2 FSI audi A5?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A5/COUPE-3./201025198504659/advert?channel=CARS

auto, nice enough price though.

geelong17

My trade in has 170,000 miles on it. Its in mint condition with full main dealer service history but I cant even get anyone to look at it through advertisements as they just run from the mileage. Hence, bring it into a dealer and at least they'll see its condition before they put a value on it.

Been trying to find an A5 with a 3.0 diesel and the right colour scheme and wheels but they are rare in Ireland. I think the diesel is the better engine over the 3.2 petrol, its quick and economical.

I'm swining towards an early 911 997. They all seem to be overpriced in Ireland though.

colm_mcm

link to the ad for your trade in?

farna_boy

Here are another few suggestions

Renault Megane 2.0 Turbo RS

or

EVO X

or

Subaru Impreza WRX

Viper_JB

Suggested this to someone else on here before lol but .... http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/RS6/4.2-Twin/201012197383598/advert?channel=CARS maybe you might be able to find an rs4 within your budget - definitly worth a look either way.