Recommend a RWD car up to €8k

rebelfff

I'm looking to buy a RWD car for up to €8k. I want something fun, but also something that looks somewhat professional in the event that I meet customers in it. I'm thinking about a Honda S2000 and might stretch the budget for one, or an E46 325ci. I have an E36 coupe at the moment that I love, mechanically perfect but the bodywork is ****ed so it may be time for a change.

Big Nasty

When you say somewhat professional do you mean something that your customers will take you more seriously in? Would you not be better off in an M-Sport 5 series?

rebelfff

MCMLXXV wrote: »

When you say somewhat professional do you mean something that your customers will take you more seriously in? Would you not be better off in an M-Sport 5 series?

Yeah that's what I mean, something that looks smart. I hadn't considered the 5 series but the M-Sport ones are nice. They're a bigger car than what I had been looking at.

Quazzie

I'd consider a Lexus IS250 over the overly common BMW alternatives.

Alanstrainor

The likes of a 325ci and a S2000 are pretty far apart. Not really comparable. One is more of a cruiser, and the other is a go kart for the road in terms of fun. I have the 325ci, and it never ceases to put a smile on my face, but I reckon a s2000 would double the fun!

rebelfff

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The likes of a 325ci and a S2000 are pretty far apart. Not really comparable. One is more of a cruiser, and the other is a go kart for the road in terms of fun. I have the 325ci, and it never ceases to put a smile on my face, but I reckon a s2000 would double the fun!

I'd say you're right. My 318is is fun, "sporty" compared to other cars but not a sports car, and not powerful either. I'd pick up a 325ci for less than the S2000, but having a roadster is tempting. I'm in my early 20s so I think I'd be able to pull off meeting customers in an S2000 once it's kept fairly standard.

CianRyan

A standard S15 Spec R would be sweet and got for that money.

TestTransmission

CianRyan wrote: »

A standard S15 Spec R would be sweet and got for that money.

And look very professional. :pac:

CianRyan

TestTransmission wrote: »

And look very professional. :pac:

No less than an S2000. Notice I said a standard one, they look just like any other coupé.

colm_mcm

Sorry, but any Japanese old coupe isn't gonna make the 'right' impression.

CianRyan

I have to say I don't agree at all but fair enough, I'll leave you to it.

166man

CianRyan wrote: »

I have to say I don't agree at all but fair enough, I'll leave you to it.

If you don't agree, give your reasons why, I'm interested to hear to be honest, because I'd always have thought a BMW will create the right 'image' if meeting customers and that kind of thing.

challengemaster

rebelfff wrote: »

I'm in my early 20s so I think I'd be able to pull off meeting customers in an S2000 once it's kept fairly standard.

I take it you're a hairdresser then? :pac:


Honestly, it depends what line if business it is would be my opinion. Without knowing that, it's hard to know what "looking professional" actually means.

Big Nasty

166man wrote: »

If you don't agree, give your reasons why

Is that mandatory now when you disagree with someone? :P

rebelfff

challengemaster wrote: »

I take it you're a hairdresser then? :pac:


Honestly, it depends what line if business it is would be my opinion. Without knowing that, it's hard to know what "looking professional" actually means.

Not quite. Construction

Big Nasty

rebelfff wrote: »

Not quite. Construction

You sell your products / services to the construction industry then?

I think you would be better off in a saloon. 5 series or A6 Avant Quattro maybe?

Donnelly117

How bout an RX-8?

Max Power1

Donnelly117 wrote: »

How bout an RX-8?

Yes, perhaps colored Topaz Blue. If its not colored Topaz Blue, it will be in a while due to the amount of time the OP will spend filling up!

rebelfff

MCMLXXV wrote: »

You sell your products / services to the construction industry then?

I think you would be better off in a saloon. 5 series or A6 Avant Quattro maybe?

Yeah.

I would consider both of them alright. My boss has an A6 Avant Quattro, nice, fast, and a little bit boring to look at. They are massive though and I wouldn't use the space because I wouldn't be carrying samples with me. As a complete curveball, I'd consider getting a diesel Golf.

Donnelly117 wrote: »

How bout an RX-8?

Wouldn't mind one as a weekend car but fuel consumption would be a nightmare.

Idbatterim

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4544843
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4598221
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4589234

ShadowHearth

As much as i love s15, its wount make a good impression at all, if you need to have a "professional" look.

I am not sure how are you flexible on tax, but i know if you showed up in this, your clients might really like you. Plus it will be A LOT of fun for yourself.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/Xkr/Supercha/24413420168124630/advert?channel=CARS

If you are on lower budget then get this, which still has a lot of PUFF in its guts and will add up saved money on tax!

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/Xk/8/201302211936905/advert?channel=CARS

Donnelly117

Max Power1 wrote: »

Yes, perhaps colored Topaz Blue. If its not colored Topaz Blue, it will be in a while due to the amount of time the OP will spend filling up!

rebelfff wrote: »

Yeah.


Wouldn't mind one as a weekend car but fuel consumption would be a nightmare.

To be honest an RX-8 will do 18-19 mpg and the S2000 you mentioned will only get 22-23 on a good day. I wouldnt let 2 or 3 mpg put you off...

listermint

C180

Caliden

The 3 series is more tail happy than the 5. A good 3 series m coupe would be picked up easily enough for 8k

CianRyan

166man wrote: »

If you don't agree, give your reasons why, I'm interested to hear to be honest, because I'd always have thought a BMW will create the right 'image' if meeting customers and that kind of thing.

To say all Jap coupés will give the wrong impression is just stupid IMO.
GT86, Lexus SC, 370Z, etc.
This Irish idea of having to own a German or English car to look professional is just weird, especially in the building trade. No one is going to give a ****e really.

And as for the S15, in standard trim it's as unassuming as anything else on the road.

Burning Eclipse

CianRyan wrote: »

To say all Jap coupés will give the wrong impression is just stupid IMO.
GT86, Lexus SC, 370Z, etc.
This Irish idea of having to own a German or English car to look professional is just weird, especially in the building trade. No one is going to give a ****e really.

Honestly man, you've just argued against yourself here. If the perception is that "Irish idea of having to own a German or English car to look professional", then people have that perception, whether it's a valid one or not (it's not IMO).

Not much the OP can do to change mass perception, however invalid it is.

CianRyan

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

Honestly man, you've just argued against yourself here. If the perception is that "Irish idea of having to own a German or English car to look professional", then people have that perception, whether it's a valid one or not (it's not IMO).

Not much the OP can do to change mass perception, however invalid it is.

That's not my point, my point is most people couldn't give a toss what we drive and whether he should turn up in a 320d, an IS250 or a GT86 his attitude, personality and salesmanship will over shine what he's driving.

We don't live in a country where people focus on what we drive, as much as we who embrace car culture would like to think it, we don't live in the likes of Germany.

Edit: If the tone of this post seemed a bit argumentative, it wasn't meant to. Sorry about that.

166man

CianRyan wrote: »

That's not my point, my point is most people couldn't give a toss what we drive and whether he should turn up in a 320d, an IS250 or a GT86 his attitude, personality and salesmanship will over shine what he's driving.

We don't live in a country where people focus on what we drive, as much as we who embrace car culture would like to think it, we don't live in the likes of Germany.

It's all about the impression created from the onset, which is why reps drive new car such as Audi's because they look good for the company that they represent.

People do focus on what you drive in this country which is why new cars are so sought after even though they lose so much money but people want the 'new' car because it looks good for them, shows that they are doing well for themselves.

As good as a Nissan is it won't create the right image for a sales rep that a BMW will unfortunately.

CianRyan

166man wrote: »

It's all about the impression created from the onset, which is why reps drive new car such as Audi's because they look good for the company that they represent.

People do focus on what you drive in this country which is why new cars are so sought after even though they lose so much money but people want the 'new' car because it looks good for them, shows that they are doing well for themselves.

As good as a Nissan is it won't create the right image for a sales rep that a BMW will unfortunately.

Seriously, dude. A lot of reps drive A4s and Passats because they're company cars, they don't buy the cars themselves.
I'd agree that year in a factor over here but you could pull up in a Kia Optima and they'd not think anything of it as long as it says 131 on the front.

Not at dig at the Optima, just an example.

166man

166man wrote: »

It's all about the impression created from the onset, which is why reps drive new car such as Audi's because they look good for the company that they represent.

.............

As good as a Nissan is it won't create the right image for a sales rep that a BMW will unfortunately.

In the spirit of those comments (which I agree with to an extent) I'm puzzled as to how an E46 will cut the mustard for a rep as they are 7/8 years old.

If an E46 is being considered I'd agree with Cian in saying that an S15 would be fine too.

When I worked on the road I had a Mondeo, so too one of the other lads, another guy had an Octavia, one lad had an x trail commercial as he was doing small miles and didn't want to pay much BIK.

Another guy had a 2nd hand 406 Coupe (doing small miles too so he bought a 2nd hand car for the rep mobile budget we had).

166man

CianRyan wrote: »

Seriously, dude. A lot of reps drive A4s and Passats because they're company cars, they don't buy the cars themselves.
I'd agree that year in a factor over here but you could pull up in a Kia Optima and they'd not think anything of it as long as it says 131 on the front.

Not at dig at the Optima, just an example.

Yes, the companys buy Audi's etc because they create the right image supposedly. I'm not saying it's right or that I agree with it but that's the way it is IMO.

RoverJames wrote: »

In the spirit of those comments (which I agree with to an extent) I'm puzzled as to how an E46 will cut the mustard for a rep as they are 7/8 years old.

If an E46 is being considered I'd agree with Cian in saying that an S15 would be fine too.

When I worked on the road I had a Mondeo, so too one of the other lads, another guy had an Octavia, one lad had an x trail commercial as he was doing small miles and didn't want to pay much BIK.

Another guy had a 2nd hand 406 Coupe (doing small miles too so he bought a 2nd hand car for the rep mobile budget we had).

A lovely shiny black BMW coupe will look better IMO than a Nissan Coupe.

SouperComputer

Something AMG? You'll have to go back a few years of course but there arent many around. Would say an e31 but if fuel consumption is an issue, maybe not.

CianRyan

166man wrote: »

.
A lovely shiny black BMW coupe will look better IMO than a Nissan Coupe.

To you, maybe.
That's opinion, not fact.

SouperComputer

Lexus Soarer is another nice car IMO. Not sure what the perception is though.

Quazzie

CianRyan wrote: »

To you, maybe.
That's opinion, not fact.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying but the picture you posted isa bad example. Anything with an iron board size spoiler will not give off a good impression.

CianRyan

Quazzie wrote: »

I agree with a lot of what you are saying but the picture you posted isa bad example. Anything with an iron board size spoiler will not give off a good impression.

Or Bright yellow either to be fair, it's pretty hard to find a standard S15 to be fair.

They still look well despoilered, that in gun metal grey is a lovely combination.

Alanstrainor

Lads, create your own thread about peoples perception of cars. Unless you have a recommendation for the OP GTFO.

BMJD

350Z:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/350Z/GT.-Rays/201307212409055/advert?channel=CARS

I can only speak for myself (as opposed to whatever a "normal" customer is) but one of these would certainly create a better impression than an anonymous 3/5 Series.

Hunter21

Get a Toyota Corolla AE86 GT coupe aka a Twin Cam. Be got right cheap, say its mint when you want to sell it and get double what you paid for it

Big Nasty

People in this country are HUGELY judgmental on what you drive.

Anything with even a hint of Boy Racer = not taken seriously.

Anything too new = they're charging me too much.

Anything too old = they're incompetent and can't afford more modern cars.

A couple of years back I would have said the most inoffensive car you could buy that gives a professional look without being overstated would be an A4 / A6 but Audi opinion has seemed to shift lately, especially with all the RS4 Tdi's.

I know BMW still has that 'cocky' stigma but I think it's worse now with Audi IMO. A 3er Coupe ain't the way to go but seeing the amount of 5er repmobiles on the road I think an M-Sport 5er would be perfect for you. Go as high as you can afford, i.e. 540i or maybe 535d in your situation and debadge.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Donnelly117 wrote: »

To be honest an RX-8 will do 18-19 mpg and the S2000 you mentioned will only get 22-23 on a good day. I wouldnt let 2 or 3 mpg put you off...

Clearly talking out of your arse.

I've owned an S2000 for a year and a half and the absolute WORST fuel consumption ever recorded on her has been 25.07mpg. At best, she's gotten 32.65mpg, and the average is 28.43.

Donnelly117

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Clearly talking out of your arse.

I've owned an S2000 for a year and a half and the absolute WORST fuel consumption ever recorded on her has been 25.07mpg. At best, she's gotten 32.65mpg, and the average is 28.43.

eh..no it wont...

markoire

Donnelly117 wrote: »

eh..no it wont...

Have also owned an s2000. 22mpg is m3 territory, its an n/a 4 cylinder for gods sake! Easily see 28mpg and I averaged just over 30 when I owned mine! And that's with plenty of fun! S2000 is the way to go op!

Chris_Heilong

CianRyan wrote: »

To you, maybe.
That's opinion, not fact.

I would agree in this case,

and in regards the OP wanting a professional looking car I don't think it matters but the rule of "any color as long as its black" may apply.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Donnelly117 wrote: »

eh..no it wont...

Care to prove your statement? I can.

Unless you've owned or run one for a decent amount of time, you don't know what you're talking about.

Tragedy

In fairness, google honda s2000 and "fuelly" and you'll see Jimmy's correct.

(Don't look at the Mazda RX8 on that site unless you want to weep)

Matt Simis

Considering we live in Ireland, a country where BMWs have the "right" image while at the same time a country where virtually no one buys decent BMWs and therefore the best ones depreciate like rocks.. use that ruleset to your advantage, buy a 745i for EUR5000 and parade around in something that "sells" you without having to open your mouth, but still very fast and a V8 and RWD.

It looks like a 100k grand car as until recently it was and its one of small number of benchmark setting cars, so newer cars from other marques try to emulate it, making the original look fresher for longer. Its Win Win.

Now I dont actually like the E65 model too much (I have an previous model E38 7, E34 Touring 5 and E31 8), but it certainly looks $$ and modern (which it is):
http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/745i?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=Max+Price&filter%28max_year%29=Max+Year&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=Min+Price&filter%28min_year%29=Min+Year&source=all

Or a 750i:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4493207


Or diesels if you must:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/730d


Not a sports car at all, but a 333 to 360bhp RWD V8 at near 2tons with TC off has its own unique fun on the backroads. Try it and see. Then when "acting professional", no excuses are needed (which most of the other suggestions require in spades).



PS: Seriously a diesel Golf is your curveball? Are you trying to look like a pro or invisible?
PPS: Sadly/ironically (pending your brand affiliation) a 740/745/750 will easily trump the 17 to 22mpg of S15's, S2000s and RX8s. With a V8 and more power. Save on tax, pay on fuel and noise.

SouperComputer

W211 S55 AMG

Matt Simis

Matt Simis wrote: »

......... a 740/745/750 will easily trump the 17 to 22mpg of S15's, S2000s and RX8s. With a V8 and more power. ............

Can't see them easily trumping low 20s mpg for most people to be honest on runs that would return those figures on the S15s or S2000s.

Matt Simis

RoverJames wrote: »

Can't see them easily trumping low 20s mpg for most people to be honest on runs that would return those figures on the S15s or S2000s.

I can only speak from experience.
I get 23, mixed driving all outside the sweet spot (ie too fast), backroads with 3min of motorway, 50km a day, each way.

I dunno I guess how the rest compares, but I know I could do way better if I was bothered.

Tea 1000

RoverJames wrote: »

Can't see them easily trumping low 20s mpg for most people to be honest on runs that would return those figures on the S15s or S2000s.

If an S2000 is returning 17mpg, then a 750i is returning around 6mpg.