What next for Alan?

Alanstrainor

Well, I think the time has come. The e46 has served me very well over the last 7 years but I think its done. Really my main trouble is only 2 doors, and the questionable reliability. So here's what I think my list is for wants:

4 doors: The practicality of the 2 door e46 is non-existant, and now need 4 doors. As for size, I'd be thinking 3 series saloon or that kind of class.
Engine: Petrol is a must, and really I would like power similar/better than what I have. Tax is maybe a bit of a question mark, I don't think I'd like to pay much more than I do now at 1080 per annum.
Budget: Sub 5k. I cover little mileage so I can't justify spending a whole pile.
Age: Ideally 10 years old or so, but I think that might be difficult, I'd go to something from 2007 I'd say.

Thoughts so far:

Mazda 6 MPS: There's only a few in the country that I can find for sale. It ticks the box in terms of size/power. And they are relatively reliable. I've read of chain rattle at higher mileage which I'd keep an ear out for. Could be a good option if I found the right car.

Octavia VRS Petrol: There are a few around in petrol guise, but they're rare enough. I would assume the reliability is decent here. The power might be a bit lacking, but it's not something I'm too concerned with. Not sure between auto and manual in terms of gearbox.

Golf GTI: Perhaps a bit on the small side, but also hard to find a good one at this price/age. So not too sure how I feel about them.

Lexus IS250: A bit left of field. Not as performance orientated as the rest, much more a cruiser. But very reliable and can be had for very cheap considering what you get. As far as I know the engines are reliable, and they are relatively tight to drive.

So what do we think? Any other cars I've not thought of? I think I'd like to steer clear of the BMW options. There's not many I6 BMWs around, and they have their issues at this age, and I reckon I've had enough BMW for now.

Heres Johnny

Alfa 159?? Could get one of the very last of them in budget I'd say

Very few petrol BMW Audi etc as you say

Tough criteria to be honest

aerofoiled

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Miike

aerofoiled wrote: »

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Jesus thats clean

ofcork

5 series wheels look wrong on it.

Pkiernan

Friends don't let friends buy Skodas

ofcork

If your considering lexus maybe gs300.

Toyotafanboi

I was thinking Mk5 GTi before I read your options!

That or a VRS is a fairly sound option if you need a touch of practicality but still want to go quick-ish. I'd say you wouldn't feel them lacking in power coming from the BM, albeit a different kind of power delivery.

There's a reasonable few on the market particularly the Golf, it's easy to spot a good one from a bad one and the internet and aftermarket is well set up for them so ownership should be painless enough.

Bigus

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1111015

Bigus

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1100787

Hard to beat a car on classic tax when it's lying up most of the week.

uck51js9zml2yt

Why would you be happy to pay 1000 for tax a year. Get something post 08. It might cost a few euro more initially but the saving on tax would more than make up for it.

bazz26

Most of the cars the OP is interested in don't automatically get cheap tax on the newer tax system. And the OP isn't interested in an econobox.

James Bond Junior

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811282827429?advertising-location=at_cars&keywords=320si&postcode=bs324nf&model=3 SERIES&page=2&price-from=500&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used

It's a little left field and a bit over budget but a 320si if minded is a great little investment. I'd love one personally.

drunkmonkey

This looks clean and it's in budget, https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-golf-2007-gti-stunning-car/21874166
Maybe someone over in the GTi thread know it.
Wouldn't worry about the size there more practical than a 5 series.

colm_mcm

James Bond Junior wrote: »

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811282827429?advertising-location=at_cars&keywords=320si&postcode=bs324nf&model=3 SERIES&page=2&price-from=500&make=BMW&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used

It's a little left field and a bit over budget but a 320si if minded is a great little investment. I'd love one personally.

Isn’t the engine these a bit fragile?

Big Nasty

Have you put your own up for sale Alan?

ShadowHearth

My vote would go for:

Scooby WRX - 5k could still buy you a clean one. Something like blobeye would be very easy to love with as they are still practical and fun. After 325i petrol bill won't shock you.

Golf GTI mk5 - nothing to say here. It's GTI and those are just plain good.

colm_mcm

Focus ST?

Actually, back doors..

Alanstrainor

Lads, thanks for all the responses so far. Lots of good points. Busy few days but I'll get back as soon as I can. My car isn't sold yet, fresh NCT and 3 months tax so all good there.

Big Nasty

Have you an ad up for it Alan?

bazz26

Low mileage and claimed one owner E90 323i:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-autonct-03-20-tax-06-1984km/21733400

Wouldn't pay anywhere near that asking price for it though.

bazz26

Or an E60 525i:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e60-525i-automatic-m-sport-2007/20961260

listermint

aerofoiled wrote: »

I think the IS is your best option but if you were tempted to stick with BMW, you could do worse than this:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2006-bmw-325i-touring/21830835

Has to be this for me. Small bit of work it could look fantastic

ShadowHearth

Bah! You want a change from BMW and you getting in to another BMW? You have plenty of time! Go Scooby, before they all will die out.

The fun part about then, that you will have 200hp+++, but you will be just cruising with it and listen to that lazy "Burr Burr Burr" sound.

You don't do high mileage, petrol bill is not an issue too. So go HAM and get one, then get in to another 3 series.

*Feels hatred from 90% on boards.ie population.

Mike9832

Mazda 3 MPS are great value

Really quick from 80kph onwards ( below that it's traction limited even with an lsd)

I would have one over the 6 mps

6 mps are too heavy with the awd, 3 mps walks away from a rolling start and alot more fun

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-mps-new-nct-till-march-2020/21879340

Toyotafanboi

I could be eat alive, but nothing says bland to me like an e90, even with 2.5 or whatever they are, still a fairly dull car. The only real excuse for buying one is blinkered BMW fanboi-ism.

James Bond Junior

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I could be eat alive, but nothing says bland to me like an e90, even with 2.5 or whatever they are, still a fairly dull car. The only real excuse for buying one is blinkered BMW fanboi-ism.

BMW lost the fizz after the E46. I owned an E90 and an E60 and I never got the same feeling my E36 gives. Best new BMW I ever drove was our old F20 1 series. That said a E series 125i or 130i is meant to be one of the best semi modern BMWs with 4 doors.

Alanstrainor

Cheers lads!

That e90 touring is very tempting, and maybe a few months back I think I would have gone to see it. But the more I think about it, the more I think I want a break from BMW. Obviously I love them, and the touring with my BBS wheels and lowered would look amazing, I just reckon it's time for a real change!

ShadowHearth: Can you post some scooby links? Not too sure how I feel about them. I always had it in my head that they're be trouble. And insurance would probably be difficult, even over 30.

Mazda MPS: That Mazda 3 MPS has been up a good while, and just passed it's NCT. I'd be tempted by it, I'm sure it's an absolute hoot to drive. Definitely a contender. The Mazda 6 MPS would still tempt me though. Both would be a good bit quicker than what I have and are pretty reliable machines as far as I've read. They're somewhere at the top of my list anyway.

Focus ST: Yes. Would love one. Tax is spicy, but so be it. Not many with 5 doors though.

Golf GTI: What do we reckon on pricing here? Drunkmonkey posted this one: 2007 manual, irish car, 5200. Is that on the high side? I guess it being a low owner Irish car is the draw there. I would have thought DSG was desirable although maybe there's some reliability issues.

MetzgerMeister

Mike9832 wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-3-mps-new-nct-till-march-2020/21879340

7 previous owners?! :eek:

drunkmonkey

Around 5k for a good straight GTi isn't bad considering 2 owners and a full VW service history, from jumping from a 530d to GTi after my first service I was like here are you sure that's all it costs. You could keep the full service history without making you afraid to go to the garage.
A good mate has a Mk5 DSG and I've a Mk 7.5 manual. There's a big cash difference between the two but that's about it, he's more room in the back, power wise there's not a lot in it, dsg or manual doesn't really matter, if you were stuck in traffic all day I'd say DSG.
I don't think it's a car your going to loose a lot on if you keep up that service history on and your not going to be doing massive milage.
It'll pull like a train and handle like a go cart.

NoBread

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903165941109?model=LEGACY&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&make=SUBARU&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bs324nf&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&page=2

Tax is a pain, but the chassis would compensate for that! And that H6 engine...