Recommend a RWD car up to €8k

rebelfff · 24-02-2013 11:12AM #1

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 · 24-02-2013 11:23AM

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 · 24-02-2013 11:39AM

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 · 24-02-2013 11:44AM

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

Alanstrainor · 24-02-2013 11:51AM

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 · 24-02-2013 12:07PM

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 · 24-02-2013 12:33PM

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

TestTransmission · 24-02-2013 01:01PM

CianRyan wrote: »

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

And look very professional. :pac:

CianRyan · 24-02-2013 01:52PM

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 · 24-02-2013 02:04PM

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

CianRyan · 24-02-2013 02:08PM

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

166man · 24-02-2013 03:38PM

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 · 24-02-2013 04:57PM

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 · 24-02-2013 05:42PM

166man wrote: »

If you don't agree, give your reasons why

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

rebelfff · 24-02-2013 05:44PM

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 · 24-02-2013 05:58PM

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 · 24-02-2013 06:28PM

How bout an RX-8?

Max Power1 · 24-02-2013 06:32PM

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 · 24-02-2013 08:46PM

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 · 24-02-2013 09:04PM

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 · 24-02-2013 09:19PM

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 · 26-02-2013 09:41AM

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 · 26-02-2013 09:45AM

C180

Caliden · 26-02-2013 11:21AM

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 · 26-02-2013 05:06PM

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.

1999%20Nissan%20Silvia%20S15%20Spec-R_1.jpg

Burning Eclipse · 26-02-2013 05:25PM

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 · 26-02-2013 05:31PM

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 · 26-02-2013 05:41PM

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 · 26-02-2013 05:45PM

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.

26-02-2013 05:52PM

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 · 26-02-2013 05:56PM

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.

Recommend a RWD car up to €8k

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