[ajex]

Impreza WRX Turbo also under ACTIVE consideration now...

Originally Posted by oska

A bit of an obvious choice but an Impreza? One of the most capable cars around, interior's not up to much but it'll seat 5.
Revitupuk.com : 2006/06 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI TYPE-UK (CLEANEST IN UK)
or a WR1
Performance Car Company : WR1 ( 1 of 500 made ) FSH, Genuine Original WR1

[ajex]

Any thoughts on Ibiza cupra 180 BHP petrol???

[TameRacingDriver]

If you want fun, forget about diesel "hot hatches" for starters. I've had a Fabia vRS and while it was a decent car, it wasn't that much actual fun.

Clio 182s - very overrated. I had one. Pretty quick and decent handling but not really as good as most say - the Primera GT I have now outhandles it with ease (yes, really).

Civic Type-R - decent car but no steering feel.

Why a pseudo sports car and not a proper one?

£5K will get you a VERY nice supercharged or turbocharged Mk1 MX5. £5K will get you a PROPERLY mint example of an MR2 Turbo. These are both FANTASTIC cars which are MUCH more fun than some of what is mentioned in this thread. They won't depreciate much either.

An Integra Type-R is a good shout. I've had one of those, and it was a properly good car, and very quick indeed. A hell of a lot better than a Clio thats for sure.

If you want a hot hatch save yourself a few quid and go for a 306 Rallye instead. Buy a good one and it wont depreciate and it is just as fast as the Clio and handles a lot better.

How about a Ford Racing Puma? Those things are a riot to drive. People who say "but they're only 150 bhp" are missing the point completely. Watch people in 200 bhp cars that try and keep up on corners spin off into the trees! Again, virtually depreciation proof.

£5K would get you a very nice M3 E36 too. If you want reliability go for the 3.0 instead of the 3.2. Not much slower and less to go wrong. I had a 328 Sport, was a good car, but to be honest, I still reckon any of the above would be more fun than an M3, even if the M3 would demolish them in a straight line.

Edit: Just read your post again, and it looks like I've pretty much ignored all your requirements! Never mind

[TameRacingDriver]

Originally Posted by ajex

Any thoughts on Ibiza cupra 180 BHP petrol???

Yes. They're extremely boring to drive unless remapped. I'd take a 182 over one for sure.

If it really has to be a new hot hatch, seriously, try a Clio 197 (if one falls into budget). They have a much better chassis than the 182.

[ajex]

Thanks for taking so much time to reply..really appreciated.. 5 k is strechable totally so 7-8 k is not a issue but need a 4 seater that's why said Psuedo as I have conflicting requirement so may be hot hatch most suitable!!!! I had almost zeroes on Mazda 3 aero but looks wise not very appealing..

Originally Posted by TameRacingDriver

If you want fun, forget about diesel "hot hatches" for starters. I've had a Fabia vRS and while it was a decent car, it wasn't that much actual fun.

Clio 182s - very overrated. I had one. Pretty quick and decent handling but not really as good as most say - the Primera GT I have now outhandles it with ease (yes, really).

Civic Type-R - decent car but no steering feel.

Why a pseudo sports car and not a proper one?

£5K will get you a VERY nice supercharged or turbocharged Mk1 MX5. £5K will get you a PROPERLY mint example of an MR2 Turbo. These are both FANTASTIC cars which are MUCH more fun than some of what is mentioned in this thread. They won't depreciate much either.

An Integra Type-R is a good shout. I've had one of those, and it was a properly good car, and very quick indeed. A hell of a lot better than a Clio thats for sure.

If you want a hot hatch save yourself a few quid and go for a 306 Rallye instead. Buy a good one and it wont depreciate and it is just as fast as the Clio and handles a lot better.

How about a Ford Racing Puma? Those things are a riot to drive. People who say "but they're only 150 bhp" are missing the point completely. Watch people in 200 bhp cars that try and keep up on corners spin off into the trees! Again, virtually depreciation proof.

£5K would get you a very nice M3 E36 too. If you want reliability go for the 3.0 instead of the 3.2. Not much slower and less to go wrong. I had a 328 Sport, was a good car, but to be honest, I still reckon any of the above would be more fun than an M3, even if the M3 would demolish them in a straight line.

Edit: Just read your post again, and it looks like I've pretty much ignored all your requirements! Never mind

[accyuklad]

recommend m3 , cosworth, m5, alpina bmw

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by accyuklad

recommend m3 , cosworth, m5, alpina bmw

You'd need to be very careful with a Cosworth at that price as its likely to have been ruined by previous owners who couldn't afford to look after it.

[accyuklad]

only worst car my mate said he brought and nothing but problems since he had it was a fiesta rs turbo x2i was fast but rubbish for corners and spent loads relising it going to keep breaking down so he wasnt happy and it had 60k when he brought it

water pump went then after that replacing it the turbo went so he had that replaced then engine kept overheating in summer when he was held up on motorway he had to drive on hard shoulder to keep it cold

he had it only 6mths then swapped for a cosworth sierra with some money aswell

[alexs2]

Cosworths are a money pit if not maintained regularly by someone who knows what he's doing.

The 4WD gearbox is weak if the car has been tuned although the RWD box is good for a lot more.

Turbos are a well known failure and on RWD cars the blocks are known to crack around the head bolts.

All of those are costly.

A lot have been very badly modded by idiots and sold on at the first sign of trouble...as I said you need to be very careful buying one that cheap and the same would go for Evos.

I've owned 2 over some years and have seen some real horrors being fixed.

[accyuklad]

that why you dont see much evos or cosworths on street lol

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by accyuklad

that why you dont see much evos or cosworths on street lol

Well...that and the fact that the Cosworth is now over 20 years old.

Attrition from all angles takes its toll and bodged modifications are top of the list.

[huwsparky]

Originally Posted by ajex

5 k is strechable totally so 7-8 k is not a issue but need a 4 seater that's why said Psuedo as I have conflicting requirement so may be hot hatch most suitable!!!!

Your in e46 M3 territory here. No brainer compared to the hot hatch crowd and will carry 4 in comfort, will also put a big smile on your face!!

If that's not big enough e39 M5! 60k + when new, some real bargains to be had these days.

[bearman3784]

Originally Posted by huwsparky

Your in e46 M3 territory here. No brainer compared to the hot hatch crowd and will carry 4 in comfort, will also put a big smile on your face!!

If that's not big enough e39 M5! 60k + when new, some real bargains to be had these days.

On paper maybe a no brainer, at least double the running costs though which alot of people forget when looking at them

[huwsparky]

Originally Posted by bearman3784

On paper maybe a no brainer, at least double the running costs though which alot of people forget when looking at them

I chose to ignore the running costs when I bought mine!!!.

Seriously tho I didn't think running costs were that bad. Better fuel economy than Focus ST. Tyres about £650 for a full set (19's) 18's obviously cheaper. Full set of brakes £650. The stinger is the inspection service, at an indy about £500. On the whole tho they are very reliable, feels way more solid that the Focus ST I had before the M3. I took a chance and i'm more than happy that I did. At the end of the day a 45k (new) car is gonna be better in every way than the hot hatch crowd, well I thought so anyway. I still loved the ST tho, cracking car that I would recomend to anyone but the M3 for me every time!

[markymark34]

Originally Posted by bearman3784

On paper maybe a no brainer, at least double the running costs though which alot of people forget when looking at them

agreed. My m3 was a costly beast. Anything goes wrong and its big money. Your probably talking 02 M3 at a similar price to an 06 Focus ST. M3 is a way better car but insurance for me was twice the price. Tyres £1000, servicing X2, having said that similar mpg and a truly amazing car to drive (minus the awful smg box)

[ajex]

Any thoughts on Audi s3 quattro 225???

[McFaber]

Originally Posted by ajex

Any thoughts on Audi s3 quattro 225???

In standard form they're not particularly quick, however, a simple ECU remap will sort this out. I think alexs2 has or used to own one.

[Miss Chief]

Seat Leon Cupra R very similar, less 'IT contractor' and possibly even more reliable. parts are sure to cost less too. I know I looked at them both and preferred the leon. 5 doors too.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by McFaber

In standard form they're not particularly quick, however, a simple ECU remap will sort this out. I think alexs2 has or used to own one.

I've got one of the current S3's....that's the TFSi 2.0,but it's been changed a bit from what Audi intended,and should be a bit over 500bhp shortly.

The previous 1.8 20V is an excellent car,and capable of good improvements with as above a simple remap,or a lot more if you want to.

Neither the current nor previous S3's are quick if running standard mapping....brisk and dependable is the best way of describing that.

[NewBeetle]

Originally Posted by alexs2

Neither the current nor previous S3's are quick if running standard mapping....brisk and dependable is the best way of describing that.

Surely that's relative to the cars you have been used to? For example someone that has owned 'regular' cars (Low to mid range petrol/diesel cars like focus/astra etc with N/A petrol 1.6 or diesel 1.9 etc) will find an S3 to be a quick car IMO.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

Surely that's relative to the cars you have been used to? For example someone that has owned 'regular' cars (Low to mid range petrol/diesel cars like focus/astra etc with N/A petrol 1.6 or diesel 1.9 etc) will find an S3 to be a quick car IMO.

Perhaps that's true.

What I meant was that in comparison to some other cars in its class,it isn't a lot quicker,but neither is it cheap.

Compared to the loan car I have right now though,both would be amazing!

[p1tse]

What are the other criteria

Do you need rear passenger space, boot space etc?

[ajex]

Rear passenger space must ,boot not impt as have octy estate for load lugging...

[p1tse]

how about fast or fun?

some cars aren't that fast but fun i.e. supercharged cooper s version vs e36 m3.

[ajex]

Dunno for sure but fun more impt ...

Originally Posted by p1tse

how about fast or fun?

some cars aren't that fast but fun i.e. supercharged cooper s version vs e36 m3.

[p1tse]

Have you owned fast and fun cars previously, if not the mild hot hatches might be a good step up.

If you haven't owned something fast and fun I would say m3 might be too hardcore, e36 older so go for something more modern. Again 306 raylle are ace but older, puma racing rear space is limited, VAG 1.8t in standard form don't feel quick and a bit numb in feeling. So go for a newer Clio money can get or a civic type r

[HyperHardcore]

Some interesting suggestions here :D

Cant go wrong with a Focus ST. The whole package with one of them is awesome whilst still giving alot of practicality which i'm assuming u need.

Golf GTDI? not my personal choice here but a friend has just bought one and loves it

MG's - b4 you jump me for it there a hell of a lot of car well under budget and ticks most box's. ZS180 or something like that.

Volvo T5's - i put this loosley coz there are a mixture of t5's these days. Partial myself to C70's... nice looks,go well and room although i dont know much on the handling. Cant go wrong with a V70 or something like eather.

Mondeo ST - must be in the price range for one of these. again all the practical side with the performance.

Vectra gsi - easily get one of these on your budget. high fuel costs though.

Not sure if you wanna go down a turbo route but what about an octavia VRS. my sisters got one of these and its been superb. quick with decent handling along with plenty of room for practicality and also VW (i know skoda badge)

not really seen a bad suggestion tbh but if and by the sounds of it you do have children to consider i would swing away from a small hatch purely coz you'll regret the big shop with a bike/scooter buggy and crap in the back.

Other option of coarse is to buy a family car for 3k and then buy something more mid life crisis for 2k for when u aint got the family :D

[micloi]

5k can get you a mint Honda Accord Type-R
220ps, 5 seats, big boot, cheap to run

[TameRacingDriver]

Originally Posted by micloi

5k can get you a mint Honda Accord Type-R
220ps, 5 seats, big boot, cheap to run

Would be a good shout that as well.

Make sure you get one without crunchy gears though, as they are quite expensive to fix. Thats the major achilles heal with the ATR, other than rust.