New Car

[nuster100]

I think the scooby is ins group 20 isnt it?

Wheras the beemer is 16-17


Had a look at Jaguars, is the x-type upto much?, seen a few go for 6k

Jay

[ScoobyChris]

My old '98 UK-spec Scooby turbo was Gp17 The STi's and imports are 20's

Chris

[jont]

My old '98 UK-spec Scooby turbo was Gp17 The STi's and imports are 20's

But don't rely soley on insurance group as a guide to insurance cost. My MR2 turbo is also group 20, but the insurance is less than half what a similar value Scooby would have cost (and I tried several insurers). It was also a requirement for the scooby I had a tracker fitted (the '2 *just* needs a Thatcham cat 1 alarm).

I'd suggest before falling in love with a particular car you do some shopping around on insurance costs if that might be an issue.

Jon

[James]

Torque steer is not a problem if the system is applied correctly. You will notice it you foot down as you move out for an overtake, however if you move out, foot down and ease off as you come back in it wil not be a problem.

My suggestion of cars would be:

MG ZS 180 2.5 V6 (Could get a 3 year old one for 6k)

Alpha 146 2.5 V6

BMW 328i (old shape)

Mondeo ST24

Subaru Impreza Turbo (older one, watch out, most have been ragged)

Honda Legend 3.0 V6

Vauxhall Vectra 2.5 V6

Vauxhall Omega 2.5 / 3.0 V6

[SLine]

I would highly recommend 4WD for cars around the 200bhp mark, but for something more understated than a Scooby (I had one, and it was stolen ) or Evo, Audi have been making them for years, and I'm with my A3.

A quick search on autotrader found a number of '98, '99 or '00 A4 Quattros for your £6k.

[James]

I would highly recommend 4WD for cars around the 200bhp mark, but for something more understated than a Scooby (I had one, and it was stolen ) or Evo, Audi have been making them for years, and I'm with my A3.

A quick search on autotrader found a number of '98, '99 or '00 A4 Quattros for your £6k.

What sort of performance stats you looking at on the A3 - how old is it?

[nuster100]

Was giving it some thaught as to how much performance I need and what spec.

It would be nice to have somthing RWD or 4WD/AWD.

As per performance, lets say it need to be quicker than any Saxo VTR, Nova, or other chavmobile available.

Insurance is a consideration being 22, I have money, I am just not made of it so Skylines, Scoobies and EVOs are out.

Not an essential, but would be cool to have a nice engne note. I want somthing that brings a grin to my face every time I put my foot down on the country roads.


Jay

[jont]

Was giving it some thaught as to how much performance I need and what spec.

It would be nice to have somthing RWD or 4WD/AWD.

As per performance, lets say it need to be quicker than any Saxo VTR, Nova, or other chavmobile available.

So <7.5s 0-60 should be more than adequate to do that (although chavs are even buying scoobies now as the old ones are less than 3k).

Insurance is a consideration being 22, I have money, I am just not made of it so Skylines, Scoobies and EVOs are out.

Not an essential, but would be cool to have a nice engne note. I want somthing that brings a grin to my face every time I put my foot down on the country roads.

Nice engine note would suggest more than 4 cylinders (though some 4 cylinder cars do sounds good - like a boxer).

306 Gti? - cracking handling car would leave a lot of things for dead on the twisites. A3 1.8 turbo is pretty quick, S3 is even faster. RWD means Merc, BMW or sports car.

[Nigel]

If you want to really stand out...go classic.

MGA, MGB, MGC, MGB V8, jags of all types , e for example, or even a nice xjs, the later MG RV8 is a nice car, but the cheapest will still fetch £10 K.

Lotus is another example.

And....you can have classic insurance on these.

[waremark]

What about an MX5 for fun and good handling? Ideal for affordable attendance at track days.

[jont]

What about an MX5 for fun and good handling? Ideal for affordable attendance at track days.

Or indeed an MR2 turbo (which is seriously quick in a straight line, although the handling won't quite match an MX-5 on the twisites). But having just re-read the first post, 4/5 doors was a requirement.

[nuster100]

yeah, i work in IT and ferry friends / collegues arround so 4/5 doors are needed and some form of boot.

Jay

[rlmr]

If you want to really stand out...go classic.
And....you can have classic insurance on these.

What a sensible post

Additionally you will find "Corsa Boy" will leave you alone... and if you wish you can leave them behind

Rennie

[Nigel]

I know your a classic fan too Rennie.

But to those that haven't looked at/driven classic cars seriously, its a whole different world, and so much pleasure can be gotten at slower speeds, hopefully keeping you out of trouble.

The skills learn't from driving these old, often quite poorly designed cars (by todays standards) are akin to a driving course on their own.

The cateram 7's driven by some of the lads on here are also fantastic, and can be as up to date as the owner wishes (abs etc).

[rlmr]

Yep Nigel. I think one of the appealing things is the fact the driving is down to the driver. Whilst I appreaciate and value modern technology there is something about the challenge of driving something without tech assistance... no powersteering; ABS; traction control; servo brakes; electronic suspension... and sometimes little synchromesh and only four forward gears .

You get the sensation of speed with your bum 2" off the road... without actually having to go that quickly.

Rennie