Fast, understated cars for 5-6k

[Tungtvann]

My old Beemer is getting pretty tired and I am going to be thinking about replacing it this year. I want something fast (250bhp+), but without being too hooligan about it. Something practical and without masses of maintenance or being too highly strung, that's fairly low mileage and not too old either.

I've seen the Saab 9-3 2.8T, they're pretty fast as standard (250bhp) and seem to be remappable to some really good gains. Does anyone have any experience with these? They seem to be priced really well, being able to get a 2008 model with c.50,000 on the clock for 5.5k.

Some say it might be a bit of a grandad's car, but that also means it's unlikely to have been owned by 21 year old dickheads, ragging the shit out of it. It'd also surprise a few people when it's kicking out over 300bhp with a few mods.

Anything else comparable to that? Any Volvos or similar?

[Dave500]

Not 100% on prices but I've got a focus ST (mk2) and it's awesome quick enough 0-60 6.something seconds, loads of torque, comfy, sounds fantastic, handles well for standard and it's just as easy to drive as focus when doing normal speeds until you come to park the turning circle is wank.
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[Tamsin]

the problem with the Saab is that some of the parts are becoming increasingly sparse. My father has a 95 and had to wait 3 weeks whilst the garage found a bush of some description...

[SQL]

Volvo v70 T5

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Nexus Icon]

There are far too many cars that fit those loose criteria. What are your basic needs beyond fast and understated?

Two, four, five seats or more?
Two, three, four or five door?
Roomy, lots of passenger space or sporty and a tight fit?
Sweet handling or just straight line fast like the Saab?
Economical or doesn't matter?
Cheap to buy or cheap to own?
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[neatbik]

Jag s type r?
400 bhp supercharged v8, looks like something your grandad would drive.

[Dave500]

[-]

I'm not sure what I'd want after my 740i Sport with LPG. Just under 300bhp, 480nM of torque, 4.4L V8 and at least an equivalent 38mpg. 0-60 is 6.4 seconds and top speed restricted to 155mph.

All the toys you'd expect from the top of the range Beemer, reliable and surprisingly sporty for a 2 ton saloon.

Maybe an LPG M5 (essentially the same engine as the 740i, but 10% bigger bore and better induction) or a Boxter S as the next project.
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[pits]

[Benson_JV]

In the spirit of recommending what you own, a B5 Audi S4, can pick up a minter for 4.5k. 2.7L twin turbo 265 bhp out of the box. Or you could spend 5-6k and get one already upgraded to K04 turbo's which with other supporting mods will give you 400+ bhp.
I've the estate, so all the practicality I need and if you debadge, it just looks like a 1.9 tdi.

Edit: Y'can go ahead and ignore me. I did not read correctly, as for the low milage, you may find the occasonal one pop up from 50-75k, I don't think that's what you mean by low mileage, most will be on or aorund 100k.
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[Shaft]

I wouldn't drop big money on a Saab, for the reason already mentioned; I work opposite a Saab specialist and they are now stockpiling cars to cannibalise for parts.

One of my work colleagues sold a tidy CLK55 AMG last year for £4K; that will whip the arse off most things and no need for any work.
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[CHR15]

e39 m5, 400 bhp, under 5k



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-BMW-E39-M5-5-0-V8-400-BHP-SILVERSTONE-BLUE-6-SPEED-MANUAL-5550-ONO-/321361236876?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ad29f538c
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[Shaft]

Shitload of car, shitload of go, knocks the bollox off any Saab

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-CL55-AMG-AUTO-2001-EVERY-EXTRA-POSSIBLE-/181347670670?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a3929da8e
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
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[djrikki]

My old MR2 turbo rev3 300bhp! - ok then

[Tungtvann]

Some good suggestions, thanks. I've always liked my German cars, been a BMW fan/owner for years and the Germans certainly know how to build cars and which set of wheels to power. I find when you start putting over 200bhp through the front wheels you get quite a lot of negative effects.

The Merc is interesting, great cars, bit older than I wanted but mileage is okay. My 328 is a 2000 and just done over 105k, so I wanted something quite a bit newer/lower mileage. I want a car that feels 'new' and not just different. That's why I thought of the Saab as the equivalent aged/mileage BMW/Audi/Merc is considerably more money.

Further criteria?
Largish car, so either 3 door coupe or 5 saloon. With useable back seats, so no 2+2 sports cars. Handling on par with my 328, well balanced and sure footed. Not like the twitchy 2014 Mondeo I was driving the other week. I don't want it to be a money pit, so I've ruled out some of those massive horsepower rice burners like turbo'd RX7 etc.

I'd love a 530/535d, meets all the criteria I want, but at just too big a price tag. That CL55 is tempting though, they look pretty timeless and can go on forever.

[arry]

Mazda 6 MPS

[JonB]

What about a Mercedes C-Class? One with AMG styling as opposed to the Grandad looking standard, still understated but suits the lines of the car much better.

Not sure what you'll get for your money however as I haven't looked, but the new C Class is about to launch, so used prices for 2007-2011 models might be quite reasonable.

RWD, much better interior than a BMW. If I had a bit more money and didn't want a low mileage model i'd have one.

Only problem you might come across is that 90% are automatic and I don't think their manual box has a great reputation.

The C180 petrol is fairly peppy, if you can find a C320 or C350 diesel though, they are mighty fun.
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[Aff]

Volvo S60R
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[pits]

Just bear in mind going from a BMW to a Merc isn't good, Merc will have a much more pleasing on the eye interior but the rest of the car will be shit.


Would still have to be E39, not an M5 though due to parts prices, my 39 just went past 204k miles and owes me fuck all
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[Chalky.]

E46 M3 myself. A lot of car for the money these days.

[Tungtvann]

[Dave500]

[Conzar]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-BMW-1-SERIES-130i-M-Sport-5dr-/261428178477?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cde556e2d
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