Drivers car, 4 seats, sub 10K. Opinions?

Gepetto

Gepetto

Gepetto

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I'm looking to trade in both the 5 Series and the Mini to get one car (for up to £10K).

The main requirement is that it must be something I want to get into each morning for the station and school runs. It does need to have at least four seats, down from my previous requirement of five, so that throws a few coupes in with the sporty hatches, but I would like it to be reasonably practical. I like power, and I like toys, so I have started to put together a shortlist, which is listed in terms of "think would be ideal" first.

BMW 335i - Ballistic, but would want a manual, which is trickier to find with all the toys.
BMW 330i - N/A, and I would want a manual again.
VW Golf R32 MK5 - Have only driven one, and I did find it a little nose heavy after the 2l Gti MK5. Opinions welcomed.
Audi TT 3.2 V6 - Haven't driven one. Opinions welcomed on this one too.
Focus ST - Only really considering this as everyone who has one seems to love it! Not a bad recommendation for any car really.

I have also considered an E46 M3, but my mate's one seems to cost him an arm and a leg! :( And I've pretty much discounted the 645i, as I'd really prefer a manual in my 5 Series and I think the 6 would be more of the same.

Alternatives, and reasoned comments would be welcomed. :D
 
I'd still love to own a MK5 R32. It's a dying breed and they still have such a good road presence despite their age.
 
If it were me, I'd consider the A3 3.2 Quattro. Small(ish) car, 5 seats, all-wheel-drive, beautiful engine, tend to have lots of toys, lovely interior, not considered a 'girly' car by some, unlike the TT.

Can't comment on what it is like to drive though, as I haven't driven one. But I have riden in one, and ever since then I have wanted one. :D

Won't be as quick as some of the cars you mentioned mind.
 
VW R32 - Love these, but I've read the GTi is much better all rounder, and can be made to go quicker for a lot less money.

Audi TT - Thought you wanted 4 seats? The back seats are useless on these.

Focus ST - You're right, everyone I know who has one, loves them. The engine is superb, ridiculously tunable, cheap to run and very spacious. However they are not built like the others. So if rattles and squeaks annoy you, I would avoid. Having said that, the noise from the 5 pot engine more than makes up for it. And a plod of the right foot soon sorts out any rattly noises :p
 
Shame about the 645, I really like them,

10k for a 335i is a bit optimistic ain't it? Though it would be my choice.

I can see you can get a 330i msport Saloon for under 10k, not sure how well they drive.
 
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Uncle_Gravy said:
Shame about the 645, I really like them,

10k for a 335i is a bit optimistic ain't it? Though it would be my choice.

I can see you can get a 330i msport Saloon for under 10k, not sure how well they drive.
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Thanks for the comments guys, and yes Barks, the R32 is in there for the reasons you give. I love the noise! It's a great pity the prices for the 147 GTA are ridiculous or that'd be on the shortlist too.

Thanks for the heads up on the TT rear space Ross. Are they that bad?

Hadn't thought about the A3 acme. Cheers, I'll do some reading.

There are two 335i's on Autotrader below £10K with decent mileage, and in manual guise, and one is close to me so I'm going to have a look at it. Dealbreaker might be the unheated leather seats! I can barely believe someone specced electric leather without the heat.

When I consider that a Golf or a good ST is nearly the same price it tends to lean me more towards the 335i but I'm cognisant of what Fox said about them being a little bit point and click, and not very involving. Hence the absolute requirement of a manual box.
 
I don't know much about the E9X 335i but if the engine is anything like the one in the M135i it will be an absolute blast.
 
Barks said:
I don't know much about the E9X 335i but if the engine is anything like the one in the M135i it will be an absolute blast.
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Basically the same I believe, although the ones I'm looking at are older. Hopefully Fox can enlighten me.

The 1 series appears a lot more "chuckable" than the 3 Series and I've not read a bad writeup on the M135i. Cracking car. Unfortunately they are definitely too small in the back, or I would have considered a 130i as well. :(
 
I had an orange Focus ST and I loved it, only reason I sold it was because it had the side skirts stolen and a work colleague of my mum had his front bumper and headlights nicked so keep it garaged if you go that route.

The car itself didn't miss a beat. It had a Powerflow exhaust and a remap which I would highly recommend.
 
acme15 said:
If it were me, I'd consider the A3 3.2 Quattro. Small(ish) car, 5 seats, all-wheel-drive, beautiful engine, tend to have lots of toys, lovely interior, not considered a 'girly' car by some, unlike the TT.

Can't comment on what it is like to drive though, as I haven't driven one. But I have riden in one, and ever since then I have wanted one. :D

Won't be as quick as some of the cars you mentioned mind.
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indeed, mechanically identical to the R32 but half the price.
 
I'd go for the e46 but it might get tedious if you use the back seats a lot?

Evo
Impreza
Audi S/RS
Mazda MPS

All I can think of from the top of my head.
 
The 335 probably makes sence, should you find one in budget, that said, given the choice between a 335 and a good e46 M3, I know which I'd prefer looking forward to jump into!

The 335i is an awesome car, make no mistake of that, but, IMO, the M3 is the far more involving to drive so long as you find a good one.

Old car with pedigree - for a good reason - or, something newer but IMO not quite so special, and then only really to those in the know. Alas, you'll find a lot of people just wondering why you've bought "an old BMW" with the M3, without actually appreciating it for what it is.
 
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If you want a car that you will never tire of driving then you need to find a good e46 m3. They're an absolute cracking mix of power, noise, handling and relative comfort. You have to be willing to maintain it though.

R32 lovely noise but stupid scene tax. Almost better off with an edition 30 or newer mk6 gti.

TT is a decent car but no back space and the tfsi is a better buy than the v6.

A3 3.2 good car but for half the price. Up the budget very slightly and an 8p s3 is a good shout.

Focus nice car but doesn't really fit with the rest.

335i again lovely and rapid but as you've pointed out doubt you can find one. 130/330 are more comparable to the others you've mentioned ( bar m3) though the interior of the 1 series is pretty poor imo
 
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If you get a mk5 R32 then look for a 2005 or early 2006 model to avoid the silly tax on it. An early 2005/6 manual will be like finding a needle in hens teeth though.

TT V6 has unusable rear seats.

Have you considered a mk5 or mk6 Golf GTI?

Out of the cars listed I'd probably get the 335i.


But just listen to the sound of this. I've :D

 
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