What 'new' car?

[garak112]

I've had my 350z for about 4 years and whilst I still like it the lack of space is starting to become an annoyance.

When I've been ready to change in the past I've always had an idea of where I want to go next, this time I'm clueless.

What cars should I be looking at with 4 seats and similar power levels to my 350z on a £10k-£15k budget?

Really I want a Guila but I can't justify the cost since I only do about 3k-4k miles a year.

 

[crinkleshoes]

M135i/M235i

 

[pigeonguyuk]

What "year and power" is your 350Z. When you say "new" do you mean brand new or "new" to you?

£10-15K would get you a good 2nd hand car with plenty of space and power if you don't mind an older car

E.G

Evo 8/9
Subaru Impreza WRX STi/ RB320
Audi RS4 Saloon

All easily 276BHP+

 

[garak112]

It's an '04 so 276bhp and new to me not new.

 

[cwhitehead]

with a 10 - 15k budget it will be how old and what max mileage do you want to go to on your new car?

Golf R / RS3/4 / EVO 6TME/7/8/9 / M135I / again dependent on age and mileage you dont mind going to...

 

[tom_nieto]

V10 M5.

You’ve got £10-15k a year for when it breaks right?

 

[Fusion]

Don't think I'd touch an RS4 for £15k. They're 06/07 models, 80-105k+ miles. Look dated inside now, and will surely cost a bomb to run.

 

[Jumper118]

get a really nice sti or evo if you want turbo. some kind of 1 or 3 series will give you rwd and 6cly with much smoother power band more like the v6 in the 350z. maybe go test drive a few and see what you like.

 

[DereksDontRun]

if you can find a decent M135i for £15k then get that rwd like the 350z, but 5 seats, a boot gig enough for a couple bikes (when the rear seats are down) and over 300bhp (or golf r if you want to change drive-train)

 

[garak112]

What should I be looking for in a 1 series in terms of spec?

 

[Diddums]

Lincoln Navigator.

 

[ShivP]

What should I be looking for in a 1 series in terms of spec?

Pro nav, lumbar support, cruise control (option - wtf?), xenon lights, heated seats, adaptive dampers (essential) and apparently the manual gearbox doesn't have a slick change so look for an auto or try a manual before you buy. And anything else you fancy

 

[garak112]

Cruise control an option? What are we, peasants??

 

[Fusion]

and apparently the manual gearbox doesn't have a slick change

Lies. Or at least, lies in the case of the previous gen model.

 

[ShivP]

Lies. Or at least, lies in the case of the previous gen model.

All the reviews I've heard from owners and journos have it down as a classic BMW shift ie not very good - then again I haven't tried one

 

[Fusion]

Not aware that BMW shifts are regarded poorly. The manual 1-series and manual E91 I've driven were spot on.

 

[mjt]

Audi S3?

Easily pick up a tidy late 8P for that money. Good all-rounder that just grips and goes, but a little lacking in 'fun'. Might be too sedate after a 350z?

 

[Antony101]

I drove a new 118i last weekend and the manual gearbox was horrendous, it just never wanted to go in gear.