Best performance car for the money

rossk26 · 19 Jun 2012 at 14:35

NathWraith said:
Better MPG on average, cheaper servicing, less frequent servicing and longer tyre life in general. Lack of things to go wrong, e.g. AYC in the EVO, also no turbos on the 350z. Impreza's generally cost more to work on due to the engine layout.

Also insurance is cheaper, believe me, EVO 8's were tempting so I checked em out! Although not directly linked to running costs, 350z's aren't owned by as many of the "wrong type" of owners such as imprezas and EVOs which generally means they are better looked after.

Good news, I can see myself in a 370Z later in my life!! I always thought the 350Z was expensive on tyres, fuel and servicing...

NathWraith · 19 Jun 2012 at 14:47

rossk26 said:
Good news, I can see myself in a 370Z later in my life!! I always thought the 350Z was expensive on tyres, fuel and servicing...

Don't get me wrong, the tyres aren't cheap but you won't go through them as fast as a 4WD EVO or impreza.

Joe T · 19 Jun 2012 at 14:55

eatcustard said:
Gen 1 Coopers s works (210bhp) has the power and handling with the addictive supercharger whine, but likes a drink if you drive like a nutter.
They are also cheap to insure.

Thats what I bought to fill pretty much the OP's criteria. If my wife didnt love Minis, I might have bought a Corvette instead.

C4 Corvette for £6k is a good option here.

Joshy · 19 Jun 2012 at 15:00

Joe T said:
C4 Corvette for £6k is a good option here.

Are they though?

Old, not particularly quick and all the down sides associated with a LHD american import. Strikes me as a car you buy because you want a Corvette, not because you want to most performance for your money.

Lashout_UK · 19 Jun 2012 at 16:07

Virtually all of them do 0-60mph in less than six seconds so I'd say they were pretty quick

Get an LT1-engined version and it'll do the benchmark sprint in between 5.1 and 5.5 seconds.

They were very advanced platforms in lots of respects (and range-topping cars) too so their age doesn't matter much, unless you've some particularly desire for a younger car.

Weigh about the same, if not less, than a 350Z. About the same size as well.

Bit quicker too

I like the 350Z though. Wouldn't object to owning one briefly some day

alexthecheese · 19 Jun 2012 at 16:26

Ha, that thing sounds so lazy.

Joe T · 19 Jun 2012 at 16:27

Lewis' corvette radar in good working order still!

Lashout_UK · 19 Jun 2012 at 16:34

alexthecheese said:
Ha, that thing sounds so lazy.

You need a ZR1 (or for the LT1s a cam kit and a few other bits) for some real high-revving action

Joshy · 19 Jun 2012 at 17:23

Alright, let's discuss bankruptcy territory - C5 RS6s aren't a million miles away from £7k nowdays, are they?

...

And £7k should see someone in B5 S4 knocking on the door of 500BHP. I'd actually be interested in knowing what sort of reliability you'd get from a S4 with this sort of power, especially considering some of the weak points of the 2.7 lump would have been changed to support the power regardless.

ExRayTed · 19 Jun 2012 at 17:53

Out of leftfield I know, but what about a Jaguar S-Type R? 4.2l supercharged V8? Just over 5 seconds to 60mph. Looks are a bit marmite, but get one in black and I actually quite like them. Running costs aren't quite as ruinous as some cars suggested here.

Jaaag

AndrewNR · 19 Jun 2012 at 17:57

Joshy said:
How has the XJR, a design that was still being sold until 2009 with only a slight facelift aged badly in comparison to the E39 shape that was designed nearly two decades ago?

Because it looks like an 80 year old who has spent 17 hours a day under a sun bed compared to the E39.

Joshy · 19 Jun 2012 at 18:08

AndrewNR said:
Because it looks like an 80 year old who has spent 17 hours a day under a sun bed compared to the E39.

Then it quite clearly comes down to a matter of personal taste as I personally find E39s (particularly pre face lifts) to look pretty naff.

Lashout_UK · 19 Jun 2012 at 18:08

They do look very dated (the Jags, that is) to me. I wouldn't want one but then, as you say, that's personal preference.

s0ck · 19 Jun 2012 at 18:08

Joshy said:
Alright, let's discuss bankruptcy territory - C5 RS6s aren't a million miles away from £7k nowdays, are they? ...

And £7k should see someone in B5 S4 knocking on the door of 500BHP. I'd actually be interested in knowing what sort of reliability you'd get from a S4 with this sort of power, especially considering some of the weak points of the 2.7 lump would have been changed to support the power regardless.

B5 S4 could prolly be a power house for not very much moola!
What ARE the weak points on them?

L0rdMike · 19 Jun 2012 at 18:10

MR2 Turbo can get close to 300bhp fairly cheaply, most over 10 years old though.

Relentless81 · 19 Jun 2012 at 18:16

Mazda 3 MPS for me

ubersonic · 20 Jun 2012 at 09:31

NathWraith said:
- 350Z relatively modern, higher than average running costs
- Supra TT, old car, expensive running costs

Not trying to pick holes but I have a really good buddy with a 350z and whenever we go for a drive anywhere he always uses more fuel than me (not a lot more, just more) do you think his car is broken? it doesn't matter if were going on a motorway run or the twisty's he is always a couple of mpg down on me (we usually fill up before and after going for a run hence how we know) we always put it down to the z being more thirsty than the supe.

Joshy · 20 Jun 2012 at 09:39

ubersonic said:
Not trying to pick holes but I have a really good buddy with a 350z and whenever we go for a drive anywhere he always uses more fuel than me (not a lot more, just more) do you think his car is broken? it doesn't matter if were going on a motorway run or the twisty's he is always a couple of mpg down on me (we usually fill up before and after going for a run hence how we know) we always put it down to the z being more thirsty than the supe.

I've got to agree. With the numerous options for pattern and/or second hand parts available for them and no glaringly obvious mechanical faults to be weary of I wouldn't put a Supra on the same cost bracket to run as a modern STI or Evo. In fuel maybe, but everything else its one of the better cars on that list.

s0ck · 20 Jun 2012 at 10:44

So... what are the weak points the 2.7T?

Maybe someone who has actually owned one can answer

NathWraith · 20 Jun 2012 at 11:13

ubersonic said:
Not trying to pick holes but I have a really good buddy with a 350z and whenever we go for a drive anywhere he always uses more fuel than me (not a lot more, just more) do you think his car is broken? it doesn't matter if were going on a motorway run or the twisty's he is always a couple of mpg down on me (we usually fill up before and after going for a run hence how we know) we always put it down to the z being more thirsty than the supe.

That does sound odd. Do you actually know what MPG he gets.