Quick Coupe, approx 220-250bhp 5k

paradigm · 19 Mar 2007 at 19:16

Jez said:
Id be after an E36 M3 for this money. Doable with reasonable mileage etc. Very very good cars and absolute bargains now.

Gets my vote

cymatty · 19 Mar 2007 at 19:24

[TW]Fox said:
Yup no need for a moon mileage Celica becuase it'll look feel and rattle like it's done 200k right out of the box

Pft.

IPBA · 19 Mar 2007 at 19:26

Honda Prelude 2.2 VTi or even the Type S you can easily get the red top engine version which has 197BHP with average mileage for <£5k

Don't forget it has the H22 block which if looked after right keeps on going regardless of mileage.

Or if your looking for more fun in turn sacrificing comfort then the Honda Integra DC2 is worth a shout

Gibbo · 19 Mar 2007 at 19:27

Hi there

I'd be looking at the following for that money:-

Honda Prelude Type S
Honda Integra DC2
BMW M3 (3.0l not the 3.2l EVO)
BMW M5 (Some truly mint examples for 5k, high mileage but these cars will do 250,000 easy if maintained)
Fiat Coupe Turbo 20 valve

Those are all fantastic cars with a great balance of power, handling and fun ability.

The M5 might not be a coupe but don't dismiss it they handle fantastic and go like a stink. For £4000-£5000 you can get a stunning example like these ones:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/145423.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/144753.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/144611.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/144407.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/141986.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/141117.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/123518.htm

This looks like a stunning example

As you can see M5's great value, lots of car for little money, but with this type of car do budget for running cost as it will not be cheap if something goes wrong, you might get lucky though and get a reliable motor. Also if you want a car for looks and hanging out on the McDonalds car park then the M5 probably won't cut it, but if you want a car for the driving experience and performance then M5 all the way.

I am so tempted to buy one of those M5's for track days.

Other alternative would be the M3, its more stylish, give you better street cred if thats what you want and is just as much of a weapon as the M5.

My other favourite would be the Honda Prelude Type S, with 220BHP and its rather light the car is great fun and looks fantastic.

Psycrow · 19 Mar 2007 at 21:43

Lude VTI
Fiat 20V T
MR2 Turbo

I would personally would avoid the older BMWs, despite being fast I don't trust the reliability.

paradigm · 19 Mar 2007 at 21:48

Psycrow said:
Fiat 20V T

Oh the ironing.

Psycrow said:
I would personally would avoid the older BMWs, despite being fast I don't trust the reliability.

snowdog · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:10

I'd def for that money try to get a skyline GTST, or a nice BMW m3 indeed.

EDIT: LMAO @ post above
a 10 year old fiat would be a lot less reliable than a 20 year old german car.

R220 · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:26

Homeslice said:
Slightly Ropey high mileage Astra Coupe Turbo?

Edit - changed my mine, nice condition Astra Coupe Turbo with 45k on the clock for £5495

Think op was after a fast car

200SX S14a would be a good choice, mate just picked one up for 5k and its lovely. Not that quick from factory but easy to tune.

Otherwise MR2 Turbo, even though im obviously biased...they are great fun and fast, once again easy to tune also. Fairly cheap to hit 300bhp on a rev3 engine.

L0rdMike · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:36

R220 said:
Think op was after a fast car

200SX S14a would be a good choice, mate just picked one up for 5k and its lovely. Not that quick from factory but easy to tune.

Otherwise MR2 Turbo, even though im obviously biased...they are great fun and fast, once again easy to tune also. Fairly cheap to hit 300bhp on a rev3 engine.

Yep spent £15 and am at around 300bhp.

nomad · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:38

Integra DC2 or MR2 the only choices IMHO

Jez · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:43

nomad said:
Integra DC2 or MR2 the only choices IMHO

In what way are either of those anywhere like as good as an M3? M3 is a perfectly balanced excellent handling car, which is also extremely well built and of a very good quality indeed. It was a very expensive car when new and it shows.

R220 · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:46

Jez said:
In what way are either of those anywhere like as good as an M3? M3 is a perfectly balanced excellent handling car, which is also extremely well built and of a very good quality indeed. It was a very expensive car when new and it shows.

Can you get a low mileage fsh history m3 for 5k ? im not being sarcastic im just wondering. Always thought they were expensive machines. If you can would be a great car. Although you would need to find one thats had vanos sorted and all that.

[TW]Fox · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:56

R220 said:
Can you get a low mileage fsh history m3 for 5k ? im not being sarcastic im just wondering. Always thought they were expensive machines. If you can would be a great car. Although you would need to find one thats had vanos sorted and all that.

No, you can't. You'll get a shed thats been caned every day of its 10-15 year life. They were premium cars when new and, running costs wise, still are.

Jez · 19 Mar 2007 at 22:57

No you cant, but its not really an issue. £5k BUYING price (not advertising price) gets a nice early E36 M3.

Im not biassed, ive owned an MR2 GTS Turbo, but i feel that they are £3k cars, not £5k ones

R220 · 19 Mar 2007 at 23:02

Jez said:
No you cant, but its not really an issue. £5k BUYING price (not advertising price) gets a nice early E36 M3.

Im not biassed, ive owned an MR2 GTS Turbo, but i feel that they are £3k cars, not £5k ones

A 92' GTS is a 3k car (still great and fun

). The op could get a Rev3+ Turbo though with all the trimming for 4-5k, would be a nice way of spending that sort of money then not have to worry about reliability issues and still have a damn fast car which will scare and make smile.

Plenty of cars out there really for 5k, end of the day only person who can decide is you. Go test drive, choose the car that suits your driving style best.

eracer2006 · 20 Mar 2007 at 00:54

cymatty said:
Or something without moon mileage, and does not cost the earth to run.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/145730.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/133868.htm

Obviously you have never owned one then, youll be good to see 30mpg, oil changes every 5k miles, etc etc.

willd58 · 20 Mar 2007 at 02:14

Gibbo said:
Other alternative would be the M3, its more stylish, give you better street cred if thats what you want and is just as much of a weapon as the M5.

These M3's with 80k miles on, the 3 litre non evo ones, are they insurable/reliable?

Gibbo · 20 Mar 2007 at 07:11

willd58 said:
These M3's with 80k miles on, the 3 litre non evo ones, are they insurable/reliable?

Hi there

Like any car, get one with full service history and a decent one and it will be reliable. Insurance I cannot say why don't you just get some quotes?

ramirez · 20 Mar 2007 at 07:25

which are the M3s with that complex valve timing which goes **** up?

paradigm · 20 Mar 2007 at 08:08

ramirez said:
which are the M3s with that complex valve timing which goes **** up?

Both. The 3.0 has a single VANOS unit, the 3.2 EVO has a double VANOS (both inlet and exhaust timing). However to replace the vanos on a 3.2 costs about twice as much. Personally i'd only buy one that has had the VANOS done.