Sensible V6 for less than 2k?

broona

broona

broona

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Hexham
Bored with my 306 HDI estate, as practical and efficient as it is, and looking for something a little bit more exciting to replace it with.

Never had anything with V6 power, so quite fancy trying one!

Should have at least 150bhp, 5 doors would be nice for baby and dog, but would settle for 3 with a nice big hatch.

Have thought Vectra, Mondeo, Golf, MX3, anybody got anything else I should look at? Cheers! :)
 
Been hunting for BM's too, but can't seem to find any local examples of the 325i Touring, shame as I'd love one, best looking estate car ever made IMHO.

Hadn't discounted a straight 6, just can't find one! :p
 
Quite like the idea of a Mondeo, only ford I've ever had was a D plate 1.1 Fiesta, so not really a good experience! :eek:

What's the difference between the ST24 and the standard V6? Only problem is that the ST24 seems to be rare in 5dr form.

Also willing to consider anything over 150bhp but NOT a V6, just really like that V6 sound, but also like the Vtec noise, so have been looking for Civic Aerodeck's on the sly.....
 
Thanks again for the replies. :)

Not too concerned about fuel consumption, as I work 2 miles from home, and average 4 to 5k a year!

Main concern is the ability to fit a 5.5 stone Olde English Bulldogge in the back, and a baby on the back seat, so unfortunately that rules out anything that isn't an estate or a hatchback, so no 3 series, 5 series, MX6, Xedos, 620Ti, 155, 156, etc! :(

Mondeo, Vectra and Mazda 323 look promising though. :)
 
Have seen a few E36 328i Touring's for less than 2k now too, nearest one's 200 miles away though! :(

Didn't realise they were in my price range, may be worth investigating further. :)
 
Nickg said:
FTO 2.0 V6 Mivec 199~ BHP also may now fall within the 2k category. good cars too.
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No hatch, shame, don't think he'd like it in the boot, he'd probably eat his way out!
 
energy said:
Are you willing to settle for 5 cylinders? Another idea is a Volvo 850 T-5 or perhaps T-5 R (though I'm not sure the latter can be had for 2k), plenty of space in the estates, rapid performance :)

Alternatively since you mentioned 150bhp, a bland but good driving Primera GT hatch? Unbeatable grip and solid reliability though not the fastest of machines.
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The 850's probably a bit big, along with the Omega too unfortunately.

The Primera sounds good though, not a V6, but I can almost live with that. Was looking round one along the road from me yesterday, decent looking car, off to the 'Trader website now.....
 
Nomisf said:
Vrectra003.jpg


Well, I suppose my vote would have to go for a Vectra (awaits flame fest). But having had two "through our household" both with years under their belt. If you can find a good example, they are nice cars, and have quite some poke for what they are. The two above are 2.5L V6 CDX (ABS,TRACS, Full leather, CD changers, all the toys), worthy to note the engines in this model are actually Saab engines in disguise, so they are fairly reliable . Most recent one bought for £2,400, Mint - with 52,000 on the clock.
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I like the look of the '99 onwards Vectra (facelift?) SRI, looks a little meaner than the older ones, but I prefer the look of either of them to the Mondeo (apart from rg-tom's, that looks lovely!).

Still trying to find anything local'ish to me at reasonable prices, loads of things at the opposite end of the country! :(
 
Nomisf said:
=] Everything you need know about Veccys is on the wiki page, including all the revisions and facelifts :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Vectra

Also , Vauxhall Vectra Owners Club Forums:

http://www.vvoc.com/

Ours in particular , are Vectra Model B ( In the picture, a P and and R reg), had to travel 100 or so miles to get it.
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Thanks for the links, will give me something to read up on.

How reliable have yours been? Anything in particular to look out for if I'm going to view one? Thanks again. :)
 
Thanks again for all the replies, I can see the 'Trader website being perused a lot over the next few days, trying to find some of the recommendations closer to me!

So far, I'm tempted by (in no particular order) :-

Mondeo ST24/ST200/V6 Ghia X
Vectra V6 GSI/SRI
BMW E36 328i estate
BMW E30 325i estate
406 V6 estate
Mazda 323F 2.0 V6 ZXI

Would love the ST200, but probably just outside my price range for a reasonably decent one.

One of my mates, an ex Rover salesman, threw a spanner in the works today too, bringing up the MG ZS180, which are dropping to the 2k mark now, any 'sensible' opinions on them please? :D
 
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MNuTz said:
Not ideal for the family, although i have had a child seat and 2 dogs in the back of mine :)

You can get VW Corrados VR6 2.9 190bhp for £2K+

only suggested it as you havent put an age limit in your post.
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I did put Golf in my first post, which was aimed at the VR6, so don't really mind the age. Only problem is picking up even a semi-decent Corrado for around 2k, they all seem to start at 3k+, hence why I put Golf instead, at least they're reasonably priced, just not quite as nice.
 
Charlie Bravo said:
I know it's not a V6 but hows about a 2.3 V5 Seat Toledo?

I get around 34mpg out of mine and it has all the extras (electric everything, cruise control, climate control etc)

It's got 150bhp, plenty of space (inc a massive boot) and only set me back £1995.
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Is that available in hatch form? If not, it would be no use I'm afraid, my dog's claustrophobic! :p
 
Going to look at a 323 tonight, bit older than I want really, but at least it should give me a feel for the car. :)
 
broona said:
Going to look at a 323 tonight, bit older than I want really, but at least it should give me a feel for the car. :)
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Test drove it, on an N plate, but felt tighter and newer than my V plate 306 HDI.

Very nice to drive, but not really much in the way of power, even taking it up towards 6000rpm, very refined, pulled away at 800rpm in 4th, just never felt at all fast, not quite sure how fast I was expecting it to be though! :confused:
 
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