Whats the best 2 seater under £5k

[Watchcame430]

Unloved, I hated mine with a passion I have never poured so much money into a car in my life and that's just the parts all the labour was free or done by me. It's a brand I will never go near again unless I'm in the fortunate position to buy new

That's how I feel about Mercs at the moment!


I have had 4 Porsvhes but never a Boxster. They were all 4 to 20 years old and apart from a water pump on my 944 never had an issue.


Having said that Boxsters do seem cheap ...


Everyone who has one raves about Mx5?
I know a good one possibly about to go on market if you are interested. A mate was talking about selling his 1 previous owner model driven by his wife and he is **** on maintainance. (First owner was a mate of his also)

 

[flango]

That's how I feel about Mercs at the moment! I have had 4 Porsvhes but never a Boxster. They were all 4 to 20 years old and apart from a water pump on my 944 never had an issue. Having said that Boxsters do seem cheap ... Everyone who has one raves about Mx5? I know a good one possibly about to go on market if you are interested. A mate was talking about selling his 1 previous owner model driven by his wife and he is **** on maintainance. (First owner was a mate of his also)

Never had a prob with my 944 either it my 911 but Boxster oh no never again

Would be interested in the MX5 only criteria is it has to be a mk3 (post 55plate) doesn't matter if it's the 1.8 or 2.0


If you could PM me some details that would be great

Cheers
Ian

 

[Watchcame430]

Sure, will drop him a note and come back to you.

Worth a look ... Cant remember what year it is off top of head.

 

[flango]

Brief has changed

OK the two seater has been decided on, it will be the MX5 or a Z4 whichever turns up a good example first so thanks for all the input.

However hers the twist he has decided that the two seater will also see a fair share of his commute so bearing that in mind he has decided to sell his S500 and buy another daily driver. So with this in mind the question is

What is the best daily driver for under £5k it has to be at least a four seater, Petrol and not an MB (I know but the S500 has not exactly been problem free) has to have Character not a mainstream Eurobox and again no older than a 53 plate

Any ideas?????????????

 

[DSM10000]

OK the two seater has been decided on, it will be the MX5 or a Z4 whichever turns up a good example first so thanks for all the input.

However hers the twist he has decided that the two seater will also see a fair share of his commute so bearing that in mind he has decided to sell his S500 and buy another daily driver. So with this in mind the question is

What is the best daily driver for under £5k it has to be at least a four seater, Petrol and not an MB (I know but the S500 has not exactly been problem free) has to have Character not a mainstream Eurobox and again no older than a 53 plate

Any ideas?????????????

Lexus GS300.
Different, relatively rare, beautifully built, well equipped, rear wheel drive......or the IS, smaller engine and smaller body but still fits the criteria.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Sadly an Alpina B3 is just at the wrong side of his budget as that glorious straight six can hardly be thought of as mainstream.

Personally the only petrol drivers car I'd have for that sort of budget would be a BMW 330i.

 

[flango]

I'd looked at the BMW tuners and agree Alpina would have been a great choice but out of budget sadly

330i sadly is just another Eurobox but a great performer

 

[John Jones Jr]

As per DSM1000, a Lexus. IS200, not that quick and hard on juice especially the auto but a lovely steer. The SE would be my choice.
The GS is a rather nice car too and just a s bulletproof as the LS. An LS430 is within budget too, that would get my vote but wouldn't say no to any of those for the budget not that 5K is a requirement when the likes of this is for sale. Not even run in! Lexus LS 400 For Sale (1998) on Car And Classic UK [C571304]

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Lexus, 4 seats, comfy and within budget

Lexus SC 430 4.3 2dr

 

[bpsorrel]

Lexus, 4 seats, comfy and within budget

Lexus SC 430 4.3 2dr

Sorry, but this car drives like a pig! I was keen on one of these before I got my SLK. It's nicely made, luxurious and well appointed, as most Lexus are, but the handling and ride was woeful (a boat would feel better!) and the performance not a match for it's 4.3 litre V8! Total disappointment.

 

[roastbeef]

any xj jag mpg may be a issue?

 

[EdmundIJones]

Just to throw into the mix as somebody said a BMW 330i.

I have a 2000 reg E46 330ci which I bought last year for the rather low sum of £1200, I spent £1400 on an LPG conversion. I do a 200 mile commute 3-4 days a week and since buying the car in January 2014, I've done about 25,000 miles in it. Even taking into consideration the cost of the car, the conversion and running costs, I challenge anyone to find a cheaper car for pence per mile. Especially one which is actually very fun to drive and incredibly swift when needed.

On the running side of things, I've done oil changes at 8K mile intervals with cheap oil and paid for 1 set of budget tyres.

An excellent car with 4 seats, for commuting and cheap to boot.

 

[flango]

Just to throw into the mix as somebody said a BMW 330i.

I have a 2000 reg E46 330ci which I bought last year for the rather low sum of £1200, I spent £1400 on an LPG conversion. I do a 200 mile commute 3-4 days a week and since buying the car in January 2014, I've done about 25,000 miles in it. Even taking into consideration the cost of the car, the conversion and running costs, I challenge anyone to find a cheaper car for pence per mile. Especially one which is actually very fun to drive and incredibly swift when needed.

On the running side of things, I've done oil changes at 8K mile intervals with cheap oil and paid for 1 set of budget tyres.

An excellent car with 4 seats, for commuting and cheap to boot.

Thats really great info thanks, appreciate that

 

[DSB SL AMG]

yes hence my smiley...I remember the reviews at launch stating this...I was very surprised to see so many good owner reviews on trader...

Sorry, but this car drives like a pig! I was keen on one of these before I got my SLK. It's nicely made, luxurious and well appointed, as most Lexus are, but the handling and ride was woeful (a boat would feel better!) and the performance not a match for it's 4.3 litre V8! Total disappointment.

 

[EdmundIJones]

Just to add to what I said about my BMW 330ci. I tend to get bored of cars after about 9-12 months and look for the next one, as I don't spend much on them it's okay BUT reliability are important for a daily driver for the distanced I go.

I've already started looking for my replacement, I'm after a convertable, I initaly thought of a 330 vert BUT after a lot of thinking, I came around to a BMW Z4 3.0 aroudd 2004 reg. They are around the 4K mark for cheap ones and I'd get an LPG conversion done so about £5K in total.

This brings up back neatly to the OP's query about 2 seater, convertibles for less than £5K. I know what I want, I just need to wait for a few things in my home life to get sorted first before going shopping, but until then I'm very happy with my 330ci and won't mind spending more hours in it.

 

[Watchcame430]

Sure, will drop him a note and come back to you.

Worth a look ... Cant remember what year it is off top of head.

That MX5 is not available ... Sorry for false info. Mate decided he couldn't part with it ..

 

[flango]

That MX5 is not available ... Sorry for false info. Mate decided he couldn't part with it ..

No probs I appreciate you asking

 

[bolide]

Going back to the BMW E46, I think it's a shape that has aged well and it still looks quite sharp. They made them up to 2006 so you can find one under 10 years old

I sold a 330i Sport Touring Auto a couple of years ago. I wasn't expecting too much from it but it was a great little package, quite nimble and with a decent, grown-up ride unlike lots of hatchbacks. The 5-speed auto was fantastic and the engine predictably smooth & revvy

I was photographing it one evening and was dog-tired after a long day. I stopped on the way back for one last photo at quarter to eight (see below) then jumped back in the car to get home. I hate lumpy, unrefined cars when I'm tired and it struck me 10 minutes later that this was a perfectly civilised car that rode well, was quiet and tractable. I came away very impressed indeed

Nick Froome

 

[Charles Morgan]

Saw two E46 estates just now, the larger wheeled one like the above in silver grey just looked fresh and sharp.

Diesel is not on the list but I had a 330d when it first came out. A neighbour has a cottage near Plymouth where my parents live and we were discussing the time it takes to get there. Of all the cars I have owned the 330d with three adults and luggage dispatched the often dreadful run up the A30/A303 in absolutely record time, the mid-range torque combined with the fantastic handling just demolished that road.

 

[Benplym]

Saw two E46 estates just now, the larger wheeled one like the above in silver grey just looked fresh and sharp. Diesel is not on the list but I had a 330d when it first came out. A neighbour has a cottage near Plymouth where my parents live and we were discussing the time it takes to get there. Of all the cars I have owned the 330d with three adults and luggage dispatched the often dreadful run up the A30/A303 in absolutely record time, the mid-range torque combined with the fantastic handling just demolished that road.

110% what I'd be buying, I had a 2004 330i and it annoyed the s### out of me, it was only remotely quick above 4,000 rpm, doing 1mpg. I was made to look silly by "hot hatches" frequently. The 330d however, wow. I frequently "play" in my pals remapped 2007 M Sport and there's barely a thing that will get close for the money, soooo responsive and torquey and still returns 40mpg average. My brother has a 2001 330d with 210k on the clock and is still really impressive, full of torque, quite easily would be the only thing I would consider as a "drivers car"