Subaru impreza or Mitsubishi EVo

Nissan 350z?

That is certainly one wicked car but I still need to get a 10 yo and 13 yo in the back for some journeys. That what you drive nigel?

Audi S4 or BMW M3 - scared me, but more solid than the Impreza

911. nice 993 models for £25k+, or older 964 for £16k+. If you go for £26/27k early 996's be cautious. Build quality is not up to usual standards for the marque, & there have been engine problems reported. Apparently all sorted by year 2000 models. On paper, an evo or scooby look like competition, but a 911, with full history has to be the way to go, methinks.
matt.

Is an Audi RS6 too much money? Should make mincemeat of most cars around and still carry 4.

My mate has had 3 Impreza's and one Evo. He found the latter far too frenetic and full-on. Fine for a blast but rather too mad for daily use.

His Imprezas have been absurdly reliable and he loves them apart from one big snag-they are crime magnets. Despite living in one of the lowest rated crime areas in the UK he has had his front door smashed in to steal keys on one occasion, had the vehicles 'keyed' in carparks on several occasions and had another stolen from a Motorway service station!

I'd go stealthy myself, a fast Audi for instance. The new Focus ST is also really worth a look, getting excellent reviews for its pace, characterful engine and all round useability.

bruce

I bought a new Evo VIII FQ300. I sold it in under a year at a massive loss.

Pros;
It is as fast as they say.

Cons;
You will speed, the Police will notice you.
It shakes your fillings out.
High running costs; tyres, clutches, oil changes.
Insurance.
Aggression from other drivers.
Can't leave it anywhere without teenagers clambering over it.
Felt like a desperate old man trying to be young.

quote:

Audi RS6

Thanks Bruce, vandalism may be a serious downer I guess, even in Truro we have our fair share of meatheads.
Big H nice but I like the slightly smaller dimensions of the evo and wrx for my work place parking restrictions, still held down by reality checks I am afraid.
Will likely get test drive in Ford Focus ST as I do like the excellent service I get from vospers in Truro

So Rockingdoc, what is it now?

I've driven a Porsche 911 GT3.

Oh Dear Lord I want one.

Also the RS4 I tried was sweet. The Carrera 2 tiptronic was still bags of fun and fast enough for me. Though the GT3 was just unreal...

I hate my friends...

David - I think the bottom line is that with an Evo or WRX, you are going to look like a bit of a chav. That's a shame because they are awesome cars and they didn't ask for that tag, but unfortunately they've got it anyway. Why not buy a used bargain WRX, get it out of your system, and then sell it 6 months later for the same money. You can then move onto something a little less vulgar.

Sounds like good advice Rasher.

Apart from one or 2 exceptions I have acquired the opinion that if somebody is discerning enough to see the quality in Naim products they can usually be relied upon for other recommendations in product choices.

Keep it up folks

Both are irredeemably chav IMO. To mitigate my mid-life crises I bought a motor bike - a Yamaha R1. Fast, furious and exciting. Women love the black leathers I had it stolen in Dublin but I might get another or similiar sometime.

My mid-life crisis is taking me towards a Lotus Elise. I have 3 children (8 years to 7 months), but have sussed that the children always travel together - or just one being taken somewhere. That means my wifes Renault Scenic has to go with the children, which means my wife will occasionally use the Elise!! I had better think of a plan B.

Do we all have a mid-life vehicle?

I built a Caterham and lash it around the Dales, then pootle to work in my diesel Audi!

My wife is terrified as a passenger in the Caterham, and certainly would have no wish to drive it-solves that little difficulty.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:
Reaching midlife crisis, now want something fast and furious.

Anybody experience of Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo cars.

I currently drive a Ford focus 2 litre petrol Zetec. A “nice” drive but too dull!

I want some excitement! I might look a prat but I want a car with prat!

Audi RS4 David. Safe, fast and practical.

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:
That is certainly one wicked car but I still need to get a 10 yo and 13 yo in the back for some journeys. That what you drive nigel?

Yes it is and the beauty of it is you can't get anyone in the back seats lol

Sounds good to me Nigel.

My budget however is in the region of £19k

I need to leave funds for some system enhancements, 252/ supercap/xps2/ … endless

A subaru is cheaper to run than an EVO.

EVO's are plain nuts, probably one of the most extreme road cars available.

My choice would be a Z3 Mcoupe...

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:
Sounds good to me Nigel.

My budget however is in the region of £19k

I need to leave funds for some system enhancements, 252/ supercap/xps2/ … endless

I know its endless,

£19k would get you a nice second hand one

If you don't mind something a bit older, then buy an original Audi quattro.

I have one as my everyday car, it's an '87 but so well screwed together you'd think Naim made it. It looks the business and goes like the clappers, but not as psycho-nutter as an Evo or even a recent Impreza. No problems with crime, but you have to do a fair bit of research to find yourself one in good condition.

...and you can pretend you're the Stig around roundabouts.

Cheers!

Rich.

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:
My budget however is in the region of £19k

That rules out most cars other than a second hand wrx or focus.

Shame really, my mate has an S4 and it is the business. 6 Speed auto with launch mode... Fanatastic fun!!!

Hi David,

I'm with erik s. on this one. My mid-life crisis took hold a couple of years back and I convinced 'er indoors to let me get a Kawasaki ZX9R (as an addition to our Honda F6 Valkyrie). The Honda is good for long distances and two-up with my wife, which she enjoys, but the Kwak is an incredibly quick ride and handles extremely well. I've ridden since I was 17 and have owned (and built) a fair few fast bikes, but the Kwak puts the others in the shade. Also, it can be used as a sports tourer if desired as it's not your typical bum up/head down riding position.

An alternative would be the new ZX14 that I believe is now out in the UK.

In terms of cars there's really nothing that pumps my 'nads from the major players. This has led me to consider a Shelby Cobra kit car. For around US$32K you can build the kit with a Ford 427FE engine and Temotec (sp?) 5-speed box. Upwards of 500RWHP and 500ft/lb torque in a car weighing under 2400lbs.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

David

£19K will get you into, I guess, a 2001 E46 M3. A combination of performance and practicality.

If you were ever to look at M3s have a look at BM3W and contact Gareth (Bespoke), a sponsor of the forum, who would be able to find you a fine example (and not just limited to the M3s). I have no connection to Gareth but am an occassional contributor to BM3W.

If family issues are not paramount then I would look at the 350Z.

quote:

Originally posted by David Leedham:
Reaching midlife crisis, now want something fast and furious.

Anybody experience of Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo cars.

I currently drive a Ford focus 2 litre petrol Zetec. A “nice” drive but too dull!

I want some excitement! I might look a prat but I want a car with prat!

MK 5 Golf Gti or R32?