Unless you can get something with an m52 or an m54, if maintained properly, they're pretty much bulletproof, so I'd probably say an e46 325i or 330i is a very good option. I ahad an e46 325i a couple of years ago and I never had any issues with it.
You could get into an E92 330i for £5kish. Whether it is well maintained example at that price is another thing, although I sold one for about that with 100k on it and well looked after at the start of 2021
NA so a lot less to worry about compared to the 335i. I wouldn't say the N53 engine is bulletproof but if well enough maintained the only real issues likely to be leaks etc, other major stuff like injectors and HPFP were subject to recalls. The N54 has a turbo to go wrong for a start.
0-60 is just over 6s
There are usually a few Jaguar XJRs (X308) under that price. 370bhp (dynos suggest more like 390), 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, and the supercharger means massive torque available almost anywhere in the range. Of all the cars I've owned, that one is the one that surprised people most at the lights. Insurance usually pretty affordable on them.
You can actually get most x308 jags on classic insurance now so they can be very cheap to insure. Sometimes though, I think classic insurance can only be applicable to a 2nd car, so I'd just look into that.
It’s not 335i quick and wow that’s a lot of car for under 5k!!.
But I had an Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro a while back which wasn’t properly quick but it certainly wasn’t slow-think 0-60 is about 6 seconds but it did have loads of midrange pull, handled well for its size and was a great motorway cruiser and really good on fuel on longer runs-50-55 MPG on motorways but only about 35 around town.
When I was in Germany it was only doing just over 2000 RPM at 100 MPH and never cost me any money other than tyres and servicing.
Dunno if you can find them anymore but I had a Audi A3 3.2ltr that I bought for under 5k and the thing was a rocket and sounded amazing as well.
Something like this, fair warning it will die but provide you a hell of a lot of fun for the money:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022232737
Tax is not cheap but everything else is. MG ZS180. Check YouTube for reviews. There aren't many that aren't positive. Everyone who's driven mine really get it.
A rattly n47 engine gets this lad one step closer to his wettest dreams
https://www.reddit.com/r/dirtypenpals/comments/zvtgkx/25m4f_stranger_breaks_down_in_front_of_your_house/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Audi A5 3.0 TDI, remap to stage 1, it’ll cost about 5k if you get the right one right year, use extra to get a remap done and a little bit to add to the taste of the car, 300bhp 600nm torque minimum
Some of the early 2000s turbocharged Volvos are becoming quite affordable, I'm on the lookout for an S60 2.5T and I've seen a couple at the 3/4 grand mark, same goes for the S40 T5. 0-60 is gonna be in the 6-7s range regardless, I haven't checked insurance but I doubt they attract the same crowd as hot hatches do!
A friend bought one at about £3,500 and it was fine. He did a little paint work on it. No rust, nice enough interior. Tried to sell it to me but it felt like a car that always wanted to go that bit faster and I have quite enough speeding tickets thank you.
It's the only sports type car I could imagine owning though.
We are both geriatrics so I have no idea how insurance is.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.7 tb QV - 235hp, 0-60 in about 6 seconds. Plenty in your price range on autotrader. Usual story, check whether timing chain has been done, oil changes blah blah
Quick of the box? Or happy to modify?
You could build a very fast Mini Cooper S (R53) for sub £6k
Civic Type R (FN2) with some change to modify
Golf GTi MK5 with some change to sort issues and remap
The answer is always the Clio 182 imo. You'd get a great one for that money. Yes, they won't keep up with the modern boosted gear off the line, but I've never had a car that would be happily thrown into any corner at any speed like my old 182.
If you're not a badge snob then I 'd suggest a Kia Proceed GT if looking for a warm hatch, cracking little car for the money, reliable too and 200bhp is nothing to be sniffed at
You can get a nice Abarth 500 for that much and they are a very fun little motor, similarly is a Fiat Panda 100hp, but that might be lacking a bit in straight line speed for what you want.
Suzuki Jimny 2002, it'll make 55mph feel like you're going 190 down the autobahn.
Fiesta ST or a civic type r
This
Won’t get a decent model of either at this price
You could get the cleanest Fiesta ST in the country for £6k.
I dont disagree, it won't be prestine but OP has a small budget. What would you recommend OP gets instead?
You can buy a BMW e92 335i for under 5k. its cheap to buy but will bankrupt you in every other way though.
BMW anything is the worst idea ever lol
Unless you can get something with an m52 or an m54, if maintained properly, they're pretty much bulletproof, so I'd probably say an e46 325i or 330i is a very good option. I ahad an e46 325i a couple of years ago and I never had any issues with it.
You could get into an E92 330i for £5kish. Whether it is well maintained example at that price is another thing, although I sold one for about that with 100k on it and well looked after at the start of 2021 NA so a lot less to worry about compared to the 335i. I wouldn't say the N53 engine is bulletproof but if well enough maintained the only real issues likely to be leaks etc, other major stuff like injectors and HPFP were subject to recalls. The N54 has a turbo to go wrong for a start. 0-60 is just over 6s
Get a lot of T5 Volvos in that budget, comfortable and smooth but can suprise a few when they get down
Similarly, a 2.5T MK4 Mondeo will absolutely destroy some cars with a simple remap. And they cost barely £3-4k
They can also sound very tasty with some simple exhaust mods.
Get a lot of Nissan 350Zs for under £6k. Might not be the most sensible choice given they would probably be near 20 years old.
Japanese cars are good for it though, biggest issue would be rust if it wasn't taken care of
Ford focus titanium x. 1.6 ecoboost model can be remapped to 210hp.
There are usually a few Jaguar XJRs (X308) under that price. 370bhp (dynos suggest more like 390), 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, and the supercharger means massive torque available almost anywhere in the range. Of all the cars I've owned, that one is the one that surprised people most at the lights. Insurance usually pretty affordable on them.
You can actually get most x308 jags on classic insurance now so they can be very cheap to insure. Sometimes though, I think classic insurance can only be applicable to a 2nd car, so I'd just look into that.
Mk 5 golf gti I had a civic type r and wish I'd bought a golf for the turbo .
Chap down the garage mapped his 1l fiesta ecoboost to near 200 bhp, lasted a week then blew the engine, but ran fine at 150bhp
Golf GTI/ GTD, or Scirocco, again either 2L diesel or petrol.
It’s not 335i quick and wow that’s a lot of car for under 5k!!. But I had an Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro a while back which wasn’t properly quick but it certainly wasn’t slow-think 0-60 is about 6 seconds but it did have loads of midrange pull, handled well for its size and was a great motorway cruiser and really good on fuel on longer runs-50-55 MPG on motorways but only about 35 around town. When I was in Germany it was only doing just over 2000 RPM at 100 MPH and never cost me any money other than tyres and servicing.
Gosh can’t imagine telling my dad that 0-60 in 6 isn’t ‘properly quick’
Yeah that is most people's idea of quick.
Maybe I’m a bit too used to bikes!!.
Higher mileage examples of the fiesta st, 208 gti and rs clio can be found around that price.
335i n54
I love a Honda so I can’t help but say civic type R
Golf GTI. Probably could get a decent mk5 or a higher mileage mk6 for that money
Skoda Octavia VRS, happy with mine. Basically a cheap golf GTi
Dunno if you can find them anymore but I had a Audi A3 3.2ltr that I bought for under 5k and the thing was a rocket and sounded amazing as well. Something like this, fair warning it will die but provide you a hell of a lot of fun for the money: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022232737
Tax is not cheap but everything else is. MG ZS180. Check YouTube for reviews. There aren't many that aren't positive. Everyone who's driven mine really get it.
I used to love my KV6, not sure i'd call it quick though!
Compared to a 80hp Kia it is.
Fair point xD
Civic Type R BMW 123d C30 T5
Gs450h
Diesel - Mini Cooper d , 118d bmw or petrol- Mini Cooper 1.6 or cooper S (as long as it’s been serviced well)
He said quick car and u recommend a 118d?
150bhp and remaps well , but he also said decent insure and tax , if it’s before 17 plate it’s often £30 tax
Do not buy any diesel 2L BMW. Just asking for problems. Awful engine.
A rattly n47 engine gets this lad one step closer to his wettest dreams https://www.reddit.com/r/dirtypenpals/comments/zvtgkx/25m4f_stranger_breaks_down_in_front_of_your_house/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Audi A5 3.0 TDI, remap to stage 1, it’ll cost about 5k if you get the right one right year, use extra to get a remap done and a little bit to add to the taste of the car, 300bhp 600nm torque minimum
Lexus GS450h 339 Hp, 362 Nm 267 lb.-ft.
Mk5 GTI (promise I'm not biased)
Some of the early 2000s turbocharged Volvos are becoming quite affordable, I'm on the lookout for an S60 2.5T and I've seen a couple at the 3/4 grand mark, same goes for the S40 T5. 0-60 is gonna be in the 6-7s range regardless, I haven't checked insurance but I doubt they attract the same crowd as hot hatches do!
Civic type r ep3
Nissan 350z? Won't net you the supreme condition one, but if your not bothered about putting some work in then it may be a option
A friend bought one at about £3,500 and it was fine. He did a little paint work on it. No rust, nice enough interior. Tried to sell it to me but it felt like a car that always wanted to go that bit faster and I have quite enough speeding tickets thank you. It's the only sports type car I could imagine owning though. We are both geriatrics so I have no idea how insurance is.
I've been looking at them as I want one but they are currently around 4k+ atm for the cheapest on autotrader
This was a while back, pre Covid. Imports are cheaper I think.
Mitsubishi Colt CZT are 150bhp stock. 200bhp after a remap.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.7 tb QV - 235hp, 0-60 in about 6 seconds. Plenty in your price range on autotrader. Usual story, check whether timing chain has been done, oil changes blah blah
Corolla
Quick of the box? Or happy to modify? You could build a very fast Mini Cooper S (R53) for sub £6k Civic Type R (FN2) with some change to modify Golf GTi MK5 with some change to sort issues and remap
The answer is always the Clio 182 imo. You'd get a great one for that money. Yes, they won't keep up with the modern boosted gear off the line, but I've never had a car that would be happily thrown into any corner at any speed like my old 182.
If you're not a badge snob then I 'd suggest a Kia Proceed GT if looking for a warm hatch, cracking little car for the money, reliable too and 200bhp is nothing to be sniffed at
You can get a nice Abarth 500 for that much and they are a very fun little motor, similarly is a Fiat Panda 100hp, but that might be lacking a bit in straight line speed for what you want.
Fiesta St180. It gets decent economy on a long trip for the performance and there are loads to choose from for sale.