Interesting 4/5 door cars

[Jeff]

Need (want) to get a new 'sensible' 4/5 door car (smaller the better but can't be any bigger than about 5 series size) to replace the wife's Arsetra :hurl:

It needs to be interesting to drive (~200bhp minimum and no FWD) as I'll be driving it 2-3 times a week and I get bored of 'normal' cars very quickly.

I want it to run on LPG too, so the £5,000 maximum I have available needs to either buy a car with lpg already fitted or I need to find something for more like £3,500 and get lpg fitted meself.

Fussy bugger ain't I :D The possibilities so far are:

BMW 540i or 535i (E34 shape)
Carlton GSi 24v
Subaru Legacy Turbo
Renault 21 Turbo Quadra (4x4 version - rare as feck)
Cavalier Turbo 4x4
Audi 80/90 or 100 Quattro of some sort?
Merc 190 something or other?
Sapphire Cosworth (doubt I'd find a remotely decent one for £3,500 though?)

Any other suggestions, or comments on what I have already listed would be appreciated - Ta :)

[Jon]

avoid the Cavalier 4x4 and the Renault 21 (wtf?) as their 4WD systems are fragile and the rest of the car is crap too. Neither should cost £1000 either.

You seem to have covered the safe bets, BMW, Carlton/Senator and Merc190 (struggle for 200bhp with a non-evo 190 though)

For turbo cars, I'd go Legacy, and it has to be an estate too :thumbs:

[Draven]

what about a landy v8 monster?
no idea what they kick out tho and they are a tad heavy
but the v8 sound they have :smitten:

[Chris]

Originally posted by Draven
what about a landy v8 monster?
no idea what they kick out tho and they are a tad heavy
but the v8 sound they have :smitten:

about 135 bhp iirc

jeff , i know of an xjs that runs on gas for £1500 :wack:

[Jeff]

Originally posted by chris
about 135 bhp iirc

jeff , i know of an xjs that runs on gas for £1500 :wack:
Reckon you could weld some extra doors on for me? Lynx made an XJS into an Estate :eek: :wack:

Could a Cavalier Turbo be made to handle properly with some good suspension mods? (£5,000 is my absolute maximum budget, would like to spend as much under that as possible ;) )

I could also consider an E36 325i I spose?

[JB]

How about one of these

http://www.carsource.co.uk/photos/mzxe0001.jpg

Mazda Xedos 9 2.3 Supercharged. Yes I know it's FWD, but apart from a lumpy ride they're really very good, very underrated and very cheap 3-4k get you a average miles R or S plater.

I'll get my coat... :(

[Jeff]

Originally posted by JB
Mazda Xedos 9 2.3 Supercharged.
Might be a smidge too big (it's nearly as big as that house behind it :wack: ;) ) Like the idea of something supercharged though :D If I spot one that's already been converted to gas I'll bear it in mind, cheers JB :)

As someone who knows about Mercs, is there anything from Stuttgart (sp :rolleyes: ) I should consider?

[Sx Drifter]

carlton GSI is a lovely car, and comes as std with a LSD... which is nice.

3.0 Straight 6.. just look at the lotus carlton.. u can take this thing upto 377bhp no probbs :)

[JB]

Originally posted by Jeff
As someone who knows about Mercs, is there anything from Stuttgart (sp :rolleyes: ) I should consider?
Mmm...

Well if you're serious about the LPG conversion bit I'd not bother with a 190 2.3 or 2.5 16v and to carry out a conversion on an Evo would be criminal and ruin your chances of ever being able to sell the thing on. The specialist 190s as above seem good value when you look at how much they're going for ATM but as Dunk and I can testify, keeping one running in tip top condition is another matter. Think 3k for a rear suspension rebuild... On the other hand the do handle beautifully :nod: :smitten:

For you budget and taking the LPG into account as well then maybe a E320 or perhaps an 300E 24V. Silky 6 cylinder engine, fairly bullet proof, quick, effortless (though the 24v is peaky). They tend to all be Autos though (you do get the odd 24v with a manual box but it's bloody awful so best avoided). They're build like tanks but handle ok and have all the toys.

You can pick up 500/560 SECs for that sort of money, but they're a bit ropey and tend to be a financial disaster waiting to happen.

Of the cars on your list I'd be tempted by the BM or the Legacy. There are some very tasty Legacy imports out there. As AMDATHLONUK, he used to have a very nice looking Legacy estate.

[Chris]

Originally posted by Jeff
Reckon you could weld some extra doors on for me? Lynx made an XJS into an Estate :eek: :wack:

Could a Cavalier Turbo be made to handle properly with some good suspension mods? (£5,000 is my absolute maximum budget, would like to spend as much under that as possible ;) )

I could also consider an E36 325i I spose?
cav turbo ?:no: , extra doors on the jag would be cheaper :wack:

i got the missus a piglet 106 diesel , mucho cheap to run :thumbs:

[Deacon]

streeeeech the budget and get a jaguar xjr :D

1996 ones are going cheap now :thumbs:

[Jeff]

Originally posted by chris
i got the missus a piglet 106 diesel , mucho cheap to run :thumbs:
The Arsetra is cheap to run, it just bores the crap out of me :sleep:

I guess it's best to keep the list of possibilities as wide as possible, rather than narrowing it down, as it's obviously going to work out cheapest if I can find something already converted to run on lpg :)

Cheers for all the suggestions folks, let me know if you think of anything else which might fit the bill :thumbs:

[cherry1809]

What about a Galant VR4? :) Do an estate too :) :)

EDIT:Just seen the prices :(

[Jeff]

Originally posted by cherry1809
What about a Galant VR4? :) Do an estate too :) :)

EDIT:Just seen the prices :(
Would love one :smitten: but can't afford it :( Some Evo 1's and 2's within budget though :)

Found out Alfa made a turbo charged, 4x4 version of the 155, I'm sure that would be reliable and cheap to fix :wack:

Didn't realise but there are some Imprezza's just about inside budget too :indiff:

[JB]

Originally posted by Jeff
Found out Alfa made a turbo charged, 4x4 version of the 155, I'm sure that would be reliable and cheap to fix :wack:
No, for God's sake don't go there :no: :smash:

How about an Omega 3litre Elite? :)

[cherry1809]

Originally posted by JB
How about an Omega 3litre Elite? :)

Estate....

[2 Black Lines]

Bmw 525/530d on a E34, I know is deadsil but the later 530 goes like... might have to add a few ££s tho.:thumbs:

[luke 200]

Have you thought about a Rover 620ti?:o

Very :ghey: I know but.. I've got one and it is good fun.. They're soooo chepa as well.

It's faster than most things on the road but it is SCRABBLE.

Sweet half leather and stuff too.

[luke 200]

ooooh dont get a 190.. worst car I've ever owned. Soo slow and heavy. Mind you mine was a 2.0. very thirsty too.

[JB]

Originally posted by luke 200
ooooh dont get a 190.. worst car I've ever owned. Soo slow and heavy. Mind you mine was a 2.0. very thirsty too.
Actuall a 2 litre weighs 1100kg (that's less than an S13 or 14), it just feels heavy because of the fact the car is build like a bank vault, has a wheezy engine and bus like steering. Try driving a proper 190 and you'll be amazed how on the pace it is, even by modern standards. :)

[2 Black Lines]

shitron XM. cheap fast (in V6), don't know about LPG, but boy are they cheap! (you get what you pay for tho).

[Ant]

Omega 3.0 Elite or MV6 gets my vote too....

- capable of monster mileage
- not too bad MPG (for a 3.0)
- every toy you could think of
- cheap to buy and cheap parts
- oh, and RWD

[luke 200]

Originally posted by JB
Actuall a 2 litre weighs 1100kg (that's less than an S13 or 14), it just feels heavy because of the fact the car is build like a bank vault, has a wheezy engine and bus like steering. Try driving a proper 190 and you'll be amazed how on the pace it is, even by modern standards. :)

Really?!!:eek:

It felt like it weighed twice as much as that!

When you say proper- Do you mean like a cossie one or something?:cool: :nod:

[JB]

Originally posted by luke 200
Really?!!:eek:

It felt like it weighed twice as much as that!

When you say proper- Do you mean like a cossie one or something?:cool: :nod:
Yes really. I have a 2 litre smoker and admit it feels like it weighs a couple of tons, but it in fact doesn't.

Yep a proper Merc is an Evo I or II or if you're slumming it a 2.3 or 2.5 16v Cossie jobby. :)

[Dunk]

Mercedes 190 - apparently the 2.6 are pretty good. The 2.3-16 represents the purists choice. The 2.5-16 is less edgy and more refined, but looses a bit of its hardcore appeal as a result. Don't bother with an Evo 1 or 2 if you're gonna use it as a daily driver.

If you really want to be different, both AMG & Brabus did silly versions of the 190 - rare as rocking horse poo, but great value.

All of them are built to go round the planet four times on a oil change.

16v interiors wear quicker than the army blanket cloth of the non valvers.

They are fabulous cars, but need a certain level of 'commitment' to keep them at they're peak.

All the 16v versions are probably the finest handling saloons known to mankind.

===
Carlton GSi - plain bonkers, really an old M5 on the cheap.

However, the inline 6 engine (both 12 & 24v) are ancient, and the whole thing dates back to the Opel Royale of the late 70's. @ SX drifter - Engine doesn't really respond well to tuning (ask Lotus), 100bhp per litre is its absolute limit, even with two blowers.

They're sort of quasi cult cars now, and to be honest, the Omega Elite represents better value, and better MPG.


===
Alfa 155 Q4

Integrale engine and running gear on a 155 platform

Just steer clear.

===

[robert-200SX]

I had two Legacy Turbo Estates. The interior is nasty but they are a great car.

If you're interested in a 3 litre Omega estate (MV6 I think) with all the goodies then PM me. My brother-in-law is selling his. R reg, metallic blue. High miles (hence good price) but full service history, excellent condition, original 17" alloys etc, climate control etc etc.

Cheers,

Robert.

[rustyveedub]

Anybody know what Mondeo St200's are like?

[BreadBin]

Didn't realise but there are some Imprezza's just about inside budget too :indiff:

Don't do it :indiff:
Legacy gets my vote mate - a bit too easy on the handling front and you will need LPG unless you own a refinery. Pretty rapid and sound great :cool:


shitron XM. cheap fast (in V6), don't know about LPG, but boy are they cheap! (you get what you pay for tho).
As an ex-XM owner I can safely say that only a fool would buy one (but a fool with excellent taste :wack: )

[Jezz_S13]

E34 M5.

[Richy_Boy]

Don't worry about de-valuing a car with an LPG conversion as it can be taken out 100% before you sell the car on.

I'd vote for an Imprezza STi Wagon thing... great cars, plenty of boot for an LPG tank (unless they have an under car spare wheel you can replace)... Making sure you buy it from a single owner old couple who don't have kids... :D

Rich

[Aitch]

Holy thread revival batman :eek:

R33 Sedan :thumbs:


:wack:


:D

[Richy_Boy]

lol, shite, just noticed this is two years old :D :wack:

[boynexdoor]

yeah what Aitch said :D a 4 door skyline??

[BreadBin]

lol, shite, just noticed this is two years old :D :wack:

D'oh! :annoyed:

[RipleyRWD]

:eek: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

for gods sake man you cant honestly be considering a vau:( v :o v ;) v:censored: vau :eek: vau :sleep: vau:notworthy v v v v v v v v v v v v v v ...opel omega could you. The only thing they have got going for them is the ditch you will end up in if you push it a bit more than it was designed for:o. Which wasnt anything!!!!

You could pick up a nice e300 turbodiesel merc for a bit more though with fmbsh:thumbs:

good luck with the search but please dont buy a v v v v v v va a oh feck it i cant even say it v v v v v v vv v v v v opel

[RipleyRWD]

wtf??? 2003 my cars not as old as this thread (NOT) wot a n.o.b i am but anyway on a more constuctive note if you want a nice rwd family car , how about a nice v v v v v v v v v vau vau vau vau holden commodore monaro

[BreadBin]

wtf??? 2003 my cars not as old as this thread (NOT) wot a n.o.b i am but anyway on a more constuctive note if you want a nice rwd family car , how about a nice v v v v v v v v v vau vau vau vau holden commodore monaro

For 5k??
:smash:

[The Big Yin]

bmw 7 series already converted i love the 7 series

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=BMW&model=ANY&variant=lpg&keywords=&min_pr=1000&max_pr=5000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=fk6+6ph&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=1&distance=361&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200610227409139


jag xj40 lpg converted

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=JAGUAR&model=ANY&variant=lpg&keywords=&min_pr=1000&max_pr=5000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=fk6+6ph&miles=1500&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=1&distance=272&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200610227983411

[The Big Yin]

lol damn holy thread revival