What STANDARD performance car for £5k?

[Ed]

As above really.

I've got about £5k to play with, and was looking at buying another FD with a blown engine and havig it rebuilt, but living where I do (Italy), driving a modified or attention seeking car, with UK plates is not a good idea. Its an even worse idea when you don't speak Italian.

So, I am now thinking of buying something that doesn't need to be modified

E36 M3 is an obvious choice for me, but they are al getting on a bit now, and look a bit dated IMHO
Cant afford an M5 or a 911.
There are some AMG things Ive seen I like the look of, but not sure I could live with the auto everyday, especially if you look on google maps at my drive to work (serramazzoni to maranello, awesome road!)
I cant see a downside to owning an RX8?
Imprezas are a bit chavvy
Don't really like Hondas
BMW Mini Cooper S, but the ride will kill my spine on the non-maintained Italian roads

Otherwise I'm stumped

Suggestions please

[Mikesx13]

Porsche Boxster s, looks slightly over budget but with haggling you might get one within budget.

[Chriscooke]

Audi b5 s4?

[sideways14a]

350z might fall into the prace bracket, or be close.

[Jem]

£5k will get you a very tidy RX-8.

Or, S2000, BMW Z4, 350Z?

[AdDaMan]

cheap E39 M5? DC5? DC2? Evo 5?

[clive]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-M...2%26rkt%3D4%26

[zeppelin101]

Is it just me who is still extremely nervous about sub 6k E46 M3s? Bottom of the pile. That car doesn't stack up either, why would you advertise an '03 with less than 70k miles on for that money?

In my view, E36s are better drivers cars, E46s are better at everything else. Loved mine but if you want to get on with the business of driving quickly and having fun an E36 does that better (imo of course).

My money would probably be heading towards an S2000 for 5k if not an E36. I'm sure Boxster's are great but the early ones in for that sort of money look so shit.

[Mark]

Mk2 Focus ST
944, a 968 would be nice but a bit out of budget.
V6 Alfa GTV

[piman2k]

I don't think I'd ever quantify an RX8 as a performance car to be honest. Or a 350Z. Certainly neither in standard trim.

You say the E36 M3 looks dated which is a shame, you'd get a nice M3 EVO for that. On the topic of Evo, what about an Evo 4?

Of course, if you're in Italy, Fiat Coupe's are a good bet as well if you can budget for the inevitable engine out cam belt.

[Jonny Wilkinson]

Something italian...

Alfa Brera Q4
Alfa 159 Q4 if you can bear a black car with a tan interior
Fiat Coupe
Fiat Barchetta

[Conrad]

My suggestion...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/1626710

Would come in a bit over budget but also fairly depreciation proof (as a trade-off.)

[Scottie]

If you get an rx8 make sure it's a PZ, best all round performance car I have ever had.

Not sure why anyone wouldn't class it as a performance car, the way a car performs is more than straight line speed and if you saw what mine passed at the Ring or Donnington etc you might be suprised and I'm by no means that good a driver.

It is a car for people who particularly value handling over willy waving bhp though.

[Jem]

If you get an rx8 make sure it's a PZ, best all round performance car I have ever had.

Not sure why anyone wouldn't class it as a performance car, the way a car performs is more than straight line speed and if you saw what mine passed at the Ring or Donnington etc you might be suprised and I'm by no means that good a driver.

It is a car for people who particularly value handling over willy waving bhp though.

This If the fuel consumption is not a problem an RX8 would be my choice.

[Ed]

Porsche Boxster s, looks slightly over budget but with haggling you might get one within budget.

Theres nothing close to budget I'd want to buy, and to start stretching up to the £8k+ mark I'd rather buy a 996 911 carrera

Audi b5 s4?

Don't know much about Audi's, what does the B5 mean? Is that a chassis code like S13 etc?

350z might fall into the prace bracket, or be close.

They do indeed, and a few coupe's available, plus a few ropey looking cabrio's. Will look into this

£5k will get you a very tidy RX-8.

Or, S2000, BMW Z4, 350Z?

Have to say, RX8 is winning, but the Z4 and 350Z are close contenders. Reckon I'd get a nicer example of an RX8 for that money than the other 2.

cheap E39 M5? DC5? DC2? Evo 5?

Nope, none of those.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-M...2%26rkt%3D4%26

Cant afford to buy a good E46 M3, cant afford to run a bad one. Plus even that is over budget.

Is it just me who is still extremely nervous about sub 6k E46 M3s?

My money would probably be heading towards an S2000 for 5k if not an E36.

Nope, as above I feel the same about cheap M3's But I also hate Honda's

Mk2 Focus ST
944, a 968 would be nice but a bit out of budget.
V6 Alfa GTV

Before Xmas a 156 GTA sportwagon was £5k, nw they're £7k!
My brother has a 944, and I don't want a Ford thanks

Something italian...

NOTHING Italian

My suggestion...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...--2003/1626710

Would come in a bit over budget but also fairly depreciation proof (as a trade-off.)

No Fords, thanks. Plus that would only hold off depreciation if I left it in a garage and looked after it like a RS bummer would want.

If you get an rx8 make sure it's a PZ, best all round performance car I have ever had.

Not sure why anyone wouldn't class it as a performance car, the way a car performs is more than straight line speed and if you saw what mine passed at the Ring or Donnington etc you might be suprised and I'm by no means that good a driver.

It is a car for people who particularly value handling over willy waving bhp though.

This If the fuel consumption is not a problem an RX8 would be my choice.

MPG is an issue, as petrol is 177 a litre here But I still think an RX8 is top of the list. Its almost an RX7, but with back seats and 4 doors so selling it to my wife will be much less hassle

[Jem]

Buy a tidy RX-8 with a dead engine and drop a more frugal engine into it

Oh you said standard

[Si]

I'm pretty sure you'd hate an rx8 dude, it'll frustrate you. Id say s2k but I know how much you despise Haaaaaandahs.

I think 350 is your best bet

[Ed]

I'd fall asleep listening to an S2000 engine. They do nothing for me.

I really like RX8's, but I've never driven one (or any of the above suggestions) so need to do some research over here first, before committing to flying back. Or do I just run the risk and buy an FD

[Ed]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1991-BMW-M...item337eb955be

[karlf]

Mg zt 260?