Scottish Elises

One of those threads again, I'm afraid!

Despite living dahn sarf, I keep a car in Scotland for use whenever I'm up here...Usually cover 3-4000 miles per year.

I ran a Panda 100HP for a couple of years, selling up 3 months ago, to attempt an experiment in bangernomics.

It's worked out pretty well so far - My little 1999 Rover 218i (S1 Elise engined / gearboxed!) does all I need. But having borrowed my sister's Mk5 R32 for an afternoon, I've come to realise I miss something with a bit of go / all the toys.

So I'm contemplating something new; can't be Lotus shaped (eyeing an Evora / Exige in a couple of years), and can't cost more than £4.5k.

So far, I've narrowed it down to:

B5 Audi S4 - Bloke at work is selling a 1999 saloon. Coilovers / B6 wheels, and lots of RS4 bits and bobs. Re-mapped to 310bhp. But - 140k on the clock (and on the original turbos).



E46 330D Touring - There's a nice silver 2003 car down south, with around 100k on the clock. Sport trim, leather and tiptronic.

Finally, I've had dialogue with a chap regarding his RX8 - Early car, but low mileage - 231 model, so has everything bar the sunroof & sat nav.

I'm leaning towards the RX8 - The thirst isn't an issue with the mileage I do, and being an early car, the tax isn't £400 P.A. like the later cars.

Opinions on the above, and any further suggestions welcome!

Oil consumption in the RX8 is high although they do suppply 1lt of oil in the tool kit when new for that reason don't know anything about the others

I had a rx8 for a year and never really noticed the oil thing, probably used maybe 10% more than any other car I've had.

It was bought as a runabout but was probably the best pound for pound car I've owned mixing smiles with practicality. The only downside is the fuel consumption

But that's a good thing as it's stopping it fall into the world of Chav

Go for it

Like your thinking Good place for advice - http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/

RX8 is a fabulous car, oil use is minimal tbh and the handling is spot on, they are so good I bought two in a row

Great on track too if you fancy the odd trackday. However, they can go wrong and can be expensive to fix so I'd get one checked out by someone who knows the RX8 before a purchase.

I love them.

If we're posting pics

Oh Ross, not again

Audi could be a timebomb.

RX-8 just doesn't do it for me anymore.

I'd have the Beemer. But then I'm a family man!! Interestingly, Robin bigged up just this type of example recently IIRC. Close relation of Katie's current shopper, I think?

Have fun choosing.

Campbell

PS - Lisa still wants an Ice Blue S2. You have a lot to answer for

I'd go for the Audi, but I'm clearly a dick in these matters and not to be trusted...

Shug wrote:I'd go for the Audi, but I'm clearly a dick in these matters and not to be trusted...

LOL!

The Audi would normally be my first choice but I just shudder at "140k miles and on the original turbos" !

For me it would be the S4, despite the concerns for the turbo's it's just your luck although it is remapped aswell, if they did let go though you're looking at a repair bill of £1.7k

or how about an M3 EVO SMG http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1814387.htm

campbell wrote:Oh Ross, not again

Oi!! It's been a while, and haven't I been replaced by others as 'Mr Indecision When It Comes To Cars'?

The S4 is mint despite the mileage - Proper £1600 coilovers / OEM B6 wheels / RS2 drops links / RS4 roll bars and brace. Has leather / nav etc. But accepted fact is that the turbos can go at any point after 100k - Depending on how the car's been treated. £1200 plus VAT for new ones, plus labour = 50% of the cost of the car.

Academic, as the seller has now decided to keep it ("dunno what I'd replace it with").

The Beemer is indeed the sensible choice - I've had a drive of Katie's 330D, and found it most impressive. Like the shape of the Touring better than the saloon, and still have notions of a camping / road trip to Euroland, for which it would be the ideal tool...

That said, the cheapness of the RX8 never ceases to amaze me - You're getting a proper RWD sports car, that seats 4 / has a decent boot, not to mention a turbine smooth 231bhp engine / 6 speed box. Throw in electric / heated leather, xenons, a/c, Bose stereo etc, and it's a real bargain if you can cope with the petrol bills.

Having a brother-in-law who's a mechanic helps too, if the rotary engine blows up...He's keen to rip one apart, to see how it all works!

campbell wrote: PS - Lisa still wants an Ice Blue S2. You have a lot to answer for

I want another one - Great car, that...Imagine it's looking pretty doggy & knackered now, though...

CSK_423 wrote:For me it would be the S4, despite the concerns for the turbo's it's just your luck although it is remapped aswell, if they did let go though you're looking at a repair bill of £1.7k

It's very tempting to look for another - If the turbos go, you're as well sticking RS6 K04's on as a replacement. Not much more than K03's, and the gateway to big BHP, if you fancy later on...

I was primarily interested in that car, as the bloke's had it for years, and spent a fortune on it - Was very tempted, but too late now.

The E36 M3 is probably a little too long in the tooth these days - Great cars, but if I was buying a pre-2000 car, I'd opt for an S4...There's actually a nice 2001 S4 Avant for sale in Aberdeen within my price range...Hmmmm....

Fluoxetine wrote:

campbell wrote:Oh Ross, not again

Oi!! It's been a while, and haven't I been replaced by others as 'Mr Indecision When It Comes To Cars'?

I'm not sure

How about you rent Egor for a reasonable annual fee?

Cheers,
Robin

campbell wrote: I'm not sure

Thing is, I know what I want - But during my current period of austerity, I can't afford to spend the money to buy it!

robin wrote:How about you rent Egor for a reasonable annual fee?

Cheers,
Robin

I was kind of hoping you'd still have Egor in a couple of years, so I can buy it from you!

Fluoxetine wrote:

robin wrote:How about you rent Egor for a reasonable annual fee?

Cheers,
Robin

I was kind of hoping you'd still have Egor in a couple of years, so I can buy it from you!

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