Upgrade / Change on the cards

[RussMan]

Hi All,

I find myself itching to change the fto at the moment!!!
Don't know whether i should of shouldn't but either way the itch is there.

Anyway i'm after peoples suggestions?
I'm looking for something outlandish, plenty of power and good sleek looks like the fto .... Not into the whole hatchback / 4WD lancer look at all.

Budget would be 20K+- , bare in mind that i do have a baby so would need back seats.... Damn NSX and 350Z have none which i wanted originaly... Not a big fan of the Supra because of the gicky interior but a nice model might suit.....

Any Suggestions ?

Taaa

[CJ]

Looks + performance + practicality are going to be difficult to achieve in the one package so you'll have to make some sacrifices.
Few ideas - Galant VR4, Legacy B4 RSK, Audi S4 - saloons with attitude.

CJ

[RussMan]

Thinking along the lines of an Rx-7 3rd gen --- maybe 1997+++ looking on the web i see one on carzone due in mid october.
How have you found yours CJ?

I went to buy an Rx7 early last year but had insurance difficulties at the time which are a thing of the past.... it had a gorgeous leather interior ... black leather everywhere and lovely stiching etc.... the cockpit is the best i've ever been in besides the F430 of course

[CJ]

How have you found yours CJ?

Excellent apart from the fact that its expensive to run (12-15mpg), not ideal as a daily driver in traffic (heavy clutch + have to keep the revs up on the rotary), needs to be redlined each time its driven, oil + filter change every 3k miles and theres about 50% less room in the rear in comparison to the FTO. Apart from that, its all good! I'm not trying to put you off but you really need to do your research before you consider 3rd gen RX7s - they're a very rewarding car to drive fast but are not really suited to regular city driving. You haven't a hope in hell of getting a baby seat in the rear (deep buckets) and you'll struggle to get in the front if you're tall. I'll bring the Rex along when we meet up re tshirts and you can make up your own mind.

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

RX8 (238bhp version) would be a good compromise.
The RX7 would probably be more expensive to run and the rear is even tighter than the FTO.

Otherwise there are some really nice DC5 Integras around for 20-25K.

Big problem with the above is that neither the RX8 or DC5 would be significantly quicker than your own machine and you'd be paying much bigger bucks for them.

[dave100]

Nissan Skyline
BMW M3/M5
Maserati 3200
Nissan S15
Mazda RX8
Jaguar XK8

Nice dilemma mate

[Muad_dib77]

Uuuhmm big engine skyline....


Was doing 180kmph the other day on the way back from work..

was of course on my private strip..

when a bloke (he must have crashed the fence or gotten track access through other ilegal means) in a skyline flew past..I swear to god he must have been doing atleast 250....I might as well have been parked!

(Red yoke with back generic spoiler, didn't get a chance to look at license plate...was too stunned!)

[RussMan]

Ha Ha Dave... Back to the Mas 3200 GT... i was thinking of one of them quite a bit!!!

Does anyone know what they are like on a reliability front?
They certainly look spacey enough throughout and comfortable etc.... would really consider one of them... Black n shiny

[Mustang]

Alfa 156/147 GTA,
Mondeo ST220 not pretty but stealthy!
Altezza RS200 not big power, but nice enough looking.
Honda accord type R (aka euro R)
Alfa GTV V6

or for the ultimate family man stealth car
Toyota caldina (aka avensis estate) 2L turbo 260PS

[Muad_dib77]

You do know that it's possible to fit a baby seat in the FTO right?

[adrian]

Maserati 3200

Would you get one of these for 20K + ?? They start at 17,000 sterling meaning probably 40K OTR here

Also, I thought the Nissan 350Z (coupe) has back seats....it's on my shopping list if I change my S2000 when baby number one arrives at xmas!

[kevinod]

How about a baby recaro seat

http://www.netkidswear.com/recarosport.html

[RussMan]

MAybe your right Adrian, Probably around 35k with VRT.... a load of car for the money all the same!!
Congratualtions in advance btw

The 350Z has no back seats.... somebody please prove me wrong, but its not going to happen

[RussMan]

Kevin i'm buying one of those bad boys just once the little guy can fit into it

[adrian]

The 350Z has no back seats.... somebody please prove me wrong, but its not going to happen

Just checked it out, you're right...sorry. Would you think of an RX-8 maybe??

Congratualtions in advance btw

Thanks Russ man, can't wait!

[pergau]

There was a Z3M in the estate here for a while. Lovely looking thing and a bit different.

Made me think.

But you can't beat the FTO

[soc]

Why not look at an E36 M3.... savage car for the money - there's some good ones on carzone now...

This 1999 looks nice..

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cf ... rID=479322

[RussMan]

Yeh great car, my friend has a 95 one which has been modded to about 320 bhp, don't like the look though, would consider an E46 when the price is right... was on www.bonsaicars.co.uk looking at the auctions and there is a nice 1991 NSX for sale for around 20k.... would consider one of these bad boys... but sure change my mind every week anyway

Soc hows the golf selling going?? any bites? i was showing it to one of my friends who may be interested so i'll pop by when i know more

[CJ]

there is a nice 1991 NSX for sale for around 20k....

Its my medium term plan to own an NSX at some stage - need a gaff with a garage first!

CJ

[RussMan]

Such a savage looking car... www.nsxprime is another fav. website for me.... check out the forum's - picture section and looking for project widebody....

fook it here it is
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60872


Great post...

[soc]

Yeh great car, my friend has a 95 one which has been modded to about 320 bhp, don't like the look though, would consider an E46 when the price is right... was on www.bonsaicars.co.uk looking at the auctions and there is a nice 1991 NSX for sale for around 20k.... would consider one of these bad boys... but sure change my mind every week anyway

Soc hows the golf selling going?? any bites? i was showing it to one of my friends who may be interested so i'll pop by when i know more

One call (actually email) this week but I'm about to start negotiations on a p/ex against a '01 S3 so fingers crossed this works out but let me know if your mate's interested - I've dropped the price to 11,250

[soc]

Yeh great car, my friend has a 95 one which has been modded to about 320 bhp, don't like the look though, would consider an E46 when the price is right... was on www.bonsaicars.co.uk looking at the auctions and there is a nice 1991 NSX for sale for around 20k.... would consider one of these bad boys... but sure change my mind every week anyway

Soc hows the golf selling going?? any bites? i was showing it to one of my friends who may be interested so i'll pop by when i know more

One call (actually email) this week but I'm about to start negotiations on a p/ex against a '01 S3 so fingers crossed this works out but let me know if your mate's interested - I've dropped the price to 11,250

So just out of curiosity - how much would you be looking to get for your FTO?

[RussMan]

Hmm , think i've found what i want... now to buy it

Anyone know much about these cars... i.e Service Centres... possibilities of getting non OEM parts ... REliability if driven each day (but looked after) .. known issues etc etc

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=465494

or

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=521607

[Mustang]

Hmm , think i've found what i want... now to buy it

Anyone know much about these cars... i.e Service Centres... possibilities of getting non OEM parts ... REliability if driven each day (but looked after) .. known issues etc etc

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=465494

or

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=521607

Drool!
Nice cars, as regards servicing I'd say you'd be looking at having to head up North to Charles Hurst. Would be worth looking at that car on Irish plates if only to take a look at the service invoices (probably looking at 4-digit figures for large services). Any idea what the VRT would be on the English car?

[RussMan]

Not sure on the VRT at all.... Neeed to find out.. Charles Hurst seems to be your only man for the servicing which i'm suprised considering the amount of Masy's i see out in Dalkey all the time. maybe someone else will know where they can be serviced.
I'm halfway between the 3200 and a cerbera but sure well just have to see what materialises!!