Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tweZTExmYq4&feature=share&list=UUsDY94LM4n9fwNQRiZCY5yw
&v=tweZTExmYq4

Had a look to see if the Cadillac CTS-V or Vaux VXR8 had suffered the required depreciation, but found none for sale at all disappointingly.

An Evo 9 estate would break the modified rule, but they're pretty nifty.

RS4 Avant, who cares about wankers. All people are anyway. Although, they're not very spacious for an estate.
If 400bhp wasn't an essential requirement, what about the next size up and model down - some kind of A6 avant?

BMW estate, also tasty.

left of field, is it possible to import something (HSV R8 clubsport tourer)

Just a FYI, a mate of mine has had a couple of RS4's on the rollers and neither of them got near the claimed 414bhp. Sound good though.

RS4 Avant, who cares about wankers. All people are anyway. Although, they're not very spacious for an estate.
If 400bhp wasn't an essential requirement, what about the next size up and model down - some kind of A6 avant?

Well, indeed - there are two sorts of men, self-confessed wankers and liars. Looking at the specs the B7 Avant is slightly bigger than the Impreza WRX Sportwagon I've got now - that's big enough for two bikes, so I'm assuming the RS4 will be too.

400bhp is an arbitrary figure, but the new car has to combine the speed of the Piglet (Cayman S) with the load-lugging capacity of the Scooby (the Impreza), as it's replacing both of them.

HSV V8 is interesting, but I suspect it would suffer from the same problems as a modified car - it'd be a bitch to insure and service.

I did look at RS6s (the twin-turbo V10 version) but I'm not convinced I need the extra space. And while I've got used to 23mpg on SUL (same for the Piglet and the Scooby), the fuel consumption on the RS6 is just a bit too excessive, even for me.

Just a FYI, a mate of mine has had a couple of RS4's on the rollers and neither of them got near the claimed 414bhp. Sound good though.

Interesting. How not near? 350bhp+ should be enough. Just.

If you need the load area, I'd check that out first.

Don't think the monaro has come down price wise enough yet,as I don't think lots were sold.

IS there a the ford p150 lightening double cab?

Diesel octavia and a weekend car of your fancy

Well, the other unspecified requirement is that it has to fit on one parking space, because that's all I'll have available when the Moggie is finished. Anyway, I've got the Striker or the Fury for weekend jollies. No roofs, windscreens or doors, but plenty of fun.

Dodge Magnum SRT - actually pretty handsome....

Estate...

Imprezza and caymen to diesel octavia....even if it is the VRS it's going to be a come down.

I've got a 3 litre A6 All Road. Even though it's been chipped it fails your hp requirement and it is an Audi but I've had from new and I think if you include the ability to tow race cars on trailers up to 2500kg it is the only option without going to a Range Rover / Disco or SUV all of which have far more disadvantages.

It is not a sports car but it is a fabulous all round day to day tool.

It is a pity Vauxhall didn't import the estate version of the VXR8 - I have no idea on insurance etc. but parts wise, since they had the sedans here I imagine servicing could be handled easily enough. They are very thirsty for fuel and tyres.

Going to the vauxhall site I did see this. A bit rep-mobile but 4x4 and reasonably fast. Probably more frugal too..

I've driven a normal version and was really surprised at the quality and driving feel of the car.

Or, something BMW Alpina, B5 touring? They have factory warrantty and backup no?

300C SRT Touring? - this isn't the SRT but is 5.7L hemi with ~350hp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201407205953454/sort/default/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/advert-type/Classified/postcode/bs34ul/engine-size-cars/5lplus/make/chrysler/model/300c/usedcars/body-type/estate/radius/1500?logcode=p

But seriously - M5 or Alpina seems the best bet to me.

Half of me wishes I'd bought a second hand RS4 instead of my nearly new Scirocco.... But I'm enjoying having a smaller car at the moment.
I may go back to estates when I trade it in at 40k miles.

I commute 300miles a week though, so the fuel on the RS4 would be a killer!

Mpg pulling trailer must be interesting?

If I use cruise control on the motorway / good A roads at 70mph I can get about 37 mpg. I have done a long stretch in France at well over the speed limit with race trailer and car and got it down to 28mpg. On the plus side it is an amazingly stable trailer tug! Was still worth it - the car on the trailer was a single seater and at best did about 10mpg

SPAM:

I'm selling my roof bars and roof bike carriers as i've got a towbar on the new car.

Will do 10% off for forum people + will deliver by car to anyone within 20 miles of SE13.

Roof Bars
Cycle Carriers

are the cycle carriers any good?
I also have a towbar, so I shall resist and buy something proper when the time comes.

are the cycle carriers any good?

The answer is yes. They do the job very well. Once set up, which only involves setting the distance between the two attachments to match your roof bars, they take about 30 seconds to add to the bars.

The only reason i've got rid of them is that it's more convenient for me to have a rear carrier as the missus doesn't have the strength to get her bike up and onto the roof without me being there.

Mpg pulling trailer must be interesting?

Towing my race car up to Oulton Park in, ahem, a hurry I averaged 12mpg in the Scooby.

Is an estate - bit like the 300c touring. Great engines.