What about an Alfa? The monster depreciation will have leveled out for a 2006 car and play right into your hands.

Every car fan should own one at one point in their lives, it's a box that needs to be ticked. You could also go a bit wildcard and get a Volvo S60.

Definately on my wanted list for some point in my life as it would be wrong of me to call myself a petrolhead without it!

what about a VR-4 saloon?? You can get them for £4k for a minter 280bhp twin turbo goodness!!

Soemthing like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../vr4?logcode=p

Might have to search long and hard for one with fewer miles but what a car!!!!!

have you considered the mazda rx-8....cracking car for very little money these days........would it be big enough for you thought,i quess thats the question......

also the last vectra vxr's and signum 2.8 turbos can be a steal for the money these days

I have flirted with getting an RX8 for some time as they are excellent value for money. Only 2 things put me off:
1) Not really enough space - the wife and I go camping around Europe every year and we struggle to fit everything in the 6
2) The rotary engine - if the previous owner has looked after it correctly then they fine but they can be a nightmare if they haven't

Thems the bad boys!! Heres mine!!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...lie600/vr4.jpg

Currently under lock and key in my mates garage as pictured behind it.

Super VR-4 1 of 24 ever made in red with 400 bhp at the wheels, and plenty mods! Still just gets 20mpg if you drive like a tart, single figures if you get silly!! Will make most evo and scooby owners shrink into non existance!

have you looked at skoda octavia vrs? massive boot for all the camping gear.10mpg better on feul then st220 and quicker and i bet the build quality is up with the rest

I like the VRS - especially the new shape but out my price range :(

Steelie - that VR4 looks ace, I like the fact that the power in the brocure is stated as "280" bhp because Japan won't allow the marketing of anything more powerful, even though it blatantly has so much more!. What advice would you give to somebody looking for one?

service history!!

Car is pretty much bullet proof ALTHOUGH if you get the tip tronic, the gearbox oil need changing every 10,000 miles no particular hardship, but must use the right oil. if the torque converter is juddering its usually cos the wrong oil has been used. The gearboxes are pretty much indestructible. Only other things are centre diffs thru neglect by not changing the oil on service intervals (£100 for a good second hand one and 2 hrs to fit! Piss easy job) and the active rear diff again thru not servicing.

Basically service it properly and they live for ever OH and do 180 mph!! (well if you turn the boost up a touch they do)

Cheers for that advice - the Mitsubishi is definately one to look out for, particularly as exclusivity is pretty high on my list (not to mention doing 180mph!)

The Volvo S60 T5 is also a contender (thanks dad!), nearly fell of my chair when I saw this one on autotrader :lol::lol:(although I can afford it):
http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/im...?id=1638549020

Went for a spin in my mates Audi A6 2.7 twin turbo. He booted it up the dual carriageway and got it down to 5.4MPG :lol:

Thats good going, I only managed to get a Dodge Viper down to 6MPG (and that was on a track too:woot:)

I wouldnt touch the RX-8 Chris.
I think the Mondeo fits your bill perfectly although the Volvo also looks nice!
Mondeo 0-60 7.4 seconds
Volvo 0-60 6.9 seconds

The Volvo ticks all the boxes for performance according to parkers website, but the mondeo is rated better for being more practical and less costly.

but there both fords and both shit slow!! My vr-4 will get to 60 in about 4.5ish if I launch it right! And bear in mind the saloon VR-4's are lighter so theoretically faster!

Just to tease you some more this is the Saloon SUPER vr-4 (mine is the estate version), they only made 18 red ones and are rare as hens teeth!!

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/vbpgima...1&d=1302412829

and the view the chavs will get in the corsa's and 106's

http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/vbpgima...5&d=1302412862

Whats wrong with Fords? :p

EDIT: Just seen your pics afterwards.
The Vr-4 is nice, but will cost more to run and maintain etc.
Also depends if Chris wants a slightly newer car with a more modern feel.
For outright speed, yeah get the vr-4, for something a bit more modern and pokey rather than balls out speed, Mondeo or Volvo,

Tough robust motorway cruncher good for 200k miles

the Mitzis drive like a new car mate! I was amazed when I bought mine cos I was looking at an evo or a scooby but the vr-4 drives soooooooo nice. Dont have to drive like a twat, can use it as a big luxo barge because it drives like a tight 5 series/e class, but will destroy them all except the mcLaren mercedes (I tried and got made to look silly!!)