Hi all,
I need to buy a new car and cannot find anything 'sensible' and fun. Sensible it has to be otherwise my partner will never let me buy it. I have had a look at everything Nissan has but there does not seem to be anything fun within reasonable budget (yeah gtrs are fun, so are houses though).

So far have had a look at Wrxs, Xr5ts, GTis, MPS'S.

The wrx was good but higher insurance, high fuel usage and a certain image attached to it.
The XR5 was great value but still looked like an EL inside,
Did not like the look of the MPS,
The Golf GTi was awesome, especially with the DSG, and looked great (more of a sleeper kind of guy). It felt a little sluggish on the test drive though compared to the others and only has 150 something kw I believe.

Have I missed anything? I had my heart set on an old N14 GTi-R however the boss says that whatever we buy must have esc, curtain airbags etc, so no S15s, R34s etc :( :(

Does anyone have any suggestions? Are Nissan/Toyota doing any better models overseas worth importing?

Cheers,
Jim

get and EVO 10! possibly best value for money. the Golf GTI still takes the cake for me, albeit a bit expensive. Personally i'd be stepping back to an '05 BMW M3 if i had the money, excellent build, power, driveability etc. There's plenty of choice around anyway

Evos once used to be famous for a very extensive warranty despite being such a powerful car, might still be that way. Only thing there is by trying to save on weight they might have limited airbags, but will definately have stability control and good brakes! Subies are getting more ugly but are rather luxurious. Definately get something Japanese.

the new subies are still too plastic inside, not that you really would buy a subaru for its interior design (aka boxer engine) mitsubishis have probably the best warranties these days with the diamond advantage thing that they have going yeah? sure they cost a lot, but there isn't many cars for that price that do all wheel drive burnouts until the tyres blow and yet can be driven as a daily!

2nd hand id be buying a 2007+ xt forester, whaching wrx suspension into it and also the obligatory exhaust and a flash tune- performance of wrx almost but not the stigma attached. also practicality of a wagon to satisfy the mrs for future duties.
otherwise 2005+ liberty turbo. nice once agian

Hell Yeah!

I just purchased a new turbo diesel Focus a week ago. I honestly never thought I would own a diesel car but I love it. Heaps of torque makes it surprisingly brisk, lovely steering feel and a great ride/handling compromise.

From the factory they have 100kw and 320NM but plug in chips are readily available that will take them up to 130kw and 400NM.

While it will never be as quick as a Golf GTi or WRX it may be worth a test drive.

Matty

s15 for the win

yea go the silvia keep it nissan !!

Thanks guys,
Great suggestions, we already have a forrester :), so that is out, the wrx is too plasticy and looks a bit odd so is out, the GTi is just a little too expensive with options, albeit a brilliant car, the M3 is a great idea, I have wanted an E46 M3 ever since they came out, however having two friends with them I would *never* want to get a major service done on one.

I have however figured out what to buy, reasons are:
For her
* "Honey it's a wagon! See, not a sports car, will be great for the kids!"
* "It has AWD too so will be extra safe in rough conditions!"
* "It's a family car"

For Me
* RB26 :) :)
* GTR driveline

It's... a Stagea. Not small, not esc + curtain airbags which has totally defeated the entire point of the thread I started, but a good choice for a second car?

Sound reasonable? And it's Nissan.