Cool car for Europe?

[E36M3]

I'm spending more and more time in Europe, and I am going to buy a car for when I am here. Keeping in mind the small, windy roads, congestion and high cost of fuel as well as crappy parking, I've been thinking of one of the following (new or used) and would like some more suggestions in the same vein:

Golf TDI/GTI
Mini Cooper S
Audi S3
BMW 325i 2/4dr
Audi A4
BMW M3 (E36 EVO or E46/E46 CSL)
Audi S3/S4
Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige

I'd ideally like something that isn't available in North America that would be interesting.

Ideas?

[CuE]

get the honda vitesse :) http://hop.to/vitesse

[CuE]

really cool car but out of those batch.... i would chooose any of the lotus's :)

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by E36M3



Mini Cooper S
*BMW M3 (E36 EVO or E46/E46 CSL)
Lotus Elise
Lotus Exige


Understanding the European driving situation, these would be my top picks! The 150hp, 6spd Gold 4 TDi is a cool machine but doesn't have the chassis/handling of the others on the list. Although the BMWs are avail. in NA I left them on the list since they are such great cars :D Get a Lotus and head straight to the 'Ring!

Rob

[dkny_stylez]

elise for sure

[xrayvsn]

Lotus Elise,
or its close cousin, the much cheaper Vauxhall VX220

[E36M3]

Yeah.. the reason M3s are so tempting here is because they are significantly better than North America spec, and you can get the EVO/CSL models (E36/E46 respectively) which is huge. the CSL is unbelievable.


Originally posted by E36S50B32


Understanding the European driving situation, these would be my top picks! The 150hp, 6spd Gold 4 TDi is a cool machine but doesn't have the chassis/handling of the others on the list. Although the BMWs are avail. in NA I left them on the list since they are such great cars :D Get a Lotus and head straight to the 'Ring!

Rob

[hyperwhite]

get the lotus!

[C4S]

Lotus Exige !:D

[rice_eater]

look at opel, peugeot, citroem and other european brands. and remember that even though some cars have the same name, the trims available are a LOT different than here ie. ford focus

[BigMass]

another vote for the Vauxhall VX220
http://car4989.co.kr/catalog/icar/vauxhall/VX220-1.jpg

[E36M3]

That is a sick looking car.. I'm going to have to check one out tomorrow.


Originally posted by BigMass
another vote for the Vauxhall VX220
http://car4989.co.kr/catalog/icar/vauxhall/VX220-1.jpg

[Weapon_R]

If you don't spend enough time there to justify having something as nice as an M3 or Vauxhall, just settle for a TDI. I would definately go for that, especially in Europe where high gas prices and small twisty roads are the norm.

[E36M3]

I'm going to be here most of the time for the next few years, so I would like to get something really fun. At the same time, I am struggling with the decision because cars are a lot more expensive (about double) and gas is ridiculous (about double too).


Originally posted by Weapon_R
If you don't spend enough time there to justify having something as nice as an M3 or Vauxhall, just settle for a TDI. I would definately go for that, especially in Europe where high gas prices and small twisty roads are the norm.

[DonJuan]

Focus Cosworth (or whatever the fast one is called) should be on your list too otherwise you cant really go wrong with the Cooper S

[fast95pony]

I don't think the Focus RS is available any more , but there's rumours of a 180 hp turbo, a 200 hp+ Cosworth and a hot AWD version coming out in Europe only :banghead:


The Lotus' would be nice . What about the R32 Golf ??

[CLiVE]

MINI Cooper S, or Lotus Elise

I'm kind of biased on the mini though...

[Roaring G60]

My pick would be the Renualt sport Clio V6

[A2VR6]

I would say the S3 as they are pretty small and have nice power. How about a RS4?

[CKY]

the still to come M2?

[962 kid]

elise! :thumbsup:

[BigMass]

Elise is more expensive than the Vauxhall and you're just paying for the Lotus name.

[Skylinelover]

Skyline r33 or r34

[Big_C_racing]

If gas and tight roads is what your driving on, the cooper would be my first choice. My uncle owns an original cooper and he loves it in traffic. Otherwise I would DEFINITLY go for the lotus elise. Damn those things are nice.

[Raz]

Get yourself the Golf TDI, or if you dont buy a new car get a 1990 Lotus Omega or just a Opel Omega 3000 (they are very dependable fun, FAST, cars)

But any Diesel will do, the Fiat JTD has 30.000 km service intervals for example:)

- Rasmus

[Moe Man]

peeeeeeejo 206 best car you can get

[Kor]

What about Alfa Romeo?

[africano]

Originally posted by Kor
What about Alfa Romeo?

Yeah, the 147 GTA. 250hp ain't bad

[africano]

to the wheels!:D

[hjr]

i would definetely think about the 150hp TDI golf. Fuel is very expensive there which you know. The new golf isnt available in NA yet as well so you are getting the unique vibe.

[Kor]

Originally posted by africano


Yeah, the 147 GTA. 250hp ain't bad

Plus it looks so... european.

[NotbadSTi]

I think you can get a 330HP lancer as well ..

but I vote for the GTA ! :thumbsup:

[Ferio_vti]

If you want an Elise, you'd better get your name on the waiting list. I know a friend that already put a deposit down for one.

[E36M3]

In Europe they are not special anymore.. you can get one off the showroom floor without a problem, and there are a ton of used ones available.


Originally posted by Ferio_vti
If you want an Elise, you'd better get your name on the waiting list. I know a friend that already put a deposit down for one.

[GorG]

Lotus Exige!!! , light weight quick acceleration, and high topspeed, and best of all handling is amazing

[el_fefes]

So what did you get?

[three.eighteen.]

get an m3...get lightly rearended (so as not to injure yourself) then sell me the drivetrain

[/////AMG]

VX220 or Elise, they are almost the same.

[Impreza]

M3 CSL!!!

[E36M3]

I picked up a 2000 Audi S4 with 20k miles on it on Friday.. fun little car.


Originally posted by el_fefes
So what did you get?

[dkny_stylez]

Originally posted by E36M3
I picked up a 2000 Audi S4 with 20k miles on it on Friday.. fun little car.



good choice!:thumbsup:

[3g4me]

How about an alfa gtv?
http://www.alfaromeo.com/ALFAROMEO_COM/uploads/PB_MODEL_EDITORIAL/1073820459/20030722/MO_L_02_000_1.jpg
http://www.alfaromeo.com/ALFAROMEO_COM/uploads/PB_MODEL_EDITORIAL/1073820459/20030722/MO_L_02_001_1.jpg

[3g4me]

Oops u got a car allready.:rolleyes: Nice choice in the car though.:thumbsup:

[E36M3]

Thanks for all the help guys.. the S4 is great so far, quick, comfortable and very decent handling.

It is a really easy car to drive fast, and has great brakes.. I haven't been able to come close to reaching the limits of the car, but the sound of the turbos is quite addicting.

I guess the Euro version of the S4 is slightly more powerful and has a bunch more stuff, so I am just figuring all of that out.. 265hp is not a bad start though.

[C4S]

GOod job !

they are pretty good value over there, right?
a 2000 S4 .. probaby around 12,000 - 14,000 pounds over there ?
Anyway, used car over there cost way less then stupid Canada ! :dunno: ( or say western Canada ! )

:thumbsup:

[E36M3]

Well it has 20,000 miles and is still under warranty and is literally mint, so it cost 18,000 pounds, which is probably a bit more than you would pay in the States (and about average for a used S4 here with more like 40-60k on it). I'm not sure what it would be worth in Canada, but it isn't exactly the same car as it has quite a bit more stuff and more power.


Originally posted by C4S
GOod job !

they are pretty good value over there, right?
a 2000 S4 .. probaby around 12,000 - 14,000 pounds over there ?
Anyway, used car over there cost way less then stupid Canada ! :dunno: ( or say western Canada ! )

:thumbsup:

[aZnBlooD]

i would get the elise...but a golf r32 ruold be very nice too. not sure if you can get one yet though.

[E36M3]

I've seen a bunch of the R32s around, but the Golf was a little small for me.. if I was going to go for the R32, I would get the S3 instead as it is higher spec.

As for the Elise, I might get one as a second car (maybe an Exige actually) but the primary car had to be large enough to carry more than one passenger and be a grocery getter.


Originally posted by aZnBlooD
i would get the elise...but a golf r32 ruold be very nice too. not sure if you can get one yet though.