I am considering changing my car and want something interesting. I am going to struggle to find anything like my FTO so am looking for a high spec normal car. Seen a few 2.5l 24v V6 Cougars on Autotrader and they seem quite cheap and well looked after. Anyone ever had one?

Otherwise what can I buy to replace my FTO??? I am completely stuck! I don't want an Impretza or an Evo or a Supra, I want something as fun tho! Thought about a Saab, they seem quite good as long as I get the Fast one! anyone got a 9 3 or any experience of them? The ones I could afford would be quite hight milage.

I think I might be doomed.

Any ideas??

My dads had a Cougar for about 5 years now and he loves it. Its never had any problems and still looks like new despite him treating it more like a van, lugging petrol lawnmowers and building equipment around in it.

I've had a 2.5 V6 Cougar for just over a year now.

I bought it with 100k on the clock (admitedly high) and it's now 132k.

I've had bad luck with tyres, but that's not down to the car, I just keep finding nails.

I've had to have the gearbox refurbed, that was £600, syncro failed in 3rd.
I've had the clutch slave cylinder fail (doesn't have a clutch cable like all sensible cars), that cost £400...

Errmm, and it needed a new battery, but that was the original battery and was 5 years old.

Insurance is reasonable, it's the lowest grouped coupe i believe. They aren't too common, value is now quite reasonable for a 4 or 5 year old. Economy ain't great. I get 32 on motorways and 28 on town, that's driving sensibly. It drops to about 20 if you pretend to be Colin McRae.
Engine it's self has given me no trouble, had it serviced on it's intervals and nothings come up, doesn't use oil or water.

Someone ran into me in the bNq car park the other day, but they've admitted liability so a new bumper and a new wing sould sort it out.

I've now started looking at Merc SLK's as the next upgrade.

Hope that helps.

How does it drive? Is it quite nippy or does the weight hold it back? Out of interest do you know the horse power? Trying to find anything to replace my FTO is going to be hard and don't think I can afford a Merc!

Did you test drive anything esle of a similar ilk?

Also does anyone know what those Fiat Coupe's are like?

Or any recommendations? I don't think insurance is going to be a problem as the FTO is group 18 so most things are going to be lower.


Taaaa

:)

I love the look of the FTO's. What are they like to drive and own? Is there any room in the back and what about the front as I am not the shortest of people by any means? - The number of cars I can fit in is very restricted!!

the 2.5 is 160bhp, o - 60 in 8.2 i believe, which makes it a second slower than the fto (although that's the 200bhp gtx version).

can't find the specs for any of the other versions. But the 2.0v6 actually develops 20bhp more than the 2.5 cougar, the 1.8 develops less. So depending on what type of fto you've had it may be faster or slower. Certainly feels quick though.

Coupe wise I like the look of the Nissan 350Z, but still very pricey.
I decided not to go with the fiat, prices seem to have dropped out of them, and the insurance is excessivly high.

The back seats on the FTO are actually quite usable as long as the person in the front is not to tall. The front has lots of room so if people are in the back then pulling the front seat forward it's a fair compromise. Tall people in the back are more likely to hit their heads on the back window tho. It's a wonderful car to drive, the Mivec version especially, 200bph. Once it gets to 5400 revs the Mivec trickery kicks in and you feel it pull all the way to 8000 when it changes gear, the noise it makes is great :D The ride is hard but it hugs the road and you get no roll. I can highly recommend one, you won't have a problem being tall driving one.

The 350z is great but some what out of my price range which is why I was wondering what the Fiat was like as second hand they are more affordable... I know once I get my FTO back I won't want to sell it, I need to test drive a fiat and a Cougar I think, don't think I can afford a 350z somehow :(
:D

I've been in a 2 litre turbo Fiat Coupe and it moved like nothing else i've been in. I was very suprised how quick it was.

Coupe wise I've ordered a new megane coupe cab, it's due at the end of May, it's not that quick (more of a cruiser) but i like the look of it with the roof down.

Thanks for the info. I really must try one out. There do seem to be a lot of FTOs around. Totally impractical but hey, we only live once.

I hear that the Volvo Coupes are really quick as well and perhaps a little more recent / practical.

Well I should get my FTO back on Monday so see how long my plans to sell it last! If anyone else has ideas for a fun car then let me know..

You thought about an Audi?

Yea, Audi's an option, most of the ones I can afford seem to have 150000 miles on the clock and I am trying to avoid that. My old Vectra had high miles and I had to almost give it away! Yea it was a vectra but it was S reg and immaculate and ran perfect so selling it for £1250 was a bit of a bummer, I don't want to end up doing it again!

Lots of A6 Audi's like:-

1999 V Reg AUDI A6 2.4 SE Auto Tiptronic
Finished In Stunning Unmarked Dark Green Metallic With Full Heated Beige Leather Interior, Cruise & Traction Control, Wood Finish, 16" Upgrade Audi Alloys, 6 CD Changer, Auto Climate Control, Electric Seats & Full SE Spec, Full Service History (13 Stamps) & Mot November 2005, Absolutely Stunning, Cost New £30k, For Further Details Contact 07968 071719, 130k M/Way Miles Hence Please No Offers For This Luxurious Stunner At £4,495.

Might be like driving a submarine after my FTO tho..

:D

Have you looked at the Peugeot 406 Coupe? I had the 3 litre V6 version for 3 years and it was fun plus it did long haul jouneys to places like France, Italy and Spain without missing a beat.

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Well I should get my FTO back on Monday so see how long my plans to sell it last! If anyone else has ideas for a fun car then let me know..

thats if I take you :hihi: :hihi: :P

Shall check autotrader for the peugot Coupe.

Always the Astra Turbo but I have been told that it's a girls car..

:confused:
:D

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Shall check autotrader for the peugot Coupe.

Always the Astra Turbo but I have been told that it's a girls car..

:confused:
:D

LOL