Performance dog transport...

[aaronjb]

Surrey's seem to be a bit better, but parts supply can be an issue... Does give me a degree of diagnostic support though

Maybe the problem in the GMP cars are the loose nuts behind the wheel?

[Viral_Jim]

Not a dissimilar brief to my father's latest car purchase, to replace the C5 rs6 which was a total bag of spanners!

In the end he went with a Saab 9-5 aero - 260bhp, all the toys and could carry 2 lab-sized dogs in comfort. This is 2 cylinders short of your minimum but also half your prospective budget. He also looked at a scooby legacy but loathed the interior. Volvo T5 is nice but the mileages seem to all be akin to a space shuttle.

Manuals also escape the robbing bast@rd £500 tax.

Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610218997913

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Not a dissimilar brief to my father's latest car purchase, to replace the C5 rs6 which was a total bag of spanners!

In the end he went with a Saab 9-5 aero - 260bhp, all the toys and could carry 2 lab-sized dogs in comfort. This is 2 cylinders short of your minimum but also half your prospective budget. He also looked at a scooby legacy but loathed the interior. Volvo T5 is nice but the mileages seem to all be akin to a space shuttle.

Manuals also escape the robbing bast@rd £500 tax.

Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610218997913

I do like Saab. I would go for the 2.8 V6 instead though.

Also, before people are allowed to own a Saab they have to prove they are.....

1. An architect.

2. Wear thin metal rim glasses.

3. Live in Stockholm.

I'm not sure Al fits the criteria.

 

[Doctor Gollum]

Not a dissimilar brief to my father's latest car purchase, to replace the C5 rs6 which was a total bag of spanners!

In the end he went with a Saab 9-5 aero - 260bhp, all the toys and could carry 2 lab-sized dogs in comfort. This is 2 cylinders short of your minimum but also half your prospective budget. He also looked at a scooby legacy but loathed the interior. Volvo T5 is nice but the mileages seem to all be akin to a space shuttle.

Manuals also escape the robbing bast@rd £500 tax.

Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610218997913

I do like Saab. I would go for the 2.8 V6 instead though.

Also, before people are allowed to own a Saab they have to prove they are.....

1. An architect.

2. Wear thin metal rim glasses.

3. Live in Stockholm.

I'm not sure Al fits the criteria.

Fear not it's also wwd

The Vectra VXR has a certain hooligan appeal, but gets ruled out as I would quite like to get to work without changing tyres every week

[Sir Tigger KC]

There are some very good deals about with Saab's and a 9-5 Estate was high on my list when I was looking for an estate a few months ago.  I like them because they're kinda different! 

[Viral_Jim]

Fear not it's also wwd

The Vectra VXR has a certain hooligan appeal, but gets ruled out as I would quite like to get to work without changing tyres every week

Very true. 9-3 turbo X are AWD if that interests you - probably too small though. I've always thought the 2.8v6 elite insignia would be a nice sleeper, remap it and you have a VXR insignia without the stupid bling!

There are some very good deals about with Saab's and a 9-5 Estate was high on my list when I was looking for an estate a few months ago.  I like them because they're kinda different! 

Ive had 2 9-5 saloons, very impressed with both. I reckon they're about 50% of the cost of a like for like 5-series, and at least as much car, IMHO.

[hoody]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

[Viral_Jim]

I'll see your daft v8 and raise you the Rover 75 tourer/mg zt-t v8. Rare as hens teeth but meets all your other criteria .

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Might as well have a badge on the back which reads - "I'm a drug dealer, but not a very successful one". 

[Doctor Gollum]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Chap at work has a diesel one... likes it, but it's a bit like the Omega... there's always summat broken on it

If I were going American,  then one of theses...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/vista-cruiser/1764305.html

... has a certain appeal

[Kevin Wood]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Chap at work has a diesel one... likes it, but it's a bit like the Omega... there's always summat broken on it

If I were going American,  then one of theses...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/vista-cruiser/1764305.html

... has a certain appeal

It 'ain't a real station wagon unless it's got sticky-back plastic wood on the side.

The single figure MPG might put me off.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Chap at work has a diesel one... likes it, but it's a bit like the Omega... there's always summat broken on it

If I were going American,  then one of theses...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/vista-cruiser/1764305.html

... has a certain appeal

It 'ain't a real station wagon unless it's got sticky-back plastic wood on the side.

The single figure MPG might put me off.

Is the Holden Kingswood the Aussie version of that Olds Vista?   

[aaronjb]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Chap at work has a diesel one... likes it, but it's a bit like the Omega... there's always summat broken on it

If I were going American,  then one of theses...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/vista-cruiser/1764305.html

... has a certain appeal

Do it.

Do it. Do it. Do it.

The Omega will suddenly seem like the best handling, fastest car in the universe (I know, it already does to TB).. but that is way cooler.

[Nick W]

Chrysler 300c,v8 available,no laughing I quite like the shape

Chap at work has a diesel one... likes it, but it's a bit like the Omega... there's always summat broken on it

If I were going American,  then one of theses...

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/vista-cruiser/1764305.html

... has a certain appeal

It 'ain't a real station wagon unless it's got sticky-back plastic wood on the side.

The single figure MPG might put me off.

A newer, properly setup carb and some mapped ignition should easily bring it into the high teens/low twenties. It is only a 350 after all

[Kevin Wood]

A newer, properly setup carb and some mapped ignition should easily bring it into the high teens/low twenties. It is only a 350 after all

"Only a 350" said like it's a 998 A series.

I suppose, in American terms, it was!

Probably a good candidate for a megasquirt conversion.