What are your cheap fun cars?
Discussion
Can we revive this thread please, thanks.
I'm thinking about a cheap fun car. My friend went out a few weeks ago and bought a mk2 Golf GTI 16v. It looks ok but does not excite me. Its not really what I would call a fun driver's car. Anyway he paid 1000 for the car and another 450 getting it through the mot. Now he is selling it because he just doesn't want to drive it. I am determined to do better and get one over him so my requirements are:
£1000 budget - maybe stretch to £1500 if the car needs nothing spending on it which I find hard to believe
Not modified - want standard insurance rather than paying for modifications
Small car - I have an S4 and I want something small or I would just drive the S4
No 2 seaters maybe - I have a small baby and if I want to go somewhere with her then all her buggy and other rubbish would not fit in an MX5 or if I want to go somewhere with my MTB the same applies
Therefore I am thinking about an early 106 because these are almost 20 years old now and probably cost nothing to insure on classic insurance. I know the puma has a strong following on here so would consider trying one but dont think these would qualify for classic insurance. Anything else?
I'm thinking about a cheap fun car. My friend went out a few weeks ago and bought a mk2 Golf GTI 16v. It looks ok but does not excite me. Its not really what I would call a fun driver's car. Anyway he paid 1000 for the car and another 450 getting it through the mot. Now he is selling it because he just doesn't want to drive it. I am determined to do better and get one over him so my requirements are:
£1000 budget - maybe stretch to £1500 if the car needs nothing spending on it which I find hard to believe
Not modified - want standard insurance rather than paying for modifications
Small car - I have an S4 and I want something small or I would just drive the S4
No 2 seaters maybe - I have a small baby and if I want to go somewhere with her then all her buggy and other rubbish would not fit in an MX5 or if I want to go somewhere with my MTB the same applies
Therefore I am thinking about an early 106 because these are almost 20 years old now and probably cost nothing to insure on classic insurance. I know the puma has a strong following on here so would consider trying one but dont think these would qualify for classic insurance. Anything else?
I suggested a Puma in this thread and then bought one.
For £1000 its great fun and compares well to the 106 gti. The puma has a huge boot for the size of car it is and is quite a practical motor.
I'd consider 106gti or Saxo VTS and also bigger stuff such as the 306 GTI or Xsara VTS too. Other would probably recomend an E36 which would be a fine choice but are harder to find in good order for £1k.
For £1000 its great fun and compares well to the 106 gti. The puma has a huge boot for the size of car it is and is quite a practical motor.
I'd consider 106gti or Saxo VTS and also bigger stuff such as the 306 GTI or Xsara VTS too. Other would probably recomend an E36 which would be a fine choice but are harder to find in good order for £1k.
Been covered well elsewhere but a summary. 1.7 is a peach of an engine and cheapish to run, the 1.6 is ok but lacks the extra fizz. The racing has more power but is more expensive and unless you really want one isn't worth the extra outlay. £650 - £1200 should get you a useable car with most bits done and a long MOT.
Cambelt should have been done recent(ish)ly on most now, they're due around 80-90k and need a locking tool so can be done badly by someone who isn't knowledgable.
Being a ford bushes are niggly, fronts cheap to replace and will firm up the steering. Rear beam bushes will cause a knocking if worn, avoid ones with polybushed rear beams as they are too harsh for road use.
The front drop links also are prone to breaking, a knocking will be the symptom, I had both of mine replaced for £30.
Check driveshafts for movement back and forth, they're not cheap new and cause vibrations that aren't easily diagnosed.
The heater control valves are made of cheese (its broke if you can't get cold air) but a ford one will cost c£40 and it isn't worth buying a pattern item.
Finally rust, the rear arches will be rusty, but a good inspection will reveal if its just surface, mine has it on both but is solid where it matters. You can try sorting the rust but the only long term solution involves cutting them out and welding a new section in.
Cambelt should have been done recent(ish)ly on most now, they're due around 80-90k and need a locking tool so can be done badly by someone who isn't knowledgable.
Being a ford bushes are niggly, fronts cheap to replace and will firm up the steering. Rear beam bushes will cause a knocking if worn, avoid ones with polybushed rear beams as they are too harsh for road use.
The front drop links also are prone to breaking, a knocking will be the symptom, I had both of mine replaced for £30.
Check driveshafts for movement back and forth, they're not cheap new and cause vibrations that aren't easily diagnosed.
The heater control valves are made of cheese (its broke if you can't get cold air) but a ford one will cost c£40 and it isn't worth buying a pattern item.
Finally rust, the rear arches will be rusty, but a good inspection will reveal if its just surface, mine has it on both but is solid where it matters. You can try sorting the rust but the only long term solution involves cutting them out and welding a new section in.
I'm in a similar position myself, I have an Integra Type R and VX220, but I'm going to take the VX off the road for winter.
How do people rate the Fiesta Zetec S? I'm going to look at one for £800 with FSH and 87k miles.
Is the Zetec S on parr with the Puma, or should i hold out for the Puma. Not too fused about pace as I'll still have the Teg.
How do people rate the Fiesta Zetec S? I'm going to look at one for £800 with FSH and 87k miles.
Is the Zetec S on parr with the Puma, or should i hold out for the Puma. Not too fused about pace as I'll still have the Teg.
Slightly over budget (but not by much), how about an Integra R? I went for one after many years of Fast Pugs and love it. A proper touring car on the road - fast, hardcore, structurally very stiff and great fun. And being a Honda, it never breaks down. And it does mid thirties mpg.
I spend the last year thinking what to replace it with. Budget of £20k ish but nothing was that much more fun than the Integra. Drove 911s, 968s etc. Eventually ended up with an Elise. Will see how it goes but for the £2-3k level, I cannot recommend the Honda highly enough.
I spend the last year thinking what to replace it with. Budget of £20k ish but nothing was that much more fun than the Integra. Drove 911s, 968s etc. Eventually ended up with an Elise. Will see how it goes but for the £2-3k level, I cannot recommend the Honda highly enough.
Chrisw666 said:
Finally rust, the rear arches will be rusty, but a good inspection will reveal if its just surface, mine has it on both but is solid where it matters. You can try sorting the rust but the only long term solution involves cutting them out and welding a new section in.
So looked at all Puma ads on ebay and ALL have rusty rear arches. Do I just accept this or buy something else?ATM said:
So looked at all Puma ads on ebay and ALL have rusty rear arches. Do I just accept this or buy something else?
You can accept it, I did. But you need to look into the arch and under the sills to get a sense of how bad it is. Mine will be assessed if the car sees the winter out and I may throw a few £ at getting them sorted, but as it has a few other cosmetic niggles probably won't get done. Whilst it's already been mentioned, I think a 328i is still a solid bet. You can get them for about 1000. The only slightly weak point is the cooling system but you will have easily enough cash to sort that and put an M50 manifold (around 20bhp extra) on it.
They are great cars and with a few choice performance parts they really liven up. Handling is pretty decent as stock but some bilstein dampers coupled with H&R springs really liven things up. You can also get Limited Slip Differentials on some models, or fit one from a 3.0 M3 of similar vintage.
Surprisingly good fuel economy too, mine is on 38mpg from mostly A and B road driving with a hoon now and then.
Braided brake hoses are another good little mod. The standard brakes themselves are pretty good unless you are driving exceptionally hard.
Most importantly, they make a brilliant noise, especially with a sports exhaust.
They are great cars and with a few choice performance parts they really liven up. Handling is pretty decent as stock but some bilstein dampers coupled with H&R springs really liven things up. You can also get Limited Slip Differentials on some models, or fit one from a 3.0 M3 of similar vintage.
Surprisingly good fuel economy too, mine is on 38mpg from mostly A and B road driving with a hoon now and then.
Braided brake hoses are another good little mod. The standard brakes themselves are pretty good unless you are driving exceptionally hard.
Most importantly, they make a brilliant noise, especially with a sports exhaust.
projectgt said:
Why not just use the S4?
The amount you are going to spend on buying and running another car makes no sense.
To really have fun in the S4 you've got to be going some. It doesn't exactly feel nimble in bends as its quite heavy. With all the power and grip you find yourself going through bends quite slow then just blasting to the next bend. I'm trying to get something which can be fun going slower.The amount you are going to spend on buying and running another car makes no sense.
I had a Renault 5 Turbo like yours 18 years ago - mine was black. It was great fun from what I can remember. I'd love another but I fear all the ones for sale now are rotten.
clarkey328is said:
Whilst it's already been mentioned, I think a 328i is still a solid bet. You can get them for about 1000. The only slightly weak point is the cooling system but you will have easily enough cash to sort that and put an M50 manifold (around 20bhp extra) on it.
They are great cars and with a few choice performance parts they really liven up. Handling is pretty decent as stock but some bilstein dampers coupled with H&R springs really liven things up. You can also get Limited Slip Differentials on some models, or fit one from a 3.0 M3 of similar vintage.
Surprisingly good fuel economy too, mine is on 38mpg from mostly A and B road driving with a hoon now and then.
Braided brake hoses are another good little mod. The standard brakes themselves are pretty good unless you are driving exceptionally hard.
Most importantly, they make a brilliant noise, especially with a sports exhaust.
+1 for a 328i.They are great cars and with a few choice performance parts they really liven up. Handling is pretty decent as stock but some bilstein dampers coupled with H&R springs really liven things up. You can also get Limited Slip Differentials on some models, or fit one from a 3.0 M3 of similar vintage.
Surprisingly good fuel economy too, mine is on 38mpg from mostly A and B road driving with a hoon now and then.
Braided brake hoses are another good little mod. The standard brakes themselves are pretty good unless you are driving exceptionally hard.
Most importantly, they make a brilliant noise, especially with a sports exhaust.
Although you may be lucky and pick up a reasonable E30 325i for £1500 - approx £200 / year to insure as a classic car, and huge amounts of lovely rwd fun.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff