Fun 5k car, worth the same in 12 months

[Alapeno]

Sorry people, another what-car but, as always, this is my first stop after the classifieds.

I started a thread a while back about buying an e46 M3 but for a few reasons have not ended up doing it. Namely we may now be in a position to buy a house in the next 12 months so have been weighing up where money should go.

I've decided to still scratch the itch but (hopefully) buy a bit wiser. This means I'd like a fun car at 5k that isn't going to depreciate or give me too much trouble until the time comes to sell. I'll probably only put 5k miles on it a year and can service myself so running costs not too great an issue.

I have a mk1 MX5 at the moment so no mx5 suggestions please

Only thing I've really considered so far is an e36 M3. It seems you can get some in decent condition for that kind of money but no idea how running costs compare to the e46 I was considering last year.

So, what are my options? I'd love something a bit different but also want a step up in performance from the MX5.

ETA: If it benefits from history I'll get it serviced by a specialist rather than doing it myself.

Edited by Alapeno on Thursday 16th January 11:26

[lewisf182]

High mileage 130i. With your mileage you won't add much miles on so shouldn't depreciate too much in that time.
Would suggest a 330i coupe but obviously out of reach even if high mileage.


Or Clio 197? Might depreciate a bit too much though...

Edited by lewisf182 on Wednesday 15th January 09:07

[Unlight]

A decent S2000 at 5k surely doesn't have much to lose?

[Dr G]

Really good DC2 and unmodified Integra Type R - shouldn't cost you anything more than insurance and a service.

[The Big G]

If looking for a second car and you have a garage then a TVR S Series or Wedge would be great fun. Some don't and manage to use them as dailies, but that would be up to you. Simple to look after and you should be able to sell on for the same as you bought it for. That's if you could bring yourself too! Classic insurance as a second car is dirt cheap which is a bonus. A Chimaera for 5k would have far more chance of pain as you would be buying right at the bottom of the market.

Good luck with the search, plenty of interesting metal for your budget

Edited by The Big G on Wednesday 15th January 09:09

[Dr G]

Alapeno said:

service myself

If you're talking very short term resale you'll probably want to maintain verifiable history to protect as much value as possible. Particularly with what is likely to be an enthusiast type vehicle.

EDIT: Something like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Edited by Dr G on Wednesday 15th January 09:14

[Alapeno]

Dr G said:

If you're talking very short term resale you'll probably want to maintain verifiable history to protect as much value as possible. Particularly with what is likely to be an enthusiast type vehicle.

EDIT: Something like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Edited by Dr G on Wednesday 15th January 09:14

Realised that after I typed it, good point. I don't mind paying for a service for a bit of history really.

So that's 2 votes for an Integra.


Anyone any opinion on these?

[james_gt3rs]

Alapeno said:

Realised that after I typed it, good point. I don't mind paying for a service for a bit of history really.

So that's 2 votes for an Integra.


Anyone any opinion on these?

Will probably cost more than an Integra to run. Especially the turbo..

[6cylGolf]

mk4 golf r32

[roystinho]

Anything 8-10 yrs shouldn't depreciate too much. But like all second hand buys, make sure you buy the best example at the cheapest possible price. On my last 3 used cars net I'm about £1k up (purchase price v selling price that is)

[Andy665]

Alfa GTV V6 - prices seemed to have stopped sliding, good fun, perhaps a growing market for good cars and as long as it doesn't need the cambelt doing in the next 12 months shouldn't cost too much to run

[Scootersp]

Auto Mkiv Supra TT if you can find a clean one, would probably have to wait for one to turn up as they are getting a bit thin on the ground.

[Alapeno]

All good options.

Would love a Supra but not sure I would find a decent one in budget without a long wait though.

Can a decent S2000 be had for 5k then? The nicer ones were a bit pricier IIRC.

[jaybarts]

Clio 182 Trophy?

[james_gt3rs]

doogz said:

VX220?

Very hard to find one for £5000. Otherwise I'd swap my MR2 for one tomorrow!

[RizzoTheRat]

If you want depreciation proof then the older the better. How much do Delta HF Turbo's go for these days?

[VinceFox]

Alapeno said:

Sorry people, another what-car but, as always, this is my first stop after the classifieds.

I started a thread a while back about buying an e46 M3 but for a few reasons have not ended up doing it. Namely we may now be in a position to buy a house in the next 12 months so have been weighing up where money should go.

I've decided to still scratch the itch but (hopefully) buy a bit wiser. This means I'd like a fun car at 5k that isn't going to depreciate or give me too much trouble until the time comes to sell. I'll probably only put 5k miles on it a year and can service myself so running costs not too great an issue.

I have a mk1 MX5 at the moment so no mx5 suggestions please

Only thing I've really considered so far is an e36 M3. It seems you can get some in decent condition for that kind of money but no idea how running costs compare to the e46 I was considering last year.

So, what are my options? I'd love something a bit different but also want a step up in performance from the MX5.

You were right first time. E36 m3. Get a good one and it'll hold.

[kambites]

How about something like a Westfield? Or is that too impractical?

[Maxus]

S2000 was my first thought.

How about a Merc 190 2.5-16? May cost a bit to run if you get a bad one but would be good fun and I reckon could appreciate over the year.

This one is in the classifieds for £5,500

[tannedstamina]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

BOOM, done and done.