5-6k Fun daily drivers?

5-6k Fun daily drivers?

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Discussion

AshVX220

5,929 posts

189 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Bayerischer said:
james_gt3rs said:
Haven't driven an MX5 yet, but compared to the VX220 I bought to replace my MR2, they are pretty much the same in terms of fun.
How are you finding the VX220 as a replacement? Like the look of these but have read bad things about the roof.
What have you heard about the roof? Never had a problem with mine, after nearly 9 years. As for the VX similarity to the MR2, almost, but not quite. My wife has an MR2 Mk3 and I had a Mk2 before the VX. They're fun and all, but not a patch on the VX IMO.

For the OP, I'd actually look at a really good MR2 Mk2, I think they're great, the interior is lovely (especially on the T-Bar), with a huge centre console that surrounds you, it just always felt special. Or a Gen 7 Celica.

vixen1700

22,669 posts

269 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
RNicholls9 said:
Don't kill me! I'm clueless on cars pre 2000 frown
That makes me feel really old. frown

48 by the way...

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Bayerischer said:
How are you finding the VX220 as a replacement? Like the look of these but have read bad things about the roof.
It's faster, noisier and more exciting. Less roll, better steering weight and feel, and much more of an event to be in and look at.

Mine's got a hardtop and doesn't leak a drop. I haven't heard many people complain about the soft top to be honest. Heater is rubbish though.

budfox

1,510 posts

128 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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RNicholls9 said:
I was originally set on an NB MX5, but with a conversation with my mums other half, a mechanic of 40+ years, he doesn't want me to have an MX5, he somehow thinks they're unreliable. don't ask me how, but it's easier to keep everyone happy if anything goes wrong, therefore I was leaning towards the swift. But now I'm backing the MR2, can't believe I forgot about them
Keep your eye out for a TF300 version.

HJMS123

988 posts

132 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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HorneyMX5 said:
EP3 Civic Type R? Insurance could be an issue but worth having a check.
This! The 1-2 grand saved would cover insurance!

Edited by HJMS123 on Wednesday 29th October 16:41

g7jhp

6,959 posts

237 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
RNicholls9 said:
Is that a 944? Certainly something I didn't first consider? Bet it gets expensive in maintenance does it not?

Hmm I think I really need to test drive some of the suggested cars. If only I could afford a GT86, this would be so easy for me.
To be fair the OP's 21, a Lotus Excel is going to be 25+.

JakeThePeg

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Grande Punto T-Jet?

Can pick one up for 4k. Being 20 with 2 years ncb I pay £700, with some business mileage too, and on a recent trip to Birmingham I got 38 all the way there (cruise set to 75) and 42 on the way back (crap weather, sat at 60)

Built completely unlike Fiat's of old, nice amount of torque, responds well to remaps and bigger turbos from the abarth 500/Grande Punto and comfortable. Steering lacks any real feel but it is accurate.

budfox

1,510 posts

128 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all

RNicholls9

Original Poster:

40 posts

120 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
damn the MR2 is 1.6k to insure with elephant, same as the CLio 197, cooper etc. didn't want to pay that much. The Swift/MX5 are only 1k to insure, once again I think insurance is going to dictate my car choice

JakeThePeg

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
RNicholls9 said:
damn the MR2 is 1.6k to insure with elephant, same as the CLio 197, cooper etc. didn't want to pay that much. The Swift/MX5 are only 1k to insure, once again I think insurance is going to dictate my car choice
Have you had a look at a Fiesta ST? (not new one)

Think they're pretty good on insurance, as is my above post.

Bayerischer

194 posts

146 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
AshVX220 said:
What have you heard about the roof? Never had a problem with mine, after nearly 9 years. As for the VX similarity to the MR2, almost, but not quite. My wife has an MR2 Mk3 and I had a Mk2 before the VX. They're fun and all, but not a patch on the VX IMO.
I think I read somewhere they were a bit leaky like a S1 Elise. My question was more aimed at the daily driver aspect as VX220 is clearly a bit more hardcore than the MR2 roadster . As per james_gt3rs, I would probably get one with a hard top, to be on the safe side during the winter months.

RNicholls9

Original Poster:

40 posts

120 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
I'll go look at the punto, don't think it's what I was originally after but I suppose if its cheaper than the rest to insure it would be more fun than the corsa for another year or so

RNicholls9

Original Poster:

40 posts

120 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Okay just re checked the price on the MR2 and it's under 1k now to insure, must have entered something incorrectly before

Maybe I should recheck the Cooper S and Clio's etc

Gochaz

48 posts

148 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
My brother (22) was looking at MR2s (Mk2) and we did some insurance quotes. They seemed to vary wildly! I think we concluded that imported cars which much more expensive to insure.

RNicholls9

Original Poster:

40 posts

120 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
Okay it was only 1k without me getting rear ended. With me being in a non-fault crash, it is now 1.6k, this is ridiculous £600 increase for sitting at a set of traffic lights and getting rear ended, is there no way around this?

3ananaPie

153 posts

129 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
RNicholls9 said:
Okay it was only 1k without me getting rear ended. With me being in a non-fault crash, it is now 1.6k, this is ridiculous £600 increase for sitting at a set of traffic lights and getting rear ended, is there no way around this?
Try specialist brokers, may be able to get you a better price. Maybe give Quite Me Happy a go? Always found they were able to quote me happy.

getmecoat

RNicholls9

Original Poster:

40 posts

120 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
3ananaPie said:
Try specialist brokers, may be able to get you a better price. Maybe give Quite Me Happy a go? Always found they were able to quote me happy.

getmecoat
you sir are a genius, they only wanted 950 with non fault declared biggrin

ukwill

8,871 posts

206 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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S10GTA said:
eek
Mumsnet invader...

Benbay001

5,794 posts

156 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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The VX220 always provided brilliant and cheap insurance quotes for me when i was your age.
Got within a hair of buying one, but apparently i needed more practicality, so i ended up with an S Type R. Cost me a fortune in depreciation because i bought a dog which i couldnt afford to fix. Wish id bought a VX220

mbuc93

12 posts

139 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Some decent Fiesta ST's around, 5k would buy a decent spec with mountune goodies possibly! Seat Leon Cupra or cupra r could be worth a look?