Best Car for under 3000??
Discussion
LeoZwalf said:
No, never. They always end up buying what they really wanted in the first place before they even asked on here, usually something dull or sensible (depending on how you look at it) rather than the ridiculous suggestions offered on PH.
Well i want nothing dull or sensible. I want a tasty car for the year! But a v8 is abit much! stedaley said:
Well i want nothing dull or sensible. I want a tasty car for the year! But a v8 is abit much!
ATR for sure.Pros
Can pick up a decent example for £2k, leaving a nice sum left over for general maintenance or a set of coilovers.
Frenetic 2.2 VTEC engine is an absolute hoot.
LSD gearbox. No arguments, this is an absolute must for a FWD.
Sublime steering. No other saloon car touches this thing for feel and feedback it makes everything else feel numb, even my MX5.
Fantastic handling. It's got an even better chassis than the DC2 Integra. OK, it's also got an extra 250kg, but the same DNA flows through it.
It's comfortable. The Recaros are superb, the Momo steering wheel is the same one found in the Ferrari F355 and the interior is generally one of the best available from Hondas of that era, very well screwed together.
It feels special. Stuff like fast Golfs (and all the VAG derivatives) don't feel special. They just feel like a shopping car with a bit of grunt, but the same lifeless steering and mundane chassis that's been hopped up with a set of stiffer springs. The ATR thing just feels special all the time, whether you're stuck in traffic or giving it death down a B road.
It's got schizophrenia. When you're pootling, it's quiet, it's reserved, it'll return reasonable fuel economy. Give it a poke though, wake up that second cam and it'll make noises like a touring car and make you grin like a Cheshire cat.
It's big. Much bigger than an Evo/Impreza. Good if you need rear passenger space. Huge boot too.
Cons.
It'll drink when you hoon it (but what won't).
It's low geared, so high RPM on the motorway compared to rivals.
It's noisy. No sound deadening (4 teh litewieghts y0) so road noise is high at speed.
The rear seats don't fold. (Good for handling though)
It looks a bit dated.
Cheap insurance.
Kozy said:
ATR for sure.
Pros
Can pick up a decent example for £2k, leaving a nice sum left over for general maintenance or a set of coilovers.
Frenetic 2.2 VTEC engine is an absolute hoot.
LSD gearbox. No arguments, this is an absolute must for a FWD.
Sublime steering. No other saloon car touches this thing for feel and feedback it makes everything else feel numb, even my MX5.
Fantastic handling. It's got an even better chassis than the DC2 Integra. OK, it's also got an extra 250kg, but the same DNA flows through it.
It's comfortable. The Recaros are superb, the Momo steering wheel is the same one found in the Ferrari F355 and the interior is generally one of the best available from Hondas of that era, very well screwed together.
It feels special. Stuff like fast Golfs (and all the VAG derivatives) don't feel special. They just feel like a shopping car with a bit of grunt, but the same lifeless steering and mundane chassis that's been hopped up with a set of stiffer springs. The ATR thing just feels special all the time, whether you're stuck in traffic or giving it death down a B road.
It's got schizophrenia. When you're pootling, it's quiet, it's reserved, it'll return reasonable fuel economy. Give it a poke though, wake up that second cam and it'll make noises like a touring car and make you grin like a Cheshire cat.
It's big. Much bigger than an Evo/Impreza. Good if you need rear passenger space. Huge boot too.
Cons.
It'll drink when you hoon it (but what won't).
It's low geared, so high RPM on the motorway compared to rivals.
It's noisy. No sound deadening (4 teh litewieghts y0) so road noise is high at speed.
The rear seats don't fold. (Good for handling though)
It looks a bit dated.
Cheap insurance.
Cheap insurance is a con?Pros
Can pick up a decent example for £2k, leaving a nice sum left over for general maintenance or a set of coilovers.
Frenetic 2.2 VTEC engine is an absolute hoot.
LSD gearbox. No arguments, this is an absolute must for a FWD.
Sublime steering. No other saloon car touches this thing for feel and feedback it makes everything else feel numb, even my MX5.
Fantastic handling. It's got an even better chassis than the DC2 Integra. OK, it's also got an extra 250kg, but the same DNA flows through it.
It's comfortable. The Recaros are superb, the Momo steering wheel is the same one found in the Ferrari F355 and the interior is generally one of the best available from Hondas of that era, very well screwed together.
It feels special. Stuff like fast Golfs (and all the VAG derivatives) don't feel special. They just feel like a shopping car with a bit of grunt, but the same lifeless steering and mundane chassis that's been hopped up with a set of stiffer springs. The ATR thing just feels special all the time, whether you're stuck in traffic or giving it death down a B road.
It's got schizophrenia. When you're pootling, it's quiet, it's reserved, it'll return reasonable fuel economy. Give it a poke though, wake up that second cam and it'll make noises like a touring car and make you grin like a Cheshire cat.
It's big. Much bigger than an Evo/Impreza. Good if you need rear passenger space. Huge boot too.
Cons.
It'll drink when you hoon it (but what won't).
It's low geared, so high RPM on the motorway compared to rivals.
It's noisy. No sound deadening (4 teh litewieghts y0) so road noise is high at speed.
The rear seats don't fold. (Good for handling though)
It looks a bit dated.
Cheap insurance.
It cost the same to insure as my £400 2.0 TDDI Mondeo estate.
Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
Edited by Kozy on Monday 24th November 12:05
As someone who bought a 172 cup 6 months ago, and loves the way it drives, I'd buy something that's not a farking Clio.
It took some convincing(I have had a long line of cheap and uber reliable but fun Japanese cars), but the drive sealed it - it's an absolute hoot. However, it breaks more than any other car I've ever had. I did all the neccessary checks and got a mid priced one with lowish mileage, a newish clutch, had had the belts done, decent service history etc etc.
Since then it's been constant niggles.
- Speedo sensor died
- Rear brake pad fell out
- Airbag light constantly on/off, depending on how log it is since I last wiggled the passenger side wire
- Clutch self adjuster died
- 25k old clutch died spectacularly on me last week (on the way to get it looked at)
- Thermostat has just snuffed it
- Hesitation when cold ('they all do that, sir')
And other small niggly bits I've forgotten. Nothing major, other than the clutch, but it just seems like there's constantly something wrong with it.
Before this we had a slightly tatty DC2 Integra - in the three years and tens of thousands of miles we put on it, it snapped a bolt on the AC compressor. That's it.
Wonderful to drive, rubbish to own, IMHO.
It took some convincing(I have had a long line of cheap and uber reliable but fun Japanese cars), but the drive sealed it - it's an absolute hoot. However, it breaks more than any other car I've ever had. I did all the neccessary checks and got a mid priced one with lowish mileage, a newish clutch, had had the belts done, decent service history etc etc.
Since then it's been constant niggles.
- Speedo sensor died
- Rear brake pad fell out
- Airbag light constantly on/off, depending on how log it is since I last wiggled the passenger side wire
- Clutch self adjuster died
- 25k old clutch died spectacularly on me last week (on the way to get it looked at)
- Thermostat has just snuffed it
- Hesitation when cold ('they all do that, sir')
And other small niggly bits I've forgotten. Nothing major, other than the clutch, but it just seems like there's constantly something wrong with it.
Before this we had a slightly tatty DC2 Integra - in the three years and tens of thousands of miles we put on it, it snapped a bolt on the AC compressor. That's it.
Wonderful to drive, rubbish to own, IMHO.
Kozy said:
ATR for sure.
Pros
Can pick up a decent example for £2k, leaving a nice sum left over for general maintenance or a set of coilovers.
Frenetic 2.2 VTEC engine is an absolute hoot.
LSD gearbox. No arguments, this is an absolute must for a FWD.
Sublime steering. No other saloon car touches this thing for feel and feedback it makes everything else feel numb, even my MX5.
Fantastic handling. It's got an even better chassis than the DC2 Integra. OK, it's also got an extra 250kg, but the same DNA flows through it.
It's comfortable. The Recaros are superb, the Momo steering wheel is the same one found in the Ferrari F355 and the interior is generally one of the best available from Hondas of that era, very well screwed together.
It feels special. Stuff like fast Golfs (and all the VAG derivatives) don't feel special. They just feel like a shopping car with a bit of grunt, but the same lifeless steering and mundane chassis that's been hopped up with a set of stiffer springs. The ATR thing just feels special all the time, whether you're stuck in traffic or giving it death down a B road.
It's got schizophrenia. When you're pootling, it's quiet, it's reserved, it'll return reasonable fuel economy. Give it a poke though, wake up that second cam and it'll make noises like a touring car and make you grin like a Cheshire cat.
It's big. Much bigger than an Evo/Impreza. Good if you need rear passenger space. Huge boot too.
Cons.
It'll drink when you hoon it (but what won't).
It's low geared, so high RPM on the motorway compared to rivals.
It's noisy. No sound deadening (4 teh litewieghts y0) so road noise is high at speed.
The rear seats don't fold. (Good for handling though)
It looks a bit dated.
Cheap insurance.
Im struggling to find any! Pros
Can pick up a decent example for £2k, leaving a nice sum left over for general maintenance or a set of coilovers.
Frenetic 2.2 VTEC engine is an absolute hoot.
LSD gearbox. No arguments, this is an absolute must for a FWD.
Sublime steering. No other saloon car touches this thing for feel and feedback it makes everything else feel numb, even my MX5.
Fantastic handling. It's got an even better chassis than the DC2 Integra. OK, it's also got an extra 250kg, but the same DNA flows through it.
It's comfortable. The Recaros are superb, the Momo steering wheel is the same one found in the Ferrari F355 and the interior is generally one of the best available from Hondas of that era, very well screwed together.
It feels special. Stuff like fast Golfs (and all the VAG derivatives) don't feel special. They just feel like a shopping car with a bit of grunt, but the same lifeless steering and mundane chassis that's been hopped up with a set of stiffer springs. The ATR thing just feels special all the time, whether you're stuck in traffic or giving it death down a B road.
It's got schizophrenia. When you're pootling, it's quiet, it's reserved, it'll return reasonable fuel economy. Give it a poke though, wake up that second cam and it'll make noises like a touring car and make you grin like a Cheshire cat.
It's big. Much bigger than an Evo/Impreza. Good if you need rear passenger space. Huge boot too.
Cons.
It'll drink when you hoon it (but what won't).
It's low geared, so high RPM on the motorway compared to rivals.
It's noisy. No sound deadening (4 teh litewieghts y0) so road noise is high at speed.
The rear seats don't fold. (Good for handling though)
It looks a bit dated.
Cheap insurance.
I mean it looks like a sleeper which i like but ive heard mixed things about atrs, they arent particualrly quick compared to others of this group and the gearbox issues?
I may just be finding bad examples, but is it a nice all rounder?
FD3Si said:
As someone who bought a 172 cup 6 months ago, and loves the way it drives, I'd buy something that's not a farking Clio.
It took some convincing(I have had a long line of cheap and uber reliable but fun Japanese cars), but the drive sealed it - it's an absolute hoot. However, it breaks more than any other car I've ever had. I did all the neccessary checks and got a mid priced one with lowish mileage, a newish clutch, had had the belts done, decent service history etc etc.
Since then it's been constant niggles.
- Speedo sensor died
- Rear brake pad fell out
- Airbag light constantly on/off, depending on how log it is since I last wiggled the passenger side wire
- Clutch self adjuster died
- 25k old clutch died spectacularly on me last week (on the way to get it looked at)
- Thermostat has just snuffed it
- Hesitation when cold ('they all do that, sir')
And other small niggly bits I've forgotten. Nothing major, other than the clutch, but it just seems like there's constantly something wrong with it.
Before this we had a slightly tatty DC2 Integra - in the three years and tens of thousands of miles we put on it, it snapped a bolt on the AC compressor. That's it.
Wonderful to drive, rubbish to own, IMHO.
How was the integra with rear passenger space? It took some convincing(I have had a long line of cheap and uber reliable but fun Japanese cars), but the drive sealed it - it's an absolute hoot. However, it breaks more than any other car I've ever had. I did all the neccessary checks and got a mid priced one with lowish mileage, a newish clutch, had had the belts done, decent service history etc etc.
Since then it's been constant niggles.
- Speedo sensor died
- Rear brake pad fell out
- Airbag light constantly on/off, depending on how log it is since I last wiggled the passenger side wire
- Clutch self adjuster died
- 25k old clutch died spectacularly on me last week (on the way to get it looked at)
- Thermostat has just snuffed it
- Hesitation when cold ('they all do that, sir')
And other small niggly bits I've forgotten. Nothing major, other than the clutch, but it just seems like there's constantly something wrong with it.
Before this we had a slightly tatty DC2 Integra - in the three years and tens of thousands of miles we put on it, it snapped a bolt on the AC compressor. That's it.
Wonderful to drive, rubbish to own, IMHO.
Ive been looking at the facelift integras with not much luck under 3grand,
The old one just look abit too outdated
Kozy said:
It cost the same to insure as my £400 2.0 TDDI Mondeo estate.
Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
The 530 isnt a bad idea, i shall have a look for them! Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
Edited by Kozy on Monday 24th November 12:05
I presume they will be fully kitted and quite reliable
Kozy said:
It cost the same to insure as my £400 2.0 TDDI Mondeo estate.
Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
The 530 isnt a bad idea, i shall have a look for them! Maybe the Mondeo was just hideously expensive to insure?
Also cheaper than the newer model 2.4 Type S, Mondeo ST220, BMW 530i and something else similar (another circa 200bhp Saloon) I was considering at the time but forgot what it was.
Edited by Kozy on Monday 24th November 12:05
I presume they will be fully kitted and quite reliable
No idea how old you are or whether you intend to go on a trackday or what running costs you can afford or justify. It depends on you really as there is no 'best car' for £3K. I mean it's all subjective based on your own experiences of what you've driven, what you drive, what you like and dislike.
I think a 2.0 Fiesta ST would be a good first hot hatch and they should be £3K for a half decent one by now. Cheaper (in theory) maintenance costs than a Clio 172/182 with similar performance in the real world and similar reasonable insurance to a Swift Sport. Also in every Fiesta from the last generation the handling is good and all the controls feel well weighted and linear. Downsides for me are slightly excessive road noise and not much leg room. Similar to the Puma 1.7 but slightly faster, more expensive and slightly thirstier. Also far less likely to rust and safer.
If you want to go on the occasional track day a front engined rear wheel drive old sportscar like a 944 could be great to drive just with some coilovers. You've got to budget more for fuel though. Also repairs and maintenance could easily cost ££££ a year if you're 'unlucky'.
I think a 2.0 Fiesta ST would be a good first hot hatch and they should be £3K for a half decent one by now. Cheaper (in theory) maintenance costs than a Clio 172/182 with similar performance in the real world and similar reasonable insurance to a Swift Sport. Also in every Fiesta from the last generation the handling is good and all the controls feel well weighted and linear. Downsides for me are slightly excessive road noise and not much leg room. Similar to the Puma 1.7 but slightly faster, more expensive and slightly thirstier. Also far less likely to rust and safer.
If you want to go on the occasional track day a front engined rear wheel drive old sportscar like a 944 could be great to drive just with some coilovers. You've got to budget more for fuel though. Also repairs and maintenance could easily cost ££££ a year if you're 'unlucky'.
INSANE!! When did these become so cheap? Forget your Clio shopping chariots, get yourself some German heft....
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C255233
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C255233
stedaley said:
How was the integra with rear passenger space?
Ive been looking at the facelift integras with not much luck under 3grand,
The old one just look abit too outdated
Passenger space is definitely acceptable, although roof line is pretty low, so not for super tall people.Ive been looking at the facelift integras with not much luck under 3grand,
The old one just look abit too outdated
Boot is humungous though!
When you say facelift, I'm which do you mean? There was a mild facelift in '98 along with some chassis/brake tweaks, and there's no way you would get a reasonable DC2 for 3k. You may be able to get a leggy '96 though (we sold ours for under 3k a couple of years ago) The '98 does feel a bit sharper, but we didn't think it was worth the extra premium.
That car was the best car my other half or I had ever owned. Strong as an ox, utterly dependable, cheap to run, massively practical, quick enough to be fund, hugely rewarding to drive, sounded sublime (with the top off the airbox), and a chassis that truly deserves the reverence it gets.
I'm considering either an ATR or Gen7 Celica to replace the Clio. 3k should get a decent Gen7 VVTLi Celica which are supposed to be a very entertaining drive
The Fiesta ST is a "warm hatch" rather than a full hot one.
The 530i is the car I would've bought if I could've afforded the running costs at the time, which I couldn't. So got my T-Jet which you can have for about 3k. But it's in no way a hot hatch.
I'd be looking long and hard at something like a 330i, 530i or a 540 as there's not much that can match it.
The 530i is the car I would've bought if I could've afforded the running costs at the time, which I couldn't. So got my T-Jet which you can have for about 3k. But it's in no way a hot hatch.
I'd be looking long and hard at something like a 330i, 530i or a 540 as there's not much that can match it.
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