Newbie... and I've got a budget of around £11k for a new toy

Newbie... and I've got a budget of around £11k for a new toy

Author
Discussion

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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BowtieBoris said:
Again, another car I'm not very clued up/familiar with. Isn't subframe rot quite common? The unreliability reputation has always put me off.
You're considering an E46 M3, you can't discount another car on the basis of subframe rot. hehe

minipower

896 posts

218 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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The 996 911 may be a good option at that price although it would likely be a tiptronic and engine issues may put you off.

Alternatively you may be able to just about get a Corvette C5 for the price. Not the best interior but cannot think of much else at the price offering as good reliability and low running costs. Take the runcraps off and it handles nicely as well.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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kambites said:
You're considering an E46 M3, you can't discount another car on the basis of subframe rot. hehe
laugh That's something I'm familiar with and would be looking for a reinforced example.

My point was I know little about TVRs and from what I do know, they're very temperamental.

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Is there a reason that you don't seem to be considering anything made by Porsche? Whilst a 996 or Boxster for that money might be a worry in terms of reliability there's plenty of older front-engined car that appear to be very solid and have very strong residuals. You'd get a lovely 944 for that budget.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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kambites said:
Is there a reason that you don't seem to be considering anything made by Porsche? Whilst a 996 or Boxster for that money might be a worry in terms of reliability there's plenty of older front-engined car that appear to be very solid and have very strong residuals. You'd get a lovely 944 for that budget.
Without offending Porsche owners (well I've already done Vauxhall, so might as well make it a double whammy), I just don't like the look of them eek

Snails

915 posts

165 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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I don't know anything much about either of your two suggestions, but have you looked at a Phase 1 Clio V6? £11,000 will buy a decent example at the moment.

Also, what is the Mito Cloverleaf like? I have been looking at them as a possible replacement for m current car

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
quotequote all
BowtieBoris said:
kambites said:
Is there a reason that you don't seem to be considering anything made by Porsche? Whilst a 996 or Boxster for that money might be a worry in terms of reliability there's plenty of older front-engined car that appear to be very solid and have very strong residuals. You'd get a lovely 944 for that budget.
Without offending Porsche owners (well I've already done Vauxhall, so might as well make it a double whammy), I just don't like the look of them eek
Fair enough.

Actually I don't really either, the 911 in particular is just ugly to my eye, but looks are a long way down my priorities when buying a car. You can't really see the styling from the drivers' seat. smile

The mk1 Focus RS and E46 M3 are certainly both very good looking cars.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 18th December 14:20

Scottland

75 posts

200 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Something like a TVR could be a good shout if it's only for 12m as you won't lost much (if any) money on it if it's a good one. I believe rot underneath can be the killer on these.

But definitely try to go for something that won't take much of a depreciation hit.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Snails said:
I don't know anything much about either of your two suggestions, but have you looked at a Phase 1 Clio V6? £11,000 will buy a decent example at the moment.

Also, what is the Mito Cloverleaf like? I have been looking at them as a possible replacement for m current car
A Clio V6 would be on the list but I haven't seen one in decent shape for less than about £15k. I think the Pre-facelift version may just fall in to my price range but I'm sure it;d be a very high miler....

The MiTo is f*cking awesome. It reminds me very much of my ST in the way it picks up. There is a very slight delay then a lovely surge of power than really holds throughout the range. I think it'd surprise a lot of cars in the real world. The whole ride set up is really responsive, if a little twitchy (in dynamic mode - which is the only mode it's ever in). I think it could do with sitting a little lower, both in terms of feeling a little more stable and it obviously looks better.
We've got the leather in ours and it's really nice. Everything inside is seems really well put together and nice quality. The bluetooth, USB thing is a bit faffy but that's probably because I don't know how to use it properly.
I would thoroughly recommend one.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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kambites said:
Fair enough.

Actually I don't really either, the 911 in particular is just ugly to my eye, but looks are a long way down my priorities when buying a car. You can't really see the styling from the drivers' seat. smile

The mk1 Focus RS and E46 M3 are certainly both very good looking cars.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 18th December 14:20
I like to park mine... then walk off and glance back at it's beauty laugh so looks are a must for me! (does that make me shallow??)

That's one thing I think the RS has over the M3. Both look great, but the RS looks more 'striking'.

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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BowtieBoris said:
I like to park mine... then walk off and glance back at it's beauty laugh so looks are a must for me! (does that make me shallow??)

That's one thing I think the RS has over the M3. Both look great, but the RS looks more 'striking'.
The Clio V6 mentioned above might a good bet in that case. Arguably the most striking (and, to my eye, fabulous) looking car from a mainstream manufacturer in recent years.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
quotequote all
Scottland said:
Something like a TVR could be a good shout if it's only for 12m as you won't lost much (if any) money on it if it's a good one. I believe rot underneath can be the killer on these.

But definitely try to go for something that won't take much of a depreciation hit.
The no-depreciation thing is a very high priority, as I do eventually intend bring over another Nova from the US.

as i mentioned, TVRs aren't a car I could go a view with any confidence - atm anyway.

SuperVM

1,098 posts

160 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Perhaps a Supra TT manual? You won't lose anything on one and they still look great.

Snails

915 posts

165 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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BowtieBoris said:
A Clio V6 would be on the list but I haven't seen one in decent shape for less than about £15k. I think the Pre-facelift version may just fall in to my price range but I'm sure it;d be a very high miler....

The MiTo is f*cking awesome.
I would thoroughly recommend one.
It would need to be a Phase 1 Clio V6 for 11k (pre-facelift) I absolutely loved mine, they do still pop up at £11,000, especially privately. If you are considering one, it might be worth joining V6clio.net I am sure there will be somebody close to you who will be more than happy to let you have a look at theirs/take you out, they are very friendly and helpful bunch.

There is this one at £11995
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563645


Glad to hear about the Mito it that or a 147 GTA, both small hatches, but i imagine very different indeed.

BowtieBoris

Original Poster:

26 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
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Snails said:
It would need to be a Phase 1 Clio V6 for 11k (pre-facelift) I absolutely loved mine, they do still pop up at £11,000, especially privately. If you are considering one, it might be worth joining V6clio.net I am sure there will be somebody close to you who will be more than happy to let you have a look at theirs/take you out, they are very friendly and helpful bunch.

There is this one at £11995
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563645


Glad to hear about the Mito it that or a 147 GTA, both small hatches, but i imagine very different indeed.
Cheers mate beer
Thanks for the mail you set through too, that looks a fantastic example. That really has thrown a spanner in the works!
A lot of it is going to depend on what's available once the Chevelle sells but the V6 is definitely a contender now.
Any things that I should look out for, avoid or make sure it's had done??

Silverbullet767

10,680 posts

205 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
BowtieBoris said:
Snails said:
It would need to be a Phase 1 Clio V6 for 11k (pre-facelift) I absolutely loved mine, they do still pop up at £11,000, especially privately. If you are considering one, it might be worth joining V6clio.net I am sure there will be somebody close to you who will be more than happy to let you have a look at theirs/take you out, they are very friendly and helpful bunch.

There is this one at £11995
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C563645


Glad to hear about the Mito it that or a 147 GTA, both small hatches, but i imagine very different indeed.
Cheers mate beer
Thanks for the mail you set through too, that looks a fantastic example. That really has thrown a spanner in the works!
A lot of it is going to depend on what's available once the Chevelle sells but the V6 is definitely a contender now.
Any things that I should look out for, avoid or make sure it's had done??
Some downforce that car has in the second pic! hehe

Snails

915 posts

165 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
BowtieBoris said:
Cheers mate beer
Thanks for the mail you set through too, that looks a fantastic example. That really has thrown a spanner in the works!
A lot of it is going to depend on what's available once the Chevelle sells but the V6 is definitely a contender now.
Any things that I should look out for, avoid or make sure it's had done??
It is really is worth joining the forum as a member, there is a whole load of information on the cars in the knowledge base and on the forum as whole. If you are interested it might be worth putting up a 'Wanted' ad

Lots of the things you need to look for, relate to making sure all the body panels are there! Quite a few have been seen to missing various panels after accidents and not being repaired properly due to the ridiculous cost of the panels and corners being cut. (A new front bumper is £900 from Renault, rear even more.)

Make sure the cambelt and accessory has been changed recently, it is 5 years or 72k, however it is a £1000 job if it hasn't. Most owners will get the waterpump done at the same time.

Lift the bonnet and check the luggage tray for cracks, as it is easily damaged.
Remove and check under the luggage tray, mine had just started to develop a small patch of rust on the far right under the tray.

Check all the undertrays are present and correct. There should be a plastic undertrays cover almost the entire underside of the car. A replacement set is ~£900

There should be a black plastic panel that attaches to the underside of the phase 1 bumper and extends to the the start of the arches. If the car has had a front end bump and isn't replaced, ~£850.00

Check the rubber spoiler on the front bumper is present ~£310 from Renault, although a Skoda Fabia rubber has been found to be a replacement at about £20

Check it has both front arch liners. They are ~£250 to replace and often aren't replaced when a cheaper repair has been done.

Make sure the bumpers align with the front wing and where they join the rear quarter as there can sometimes be quite noticeable gaps if it has had a knock.

I'm sure those on the forum would give a more full answer!

Benbay001

5,794 posts

156 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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I bought my Excel 2-3 months ago.
It was advertised for £6k, i got it for £5k.



I bought it as it was the most interesting car i could find with a good reputation for reliability (within my budget).

Do your research and you will find that its mostly Toyota parts with a fiberglass body (no rot) on a galvanised steel chassis (no rot).
Get a good examble thats been checked by a specialised and you can have a reliable, comfortable, rare genuine 4 seater for less than half your budget.

Potatoes

3,572 posts

169 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Weekend car - you will not get much better than a VX220 at that budget... you will not regret it, awesome car, so much fun!!