2k, brisk, fun and reasonably insurable.
Discussion
Do some man maths, add a little bit, and buy this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
lostkiwi said:
Off the wall...?
That money will get you into a Smart Roadster. Cheap as chips to run and easy to maintain if you have half an inkling with spanners. Just make sure you find a dry one.
Most faults are niggly rather than dire. And they handle extremely well and are guaranteed to make you smile.
I had one of those too! Bought nearly new, kept for just over five years as a daily. Miss that car more than the Celica...That money will get you into a Smart Roadster. Cheap as chips to run and easy to maintain if you have half an inkling with spanners. Just make sure you find a dry one.
Most faults are niggly rather than dire. And they handle extremely well and are guaranteed to make you smile.
Be careful though, mine tended to eat back tyres and clutches....
Dempsey1971 said:
Do some man maths, add a little bit, and buy this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
You're buying right at the bottom of the market, I predict massive bills.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
It's got to be a clio, surely? Once the belt and dephaser are dones they're solid as hell. Plus cheap go faster bits.
Dempsey1971 said:
Do some man maths, add a little bit, and buy this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
Trust me, more than enough man maths has gone into my criteria already! Am very fond of the Corrado though and Mulberry suits it very well. Has anybody on here owned/driven a MK3 Golf VR6, as I've found a couple of quite nice ones within budget?http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
If you can afford the insurance on a Clio 172/182 just do it. One of my favourite cars I've owned. Running them is very cheap, second hand parts are readily available, modifications are cheap compared to other German hatches, plenty of scope to increase power etc if you wish.
The best setup I had was a standard 172, decent coilovers, Speedline Turinis and a stealth cat back exhaust. Looked nice, sounded nice, went well, handled unbelievably and was very reliable. Loved it. Wish I never sold it. Would love another one now sat next to my boring TDI daily.
The best setup I had was a standard 172, decent coilovers, Speedline Turinis and a stealth cat back exhaust. Looked nice, sounded nice, went well, handled unbelievably and was very reliable. Loved it. Wish I never sold it. Would love another one now sat next to my boring TDI daily.
TheFinners said:
Trust me, more than enough man maths has gone into my criteria already! Am very fond of the Corrado though and Mulberry suits it very well. Has anybody on here owned/driven a MK3 Golf VR6, as I've found a couple of quite nice ones within budget?
Had 2 mk3 VR6's, lovely engine but more than the chassis could cope with IMO.You don't appear to need much practicality so how about a mk3 mr2 as opposed to hot hatches? Should be able to get a facelift one for budget-ish, and they are brilliant to drive. (especially compared to a mk3 Golf)
Mk3 vr6 are good but at this age you will be chasing failing items as its a old car now. Perished hoses etc.
Another vote for 172/182. They are not that unreliable if maintained. Also maintenance is cheap and parts super cheap as so many are being broken on the owners forum. It's the only car I've ever come back to again
Another vote for 172/182. They are not that unreliable if maintained. Also maintenance is cheap and parts super cheap as so many are being broken on the owners forum. It's the only car I've ever come back to again
Japveesix said:
Exactly what I came on here to post.
VERY fun car to drive, nippy but not fast so not too bad to insure. Easily does 40mpg on a real gentle cruise and over 30mpg the rest of the time. Looks good (imo) and certainly unusual/rare which I think is a bonus.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
LKots of car for the money, I love mine.
That's so cool in a really Japanese way - love the fishnet Recaros. Really like that actually!VERY fun car to drive, nippy but not fast so not too bad to insure. Easily does 40mpg on a real gentle cruise and over 30mpg the rest of the time. Looks good (imo) and certainly unusual/rare which I think is a bonus.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
LKots of car for the money, I love mine.
Only on PistonHeads will you find a BMW 5 series V8 and a Suzuki Cappuccino suggested in the same thread!
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out
).
There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out
). There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
TheFinners said:
Only on PistonHeads will you find a BMW 5 series V8 and a Suzuki Cappuccino suggested in the same thread!
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out ).
There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
Very true. I did suggest a ford puma initially though, really encourage you to try one if you can find a rust free example, great cars.Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out
). There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
Rumblestripe said:
How about a Fiat Panda 100hp?
Fits all the criteria (except it looks, well it looks like a Fiat Panda). Brisk (0-60 in 9.5). Frugal (Average 43mpg). Chuckable and practical. Should be cheap to insure.
But, it is a Fiat Panda!
Our 100hp has averaged 36 over the last 3000 miles. It's hideously uncomfortable... It's fun but I wouldn't recommend one unless you do very very short journeys. Insurance is very low though..Fits all the criteria (except it looks, well it looks like a Fiat Panda). Brisk (0-60 in 9.5). Frugal (Average 43mpg). Chuckable and practical. Should be cheap to insure.
But, it is a Fiat Panda!
+1 for Gen7 Celica 190/ VVTLi.
Mine was fairly well modified when purchased, but can speak confidently on Gen7s as I also had a 140/ VVTi model.
Totally underrated, well-made car with quality materials. Handling was 90-odd% of my friends' DC2 Integra, stayed with the 'Teg every single time. Lift in my experience is at least equal to VTec (y0!).
Low-slung, feet-forward driving position and a surprisingly sweet gearchange make it a tempting alternative to similarly priced (eg. Clio) hot hatches, which I tend to feel like I'm sitting 'on' rather than 'in'.
Sits a little high from stock, a subtle drop (I used Tein SuperStreet coilovers) transforms the appearance loads. Don't be a tart and fit cheap lowering springs obviously... Mine was an 'SS-II' Jap import, so it had the factory bodykit that the UK GT got. Looked rather spiffing imho. Darker colours (black/ Storm Grey) suit the car best.
2ZZ can be made to sound rather pleasant with a good aftermarket intake/ exhaust. ~190hp moves the thing along nicely- don't even look at 140 models, which are underpowered. Get one with leather, as they are plentiful.
Never driven a stock mk3 MR2/ MR-S, but I bet they're tough to beat for ~£2K. Careful with those early 1ZZ lumps though, got burned with my 2001 Gen7 there. 02/ 03> facelifts apparently don't bork (as much). As a 6'3" shaven-headed ogre, I would have to be careful on paint/ interior colour choice. OP may not have to make the same considerations....
Avoid those 5-spoke alloy wheels that many Gen7/ MR-Ss got if possible, rarely see a set that aren't bubbling and flaking.
Mine was fairly well modified when purchased, but can speak confidently on Gen7s as I also had a 140/ VVTi model.
Totally underrated, well-made car with quality materials. Handling was 90-odd% of my friends' DC2 Integra, stayed with the 'Teg every single time. Lift in my experience is at least equal to VTec (y0!).
Low-slung, feet-forward driving position and a surprisingly sweet gearchange make it a tempting alternative to similarly priced (eg. Clio) hot hatches, which I tend to feel like I'm sitting 'on' rather than 'in'.
Sits a little high from stock, a subtle drop (I used Tein SuperStreet coilovers) transforms the appearance loads. Don't be a tart and fit cheap lowering springs obviously... Mine was an 'SS-II' Jap import, so it had the factory bodykit that the UK GT got. Looked rather spiffing imho. Darker colours (black/ Storm Grey) suit the car best.
2ZZ can be made to sound rather pleasant with a good aftermarket intake/ exhaust. ~190hp moves the thing along nicely- don't even look at 140 models, which are underpowered. Get one with leather, as they are plentiful.
Never driven a stock mk3 MR2/ MR-S, but I bet they're tough to beat for ~£2K. Careful with those early 1ZZ lumps though, got burned with my 2001 Gen7 there. 02/ 03> facelifts apparently don't bork (as much). As a 6'3" shaven-headed ogre, I would have to be careful on paint/ interior colour choice. OP may not have to make the same considerations....
Avoid those 5-spoke alloy wheels that many Gen7/ MR-Ss got if possible, rarely see a set that aren't bubbling and flaking.
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