Iconic car for under £10k

[octane83]

Al U said:

Why consider integra type r's then? The S2000 is superior.

Also if you don't want a car that revs go buy a diesel.

Must admit I didn't make the connection, they're very similar cars in character.

The suggestion to buy a diesel, although wonderful, I won't be pursuing it.

Read the OP.

[skyrover]

Petrol V8

EDIT: just saw the "not bad on fuel bit"

whoops :

LPG will make it a bit more affordable

[UberMeister]

octane83 said:

Yiliterate said:

Well, this will take a little haggling, and you'd probably want to return it to original condition at some stage - perhaps sooner rather than later?! - but I think this would meet pretty much all your requirements (MPG might be touch-and-go though!)...Clio V6:

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

Or for something a little more grown up; Jaguar XKR:

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

That Clio is looking sorry for itself, seems like quite a lot of work needed to bring it back up to standard. I think it will go on the list though. Cheers for the suggestion.

Ex Clio V6 owner here and I think it will tick all your boxes

You'd most likely be looking at a Cat C/D in your budget. I spotted this one on eBay the other night:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-clio-v6-3-0-/191...

[Robert Elise]

RenOHH said:

S2000

Obviously!

I truly believe no other car answers this 'what car?' so well. Never again will there be an engine like that in a mass produced car. It's the definition of iconic.

Edited by RenOHH on Sunday 4th October 00:21

Iconic means MX5, DB5, E-type, RollsRoyce as they're widely recognised and understood. An S2000 could be a great car for the reasons you say but most people wouldn't recognise it. A lot of great cars are not iconic, and a lot of iconic cars aren't great. Not being a pedant, really. but maybe the OP needs to qualify his criteria?

[Lefty]

Impreza p1
Evo V or VI
Elise s1
Chimaera
Mk2 Gti 16v big bumper
Mk4 R32
Range Rover classic (!)

[Lefty]

octane83 said:

Tickle said:

Well kept S1 Elise

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

ETA: may have to haggle a little or save a little more

I was thinking about these a few months ago until I was got a chance to drive one. Definitely too hardcore, I'm not put off by the reliability or the usability though, colleague at work uses his every single day irrespective of weather so I know they are up to it.

By hardcore, what do you actually mean? Too small, too noisy, too cold, not relaxing enough? It's not a good motorway cruiser!

With a hardtop and a heated screen fitted they're very "usable" all year round and the car is so special feeling every journey can be an event and a nice s1 at £10k is unlikely to lose money long term!

[RoadRunner220]

octane83 said:

Tickle said:

Well kept S1 Elise

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

ETA: may have to haggle a little or save a little more

I was thinking about these a few months ago until I was got a chance to drive one. Definitely too hardcore, I'm not put off by the reliability or the usability though, colleague at work uses his every single day irrespective of weather so I know they are up to it.

How about a VX220 ?

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

Not as hardcore as the S1 Elise, but based in the S2 Elise chassis so it still has that magic that these type of cars deliver every time you get behind the wheel.

[Tuvra]

Thankyou4calling said:

How about an Alfa Brera.

I've no allegiance and this may not be a good example but it's half your budget and I happened to see one today.

It looked great!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

That to me looks like a £15k car. I didn't realise they had got so cheap

[ColdoRS]

MK1 Focus RS

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

[giblet]

ikarl said:

Classic Impreza STi Type-R (2dr)

Keeping an eye on the prices recently and they're creeping up. Still within budget though!

This. Given the direction that prices for similar era jap metal are heading in I would stick my cash into a clean Impreza Type R.

[SidewaysSi]

Pesty said:

octane83 said:

What is the consensus on an Integra Type R? People rave about them, unfortunately I know nothing about it! Are they all imports?

Awesome cars. The steering is Amazing. But suffers from the same issues as the 2000. Not much torque low down you end up thrashing the tits off it everywhere. Which I fun but licence unfriendly and anti social.

I disagree. The ITR'S steering is its worst dynamic attribute. It is however a much better car than the S2000 which I don't class as 'iconic'.

As a poster mentioned above, please define 'iconic' as I don't think many of the suggestions are what I would call iconic.

I would suggest:

-Lotus Elise S1 (not the S2 or VX220)
-Landrover Defender
-205 GTI
-Original Impreza
-Lancer Evo VI RS or TME
-Integrale
-Caterham 7
-Original Mini
-Mazda MX5 Mk1

I am sure there are a few more but those above I would class as iconic and were game changers (can class the Lancer as getting on the list by the skin of its teeth given the subaru and Lancia).

Other great cars are Clio Trophy, ITR DC2, Mercedes W124/190 etc. though they are less iconic in my opinion.

[MajorProblem]

A 2CV and a Renault 4 with the change.