Affordable drivers car for a 22 year old?
Discussion
just try a 2000 and see if it makes you grin....I went through the various facelifts and all that stuff, reading up on the usual 'uh but it aint got no torque et al' you always get people who hear then repeat rubbish, also just to say there is no 'VTEC KICK in any way, engine just simply pulls easily all the way to 9000rpm, not does it bounce off the rev limiter...it simply cuts out to save it self!...the best plate to get is a 55my, you'll get the cheaper tax at £290 vs £490 for an 06 to 09, a 55 is the last year these came without daft drivers aids like VSA and drive-by-wire, they get the smarter ten spoke rims along with honeycomb headrests unlike the later padded style which looks wrong...buy one now if you intend as they are going up in price for some strange reason...
For me I went for a A3 3.2 Quattro. It's a bit more subtle than a R32 golf but the same speed and running gear, and stunning value for money in comparison. Think this is due to some really poorly maintained examples out there.
You'd get a damn decent R32/A3 for that money. It's a rather sensible choice I'll admit and people moan about the haldex 4wd but I love mine.
It's pretty quick, makes a glorious noise, but does drink petrol.
I do longish runs and get between 28-33mpg.
It's a completely different animal to the mini it replaced. (1978 Mini 1275 GT)
As for insurance I'm 23 and just renewed with a clean licence, 1 fault claim and 3 years NCB for £700.
On the flip side my sisters boyfriend (same age) just bought a VX220. It's a brilliant little thing, but after seeing the "boot" you'd struggle to use it everyday!
Joe
You'd get a damn decent R32/A3 for that money. It's a rather sensible choice I'll admit and people moan about the haldex 4wd but I love mine.
It's pretty quick, makes a glorious noise, but does drink petrol.
I do longish runs and get between 28-33mpg.
It's a completely different animal to the mini it replaced. (1978 Mini 1275 GT)
As for insurance I'm 23 and just renewed with a clean licence, 1 fault claim and 3 years NCB for £700.
On the flip side my sisters boyfriend (same age) just bought a VX220. It's a brilliant little thing, but after seeing the "boot" you'd struggle to use it everyday!
olliete said:
Z4M without a shadow of a doubt!
If i had the budget though I'd be looking at these, the insurance was ridiculous though.Joe
Edited by 1275 GT on Thursday 8th October 17:06
Would definitely agree on the Audi front.
I was always partial to the saloon Audi's and they have some nice engines. I would assume a B7 S4 would be out of range as far as insurance goes but maybe a Quattro S Line would be more realistic? Performance is lovely but not ridiculous and they look blimmin marvelous;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
I had a B8 S Line 170 which was lovely too. Great economy and performance was surprisingly good;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Might be a little middle-of-the-road for some but I would say they would be a more sensible choice than an E46 M3 for example...most M3's have been destroyed by their previous owners (obviously a generalization but still...) and are a nightmare to keep on the road without good monthly income (fuel, tax, repair bills, insurance, etc...).
I was always partial to the saloon Audi's and they have some nice engines. I would assume a B7 S4 would be out of range as far as insurance goes but maybe a Quattro S Line would be more realistic? Performance is lovely but not ridiculous and they look blimmin marvelous;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
I had a B8 S Line 170 which was lovely too. Great economy and performance was surprisingly good;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Might be a little middle-of-the-road for some but I would say they would be a more sensible choice than an E46 M3 for example...most M3's have been destroyed by their previous owners (obviously a generalization but still...) and are a nightmare to keep on the road without good monthly income (fuel, tax, repair bills, insurance, etc...).
Edited by Mustybadger on Thursday 8th October 17:37
Insurance isnt as much of an issue as it was a few years ago.
Im currently insured on my Scirocco R a MK7 Golf R and a 170 Tdi Scirocco for just a little over £1000 and im 21 with no NCB.
I was in your shoes a few months ago, and nearly pulled the trigger on a few e92 M3s but people kept beating me to the ones with the spec I liked. I toyed with an RS5 and an S5 also but my budget was double yours. I needed something that I could drive everyday but also could keep me entertained on weekends so was a little bit more limited in choice than you are looking just for a weekend car.
Anyway long story short Ive ended up with a Scirocco R, saving 10k on my budget. Due to running costs of a v8 (insurance wasnt an issue) and the fact a powerful RWD daily in Manchester isnt the best combination. Im going to keep it for about a year and revisit the issue.
Why not a JCW mini R56 or look at a R53 GP. Both are in your budget and the R56 JCW is one of the funnest cars I have drove to date.
Scirocco Rs are coming up for a grand or two over your budget, same with the Golf and the S3 all very easily moddable too. Fiesta St is also a good shout.
If you want RWD E46 M3, Not keen on S2000 cant get away with convertables...
Im currently insured on my Scirocco R a MK7 Golf R and a 170 Tdi Scirocco for just a little over £1000 and im 21 with no NCB.
I was in your shoes a few months ago, and nearly pulled the trigger on a few e92 M3s but people kept beating me to the ones with the spec I liked. I toyed with an RS5 and an S5 also but my budget was double yours. I needed something that I could drive everyday but also could keep me entertained on weekends so was a little bit more limited in choice than you are looking just for a weekend car.
Anyway long story short Ive ended up with a Scirocco R, saving 10k on my budget. Due to running costs of a v8 (insurance wasnt an issue) and the fact a powerful RWD daily in Manchester isnt the best combination. Im going to keep it for about a year and revisit the issue.
Why not a JCW mini R56 or look at a R53 GP. Both are in your budget and the R56 JCW is one of the funnest cars I have drove to date.
Scirocco Rs are coming up for a grand or two over your budget, same with the Golf and the S3 all very easily moddable too. Fiesta St is also a good shout.
If you want RWD E46 M3, Not keen on S2000 cant get away with convertables...
Save it - there's more joy in cheap motoring than there is in stretching your finances when young (or actually, at just about any age). Buy a 197 clio or something. Buy something with consumables you don't mind paying for. There's no point in spending £15k on something which you're going to resent the upkeep of, and which is not a car you've always wanted anyway.
The only exception is if it's your dream car. If you've always always always wanted a clio v6 - then buy one (plus they won't lose a penny).
The only exception is if it's your dream car. If you've always always always wanted a clio v6 - then buy one (plus they won't lose a penny).
Integra DC5, some good coilovers, new bushes, a geometry setup and a 4 point harness. Spend the rest of fuel and the off track day. I guarantee huge fun with none of the drawbacks of a VX220 or Elise, and better steering than an S2000.
Actually I've had the Integra and the S2000 and of the 2 I wouldnt really consider another S2000, I still look at Integra's now even with how happy I am with my STI Impreza.
Actually I've had the Integra and the S2000 and of the 2 I wouldnt really consider another S2000, I still look at Integra's now even with how happy I am with my STI Impreza.
I'd be really interested if the OP could post some quotes for some of the cars mentioned to give everyone an idea as to what the costs are.
I again like many others was really surprised at how cheap insurance was (back in the day). My first insurance at 19 was about £1200 TPFT, I just got some quotes for other cars and ended up ordering an Elise (at 21) which was actually cheaper than the MR2 fully comp. Then I insured a Cerbera at 22 for even less than the Elise which I thought was amazing. This was all in the North East, not garaged but off street parking.
I again like many others was really surprised at how cheap insurance was (back in the day). My first insurance at 19 was about £1200 TPFT, I just got some quotes for other cars and ended up ordering an Elise (at 21) which was actually cheaper than the MR2 fully comp. Then I insured a Cerbera at 22 for even less than the Elise which I thought was amazing. This was all in the North East, not garaged but off street parking.
For under £15k you can have a vx220 turbo stage 2 with suspension, brake and geo mods. This combination will give you a 0 to 60 time around 4 seconds and one of the best balanced drivers cars available and considerably quicker and more fun than anything listed above. Insurance should be reasonable and parts are very inexpensive for a car with this performance.
If you are after a touch more refinement but still want a focused drivers car the S2000 is great fun. Insurance will be higher on the S2000.
A bit more refinement and you have a Boxster S or Z4m.
The E46 M3 is a good option if you want a saloon car.
If you want front wheel drive then I'm already bored and you should ask someone else!
If you are after a touch more refinement but still want a focused drivers car the S2000 is great fun. Insurance will be higher on the S2000.
A bit more refinement and you have a Boxster S or Z4m.
The E46 M3 is a good option if you want a saloon car.
If you want front wheel drive then I'm already bored and you should ask someone else!
tuscman said:
For under £15k you can have a vx220 turbo stage 2 with suspension, brake and geo mods. This combination will give you a 0 to 60 time around 4 seconds and one of the best balanced drivers cars available and considerably quicker and more fun than anything listed above. Insurance should be reasonable and parts are very inexpensive for a car with this performance.
If you are after a touch more refinement but still want a focused drivers car the S2000 is great fun. Insurance will be higher on the S2000.
A bit more refinement and you have a Boxster S or Z4m.
The E46 M3 is a good option if you want a saloon car.
If you want front wheel drive then I'm already bored and you should ask someone else!
If you are after a touch more refinement but still want a focused drivers car the S2000 is great fun. Insurance will be higher on the S2000.
A bit more refinement and you have a Boxster S or Z4m.
The E46 M3 is a good option if you want a saloon car.
If you want front wheel drive then I'm already bored and you should ask someone else!
Here's one I made earlier!
You lot call yourself PH'ers? Looking for a cheap car to insure and you recommend S2000s! These are notoriously expensive to insure, Id love to see a 22yr olds premium....
To clear up a couple confusions which appear in every S2000 thread. All UK cars are AP1 (2.0), AP2 cars are 2.2 and are sold in different markets.
IMO best cars are 53-55 - these are facelift models which stay in the lower tax band and do not have any driver aids. They are slightly softer than the earlier pre-facelift cars and overall a little easier on the edge... 06 onwards are double the road tax and may have driver aids (it was an option, not standard). The stability control whilst useful is pretty unreliable and fails from time to time - I wouldn't bother with it.
I love mine, great car and now starting to go up in value slowly - although there are some daft prices out there for pre-facelift cars which IMO look old hat now. Get your bum on a seat and you will enjoy it - if you have come from a Turbo car you WILL find it flat - if you have come from a NA car then you will find it awesome! Either way its a quick car, WILL keep up with traffic in higher gears and when you get the opportunity to stir the box up through several 9k changes you'll fall in love. Id have another if it was quicker out of the box, whilst fun the pace of M135i has made the S2000 feel a bit lacking.... an S2000 with 350hp would be perfect. (A lightweight Z4M has to be worth a look!)
To clear up a couple confusions which appear in every S2000 thread. All UK cars are AP1 (2.0), AP2 cars are 2.2 and are sold in different markets.
IMO best cars are 53-55 - these are facelift models which stay in the lower tax band and do not have any driver aids. They are slightly softer than the earlier pre-facelift cars and overall a little easier on the edge... 06 onwards are double the road tax and may have driver aids (it was an option, not standard). The stability control whilst useful is pretty unreliable and fails from time to time - I wouldn't bother with it.
I love mine, great car and now starting to go up in value slowly - although there are some daft prices out there for pre-facelift cars which IMO look old hat now. Get your bum on a seat and you will enjoy it - if you have come from a Turbo car you WILL find it flat - if you have come from a NA car then you will find it awesome! Either way its a quick car, WILL keep up with traffic in higher gears and when you get the opportunity to stir the box up through several 9k changes you'll fall in love. Id have another if it was quicker out of the box, whilst fun the pace of M135i has made the S2000 feel a bit lacking.... an S2000 with 350hp would be perfect. (A lightweight Z4M has to be worth a look!)
I went through this exact process at the start of summer.
I ended up buying a Porsche 911 996 gen 2, which by lucky had X51 power kit and X74 suspension (-30mm), for 15k. My insurance (5 years NCB) is £700 a year with Aviva.
I weighed up the E46 M3 and such but am a big Porsche fan and a 911 was the dream.
Best decision ive ever made. 5k miles in 4 months, only money ive spent on it was alignment, air con rads (knew about this when we bought the car) and a little bit of oil. Spent a lot of time searching for the right car and had a good friend come and look at it with me, however its going amazing.
I ended up buying a Porsche 911 996 gen 2, which by lucky had X51 power kit and X74 suspension (-30mm), for 15k. My insurance (5 years NCB) is £700 a year with Aviva.
I weighed up the E46 M3 and such but am a big Porsche fan and a 911 was the dream.
Best decision ive ever made. 5k miles in 4 months, only money ive spent on it was alignment, air con rads (knew about this when we bought the car) and a little bit of oil. Spent a lot of time searching for the right car and had a good friend come and look at it with me, however its going amazing.
Curveball. 1997-2004 Corvette.
I'm 23 and have been driving mine since 21. My insurance is under £500 and I have had six points at one stage. The power is mental, the driving poise truly excellent. I spend a lot of time on the ragged edge in the highlands and west coast of Scotland so I feel pretty qualified to say it is a real beast and up there with any Z4M, S2000, M3, TVR...
I grant you they're not for everyone but they really are something. Maybe it's worth a test drive. I tested out a Z4M, 3.0L Z4, TVR Tuscan, 500hpGTR33 and none of them took me like the Vette does. Except the Tuscan but other things put me off that.
At £15k you'll be in a top spec 345bhp coupe or convertible, perhaps even a 405hp Z06 (I didn't like the body style).
I'm 23 and have been driving mine since 21. My insurance is under £500 and I have had six points at one stage. The power is mental, the driving poise truly excellent. I spend a lot of time on the ragged edge in the highlands and west coast of Scotland so I feel pretty qualified to say it is a real beast and up there with any Z4M, S2000, M3, TVR...
I grant you they're not for everyone but they really are something. Maybe it's worth a test drive. I tested out a Z4M, 3.0L Z4, TVR Tuscan, 500hpGTR33 and none of them took me like the Vette does. Except the Tuscan but other things put me off that.
At £15k you'll be in a top spec 345bhp coupe or convertible, perhaps even a 405hp Z06 (I didn't like the body style).
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