Affordable drivers car for a 22 year old?

[JamesyBoy75]

You don't see them too regularly on sale now, but an ST185 GT4, compared to Scooby's, Evo's and even ST205 GT4's they are remarkably cheap to insure. 200-240BHP and a good 4WD, it's quite an old car by now (89-93, older than you) though so maybe not what you are looking for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Celica_GT-Fou...

[terry237]

Another vote for the 350z here. Got mine when I just turned 23 and insurance was less than £800 combined with my other car on a multicar policy.

Not the fastest or sharpest 'sports' car (I consider it a sporty GT) but still great fun to drive, quick enough, reliable and the noise!

[Addymk2]

jeffohlen90 said:

I am coming in with the perspective of owning something a bit different - Have you ever considered a rotary Rex from Mazda?

With a £15,000 budget you could get a tidy RX-8 for no more than £5000 and budget the rest aside for suspension / power upgrades that would make it a very practical yet fun handling sports coupe. You get linear power delivery from the 1.3 wankel rotary and as long as you keep fastidious to the servicing intervals (oil and filter change, plugs and leads), it makes for an interesting ownership proposition.

Or you could try the RX-7 range (FB, FC or FD) and get a good example from £7k - £11k depending on spec for a focused sports car with some of the best balance and handling characteristics out there. I currently own an FD as a 25 year old driver and insure it under classic car insurance for £260 plus road tax for £230 flat rate yearly. Can be high on fuel bills though if that is an important factor for you. I fortunately brought mine from an RX-7 enthusiast so he did a lot of work on it already prior to buying it, but can be high maintenance depending if you buy a well-looked after one. Stunning looks and super car performance especially from the twin turbo FD.

I second this, a late Ltd edition FD imported us only going to appreciate in value now. Beautiful cars, beautiful to drive. Would thoroughly recommend

[krismccloy]

If I had 15k to spend I would test drive the following:

Lotus Elise S2
Late model Honda S2000
Toyota GT86

[seatz37]

I'd be looking at hot clios or old 3 series for that money.

172/182 and save the cash, 200 Cup still under.

Or E46 330ci - quick enough to learn about rwd

None should break the bank to buy or run and if they get broken/stolen then you are less out of pocket.

[DaveC92]

Have you thought about an Astra vxr?

Good upgrading possibilities if it doesn't win you over standard, running costs aren't too high and the insurance won't break the bank!

Or maybe go a little more inconspicuous with a 2.5 Turbo Volvo C30?

[RichwiththeS2000]

I wasn't planning to sell yet, but I have an 05 S2k, all the good bits done. Fully bushes/geo'd/FSH/all the good bits. Literally all the S2000 you could ever want. Wants for nothing.

Was going to wait until spring but you can have it for £15k. PM if interested.

[g7jhp]

Theodoreallen said:

The mx5 is on my list of potentials but unfortunately I'm not overly fond of them...

I'd recommend a Mazda MX5 Mk1 as it's cheap to buy and run, fun in the sun and a great drive that dooesn't rely of bhp to be enjoyable. Mk1's have now gone full circle and good one's are now in demand.

[cb241]

RX8 for £5k, £3.5k for engine rebuild if needed. Handles great, fun (esp in wet) and great track car. Got mine at 20 years old and insurance was about £1400.

[AntonMartin]

I think an Alfa Brera is a good choice. I'd try to find a late one with TBi engine (most modern and best fuel consumption/power), it's the engine of the Giulietta QV and 4C basically.

Nothing looks like a Brera on the road. No idea how insurance costs are in the UK, but Breras are affordable to insure in Spain.

Edited by AntonMartin on Thursday 8th October 16:31

[Vee12V]

Brera looks stunning but ultimately is a huge disappointment to drive, whatever the engine.

My vote says Elise.

[smilo996]

Back in ma day we cud nu aford cars. I witted until I wer 30 til I ad me first cat. Wit 5 kids it were an Espace. Kids t'day!!!!

Something a little French and feisty:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

Z3/4M Coupe. Cool, reliable, likely a good investment, room for mates.Push that budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Something for summer
Alfa GTV - Why not start as you mean to go on.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Have and Alfa and be your father:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...

or: RS4 B5 - project, silly fast, safe, stealthy and you can sleep in it for festivals.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Or look after an RS€ B7.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Finally from left field. a favourite with the layyyydies. Budget pusher though
VW Caravelle: Saturday night sorted, festivals sorted, holidays sorted. Built like a Panzer, like a Golf to drive. Impossible to steal, cheap to insure.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/big-stuff/v...

Edited by smilo996 on Thursday 8th October 17:25

[3500rpm]

Haven't been through all pages in this thread and I'm sure it's been suggested already.

330i/iT, Audi S4/S4 Avant or a Forester XT - that's what I would've loved at 22 for daily use and trips with friends. As always buy on condition.

[BoyRacerChaser]

Loads of decent suggestions but for your bank balance, insurance purposes and fun factor id try getting quotes on:

Clio 197*
Lotus Elise
VX220
Integra DC5*
RX7
Integra DC2* (turbo maybe?)
JCW Mini
R32 Golf
Renaultsport Megane 225
Boxster S (you could even stretch to a cayman)
E46 M3* (this is what i currently have)
S2000*

Evos and scoobies are horrible to insure, even for me now and im 30.

The ones with the stars I have had, the rest are on the 'itch's to scratch' list at some point.

Elise has gotta be up there, insurable, not hideous to maintain, decent on fuel etc... get a 2 seater whilst you dont have any kids! You cant once you have!

Stick your mum dad and granny on your policy too, all oldies with mint clean licenses also try and make sure you can put the car on a drive or preferably in a garage and tick that option. Brings the policy down.

Good luck. I know what its like, I've been a petrolhead all my life. The good stuff will come!

Edited by BoyRacerChaser on Thursday 8th October 16:37

[MK1RS Bruce]

AWG said:

Lets not forget the up keep shall we! Yes i'm sure a GTR would make a 22 year very happy, but once the insurance and tax have left their mark on the chaps bank account he then has to consider servicing, fuel oh and rubber (no idea but assuming minimum £200 a corner?).

Build up gradually, you'll appreciate it more in the long run.

My thoughts exactly, I have heard new brakes can cost in the region of 5K to replace. I am not having a go but at 22 is having a 450+ BHP really a good idea, why not go for a decent hot hatch and gain a little more experience.

Not to mention I reckon its a lot easier to take a women home to my own place rather than my parents, a GTR only gets you so far if you know what I mean

[breakfan]

I was in the same position a few months ago. My only criteria was that it had to be fun and within a 10k budget. I ended up with a mk1 Focus RS. I can afford the insurance because I'm on a limited mileage policy, maybe that's an avenue you want to explore.

[anothernameitist]

bearman68 said:

Puma?

Couger would be better

[MK1RS Bruce]

breakfan said:

I was in the same position a few months ago. My only criteria was that it had to be fun and within a 10k budget. I ended up with a mk1 Focus RS. I can afford the insurance because I'm on a limited mileage policy, maybe that's an avenue you want to explore.

Just please don't do this with it

[breakfan]

MK1RS Bruce said:

Just please don't do this with it

Woops... that's my car... and me driving

[Tomatogti]

BoyRacerChaser said:

Loads of decent suggestions but for your bank balance, insurance purposes and fun factor id try getting quotes on:

Clio 197*
Lotus Elise
VX220
Integra DC5*
RX7
Integra DC2* (turbo maybe?)
JCW Mini
R32 Golf
Renaultsport Megane 225
Boxster S (you could even stretch to a cayman)
E46 M3* (this is what i currently have)
S2000*

Evos and scoobies are horrible to insure, even for me now and im 30.

The ones with the stars I have had, the rest are on the 'itch's to scratch' list at some point.

Elise has gotta be up there, insurable, not hideous to maintain, decent on fuel etc... get a 2 seater whilst you dont have any kids! You cant once you have!

Stick your mum dad and granny on your policy too, all oldies with mint clean licenses also try and make sure you can put the car on a drive or preferably in a garage and tick that option. Brings the policy down.

Good luck. I know what its like, I've been a petrolhead all my life. The good stuff will come!

Edited by BoyRacerChaser on Thursday 8th October 16:37

This is a great list. Perhaps mk v golf gti instead of an r32 though. You want a small, nimble, mid powered car with feel so you learn how to drive well.