What car? Under £1K
Discussion
I'm currently looking at getting a new car, I've just finished my second year of driving and now have enough NCB to hopefully get something a bit nicer. At the moment I have a 2000 reg Polo and a 1976 MGB GT. I only plan on selling the Polo, so I will still have a "fun" car and I am looking for a reliable daily that is a bit more interesting/exciting than a 1.4 Polo.
The budget is around £1K, I can't get insurance on anything with a silly engine and nothing too big because I have limited space, so no V12 7 series
Here's what I've narrowed it down to so far:
Current favourite
Prelude would be my first pick, but they are hard to find and expensive to insure.
Or I could embrace the boy racer stereo type
Or the wildcard option, buy the hot version of my current car.
Any thoughts, experiences or advice appreciated
The budget is around £1K, I can't get insurance on anything with a silly engine and nothing too big because I have limited space, so no V12 7 series
Here's what I've narrowed it down to so far:
Current favourite
Prelude would be my first pick, but they are hard to find and expensive to insure.
Or I could embrace the boy racer stereo type
Or the wildcard option, buy the hot version of my current car.
Any thoughts, experiences or advice appreciated
Id go for the Subaru, maybe find a 1.6 or 1.8 version to avoid buying one that has been ragged to death by a previous boy-racer stereotype, but they are very sturdy and reliable cars, cant go wrong with em.
I personally, would go and do something stupid, and buy an Alfa Romeo, doesnt get much more interesing than that IMHO. (and in fact, ive just bought a 2002 147, which should be well under 1K on your side of the pond), be aware that they will cost more to maintain, and at shed money, you should look out for the big problems, otherwise you might be looking for a new shed soon enough (front suspension, rust, cambelts, and oil level for the Petrol versions)
I personally, would go and do something stupid, and buy an Alfa Romeo, doesnt get much more interesing than that IMHO. (and in fact, ive just bought a 2002 147, which should be well under 1K on your side of the pond), be aware that they will cost more to maintain, and at shed money, you should look out for the big problems, otherwise you might be looking for a new shed soon enough (front suspension, rust, cambelts, and oil level for the Petrol versions)
Mr. Nice Guy said:
I would love an Alfa, I'm trying to avoid hatchbacks but a 147 would be nice, but it would have to be the 1.6 so the insurance isn't too killer. A 156 is out too, the insurance is far too much.
Is there anything in particular to look out for on that age/shape BMW or scooby?
Ive got an 105hp 1.6 147 (bottom of the barrel performance wise), and it isnt bad. Sure you wont win any races with it, but it is more then quick enough for comfortable and confident traffic navigation. The 120hp veloce model will have some extra top end power, but this comes from a cam variator which is prone to failure, and is recommended to be replaced at most cam belt changes. As for the 156, there are 1.6ts cars out there, which arent extremely fast, so might be OK on insurance.Is there anything in particular to look out for on that age/shape BMW or scooby?
How would a 145/146/155 come in insurance wise? the early 8v 155 models all use the old Nord engine based twinspark meaning a timing chain rather then belt, and are generally very reliable. Early models 145/146 will have boxer engines, which arent bad, but the 1.4 boxer wont be extremely quick, and will be slightly more difficult to service (although the cam belt on an 8v boxer is a DIY job, you can forget doing that on a TS engine)
As for the BMW/Scoob, no clue really, im not too familiar with those models
If you can cope with the ( small ) size I'd go with the Polo Gti. We've run one for 16 years and it's perfect for all uses. Now easy to buy and being a simple wee car it's cheap to fix and service. Usually around 35+ mpg , not heavy on tyres ( F 20k R 40k ) nor brakes with very durable mechanics. Not super fast but cruises easily and quietly at 85+ with good ride quality. Don't be put off by miles so long as it's been properly serviced as they were over engineered from start . G/box had a common fault that requires rebuild at approx 100k but many have been done...worth checking though. Good luck whatever you decide.
Hi mate i love the prelude its a spit of one i went to view a few months back...
But alas it was rusty as f
k underneath if your considering one make sure you crawl underneath and have a good poke about..
The bmw compact looks lovely and you can get some wild interior trim combos it seems.
I love the less than a bag market and have been looking around myself lately, theres a 46,000 mile saxo vtr up near me that looks mint, Other things i would consider in your boat would be fast saabs, a clean lexus is300 and dare i say it mg zs v6?
Anyway mate good luck with the hunt
But alas it was rusty as f
k underneath if your considering one make sure you crawl underneath and have a good poke about..The bmw compact looks lovely and you can get some wild interior trim combos it seems.
I love the less than a bag market and have been looking around myself lately, theres a 46,000 mile saxo vtr up near me that looks mint, Other things i would consider in your boat would be fast saabs, a clean lexus is300 and dare i say it mg zs v6?
Anyway mate good luck with the hunt
If you can cope with the ( small ) size I'd go with the Polo Gti. We've run one for 16 years and it's perfect for all uses. Now easy to buy and being a simple wee car it's cheap to fix and service. Usually around 35+ mpg , not heavy on tyres ( F 20k R 40k ) nor brakes with very durable mechanics. Not super fast but cruises easily and quietly at 85+ with good ride quality. Don't be put off by miles so long as it's been properly serviced as they were over engineered from start . G/box had a common fault that requires rebuild at approx 100k but many have been done...worth checking though. Good luck whatever you decide.
How about an old EF, EG or EK Honda Civic VTi? Rust is an issue but that 1.6 B-Series (B16a) DOHC Twin-cam VTEC engine is a peach and, in a light body EF or EG they are a lot of fun. EK is a little heavier but more modern and less rust prone. Failing that, the EG Civic ESi was good too, and not far off the VTi. It had a SOHC single-cam 1.6 in it that also loved to rev, I think it was the D16z6 and was lots cheaper to insure.
I ran both and EK VTi and EG ESi up to 150k each and the only things that failed were a radiator on the EG and a ball joint on the EK.
Failing these, the old Peugeot 106GTi or Rallye was also very good. Handles great and not too many issues either...just usual electrical gremlins
I ran both and EK VTi and EG ESi up to 150k each and the only things that failed were a radiator on the EG and a ball joint on the EK.
Failing these, the old Peugeot 106GTi or Rallye was also very good. Handles great and not too many issues either...just usual electrical gremlins
@Toyoda - the Yaris looks like it would be good fun but doesn't really do it for me, and Celicas are too expensive to insure, otherwise they would have been one of my first choices 
@Chocolate Frog - I tried my luck with a 325 compact but the insurance was over £2K, so they are out
@Superhangon - I do see the appeal of a Puma but they aren't my cup of tea, plus like you say; finding one that isn't shagged is hard work
@Polome - so no real trouble to report with a 6n2 gti? I have wanted one since i first got my Polo, but the insurance is only just affordable and most have been slammed by now judging by what I see on the Facebook pages.
@Degsy - did you test drive the prelude? And which engine was it? I have looked at most of the things you suggested, the big Lexi(?) are too big, the IS200 is too expensive to insure and fast Saabs seem a bit dull if I'm honest, I feel like I'm too young for a Saab a V6 MG ZS was the original first choice but I can't insure one, does anybody have any experience with the 1.8 ZS?
@1Addicted - the Civics you mentioned are getting hard to find now, the only Civic that has caught my eye so far is the 1.7 coupe, and I'm really not sure why because I definitely shouldn't like it, but I do
Thanks for all the suggestions so far, keep them coming!
@Chocolate Frog - I tried my luck with a 325 compact but the insurance was over £2K, so they are out
@Superhangon - I do see the appeal of a Puma but they aren't my cup of tea, plus like you say; finding one that isn't shagged is hard work
@Polome - so no real trouble to report with a 6n2 gti? I have wanted one since i first got my Polo, but the insurance is only just affordable and most have been slammed by now judging by what I see on the Facebook pages.
@Degsy - did you test drive the prelude? And which engine was it? I have looked at most of the things you suggested, the big Lexi(?) are too big, the IS200 is too expensive to insure and fast Saabs seem a bit dull if I'm honest, I feel like I'm too young for a Saab
a V6 MG ZS was the original first choice but I can't insure one, does anybody have any experience with the 1.8 ZS?@1Addicted - the Civics you mentioned are getting hard to find now, the only Civic that has caught my eye so far is the 1.7 coupe, and I'm really not sure why because I definitely shouldn't like it, but I do
Thanks for all the suggestions so far, keep them coming!
Mr. Nice Guy said:
@Toyoda - the Yaris looks like it would be good fun but doesn't really do it for me, and Celicas are too expensive to insure, otherwise they would have been one of my first choices
Even the 140 Celica's are too expensive to insure? I presume same goes for the 140 engined MR2 roadster as well? Hrmmmm well if you dont like the sound of the Yaris then I'm guessing an Ignis Sport is also out of the question?! For a grand I'm just trying to think of reliable Jap cars where insurance isn't sky high. Mazda 323 2.0 sport?
Hi mate it was just a 2.0 vtec i think not the 2.2 vti, I was running a MG ZR 2.0 diesel before ( I buy a banger every winter and SORN my E39 which is still a banger to most) but it died on the way to lincoln Borked fuel pump and i only payed £250 for it so it got weighed in .. But i really really liked it.Hence me viewing the prelude as a replacement car.
I didnt drive the prelude because i merely spotted it at the side of the road,The seller had left the Mot sheet in the window, A LOT of advisorys relating to corrosion and i had a good look under it and it was crusty!
Saying that someone local bought it and its still going.. But if you view one really get underneath and poke about. I'd love a lude though i wont lie.
In the end i bought a C5 its a dreary old beige turd but its been very reliable, Ive got my e39 back on the road, So in the next couple of months it'll be a case of the C5 getting pie'd off (its got a fresh mot on it now).
So im in the same boat as you ill be wanting sub a grand fun this summer haha, Have you considered an alfa 145 cloverleaf or a lesser variant, Fiat stilo 2.4 (5 pot) , MR2 maybe? Ford puma?
Re saab's i had a 1999 9-3 2.0 The Older NG 900 based one (vauxhall floorpan) I really liked it but i drove it like a loon though best seats you'll find in a car too, ignis sport maybe?
Anyway sorry for the long winded post but let us know how you get on pal
Regards.
I didnt drive the prelude because i merely spotted it at the side of the road,The seller had left the Mot sheet in the window, A LOT of advisorys relating to corrosion and i had a good look under it and it was crusty!
Saying that someone local bought it and its still going.. But if you view one really get underneath and poke about. I'd love a lude though i wont lie.
In the end i bought a C5 its a dreary old beige turd but its been very reliable, Ive got my e39 back on the road, So in the next couple of months it'll be a case of the C5 getting pie'd off (its got a fresh mot on it now).
So im in the same boat as you ill be wanting sub a grand fun this summer haha, Have you considered an alfa 145 cloverleaf or a lesser variant, Fiat stilo 2.4 (5 pot) , MR2 maybe? Ford puma?
Re saab's i had a 1999 9-3 2.0 The Older NG 900 based one (vauxhall floorpan) I really liked it but i drove it like a loon though best seats you'll find in a car too, ignis sport maybe?
Anyway sorry for the long winded post but let us know how you get on pal
Regards.
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