Cars that have a bad reputation, but you want one anyway.

[GC8]

R400TVR said:

Seems that I'm a sucker for these bad rep cars. So far I've had Fiat, Alfa, TVR, z3 and I'm now running a daily Rover 75 CDTi with a ZT body, and a Subaru.

Gravel Express: secretly want!

[Joeguard1990]

duplex said:

Mazda RX-8.
Everyone I know who's owned one has flooded the engine but still want one.

Get an R3 if you can, they are now as low as £5000 for a good example and have loads of updates to the engine and visual enhancements. Mine's on 60k and no problems. Upgrade the coil packs, don't turn it off/stall it when cold and keep an eye on your oil level (never let it run out) and you'll have no issues. Service it when needed as per the schedule.

[grumpynuts]

I bought one. I've had my 996 C4S for approaching 4 years, have done 30k reliable miles, and enjoyed every single mile. No RMS leaks, no IMS issues, no bore scoring. The only thing that has broken is the indicator stalk, a common problem, but easily fixed. Bought at sensible money, and now worth more than I paid for it. Cars with reputations are great bargains, as so often, the reputation is poorly founded and some sensible maintenance and cheap remedial work can prevent the "known" issues. Buy a 996 now before they redeem themselves and become out of reach to us enthusiasts.

[Rich1973]

I am finding myself with a real hankering for a MG TF160 at the moment. There, I said it in public...

[wack]

I've always wanted a Maserati so last March I bought this

So far the problems have been minor and usually electrical but I do feel there's a bill coming soon I'm going to struggle to pass off unnoticed so trouble is on the horizon

[Merry]

Rich1973 said:

I am finding myself with a real hankering for a MG TF160 at the moment. There, I said it in public...

Do it. I have an MGF, out of all the cars I've owned its my favourite. One of the cheapest too.

I've also got a Reliant Ss1 and have had an MGB. In brown. Basically if everyone thinks it's crap I'll buy it.

[jakesmith]

I've always wanted a silly little convertable like a Copen, Capuchino or Brabus Smart. Came close to buying a Smart this xmas for £1300. If I did 3000 business miles a year in it, it woukd be free essentially but I resisted the urge for now

[VonSenger]

grumpynuts said:

I bought one. I've had my 996 C4S for approaching 4 years, have done 30k reliable miles, and enjoyed every single mile. No RMS leaks, no IMS issues, no bore scoring. The only thing that has broken is the indicator stalk, a common problem, but easily fixed. Bought at sensible money, and now worth more than I paid for it. Cars with reputations are great bargains, as so often, the reputation is poorly founded and some sensible maintenance and cheap remedial work can prevent the "known" issues. Buy a 996 now before they redeem themselves and become out of reach to us enthusiasts.

You've been lucky.
My cousin has had 3, all lunched themselves.

[Jazzy Jag]

Fiat X1/9

[ChasW]

VonSenger said:

grumpynuts said:

I bought one. I've had my 996 C4S for approaching 4 years, have done 30k reliable miles, and enjoyed every single mile. No RMS leaks, no IMS issues, no bore scoring. The only thing that has broken is the indicator stalk, a common problem, but easily fixed. Bought at sensible money, and now worth more than I paid for it. Cars with reputations are great bargains, as so often, the reputation is poorly founded and some sensible maintenance and cheap remedial work can prevent the "known" issues. Buy a 996 now before they redeem themselves and become out of reach to us enthusiasts.

You've been lucky.
My cousin has had 3, all lunched themselves.

I have two mates who owned 996s. One car was fine the other...say no more!

[jakesmith]

VonSenger said:

You've been lucky.
My cousin has had 3, all lunched themselves.

You should have told him the trick, if you tuen off the air con compressor from the climate control panel, till the engine is up to temp, the block gets sufficient cooling and doesn't fail

[Vitorio]

wack said:

I've always wanted a Maserati so last March I bought this

So far the problems have been minor and usually electrical but I do feel there's a bill coming soon I'm going to struggle to pass off unnoticed so trouble is on the horizon

I quite desperately want a maserati, they are way above my current means though, both in terms of purchase and running/maintenance costs

[Harji]

Gary C said:

yonex said:

RX8

I just want one.

Get one then !

They are sooooo cheap that budgeting for a rebuild can easily be factored in.

But they drink like an alcoholic at a free bar

But the good thing is, the mpg is the same whether you rev the nuts of it or not. I miss mine.

[Loyly]

Rich1973 said:

I am finding myself with a real hankering for a MG TF160 at the moment. There, I said it in public...

Nowt wrong with those. Great little cars, with pace an MR2 Roadster could only dream of.

[anonymous-user]

wack said:

I've always wanted a Maserati so last March I bought this

So far the problems have been minor and usually electrical but I do feel there's a bill coming soon I'm going to struggle to pass off unnoticed so trouble is on the horizon

I was set to buy one of these. 2003 4200 with 45k on th clock. Took one look at the itemised invoice for recent work = £14,563.45 (exact figure stuck in head) erm, no I shan't.

Happy new year.

Sorry.

[Vitorio]

Kierkegaard said:

I was set to buy one of these. 2003 4200 with 45k on th clock. Took one look at the itemised invoice for recent work = £14,563.45 (exact figure stuck in head) erm, no I shan't.

Happy new year.

Sorry.

What was the work done? Complete engine rebuild?

[anonymous-user]

Vitorio said:

Kierkegaard said:

I was set to buy one of these. 2003 4200 with 45k on th clock. Took one look at the itemised invoice for recent work = £14,563.45 (exact figure stuck in head) erm, no I shan't.

Happy new year.

Sorry.

What was the work done? Complete engine rebuild?

No, ironically no work to the engine itself - seems quite a reliable unit particularly over the 3200 reading up on it.

Work to the gearbox (cambiocorsa), suspension work, interior niggles addressed and ECU and warning lights. Various other minor things too.

Didn't appear to be a bad example but with those sort of bills I though I may as well have a Ferrari (I don't have a Ferrari either).

Doesn't stop me lusting after a damn Maser though..

[northwestrecover]

If you believe the internet the slowest and worst handling hatch ever and only as quick as a 182 ,funny how no 182s ever try and keep up .

[Gary C]

Harji said:

Gary C said:

yonex said:

RX8

I just want one.

Get one then !

They are sooooo cheap that budgeting for a rebuild can easily be factored in.

But they drink like an alcoholic at a free bar

But the good thing is, the mpg is the same whether you rev the nuts of it or not. I miss mine.

Me too.

Glad I've had one in my life. So innovative in so many ways. Great place to sit, everyone loves the rear doors (what a excellent design, why isn't it copied for more coupe's)

[anonymous-user]

Anything with a wankel engine!
RX7 for me, maybe an RX8 as a daily