Best Car for under 3000??

Best Car for under 3000??

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Discussion

groundcontrol

1,539 posts

190 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I'm selling my 330 for around 3k as it happens: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...


mikerons88

239 posts

112 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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groundcontrol said:
I'm selling my 330 for around 3k as it happens: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Seems shame to sell it after spending 1.5k on it

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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groundcontrol said:
I'm selling my 330 for around 3k as it happens: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Also, if it's just a battery that needs changing on the remote, why not spend £3 on a new battery and DIY? Unless it's something more sinister (just saying)

Kozy

3,169 posts

217 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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stedaley said:
Im struggling to find any!
I mean it looks like a sleeper which i like but ive heard mixed things about atrs, they arent particualrly quick compared to others of this group and the gearbox issues?

I may just be finding bad examples, but is it a nice all rounder?
They aren't particularly quick, but they'll still do a circa 7 second 0-60 and 150mph top end, so hardly slow. What they do is they make the quickness they have incredibly involving and fun. I've driven faster cars that were yawn inducing but the ATR satisfies in a metric that cannot be easily quantified. For instance, I'd rather drive a 200bhp VTEC than a 250bhp diesel. The figures on paper are stacked in favour of the diesel, but the VTEC will be more fun. It's not uncommon to be embarrassed by 2.0 TDi's unless you're really on the ball, but really who gives a st about that? Drop it a few cogs and chuck it round some corners and it all makes sense.

Gearbox issues are irrelevant if you get a facelift model, and a lot of the pre facelifts will have had them sorted now anyway.

It's a fantastic all rounder. Aside from the lack of practicality associated with a 4 door saloon with a solid rear bulkhead, I cannot think of anything that can do two completely different characters (subtle saloon and road going race car) so well, for so little money.

Check out AccordR.org for classifieds. Many for sale there that aren't on PH.

This one would be worth a look for your budget: http://www.accordr.org/index.php?/topic/49208-s-re... (Though I'd sack off the 18's and possibly refit the original suspension over the BC coilovers)

Oh, another plus point. They have a 1500kg towing capacity. At some point I really want to use it to trailer my MX5 to a trackday, then punt them both around the track. biggrin

Edited by Kozy on Monday 24th November 16:39

groundcontrol

1,539 posts

190 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
R2T2 said:
Also, if it's just a battery that needs changing on the remote, why not spend £3 on a new battery and DIY? Unless it's something more sinister (just saying)
I replaced the battery a couple of months ago but you have to split the casing and actually solder a new one in. The key worked for a bit but then my bodgery soldering has come loose, so it now doesn't work. It took about 2 hours plus £3 and I don't really have the time/inclination to try again. Never really bothered me.

Squirrelofwoe

3,181 posts

175 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Kozy said:
It's a fantastic all rounder. Aside from the lack of practicality associated with a 4 door saloon with a solid rear bulkhead, I cannot think of anything that can do two completely different characters (subtle saloon and road going race car) so well, for so little money.

Edited by Kozy on Monday 24th November 16:39
I'd echo this, I paid under £2k for mine 18 months ago and it has been superb.

Mine came with a Mongoose exhaust and a Typhoon induction kit and the sound is incredible. Also worth pointing out is the fantastic driving position, which is unlike any other saloon car I have driven.

I had a DC2 Integra for a couple of years prior to the ATR and the Accord is every bit as involving to drive. As it was also going to be used for the work commute I sought out one with air-con and the optional arm-rest and the only thing I feel like I'm missing is a 6th gear on motorways.

I'm not sure what else I could get for the same money that offers everything the ATR does. The only downside (from a practicality point of view) is the non-folding rear seats. The boot is cavernous, but due to the fixed bulkhead does become a problem with longish items. An example was a trip to purchase decking planks- we managed to get 7 into my ATR, before squeezing the remaining 32(!) into my mates Clio 172... rotate

In fact that Clio 172 also transported (at different times) mattresses, a dishwasher, a cooker, a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, and a garden bench. All the while acting as a mobile tool shed. I would highly recommend one to anyone wanting a fun alternative to a van hehe

I would be happy with either at that the OP's budget, so much bang for your buck- I prefer the ATR as a drivers car but would take the Cliosport if I did a lot of load carrying. The Clio did eat exhausts though.

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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FD3Si said:
Passenger space is definitely acceptable, although roof line is pretty low, so not for super tall people.
Boot is humungous though!
When you say facelift, I'm which do you mean? There was a mild facelift in '98 along with some chassis/brake tweaks, and there's no way you would get a reasonable DC2 for 3k. You may be able to get a leggy '96 though (we sold ours for under 3k a couple of years ago) The '98 does feel a bit sharper, but we didn't think it was worth the extra premium.

That car was the best car my other half or I had ever owned. Strong as an ox, utterly dependable, cheap to run, massively practical, quick enough to be fund, hugely rewarding to drive, sounded sublime (with the top off the airbox), and a chassis that truly deserves the reverence it gets.

I'm considering either an ATR or Gen7 Celica to replace the Clio. 3k should get a decent Gen7 VVTLi Celica which are supposed to be a very entertaining drive smile
And its not the dc2 it is the newer integra, Not sure the exact model just doesnt have the older looks as the dc2 does.
Atr has been mentioned on here as well, that looks like a good all rounder, but maybe abit to much for me to begin with,

Could you link me a dc2 you are refering too and ill have a look into it smile


stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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iloveboost said:
No idea how old you are or whether you intend to go on a trackday or what running costs you can afford or justify. It depends on you really as there is no 'best car' for £3K. I mean it's all subjective based on your own experiences of what you've driven, what you drive, what you like and dislike.

I think a 2.0 Fiesta ST would be a good first hot hatch and they should be £3K for a half decent one by now. Cheaper (in theory) maintenance costs than a Clio 172/182 with similar performance in the real world and similar reasonable insurance to a Swift Sport. Also in every Fiesta from the last generation the handling is good and all the controls feel well weighted and linear. Downsides for me are slightly excessive road noise and not much leg room. Similar to the Puma 1.7 but slightly faster, more expensive and slightly thirstier. Also far less likely to rust and safer.

If you want to go on the occasional track day a front engined rear wheel drive old sportscar like a 944 could be great to drive just with some coilovers. You've got to budget more for fuel though. Also repairs and maintenance could easily cost ££££ a year if you're 'unlucky'.
Ill be 23 when i buy the car, so nothing very excessive,

And id prefer a more reliable car than a 944 with some modern features! Im sure an st can be good fun on a track too with the right suspension and tyre setup.

Are the clio 182 that much more than a st to maintain? And you mention a suzuki swift, i dont think any one has yet? Thoughts?

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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R2T2 said:
The Fiesta ST is a "warm hatch" rather than a full hot one.

The 530i is the car I would've bought if I could've afforded the running costs at the time, which I couldn't. So got my T-Jet which you can have for about 3k. But it's in no way a hot hatch.

I'd be looking long and hard at something like a 330i, 530i or a 540 as there's not much that can match it.
I would agree its not a full hot hatch, but a very warm one!

Has anyone had any experience with any of these big bmws.
The 5series always takes me back to james bond, of which i presume it would be that model!


Digby

8,230 posts

245 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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LeoZwalf said:
No, never. They always end up buying what they really wanted in the first place before they even asked on here, usually something dull or sensible (depending on how you look at it) rather than the ridiculous suggestions offered on PH.
Didn't think so.

Congrats on getting your new Clio! hehe

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
Squirrelofwoe said:
I'd echo this, I paid under £2k for mine 18 months ago and it has been superb.

Mine came with a Mongoose exhaust and a Typhoon induction kit and the sound is incredible. Also worth pointing out is the fantastic driving position, which is unlike any other saloon car I have driven.

I had a DC2 Integra for a couple of years prior to the ATR and the Accord is every bit as involving to drive. As it was also going to be used for the work commute I sought out one with air-con and the optional arm-rest and the only thing I feel like I'm missing is a 6th gear on motorways.

I'm not sure what else I could get for the same money that offers everything the ATR does. The only downside (from a practicality point of view) is the non-folding rear seats. The boot is cavernous, but due to the fixed bulkhead does become a problem with longish items. An example was a trip to purchase decking planks- we managed to get 7 into my ATR, before squeezing the remaining 32(!) into my mates Clio 172... rotate

In fact that Clio 172 also transported (at different times) mattresses, a dishwasher, a cooker, a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, and a garden bench. All the while acting as a mobile tool shed. I would highly recommend one to anyone wanting a fun alternative to a van hehe

I would be happy with either at that the OP's budget, so much bang for your buck- I prefer the ATR as a drivers car but would take the Cliosport if I did a lot of load carrying. The Clio did eat exhausts though.
We have it down to a good few cars now! Just a few questions about all of them

172 clio
182clio,
You say it goes through exhausts, i have been reading about a milltek exhaust system if i was to go for one of them,
Worth the money and hassle of having more problems?

Atr
I shall have a look at those ones you mentioned, but that rear seat issue im sure will be an issue at some point im sure... But i could just purchase a trailer to carry any items that id need to fit.
Would there be anything in particular to look for on the atr? That may be a problem

Dc2
Popped up again, any thing i should be looking for with these? Problems wise when searching? And anything that i could do to it to be that little bit more special? Exhaust, suspension etc



rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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stedaley said:
Has anyone had any experience with any of these big bmws.
The 5series always takes me back to james bond, of which i presume it would be that model!
I think you are thinking of the 7series.

Depends what you want from a car, nice engine if you get a V8 but not an agile hot hatch to drive.

Think the ATR is a good shout if you can insure one. The BMW is a boat to drive compared.

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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rb5er said:
I think you are thinking of the 7series.

Depends what you want from a car, nice engine if you get a V8 but not an agile hot hatch to drive.

Think the ATR is a good shout if you can insure one. The BMW is a boat to drive compared.
I shall have a look to see if i can get insured and get back with prices
They are very cheap, what problems should i look for with the vtecs?

heppers75

3,135 posts

216 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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You will get a pretty nicely turned out Saab HOT (93 or 95) for that sort of money.

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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heppers75 said:
You will get a pretty nicely turned out Saab HOT (93 or 95) for that sort of money.
These reliable?? Heard mixed things, got any links??

Kozy

3,169 posts

217 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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stedaley said:
I shall have a look to see if i can get insured and get back with prices
They are very cheap, what problems should i look for with the vtecs?
They like oil, but then it's a relatively old, high RPM engine so it's not unusual. 1l/1k is fine. Check the cam belt has been done obviously, due every 70k I think.

I actually found the cheapest insurers to be mainstream ones, Swinton last year but back with A Plan this year.

Watch out for a wobbly crank pulleys, blocked EGR valves and er, that's about it.

Most of them have been owned by more mature owners than the average EP3, and as such they have usually had a slightly easier life with better maintenance.

Avoid ones that have been tinkered with if you can, or if it has been male sure it's been upgraded with quality parts.

stedaley

Original Poster:

640 posts

123 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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AndrewCrown said:
I hadnt even thought of any of these but alfas have reliablity problems no?
Insurance isnt a problem so much as i have abit of leverage with it as long as the car isnt ridiculous.

And i have a mate who has a a3 and its falling apart! Old one but i didnt expect it at all!

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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groundcontrol said:
I replaced the battery a couple of months ago but you have to split the casing and actually solder a new one in. The key worked for a bit but then my bodgery soldering has come loose, so it now doesn't work. It took about 2 hours plus £3 and I don't really have the time/inclination to try again. Never really bothered me.
Fsir enough, If it includes soldering then I get where you're coming from about that smile

FD3Si

857 posts

143 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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stedaley said:
And its not the dc2 it is the newer integra, Not sure the exact model just doesnt have the older looks as the dc2 does.
Atr has been mentioned on here as well, that looks like a good all rounder, but maybe abit to much for me to begin with,

Could you link me a dc2 you are refering too and ill have a look into it smile
It sounds like you're thinking of the DC5 Integra then - if you find one of them for 3k, It'll most like have been reshaped by a tree, or will be missing something quite handy, like an engine. You'll need to double your budget for a DC5.

This is a DC2 (and a very good one!)
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...