Recommend a 2nd car?

[Delta-Tango]

23 now with a full 9 til 5 job. Been driving since 17, full clean license. Been caught speeding twice, had an awareness course which really hit home for me. Currently have an Astra H, 1.6, petrol, 54 plate. Wanting something that I can be proud of. Something a bit nippier, either the same or better fuel consumption wise and looks nicer.

I do like the look of a BMW 123D saloon and Toyota Celica. Thoughts? Recommendations?

[s m]

Delta-Tango said:

23 now with a full 9 til 5 job. Been driving since 17, full clean license. Been caught speeding twice, had an awareness course which really hit home for me. Currently have an Astra H, 1.6, petrol, 54 plate. Wanting something that I can be proud of. Something a bit nippier, either the same or better fuel consumption wise and looks nicer.

I do like the look of a BMW 123D saloon and Toyota Celica. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Budget?

Makes you don't like?

Maximum age?

So it needs to be a bit nippier than a 54 reg 1.6 petrol Astra but does equivalent mpg ?

[battered]

Possible. My pal has a 3.0 diesel A5, it does 40 mpg and goes MUCH quicker than a 1.6 Astral. Not cheap though.

[ecsrobin]

I'd go for a McLaren P1, much better MPG than the Astra when running on batteries and slightly quicker.

[Mr Tidy]

If you are any sort of petrol-head please avoid the 123d idea - I had one for 6+ years until I bought a Z4 Coupe!

The 123d was quick, but pretty soulless.

But the Z4C is much quicker and sounds SO much better!

(Same N52 engine as the Z4C is available in early E9* 3 Series, 125is, and others).

Just don't google N47 cam-chain issues (as fitted to 123d, 120d, 118d, 318d, 320d, 520d, etc.) - you may go off that idea!

[Mike335i]

Avoid 4 cylinder (including diesel) BMW and the N47 problem would be irrelevant. Better off finding a 330d if you want reliability, lots of mpg and lots of power.

Any good 1.9 or 2.0 VAG TDI / 2.0 TFSI will fit the bill for not much money. Maybe look at Skoda Vrs models or SEAT FR Leons or ibizas? For very cheap, very economical and very quick in gear acceleration, you could look for a Skoda Fabia Vrs with the 1.9tdi. They have 130hp but a simple remap sees over 160hp and lots of torque. Maybe a Mk5 Golf Gti?

If you like the Astra they did a 2.0t model that would be quicker. The 1.9cdti had 150hp too.

Ford Fiesta ST would also be a good mix of performance and economy.

Whats the budget?

Edited by Mike335i on Tuesday 1st November 07:37

[trickywoo]

You could do a lot worse than a Suzuki Swift either Sport or the 1.5 GLX isn't too far off for slightly lower running costs. Easy to work on too if you fancy learning to spanner.

[clarki]

Clio 200 Cup and then some track days.

[Delta-Tango]

s m said:

Budget?

Makes you don't like?

Maximum age?

So it needs to be a bit nippier than a 54 reg 1.6 petrol Astra but does equivalent mpg ?

True, soz... £5k. Possibly 6.

Newer than 2004 preferably.

Yeah, or at least feel nippier... my mate had a Seat Sport that had better MPG but was nippier than mine.

Avoiding Alfa Romeo, Seat (don't want same car as my mate), VW.

[RobM77]

If you've got a sensible four seater front wheel drive daily driver already, I'm not sure I see the point in getting another. How about a VX220, MX5 or MR2? Something very different and much better to drive

[Delta-Tango]

RobM77 said:

If you've got a sensible four seater front wheel drive daily driver already, I'm not sure I see the point in getting another. How about a VX220, MX5 or MR2? Something very different and much better to drive

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Like a 2 seater... something more fun or unique.

EDIT: VX220 is a beast!!! but over my budget by 1.5k... probably would be able to afford it by the time I've made my mind up, but looking at £5k tops ideally.

Edited by Delta-Tango on Tuesday 1st November 10:30

[Shaoxter]

Delta-Tango said:

Wanting something that I can be proud of.

Delta-Tango said:

BMW 123D

Does not compute...

An MR2 Turbo is probably the fastest fun you can have for under £5k, mine costs £200/year in classic insurance with all mods declared. Fuel consumption isn't great (especially if it's tuned) as the gears are quite short.

[Alex_225]

I would say early to mid 20s is the time to have a hot hatch. Insurance is cheaper and they're not ruinous to run day to day, plus they're a total laugh to drive and something you can get into driving without going stupid.

I owned a Clio 172 when I was 21 and then opted for a Megane 225 at 23 (which I still own) and they were, to me at least, the perfect cars at the time.

Clio 197/200 would probably be what I'd look at.

[anonymous-user]

ecsrobin said:

I'd go for a McLaren P1, much better MPG than the Astra when running on batteries and slightly quicker.

[RobM77]

Delta-Tango said:

RobM77 said:

If you've got a sensible four seater front wheel drive daily driver already, I'm not sure I see the point in getting another. How about a VX220, MX5 or MR2? Something very different and much better to drive

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Like a 2 seater... something more fun or unique.

EDIT: VX220 is a beast!!! but over my budget by 1.5k... probably would be able to afford it by the time I've made my mind up, but looking at £5k tops ideally.

I'd highly recommend the mk3 MR2; it's not as stiff and as feelsome as the VX220 or an Elise, but they're extremely good cars to drive and a genuine alternative. I made what I thought was a downgrade to a mk1 when I was 23 and I still regard it as one of the very best cars I've owned.

There's a thread running at the moment on them: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...