Jap Toy for up to 4k?

[proplus]

Looking at a getting a new car and was thinking that the jap cars seem to be bullet proof and extremely reliable for the money you pay. I need it for 20k miles of motorway driving a year but also want it for a bit of fun at the weekend if I want to.

Well here is the criteria:

Fun
reliable (looking to keep it for 60-70k)
reasonably quick
cheap to run
subtle (had bright yellow car and its forever getting vandalised)

Before the suggestions come in, Im not that fond of the 200sx, sorry just never grown on me.

Was thinking one of these:

MR2 Mk2
CR-X De sol (or similar)
MX-5

Any other ideas and what I should look out for viewing them would be much appreciated.

Si.

[tuttle]

Mid '90's Prelude would make a good looking M/way cruiser.

[ProPlus]

Is it possible to pick up a 2.2 for that kind of money?

What kind of life span has the prelude engine got, will it just run forever, presuming it is serviced regulaly, oil changed, etc.

Si

[shadowninja]

200sx 200sx 200sx



I know what you wrote. Learn to like them.

[tuttle]

A 'lude should last ok,he's right about the 200sx tho,best bang for bucks.Lots of 'play' potential too.

MX5-I'd love one,really,but need 4 seats.Wouldn't have thought it'd make a good distance comuter tho.

>> Edited by tuttle on Tuesday 10th May 10:00

[bad_roo]

MR2 Turbo weighs big on the fun side and can be bought and insured for £4k.

[dern]

We had an import 91 vtec 2.2 prelude for 3 years a while ago and it would be perfect for what you need, You could even get a newer shape one for 4k. Avoid the autos though because (don't have first hand experience but it sound logical) you want to use the upper rev range a lot and the auto tend to change up in the power-band and drop you outside it, even in sports modes. If you wanted an auto though I'd test drive one and see if this theory holds out.

I didn't like 200sx either and eventually bought one because they are astonishingly good value for money and really didn't like it and got rid of it after 6 months.

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 10th May 09:53

[ProPlus]

What about the CR-X de Sol??

Any opinions, have seen one with 23k on it going for just over 4k, is that about the going rate, oh and its a manual.

[jap-car]

The 2.3litre prelude is prone to a cracked cylinder head.

200SX is a fantastic car.

[ProPlus]

How many miles will a fully maintained MR2 turbo be good for, there seems to be quick a few around for 2.5k to 4k with around 75k miles on them, how good is this?

[turbo-tastic]

Celica GT4 ?

Although the 20k miles would cost you about £5500 in petrol alone

A Celica GT or or GT-R??
Toyota realiablity, fun, nippy FWD, comfy on long journeys, and can seat 4 at a squeeze.

[ProPlus]

turbo-tastic said:

Celica GT4 ? A Celica GT or or GT-R?? Toyota realiablity, fun, nippy FWD, comfy on long journeys, and can seat 4 at a squeeze.

Not thought about these as I didn't think they fell into the price bracket.

[turbo-tastic]

For Celica's, try here.


Fourth one down is worth a look

But celica's are very good value for money, and prices cant get much lower. ST185 GT4's start at around £1500 and go up to £5000.

>> Edited by turbo-tastic on Tuesday 10th May 15:40

[flat_steve]

Mx-5 by a country mile.

[ninjadave]

What about an FTO?

For that you could get a decent GR/GPX (the V6).

Pros:
Built for longer haul driving; They can sit on the motorway doing pretty much whatever speed you want all day.
Still fun on the back roads, with very good handling.
Will hold their own against most modern cars (as long as you get a manual g/box).
Faster than 90% of scoobies from 60-120mph.
Easy to get parts for these days.
A few very good companies dotted around the country can make them fly.
Can be quite economical - Motorway cruising at 30mpg.
Can have lots of fun on a track for a FWD car.
FWD means it's not too bad in the ice and snow.
All other owners will wave/wash their windows when you pass.
Shead loads of space in the boot, with and extra two seats in the rear for kids / dogs / more luggage.
Relatively a lot cheaper then a Del Sol, and more reliable.
Some people mistake it for a DB7

Cons:
Can have expensive running costs - engine work isn't easy.
Not as fast as you think they should be.
If you have a heavy right foot mpg isn't something you want to work out (worst I've had is about 7mpg)
The model is getting on a bit.
Insurance can be a pain (99% are imports), but most companies are starting to realise they are ok.
Sometime you mistake a DB7 for an FTO


>> Edited by ninjadave on Friday 13th May 08:47

[Batty FTO]

also 165bhp + AT THE WHEELS in a 1200kg car, makes it very nippy.
+ the Mivec rush is great.

nice everyday car.

[ProPlus]

Not seen any FTO at this price, nearly I all I see seem to start at 6k and above, which is why I didn't include it on the list.

Any ideas where I can find one for that 4k(ish)?

Si

[Batty FTO]

ProPlus said:

Not seen any FTO at this price, nearly I all I see seem to start at 6k and above, which is why I didn't include it on the list. Any ideas where I can find one for that 4k(ish)? Si

bought mine for £3.8K
have had no trouble at all...
just the urge to put my foot down ALL the time...
See www.FTOOC.org

[Andy Mac]

turbo-tastic said:

A Celica GT or or GT-R??

A mate of mine had a GT-R and it had that awful 4ws system. Flet like the car was sliding all over the place round corners. Was horrible to drive.

[ProPlus]

Batty FTO said:

ProPlus said: Not seen any FTO at this price, nearly I all I see seem to start at 6k and above, which is why I didn't include it on the list. Any ideas where I can find one for that 4k(ish)? Si bought mine for £3.8K have had no trouble at all... just the urge to put my foot down ALL the time... See www.FTOOC.org

Still couldn't find any at that price, how did you get yours so cheap??