You have £3000 to spend
Discussion
What would you buy?
I want a new car. I'm 23 years old with 5 years no claims - insurance still isn't all that cheap but most things are fairly reasonable. I would like something that's fun to drive, with a decent amount of power but nothing ridiculous due to insurance/running costs. Tax is also something I need to consider, I can't fork out £400 a year for it! I'm not 100% on how this 'new' tax scheme works tbh but i've heard about it being expensive if you have a large engine
I don't want a convertible, so that rules out the old favourite MX5. Also I have to keep my car parked on the street so I'd prefer something that's not too 'nice' looking that would attract attention from yobs/thieves
Previous cars of mine to give you an idea of what i'm used to; Ford Escort Diesel (first car!), MK2 Golfs, MK1 Golf Cab, Renault 5 Turbo, Clio 16v, Honda Civic vti, Fiesta Zetec-S (mk5), MK4 Golf TDI.
Perhaps it's time to get something RWD?
I want a new car. I'm 23 years old with 5 years no claims - insurance still isn't all that cheap but most things are fairly reasonable. I would like something that's fun to drive, with a decent amount of power but nothing ridiculous due to insurance/running costs. Tax is also something I need to consider, I can't fork out £400 a year for it! I'm not 100% on how this 'new' tax scheme works tbh but i've heard about it being expensive if you have a large engine
I don't want a convertible, so that rules out the old favourite MX5. Also I have to keep my car parked on the street so I'd prefer something that's not too 'nice' looking that would attract attention from yobs/thieves
Previous cars of mine to give you an idea of what i'm used to; Ford Escort Diesel (first car!), MK2 Golfs, MK1 Golf Cab, Renault 5 Turbo, Clio 16v, Honda Civic vti, Fiesta Zetec-S (mk5), MK4 Golf TDI.
Perhaps it's time to get something RWD?
Acehood said:
What would you buy?
I want a new car. I'm 23 years old with 5 years no claims - insurance still isn't all that cheap but most things are fairly reasonable. I would like something that's fun to drive, with a decent amount of power but nothing ridiculous due to insurance/running costs. Tax is also something I need to consider, I can't fork out £400 a year for it! I'm not 100% on how this 'new' tax scheme works tbh but i've heard about it being expensive if you have a large engine
I don't want a convertible, so that rules out the old favourite MX5. Also I have to keep my car parked on the street so I'd prefer something that's not too 'nice' looking that would attract attention from yobs/thieves
Previous cars of mine to give you an idea of what i'm used to; Ford Escort Diesel (first car!), MK2 Golfs, MK1 Golf Cab, Renault 5 Turbo, Clio 16v, Honda Civic vti, Fiesta Zetec-S (mk5), MK4 Golf TDI.
Perhaps it's time to get something RWD?
Loads of choice.I want a new car. I'm 23 years old with 5 years no claims - insurance still isn't all that cheap but most things are fairly reasonable. I would like something that's fun to drive, with a decent amount of power but nothing ridiculous due to insurance/running costs. Tax is also something I need to consider, I can't fork out £400 a year for it! I'm not 100% on how this 'new' tax scheme works tbh but i've heard about it being expensive if you have a large engine
I don't want a convertible, so that rules out the old favourite MX5. Also I have to keep my car parked on the street so I'd prefer something that's not too 'nice' looking that would attract attention from yobs/thieves
Previous cars of mine to give you an idea of what i'm used to; Ford Escort Diesel (first car!), MK2 Golfs, MK1 Golf Cab, Renault 5 Turbo, Clio 16v, Honda Civic vti, Fiesta Zetec-S (mk5), MK4 Golf TDI.
Perhaps it's time to get something RWD?
But it depends how extreme or not that you want to go.
£3k puts you in Impreza Turbo or even early ITR territory.
Lots of very fun classics, from TVR Wedgies to V8 powered TR7's or even an MGB with a few tricks under the bonnet.
But do you want something that can grow with you? Something you can mod?
Comfy, fast or just more "regular"?
Things like a Calibra, Cougar, Celica or Prelude are within easy reach. But you could also look at V8 Mustang's or Camaro's, V12 or straight 6 Jags. BMW's, Mercs and a host of other interesting and different metal. All tin tops too!
Just curious, but why no rag tops?
As for the road tax, it's easy.
Any pre March 2001 registered car is done on engine size. 1.5 litres and smaller. And 1.6 litres and bigger. So a 1.6 Corsa would cost the same to tax as a 6.0 litre V12 Jag.
Post March 2001 reg vehicles are all based on C02 emissions. If it's newer than 2003 March registered then its still the same thing, but a revised rating and pricing system. To check prices use the Direct Gov website.
t84 said:
E36 328i Sport Coupe.
I saw a few of those. Never driven a BMW before - they look like they're nice and comfy while having a bit of poke too. Would it be a decent car to take down a twisty country lane, or more of a motorway cruiser?Edited by t84 on Tuesday 6th April 15:22
300bhp/ton said:
Loads of choice.
But it depends how extreme or not that you want to go.
£3k puts you in Impreza Turbo or even early ITR territory.
Lots of very fun classics, from TVR Wedgies to V8 powered TR7's or even an MGB with a few tricks under the bonnet.
But do you want something that can grow with you? Something you can mod?
Comfy, fast or just more "regular"?
Things like a Calibra, Cougar, Celica or Prelude are within easy reach. But you could also look at V8 Mustang's or Camaro's, V12 or straight 6 Jags. BMW's, Mercs and a host of other interesting and different metal. All tin tops too!
Just curious, but why no rag tops?
As for the road tax, it's easy.
Any pre March 2001 registered car is done on engine size. 1.5 litres and smaller. And 1.6 litres and bigger. So a 1.6 Corsa would cost the same to tax as a 6.0 litre V12 Jag.
Post March 2001 reg vehicles are all based on C02 emissions. If it's newer than 2003 March registered then its still the same thing, but a revised rating and pricing system. To check prices use the Direct Gov website.
I've noticed at this price range there's a hell of a lot of choice. Makes it difficult to choose! But it depends how extreme or not that you want to go.
£3k puts you in Impreza Turbo or even early ITR territory.
Lots of very fun classics, from TVR Wedgies to V8 powered TR7's or even an MGB with a few tricks under the bonnet.
But do you want something that can grow with you? Something you can mod?
Comfy, fast or just more "regular"?
Things like a Calibra, Cougar, Celica or Prelude are within easy reach. But you could also look at V8 Mustang's or Camaro's, V12 or straight 6 Jags. BMW's, Mercs and a host of other interesting and different metal. All tin tops too!
Just curious, but why no rag tops?
As for the road tax, it's easy.
Any pre March 2001 registered car is done on engine size. 1.5 litres and smaller. And 1.6 litres and bigger. So a 1.6 Corsa would cost the same to tax as a 6.0 litre V12 Jag.
Post March 2001 reg vehicles are all based on C02 emissions. If it's newer than 2003 March registered then its still the same thing, but a revised rating and pricing system. To check prices use the Direct Gov website.
I live in England so I really don't see the point in a convertible. Had one before (mk1 golf clipper) and hated every minute of it. It was cold, leaky, noisy and rattly and I barely got a chance to put the roof down before the rain came. Not my style! I'd just prefer a non-convertible car.
Modifications are out of the question at the moment due to lack of money, perhaps once I'm employed again I can go down that route again but for now I just want something I can get in and drive without worrying about it breaking down or having to buy parts for.
I've seen a lot of Imprezas and other 4x4 jap turbo mentalist cars in my price range but I have to consider running costs and insurance. I'm sure insurance companies would be delighted if I took out a policy for an impreza, because they'd probably charge me about £2k for it. Bet they drink fuel aswell.
ITR - big fan of them. I enjoyed my Civic because you could just rev the tits off it all day long and it loved it. Plus it never broke down unlike some of my other cars. I haven't seen many decent examples at £3k though, looks like you need about £5k to get a good UK one. Imports are probably not a good idea either because of insurance.
Thanks for the info on the road tax, I might consider something after 2001 if I can find anything in my budget, because it's likely the tax would be cheaper.
I've been through well over 100 pages on PH classifieds now and still have no idea what to buy!!
I really think a good 328 sport is the car for you going by what you've said. It'll be a great car to whip down a nice b road and it'll play the cruiser card brilliantly when you want it to. For 3k you would get a nice one too. I'm sure insurance wouldnt be stupid on one either depending on your location. I can insure one fully comp at 22 for less than £500 now.
They can be quite thirsty depending on driving style but I reckon you could run one on £500 per year exluding insurance and possibly tax.
If you're interested in one, get in touch with Sniff Diesel for a chat. He's running one as a track car I believe and knows his E36's.
They can be quite thirsty depending on driving style but I reckon you could run one on £500 per year exluding insurance and possibly tax.
If you're interested in one, get in touch with Sniff Diesel for a chat. He's running one as a track car I believe and knows his E36's.
Acehood said:
t84 said:
E36 328i Sport Coupe.
I saw a few of those. Never driven a BMW before - they look like they're nice and comfy while having a bit of poke too. Would it be a decent car to take down a twisty country lane, or more of a motorway cruiser?Edited by t84 on Tuesday 6th April 15:22
Last year I sold a 318i e36, so can't comment directly on the 328i. But it does mean I have some experience with this model of BMW.
Interior wise - horrid, truly awful interior IMO. Quite liked the little instand mpg dial, but the rest really is a sea of grey and black plastic.
Steering - I thought the rack seemed a little slow and a bit wollowy at low speeds.
Handling - despite new suspension I found it rather boat like at low speed. I assume a "sports" suspension example would be a bit more taught. But the odd thing was, the quicker you went and the harder you drove the better it felt. Driving gently at more sensible wafty speeds it really did feel rolly polly. Grab it by the scruf of the next and it started to make more sense.
Gearbox was fairly slick and positive and overall (even if it pains me to say it), it really wasn't a bad car.
With the 328, or indeed any e36 check for condition. Rust is a major issue with these nowadays. And there are many ropey examples. They can also be pricey to maintain, although I suspect this is either everything or nothing. The 318 I had, had by the previous owner had all the suspension, bushes and rod ends replaced (brakes too), as it needed them badly. But it's flippin expensive to do all of this, so try and buy one that seems in good order to begin with.
As for running costs, well many seem to claim very high average mpg's from these. But I think it's often a little overblown and will vary greatly on your driving style and the roads you commute on. I'd expect more like 24-26mpg average rather than the over 30's you hear from some.
Lack of LSD.
So in answer to your question, probably a bit of both. They are substantial enough to be as good as most modern hatchbacks on the motorway, yet light enough to still be fun on the backroads.
Acehood said:
300bhp/ton said:
...
I've noticed at this price range there's a hell of a lot of choice. Makes it difficult to choose!
I live in England so I really don't see the point in a convertible. Had one before (mk1 golf clipper) and hated every minute of it. It was cold, leaky, noisy and rattly and I barely got a chance to put the roof down before the rain came. Not my style! I'd just prefer a non-convertible car.
Modifications are out of the question at the moment due to lack of money, perhaps once I'm employed again I can go down that route again but for now I just want something I can get in and drive without worrying about it breaking down or having to buy parts for.
I've seen a lot of Imprezas and other 4x4 jap turbo mentalist cars in my price range but I have to consider running costs and insurance. I'm sure insurance companies would be delighted if I took out a policy for an impreza, because they'd probably charge me about £2k for it. Bet they drink fuel aswell.
ITR - big fan of them. I enjoyed my Civic because you could just rev the tits off it all day long and it loved it. Plus it never broke down unlike some of my other cars. I haven't seen many decent examples at £3k though, looks like you need about £5k to get a good UK one. Imports are probably not a good idea either because of insurance.
Thanks for the info on the road tax, I might consider something after 2001 if I can find anything in my budget, because it's likely the tax would be cheaper.
I've been through well over 100 pages on PH classifieds now and still have no idea what to buy!!
If you like the revvy VTEC's then maybe a compromise car would be something like a Honda del sol CRX. Your budget would buy you the best on offer.I've noticed at this price range there's a hell of a lot of choice. Makes it difficult to choose!
I live in England so I really don't see the point in a convertible. Had one before (mk1 golf clipper) and hated every minute of it. It was cold, leaky, noisy and rattly and I barely got a chance to put the roof down before the rain came. Not my style! I'd just prefer a non-convertible car.
Modifications are out of the question at the moment due to lack of money, perhaps once I'm employed again I can go down that route again but for now I just want something I can get in and drive without worrying about it breaking down or having to buy parts for.
I've seen a lot of Imprezas and other 4x4 jap turbo mentalist cars in my price range but I have to consider running costs and insurance. I'm sure insurance companies would be delighted if I took out a policy for an impreza, because they'd probably charge me about £2k for it. Bet they drink fuel aswell.
ITR - big fan of them. I enjoyed my Civic because you could just rev the tits off it all day long and it loved it. Plus it never broke down unlike some of my other cars. I haven't seen many decent examples at £3k though, looks like you need about £5k to get a good UK one. Imports are probably not a good idea either because of insurance.
Thanks for the info on the road tax, I might consider something after 2001 if I can find anything in my budget, because it's likely the tax would be cheaper.
I've been through well over 100 pages on PH classifieds now and still have no idea what to buy!!
They are a small 2 seat sports car. Ok they are a convertible, but it's a solid roof, so you don't have to remove it
FWD, and maybe not the most sporty stock setup, although I'm sure within budget you could sort this. But the top spec model comes with a 160hp 1.6 VTEC motor, very similar to the engine in a DC2 ITR.
2.2 Prelude would be a bigger coupe alternative, although actually slower to 60mph.
Never been a fan of older BMW interiors but then if you look at the cars i've driven, none of them have particularly nice interiors. The Renault 5 was terrible!!
I see a lot of 328i's then I also see these "m-tech sport" ones, I dunno what the difference is though. I would guess they're a bit better to drive than the normal ones. RWD is a big plus however.
I might stray away from Hondas because they are reliable but also seem to be more expensive to insure. I've never liked the Del sol. The CRX Vtec on the other hand, I really do like those for some reason (the ones with the weird back end). I haven't seen any good examples for a long time though. Preludes just look old now. I always liked them because it was the first car I bought in Gran Turismo but that's no basis for actually buying a car!
Someone mentioned 200sx - I do like them. I'll have to investigate further and see if they're within budget and maybe test drive a couple of them.
A lot of the cars I've owned previously have been impulse buys due to needing a car right away or just buying the first one that I liked. I'm going to take a bit more time over my next purchase though and make sure it's something I actually will enjoy for a few years
I see a lot of 328i's then I also see these "m-tech sport" ones, I dunno what the difference is though. I would guess they're a bit better to drive than the normal ones. RWD is a big plus however.
I might stray away from Hondas because they are reliable but also seem to be more expensive to insure. I've never liked the Del sol. The CRX Vtec on the other hand, I really do like those for some reason (the ones with the weird back end). I haven't seen any good examples for a long time though. Preludes just look old now. I always liked them because it was the first car I bought in Gran Turismo but that's no basis for actually buying a car!
Someone mentioned 200sx - I do like them. I'll have to investigate further and see if they're within budget and maybe test drive a couple of them.
A lot of the cars I've owned previously have been impulse buys due to needing a car right away or just buying the first one that I liked. I'm going to take a bit more time over my next purchase though and make sure it's something I actually will enjoy for a few years
Acehood said:
Someone mentioned 200sx - I do like them. I'll have to investigate further and see if they're within budget and maybe test drive a couple of them.
I had an S13 200SX Turbo. Loved it, really quite quick too. I know they are the drifters favourite, but I found it a bit snappy and turbo lag doesn't help when sideways either.Interior was typical 1990's Nissan - as in lots of gray plastic.
I'm not sure if mine was stock or not, it looked it, but it did go very well, maybe a bit too well for its rated hp level. It also liked a drink of oil, but tbh I did rag it a lot.
My biggest beef with it was power delivery, it was all or nothing. You simply couldn't drive it slowly or gently, and when you try to even a 1.1 Fiesta would leave you with ease. Squeeze the pedal a tad more and it'd hit the boost and then BANG! red line and another gear.
Great fun if you are in the mood and on the right roads, but a tad tiring if not.
I did really like mine, was also very good in the snow. And I sometimes think another one would be fun. But in the end I sold it to buy a new carb and cam for my TR7 V8. And if I'm honest the TR7 brings a bigger smile to your face.
300bhp/ton said:
Acehood said:
Someone mentioned 200sx - I do like them. I'll have to investigate further and see if they're within budget and maybe test drive a couple of them.
I had an S13 200SX Turbo. Loved it, really quite quick too. I know they are the drifters favourite, but I found it a bit snappy and turbo lag doesn't help when sideways either.Interior was typical 1990's Nissan - as in lots of gray plastic.
I'm not sure if mine was stock or not, it looked it, but it did go very well, maybe a bit too well for its rated hp level. It also liked a drink of oil, but tbh I did rag it a lot.
My biggest beef with it was power delivery, it was all or nothing. You simply couldn't drive it slowly or gently, and when you try to even a 1.1 Fiesta would leave you with ease. Squeeze the pedal a tad more and it'd hit the boost and then BANG! red line and another gear.
Great fun if you are in the mood and on the right roads, but a tad tiring if not.
I did really like mine, was also very good in the snow. And I sometimes think another one would be fun. But in the end I sold it to buy a new carb and cam for my TR7 V8. And if I'm honest the TR7 brings a bigger smile to your face.
This is eithr an absolute bargain, or a total shed, 172 Cup, £2695
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1453368.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1453368.htm
Easy.
Clio 172 phase1/Cup, depending on how many toys you want.
I've never owned one, but driven a fair few and am always impressed.
Big enough to get four adults in, small enough to be easy to park.
Handle well and are fun.
Quite light for a modernish car, biggish engine with plenty of torque.
Quick enough 0-60 in under 7 seconds, early road tests put the 0-100 in the under 16.5 seconds bracket (phase 1 172). Top out a the best part of 140mph.
Ecomomical, the last example I drove, was averaging 38mpg+ on a run, the company diesel Passat 140TDI CR was had only averaged 41mpg over the same use.
People go on about the build quality, but if we are being honest, is most mass market stuff comprehensibly better? I know the 2 year old BMW I'm driving isn't.
People whinge about the driving position, thats fair enough but I didn't find it an issue at 6ft and 14st.
Clio 172 phase1/Cup, depending on how many toys you want.
I've never owned one, but driven a fair few and am always impressed.
Big enough to get four adults in, small enough to be easy to park.
Handle well and are fun.
Quite light for a modernish car, biggish engine with plenty of torque.
Quick enough 0-60 in under 7 seconds, early road tests put the 0-100 in the under 16.5 seconds bracket (phase 1 172). Top out a the best part of 140mph.
Ecomomical, the last example I drove, was averaging 38mpg+ on a run, the company diesel Passat 140TDI CR was had only averaged 41mpg over the same use.
People go on about the build quality, but if we are being honest, is most mass market stuff comprehensibly better? I know the 2 year old BMW I'm driving isn't.
People whinge about the driving position, thats fair enough but I didn't find it an issue at 6ft and 14st.
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