Interesting car. £500. Go!

[crofty1984]

For a bit of fun, and because I have a lockup with space in it, What car would you get for the price of a hardtop for the MX5?
Rules: must be able to get an MOTed (if tatty) example for an absolute max of £500. Ideally less. And preferably something not too modern you can tinker with/fix for the price of a night out.

My thoughts so far:
Mk2 polo breadvan (my 1st car and really economical -currently the favourite)
mk1 Fiesta (square headlight version)
Maybe a cortina??
Perhaps a (possibly too) ropey Jaaag or 124 merc?

[ShadownINja]

Mk2/3 Golf? Could be interesting with a few cheap mods like GTI wheels, suspension (see their forum).

Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 22 July 22:40

[hbwold]

Could be a shed and no mention of mileage but....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1893314.htm

[davepoth]

I have a 172,000 mile E30 316 with some rust and dents?

[crofty1984]

hbwold said:

Could be a shed and no mention of mileage but....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1893314.htm

Ticks "sporty feasibly a daily car" pretty well. But I have the mazda for that! Leaning towards "why the fk did you buy a xxx when you have a perfecly acceptable 20yo japanese ar as a daily and are building a racing car in your folks' garage?"

How much can you get a dolomite for? OOOH! or a fiat 126!

[Mr2Mike]

crofty1984 said:

How much can you get a dolomite for? OOOH! or a fiat 126!

Fiat 126's fetch daft money. A dolly for £500 is going to be a festering heap.

[crofty1984]

Mr2Mike said:

crofty1984 said:

How much can you get a dolomite for? OOOH! or a fiat 126!

Fiat 126's fetch daft money. A dolly for £500 is going to be a festering heap.

Just checked on ebay and you're right! the £600 one with slashed seats could be interesting, even though it's an auto.
Must save money!

[Faust66]

You might struggle to get a decent Cortina for 500 quid...

If it's gotta be RWD, I'd go for a Sierra or (as has been said) a BMW - hope you're handy with the spanners though!

[jonno990]

I once bought a 106xsi for £200 at auction.Needed new front discs for the mot,but apart from that it was a blast.Sold it for about £800 a month later and wish I still had it!

[pilchardthecat]

I bought a Citroen ZX Volcane for £400 quid on ebay a few years ago.

It was an absolute hoot on b roads, and ideal for busy supermarkets

[SWH]

Tatty 850 T5....?

See my profile, oh, and it's in the classified ads.

[Pappa Lurve]

you would be surprised what you can get! I picked up a 1997 jag sport with 150k on the clock a few weeks back for 600 including a tank of fuel and 6 months tax. The thing is pretty much perfect, excellent body work, everything works, service history etc. Probably worth 2-3 times what I spent but I looked for a while and got myself a great deal. Found it in the PH classified so just keep your eyes open, be prepared to look at a few and bargain fairly hard and you get get some amazing cars for the money. Non-PHers assume I am driving around in a car worth between 10-20 times what I paid and she drives like she just left the factory and the interior is spotless and rattle free!

[Broccers]

An mx5 with water damaged interior for 500 - know anyone with one?

[dangerousB]

I had this dilemna about 18 months ago . . . had to get a snotter for a banger rally.
Spent 350 quid on a K plate, 2.0L 8v SRi Cavalier, genuine 71k on the clock.
Ferkin amazing little car. Totally abused for 4500 miles in 9 days and never missed a beat. The only trouble I had was brake fade very 30 mins in the mountains. I can totally forgive it that!
Bulletproof reliability, plenty of scope for tweaking should you want to and even if you didn't fancy messing, it'll sit at a ton all day long in total silence.
I'm keeping it SORN'd for the next trip!!

[pete is pistol]

I picked up my 328i bm with a years ticket for 450 of the adverts on here...

[sherman]

This
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1860799.htm

Edited by sherman on Friday 23 July 01:35

[Mitchy88]

2cv, chop the exhaust. DONE!

[Steameh]

Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI?
Nissan 200sx?
Alfa Romeo 75 or 145?
Primera eGT?
Honda CRX?


Slightly more risky options could include;

Daihatsu Charade Gtti
Renault 5 turbo
Mazda Rx-7 (fc body)
Toyota Supra mkiii

[Emeye]

I might be selling my 1995 525 SE Touring Auto very soon!

Not sure what it is worth yet, but go on, you know you want to buy another car off me Crofty!

So is the last one still going strong?

[MX7]

Volvo

Retro cool, allegedly.