Cheap but interesting?

[ChevronB19]

Hi all,


First post, and sorry its another 'what car' one, hopefully this one is at least slightly different to the others (have lurked here for about 4 years).

I've decided to try and save a bit more cash, so want to wave goodbye to £280 a month repayments on my 06 MX-5 sport. I *think* that when I sell it I'll get enough to pay off the remains of the personal loan, and leave me with up to about £1500 to spend on a replacement.

My needs are:

1) 'Interesting' ( left field preferred, for example I'd love a Panda 100HP, but obviously way too expensive)
2) Reliable (30 mile a day commute on A roads) - although maintenance isn't a problem, so long as its not constant
3) Don't mind if its petrol or diesel, but >30mpg preferred
4) 'Nippy' (i.e. doesn't actually have to *be* quick, but would be nice if it felt quick, like an old mini does for example). Top speed not important, in gear acceleration is what I would like
5) Not 'chavvy' (whatever you choose that definition to be!)

Any ideas for £1500? I'm not keen on a luxobarge due to potential maintenance costs. I thought about an Alfa 145, but the terrible reliability scares me. I'd love another 205GTi, but would rather save over time for a really good one. Not too keen on Japanese cars, and two possibilities (Vauxhall and Rover) are out as they just aren't my 'thing' (hey we all have our personal tastes!). Another possibility would be a Corrado or a Fiat Coupe, but which one and what could go wrong that is expensive (I'm thinking about the horror stories of costs of timing belt changes on Fiat Coupes).

As I'm getting rid of an MX-5, I'd like something different this time :-)

All suggestions, comments, insults etc welcome! To give you an idea of my tastes my car history has included Mk1 Fiesta, Citroen BX, Innocenti 120L, Mini Cooper (real one), Porsche 924S, 2xMG Maestros, Octavia, 205GTi, Fiesta van.

Thanks

Chris

[DrTre]

Nissan Primera GT.
Fiat Coupe

this is cheap

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2064618.htm

[Papa Hotel]

Ford Puma 1.7.

Close thread.

Next!

[Deluded]

DrTre said:

Fiat Coupe

He's trying to save money. Not throw it in the bin.

[DrTre]

Deluded said:

DrTre said:

Fiat Coupe

He's trying to save money. Not throw it in the bin.

fair comment.

[robsti]

Fiar Stilo Abarth!

[nottyash]

I just bought a 2001 Manual Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI for £1600,its the later 200BHP red top version.
Great cars, smooth to drive and 4 wheel steering too.
You will get 30MPG but thats about it.

[Matthew_Eames]

306 GTi6, a sort of grown up 205 GTi but cheaper, more modern and comfortable / safer. One of the last good looking Peugeots aswell.

There are plenty of other interesting cars at that budget, but the 306 should be reliable (and won't rust)

[ambuletz]

Volvo C70, Ford Cougar, ford probe, MG ZS/ZT, 407 coupe, Fiat Barchetta, Lexus LS400, Mercedes SEC/SEL,

[Baffled Spoon]

Seat Toledeo 2.3 V5 170. Loads of toys (sat nav, electric leather seats etc.) and a lovely warbling 5 pot motor. The engine is chain driven and well proven so should be reliable too.

[Emubiker]

The perfect thread for this is the "£500 snotter" one. Started as a chap just looking for something to run about in, but ended up being full of decent metal.

ETA: its only a couple of days down the list too, so not hard to find.

Edited by Emubiker on Tuesday 14th September 19:34

[chrisispringles]

Audi A4 2.8 Quattro: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1966015.htm

Audi Coupe 2.6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2044101.htm

Audi Coupe 2.2: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1998620.htm

E36 BMW 328Ci: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1971641.htm

E34 BMW 540i touring: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1900050.htm

E39 BMW 535i: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1883308.htm

Ford Mondeo ST200: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2060979.htm

Honda Prelude 2.2 VTi Motegi edition: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2031450.htm

Jaguar XJ 3.2 sport: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2001054.htm

Saab 9-5 aero: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1638762.htm

Saab 900 turbo: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2064618.htm

VW Golf VR6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1954061.htm

Mk2 VW Golf GTi 16v: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2039887.htm

VW Corrado G60: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1969345.htm

VW Corrado VR6: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1923407.htm

Volvo 850 T5: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2050764.htm

[twazzock]

ChevronB19 said:

As I'm getting rid of an MX-5, I'd like something different this time :-)

Damn. A Mk1 really would be perfect.


E30? Might get a 318is for that.

[Chris_w666]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1956640.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2068444.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2066648.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2065786.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1877939.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2065687.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1936852.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1902321.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2018743.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2062421.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2062672.htm

[ChevronB19]

Thanks for the suggestions folks!

I had been thinking of Pumas, so they are definitely on the list.

I noticed the Fiat Barchetta was recommended, but I've never seen one for as low as £1500! Do they exist? They were a candidate when i bought the MX-5, but I wanted RWD and swapped exclusivity for that.

From the suggestions given so far, Puma, 306 GTi, Audi Coupe (always loved the shape), Saab & Corrado look favourites. Fear of large expense is making me lean towards the Puma and the 306 unless I can be persuaded otherwise.

Too scared of Jags etc, I'd have bought an BMW 850 years ago if I was prepared to chance my arm!

[Motorrad]

nottyash said:

I just bought a 2001 Manual Honda Prelude 2.2 VTI for £1600,its the later 200BHP red top version.
Great cars, smooth to drive and 4 wheel steering too.
You will get 30MPG but thats about it.

+1 I had a 1998 VTi that cost me less than a grand and was great fun to drive around the UK in for a couple of months. Reliable, lots of toys,comfortable on the motorway and reasonable fun on B roads. Find one in good nick and I think they are a bit of a bargain with the added bonus of being relatively rare.
It didn't excell in any one discipline but it was good at all. Returned 40mpg at 70ish mph as well.

[rswift]

Don't be scared of the Jags.....look at the 6 cyl unburstable engine ones, with an LPG Kit....(I sold mine at 325,000 still going strong)....deal is spares are very cheap, as there are loads of specialist & good breakers.....if your brave and don't mind less MPG 3.6/4.0 XJS ?

306 is a good call, Mrs has one...but a bit mainstream. £1500 gets you a decent SAAB, a very very good Merc 190.....an old Porsche 944 !! ( or a good 924) !
T5 that someone mentioned would be good

[Rammy76]

rswift said:

Don't be scared of the Jags.....look at the 6 cyl unburstable engine ones, with an LPG Kit....(I sold mine at 325,000 still going strong)....deal is spares are very cheap, as there are loads of specialist & good breakers.....if your brave and don't mind less MPG 3.6/4.0 XJS ?

306 is a good call, Mrs has one...but a bit mainstream. £1500 gets you a decent SAAB, a very very good Merc 190.....an old Porsche 944 !! ( or a good 924) !
T5 that someone mentioned would be good

325000 miles? Thats very impressive, did it not feel a bit "tired" by then?

[Rammy76]

How about this? In my opinion the Italians make lovely 4 cylinder engines.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2016732.htm

[paulshears]

Vento VR6

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1910599.htm

AX GT

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2014198.htm

Hyundai XG 30 3.0 V6????

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2035588.htm

Lancia Beta

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2002151.htm

PEUGEOT 405 Mi16

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2000916.htm

volvo 480es

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1899347.htm