£2k Daily, that's not boring

[TeaNoSugar]

banksey said:

Finally someone who knows a thing or two.

Thanks, but I don't, not especially, it's just that my criteria are identical to the OP and I've been looking at gti-6/Rallyes myself for a while.

We've had a number of 306s in the family over the years. they've been good to us on the whole. I like the way they drive, and I think they've grown old very gracefully in terms of looks, especially the sporty 3dr versions.

For around £2-2.5k for a well-loved 80-100,000 miler (maybe I'd stretch the budget for a really nice <90,000 mile stock standard rallye) you could do a lot worse. Also, when things go wrong, parts aren't too pricey.

[Chris71]

mgmrw2003 said:

+1

GTI6 are a proper unloved weapon. Few tweeks would liven it up too

Are they really unloved, though? A very common suggestion on here and the good ones are commanding increasingly high prices.

If I could find a really clean GTi-6 I'd be mightily tempted, but they're pretty few and far between sadly. Also, the fuel economy is an interesting one. A friend - very much against my recommendation (I said he should get a GTi-6 or Rallye!) - bought a 306 XSi last year because he thought it would be cheaper to run. He's since averaged 29mpg. Okay that's not horrendous for a sporty car, but it's hardly frugal motoring either.

[Sir_Dave]

You will struggle to get 30mpg out of a gti6/Rallye. Mine averaged out at about 27mpg iirc, the same as the Z3M that replaced it. Great cars though, if not somewhat unrealiable now that they are getting on a bit.

Get a Rallye as well, none of the electrical stuff on the gti will still work anyway ...

[Baryonyx]

Something like a Focus ST170 would be good. Surely you'll be able to pick one of those up for your budget and it'll be a hoot. And being a Focus, it'll do the commute excellently.

[Chris71]

Baryonyx said:

Something like a Focus ST170 would be good. Surely you'll be able to pick one of those up for your budget and it'll be a hoot. And being a Focus, it'll do the commute excellently.

Personally I was rather disappointed by the ST170. I didn't think it added enough over and above the (very competent) standard car to make it a proper hot hatch and yet the extra running costs meant it didn't work as a sensible, grown up, warm hatch either. It may have changed since, but the good ones were also still quite expensive last time I checked (certainly not £2k if you want low mileage, higher spec interior etc.) For that money I'd go for a GTi-6 or downsize to a 172. Or possible a mk1 Octavia vRS if I could handle the superlatively dull interior.

[mgmrw2003]

Chris71 said:

Are they really unloved, though? A very common suggestion on here and the good ones are commanding increasingly high prices.

If I could find a really clean GTi-6 I'd be mightily tempted, but they're pretty few and far between sadly. Also, the fuel economy is an interesting one. A friend - very much against my recommendation (I said he should get a GTi-6 or Rallye!) - bought a 306 XSi last year because he thought it would be cheaper to run. He's since averaged 29mpg. Okay that's not horrendous for a sporty car, but it's hardly frugal motoring either.

Really? OP said they wanted a works runner, so why not get a GTi6 for a grand...... and live with the fuel economy/grotty arches/worn interior?

It's a cheap car to abuse to/from work, and have some fun in when solo. As long as the mechanical bits are A OK and it drives well.... Drive it hard, love it little, and when it goes bang weigh it in or break it on ebay.

[BadgerBill]

You can get a lot of stuff for £2k.

With your budget (although perhaps not all your criteria) I ended up with this.

33-ish mpg avg, relaible, different, 4 seats (occasionally), etc




BB

[MorrisCRX]

An excelent condition Mark2 CRX valver.

There are back seats... wouldn't reccomend anyone get in it and the boots big enough. Loads of fun on the A's and B's. Issues are usualy minor and that eara of early 90s honda have a lot of interchangable chasis parts with the rovers of that time so its cheap as chips to sort out.

[WEHGuy]

y2blade said:

aka_kerrly said:

y2blade said:

"PH favorite" ?????
not everyone on here wants an over-rated/underpowered soft-top

but thanks for the suggestion

Edit= didn't mean for that to come out so abrasive...but there you go

It does have to be said though!

'Fun' daily for £2k I shall suggest some FWD Hatchbacks first because for daily use, occasionally transporting larger items in the boot, 4 adults on relatively short journeys they do everything you want but without excelling as as full blown sports car or a people mover.

1)Seat Ibiza Cupra - a 1997-2000 era has a 2.0 16v and later ones the 1.8 20VT, both circa 150hp 0-60 7s and 35mpg+. Both built around the mk2 golf chassis (which we know handles well) with polo back axles. Effectively a modern interpretation of a mk2 golf.

2)Toyota Starlet Glanza - some around the 2-2500 mark now and they can crack 35-40mpg when you're not too carried away with the boost.

3)Focus ST170 - handling, quicker in real world driving than the 0-60 would suggest, 30mpg quite achievable.

RWD odd ball suggestions that may or may not fit the fun prerequisite but have not yet been mentioned:

1) Lexus IS200 - I had not realised these can be bought for so little. RWD, 6 cylinder 2.0L engine give 30mpg an 6speed close ratio box helps when you want to press on.

2)Merc CLK230K - again I know nothing about them other than a manual one will manage nearly 30mpg combined.

good suggestions

Apart from the IS200. I used to fancy one of them until I realised how poor they are on fuel for only 150 BHP. I personally would go for a E39 of some sort.

[marky911]

Yep, forget is200s!
My girlfriend had one and could barely get low 20's. I could honestly get more mpg from my 3.2 BMW at the time.
Having said that the interiors are very nice and the hi-fi was nothing short of superb!

Eta - I'd buy a 328 sport E36. Great road cars.

Edited by marky911 on Friday 20th May 18:21

[nottyash]

I paid only £1550 for this 51 plate 1.8 turbo golf GTI, just had a remap, new discs and new breather pipes all under £2k and its fantastic fun. Averages 35mpg.

Also got this
Picked it up last year for £1600, its the later 2.2 red top 200bhp manual with 4 wheel steering. Actually better handling than the golf, but needs to be revved. We average 29mpg.
You can have a lot of fun for under £2000

[saladdodger]

dont think it will do 30mpg though

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[scotty28]

aka_kerrly said:

2)Toyota Starlet Glanza - some around the 2-2500 mark now and they can crack 35-40mpg when you're not too carried away with the boost.

30-35 is probably closer, never had over 35mpg in mine and that's when not getting carried away.

Problem is with most for that price, they've been modified in someway or another which wont help mpg.

Mine was £4.5k, but that was with 40k(ish) on the clocks, just brought into the country and almost standard.

[eesbad]

Suzuki Ignis Sport...

108bhp 1.5 VVTi
c.900kg
0-60 in 8.9s
40mpg and £165/yr tax
Just paid £2.5k for my 04 plate one

[patmahe]

Mk1 Skoda Octavia Vrs?

This looks very good for the money
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2828198.htm

[Hell27]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


2.4 Diesel




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

2.0 Petrol




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...




http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

This should bring a big grin........



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[Matbmx1]

patmahe said:

Mk1 Skoda Octavia Vrs?

This looks very good for the money
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2828198.htm

Hmm advert is a bit flaky? Last cam belt 6 years ago so needs doing. Performance alloys??? (wheels I guess) 2 tone leather is leather and fabric. I'd avoid to be honest purely based on advert being utter ste

[patmahe]

Matbmx1 said:

Hmm advert is a bit flaky? Last cam belt 6 years ago so needs doing. Performance alloys??? (wheels I guess) 2 tone leather is leather and fabric. I'd avoid to be honest purely based on advert being utter ste

Fair enough I just gave the advert a quick look and was judging it by the photos. I still think the vRS merits suggestion even if its not this exact one.

[Liquid Knight]

Rover 213S. Trust me on this one.