I want a car that doesn't exist

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Hello all long time lurker here in need of some advice.

currently im been forced to drive around in a k12 micra 1.2 and its destroying my soul as im yearning to get back into something better but scared of making yet another bad purchase (brabus roadster coupe !! ) so need some sensible guidance to make a decent car buying decision for once.

Unfortunately I change my mind more than I change my underwear when it comes to cars and watching wheeler dealers doesnt help and neither does reading this website damn you pistonheads!!

Anyway im due to start more than doubling my daily commute to about 60-70 miles a day so I cant afford to run some v12 jag SOTW But i dont want to be stuck with the micra much longer really

I just dont know what to look at id like some hybrid go cart/estate/4x4/diesel economy petrol performance car that wont go wrong and wont cost me anything (see my requirements arnt hard are they :P )

budget is flex-able to a point but overall say 3 years id like to spend as little as possible and tbh would rather an older car so I can maybe get away with spending more on fuel.

last few cars include e36 328 sport, vx220, brabus roadster coupe, mk2.5 mx5, accord 2.4, fabia vrs, 172.

any ideas what to look at guys I do rather fancy a E30 318 IS but would that just be a road to trouble ?

[renrut]

MX-5? but a mk1?

Seriously though what do you use the car for and what would you like to use it for? Do you have a need for a big boot? Or a lust for mega performance? Or pockets so deep that Bill Gates borrows money off you?

Start with the must have practicalities:
price,
economy (mpg + running costs),
size,

then once you've got those nailed look at what you'd like:
performance,
luxury,
image etc

if you do it that way round you'll not go far wrong and at worst end up with a car you don't like as opposed to a car that will ruin you.

[c0ldpl4ya]

Would you not go back to a Fabia VRS?
I think its the perfect commuting tool tbh, very good mpg, remap and a few other mods turn it into a reasonably quick car no?
I wish i'd have bought one to commute in anyway...

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Id use the car for getting to work and back and doing my day to day stuff everything else I use the wifes giulietta.

i have no need for a big boot every day but it would come in handy with those ikea runs i do lust for mega performance but i dont speed and i caertainly dont have pockets bill gates would be jealous of

price is flexible but id say less than 8k but really the less the better economy goes with price as the more I spend on the car the more economical it has to be as buying a 2k shed opposed to a 6k newer car gives me 4k to spend on petrol and stuff really

size there are 2 of us so it only needs 2 seats we would use the other car for trips that need more seats

performance anything thats better than the micra
luxury would be nice (I like decent seats)
image less of an issue I drive a micra for gods sake

[anonymous-user]

I would talk to Lotus, they are specialists in talking about cars that dont exist

[Trustmeimadoctor]

i had thought of that but the draw of something different from what i have had is strong

[renrut]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

performance anything thats better than the micra
luxury would be nice (I like decent seats)
image less of an issue I drive a micra for gods sake

So anything that can manage <13s 0-60, has seats that aren't like a bench nad you don't mind people calling you a wuss for driving a girls car! You've set the bar high!

How about something like an SLK? Comfy and not too bad for motorway cruising but pick one with a decent engine and they're pretty quick too.

Or maybe a Boxster?

[Disco You]

Out of interest, why was a Brabus Roaster Coupe a bad buy?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

i had to wear arm bands to drive it

actually it wasnt a bad car really it just lacked poke and the gearbox was sloth controlled press paddle wait for sloth to wake up have a cup of coffee then decide what it wants to do for the day then finally get its arse around to shifting the gear. But it was great on petrol and got looks not as many as the VX but it was also decidedly camp and i felt like noddy driving it at times. oh and its servicing costs were high

[Trustmeimadoctor]

i had thought of slk but at less than 8k wont they be quite rough? same for the boxster are they even any around for less than that at all ? wont servicing be rather scandalous for the porsche ?

[redgriff500]

Fun + bulletproof = MX5

If you want an E30 1.8 then I';d suggest a compact would be a better bet and more practical.

Or a Clio 172 / 182 is maybe a cross between the 2 (practical(ish) and fun albeit Wrong WD)

[renrut]

They are around but they're earlier / high mileage ones, SLKs as low as £3K for a high mileage 90s one. I couldn't say if they're expensive to maintain though at that age as I've never had either, hopefully someone else can comment on that.

I assume by that comment you're after something a bit younger and less likely to give scary bills.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

i promised my self id never have another 172/182 even though they can have everything in the twisties mine was in the garage more than it was out really but saying that they are quite hard to beat

[V8A*ndy]

Keep the Micra and buy something for the fun, sunny days that you can insure as a classic.

I have an ancient Kangoo van (I have no use for a van either) that I use for all my motorway and day to day journeys. I can leave it parked anywhere and not worry about damage and it never got stuck once in the snow last winter.

I have an E89 Z4 35iS for those special days/occasions. The wife has a 120d Mnonsense, so that area is covered if need be.

You actually get to enjoy your special purchase more because you have been in the Micra all week and the weekend has arrived

My wife had a Micra Sport+ a few years ago. I really liked it and it never dropped below 50mpg. If your current Micra is a bit of a beater then keep it. If not sell it and buy something really cheap and frugal and go for the best 2nd car you can afford.

[mrmr96]

Octavia vRS Diesel?

[130R]

118d/120d could be an option. I've had both as courtesy cars and they are pretty nice to drive

[Trustmeimadoctor]

yeah its certainly a beater 54 plate 72k on the clock 50k of them in last 2 years hasnt been washed in over a year yet sailed through its MOT on saturday with no issues at all but it has developed a squeek when turning to the right slightly oh and the central locking actuator graunches when you lock the car but it never drops below 50 mpg.

im not sure having 3 cars in the house makes economical sense though