Friday what car! £2k affordable fun (not an MX5)
Discussion
My resolve to stick with my nice sensible Focus as my only car until the TVR is back on the road is crumbling. I'm wondering if I could buy something for the summer (and potentially keep it on as a daily shed thereafter) without losing a lot. It has to be significantly more fun and/or interesting than the current Focus, but also reasonably cheap and reliable.
So, any other ideas? Criteria:
So, any other ideas? Criteria:
- Realistically able to find a decent example for £2k
- Reliable
- Realistically over 30mpg in mixed use and generally cheap to run
- Back seats not important, but a modicum of luggage space an advantage
- Decent motorway manners not essential, but preferable
- No barges
- Fun and/or a bit different
Chris71 said:
My resolve to stick with my nice sensible Focus as my only car until the TVR is back on the road is crumbling. I'm wondering if I could buy something for the summer (and potentially keep it on as a daily shed thereafter) without losing a lot. It has to be significantly more fun and/or interesting than the current Focus, but also reasonably cheap and reliable.
So, any other ideas? Criteria:
You've missed it - Summer has finished!So, any other ideas? Criteria:
- Realistically able to find a decent example for £2k
- Reliable
- Realistically over 30mpg in mixed use and generally cheap to run
- Back seats not important, but a modicum of luggage space an advantage
- Decent motorway manners not essential, but preferable
- No barges
- Fun and/or a bit different
But in response to the question, I can think of only one - an MX5
All good suggestions! I've quite fancied a buzzy little hot hatch since I was given a tiny Suzuki Something-or-other as a courtesy car a few months back. It was crap in most quantifiable respects, but it was the first car I've driven in ages that you could rag everywhere.
I've actually had a 924S in the past. If I could find a good one in budget I'd be pretty tempted.
Other thoughts:
Are decent E30s out of budget these days? A 318iS quite appeals or maybe a six-pot 323?
Clio 172 is a real possibility. The only thing that slightly puts me off is I'm considering spending a bit more on a full blown 182 (maybe even a Trophy) once I sell the TVR and go down to one car.
Would an Alfa 145 Cloverleaf be too thirsty, too problematic or both (Stereotyping Matters...)?
I've actually had a 924S in the past. If I could find a good one in budget I'd be pretty tempted.
Other thoughts:
Are decent E30s out of budget these days? A 318iS quite appeals or maybe a six-pot 323?
Clio 172 is a real possibility. The only thing that slightly puts me off is I'm considering spending a bit more on a full blown 182 (maybe even a Trophy) once I sell the TVR and go down to one car.
Would an Alfa 145 Cloverleaf be too thirsty, too problematic or both (Stereotyping Matters...)?
Chris71 said:
My resolve to stick with my nice sensible Focus as my only car until the TVR is back on the road is crumbling. I'm wondering if I could buy something for the summer (and potentially keep it on as a daily shed thereafter) without losing a lot. It has to be significantly more fun and/or interesting than the current Focus, but also reasonably cheap and reliable.
So, any other ideas? Criteria:
Focus st170, got one recently and it is admirably coping whilst i try to get my scooby all sorted out.So, any other ideas? Criteria:
- Realistically able to find a decent example for £2k
- Reliable
- Realistically over 30mpg in mixed use and generally cheap to run
- Back seats not important, but a modicum of luggage space an advantage
- Decent motorway manners not essential, but preferable
- No barges
- Fun and/or a bit different
Hoonable, good on the M-way, and will average 29.8mpg at an average speed of 84mph over 420miles back from Scotland, hypothetically.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/ford/...
Start at £1300 so leaves money for the fund.
Hmm, few thoughts...
Alfa 145 Cloverleaf: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3072929.htm
VW Scirocco mk2: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3044897.htm
Possibly break the rule above and get this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3062435.htm
Alfa 145 Cloverleaf: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3072929.htm
VW Scirocco mk2: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3044897.htm
Possibly break the rule above and get this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3062435.htm
Porkie said:
Clio 172
I have a 172 cup if and am in Essex if you wanted a drive of one.
May well take you up on that. Driven a 182 in the past and very impressed with that.I have a 172 cup if and am in Essex if you wanted a drive of one.
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 29th July 17:24
Chris71 said:
May well take you up on that. Driven a 182 in the past and very impressed with that.
I love my little Clio. Awesome fun little things.Edited by Chris71 on Friday 29th July 17:24
I have a few other pretty interesting cars you may want a go of as well, Always up for meeting fellow petrolheads
I would require a go in the TVR one day in future though!
always had massive soft spot for em I guess it comes down to one of two categories really. I could run something like an MR2 or an MX5, which would probably be better at plugging the gap until the TVR returns (hopefully in a few months). On the other hand, while I'm not quite so gripped by the idea of a hot hatch or coupe, it would make far more sense once the TVR returns - an MX5 would be a little redundant by then. 
Still like the idea of an Alfa 145. Are they a credible alternative to something like a 306 GTi-6?
On a similar theme, would an Alfa 75 TS or an Alfa 33 be too fragile?
What about something Japanese - Accord Type R or a CRX? MX3?
Something Rover? Already done the ZS, maybe a ZR160 or BRM 200?
200SX - likely to prove expensive? (Is it me or does this one look unusually clean for the money: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3072975.htm)
106 GTI/Rallye? Ditto the 306 GTi6/Rallye... Looks like a good 205 is out of budget these days?
And of course the various RS Clios. Turns out the upper end of my budget is starting to approach 172 Cup range.
It did occur to me that the TVR is still going to be too noisy for 90% of UK track days when it's finished, so maybe something track-able would be good. I guess any of the above should be moderately amusing on track.
Still like the idea of an Alfa 145. Are they a credible alternative to something like a 306 GTi-6?
On a similar theme, would an Alfa 75 TS or an Alfa 33 be too fragile?
What about something Japanese - Accord Type R or a CRX? MX3?
Something Rover? Already done the ZS, maybe a ZR160 or BRM 200?
200SX - likely to prove expensive? (Is it me or does this one look unusually clean for the money: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3072975.htm)
106 GTI/Rallye? Ditto the 306 GTi6/Rallye... Looks like a good 205 is out of budget these days?
And of course the various RS Clios. Turns out the upper end of my budget is starting to approach 172 Cup range.
It did occur to me that the TVR is still going to be too noisy for 90% of UK track days when it's finished, so maybe something track-able would be good. I guess any of the above should be moderately amusing on track.
I think it's fair to say you've been thinking about this for a while Chris. Lol.
Were you not tempted by the murcielago? Lol
I'm in a similar position potentially, as soon as I can sell mine.
Something cheap, fun and reliable enough.
Everyone says the mx-5 but I almost feel obliged to go against the grain (maybe I shouldn't).
An mr2 is a worthy opponent.
Have considered a z3, but think I've been pretty much talked away from that.
I love reading all these threads, but everytime I do I pretty much end up changing my mind in which car I will go for.
Were you not tempted by the murcielago? Lol
I'm in a similar position potentially, as soon as I can sell mine.
Something cheap, fun and reliable enough.
Everyone says the mx-5 but I almost feel obliged to go against the grain (maybe I shouldn't).
An mr2 is a worthy opponent.
Have considered a z3, but think I've been pretty much talked away from that.
I love reading all these threads, but everytime I do I pretty much end up changing my mind in which car I will go for.
Monumental said:
Don't fight it!
You see it's images like that (mental images mostly - I used to own a mk1 Eunos...) that keep tempting me, but it wouldn't make sense to have another 2 seat open sports car once the TVR comes back. And when I eventually come to sell the TVR I'd really need something more practical as a daily driver.
Just been perusing Clio Williams, but nice as they are I reckon a good one is as much as a 172 Cup and I prefer the looks of the 172.
Don't worry about the MPG. Why quibble over a few MPG when the noise returned from stamping on the loud pedal is so glorious?
I've had two, they're fairly bomb proof providing
a) timing belt has been replaced
b) the clutch is in good order
c) it's not ticking- sign of a cracked manifold
c) the oil cooler & associated pipework is in good order
Lovely, lovely, lovely car.
You can thank me later
Turbo Plus in the classified:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3066243.htm
Edited by VB on Saturday 30th July 12:50
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