Anything I've left out? ... fun £1.5k runaround options
Discussion
Having looked at various cheap options for a daily driver I'm 90% sure I'm going for an Alfa 145 QV. But I thought I'd put it to the floor to see if there's anything I've missed off the list!
Requirements are 4 seats (2+2) as a minimum, hard top, decent sized boot, preferably with folding seats, 30mpg, a bit of driver appeal and most of all something a bit different. I'm not a fan of barges, so no big BMWs or Jags, and insurance costs need to be fairly reasonable.
In no particular order I was thinking:
Alfa 145 QV - excellent blend of style and practicality, but good ones thin on the ground
Clio 172 - stretching the budget a bit, insurance is excessive too
BMW 318iS E30 - bit pricey and the seats don't fold, appeals though
Pug 306 GTi-6 - already done the PSA thing and the insurance is a bit steep
MG ZS180 hatch - bit thirsty and insurance is quite high, plus I've already had one
Fiat Coupe - insurance and running costs too high
Saab 900 Turbo - looks like a nice 'thing', but may be out of budget and perhaps not the sharpest drive?
VW Scirocco - Even Scala Injection is comfortably in budget, like the '80s looks, not keen on the interior
VW Corrado 16v - More modern than the Scirocco, but not quite as quirky and I'd pine for a VR6
Pug 106 Rallye - good ones are expensive, maybe a bit too raw too
Ford Puma - bit small and doesn't really appeal
E36 BMW - just doesn't appeal as much as the older BMWs
Requirements are 4 seats (2+2) as a minimum, hard top, decent sized boot, preferably with folding seats, 30mpg, a bit of driver appeal and most of all something a bit different. I'm not a fan of barges, so no big BMWs or Jags, and insurance costs need to be fairly reasonable.
In no particular order I was thinking:
Alfa 145 QV - excellent blend of style and practicality, but good ones thin on the ground
Clio 172 - stretching the budget a bit, insurance is excessive too
BMW 318iS E30 - bit pricey and the seats don't fold, appeals though
Pug 306 GTi-6 - already done the PSA thing and the insurance is a bit steep
MG ZS180 hatch - bit thirsty and insurance is quite high, plus I've already had one
Fiat Coupe - insurance and running costs too high
Saab 900 Turbo - looks like a nice 'thing', but may be out of budget and perhaps not the sharpest drive?
VW Scirocco - Even Scala Injection is comfortably in budget, like the '80s looks, not keen on the interior
VW Corrado 16v - More modern than the Scirocco, but not quite as quirky and I'd pine for a VR6
Pug 106 Rallye - good ones are expensive, maybe a bit too raw too
Ford Puma - bit small and doesn't really appeal
E36 BMW - just doesn't appeal as much as the older BMWs
Alfanatic said:
146QV?
Forgot to mention, a 146 Ti is on the list. I think I'd prefer a 145, but wouldn't say no to a really good Ti in the right colour combination. May also consider a Twin Spark GTV with a bike rack at a push as they seem to be more common and less prone to rust issues! Insurance for all three is the same and comfortably less than most of the other warm hatches and coupes.
(Yes, I am quite determined to tick the Alfa box!)
Fits all of your criterias with the added bonus of reliablity too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3086849.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3086849.htm
I'd personally pay the extra for a decent Corrado VR6. They're worth it!
I've got a Golf VR6 and it's a fantastic cruiser and does corner OK but it's not a hot hatch by anyone's standards.
The Corrado adds more power/torque and the infamous handling.
Needless to say, once our Corrado 16V gives up the ghost I'll be replacing it with a VR6 one!
I've got a Golf VR6 and it's a fantastic cruiser and does corner OK but it's not a hot hatch by anyone's standards.
The Corrado adds more power/torque and the infamous handling.
Needless to say, once our Corrado 16V gives up the ghost I'll be replacing it with a VR6 one!
Roaduser said:
Fits all of your criterias with the added bonus of reliablity too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3086849.htm
good call http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3086849.htm
david_h said:
I wouldn't go near a mk3 VR6, they rot so badly, worse than the Mk2's and handle like jelly.
Not sure on the corrado.
They're really good with only a few "hot spots" to look out for. But usually if they do rot it's down to bad accident repairs. Not sure on the corrado.
The most common spot is the bottoms of the arches, front and back, where they join the sills.
Honda Prelude 2.2VTI, cant remember is the seats went down though.
Go for a red top engine UK car built 1999/2000 with 200BHP, and make sure its a manual.
Go as well as a Civic type R with 4 wheel steer, which is fantastic.
Or A Golf GTI turbo. I just bought a 2001 with 100000 miles on for £1500, Stuck a Revo remap on it and the thing flies
In my experience avoid the 145 cloverleaf. Goes well enough, but front heavy, low at the front kept ripping spoiler off on a standard kerb. Also went through Alternator and air con pump in a matter of weeks.The 156 I replaced it with was even worse, it had FSH but still the balancer belt pulley sheared, luckily it never took the cambelt off. Shame about reliability as they are great to drive.
Go for a red top engine UK car built 1999/2000 with 200BHP, and make sure its a manual.
Go as well as a Civic type R with 4 wheel steer, which is fantastic.
Or A Golf GTI turbo. I just bought a 2001 with 100000 miles on for £1500, Stuck a Revo remap on it and the thing flies
In my experience avoid the 145 cloverleaf. Goes well enough, but front heavy, low at the front kept ripping spoiler off on a standard kerb. Also went through Alternator and air con pump in a matter of weeks.The 156 I replaced it with was even worse, it had FSH but still the balancer belt pulley sheared, luckily it never took the cambelt off. Shame about reliability as they are great to drive.
Edited by nottyash on Tuesday 23 August 13:03
Strachan said:
What big costs? Cant be thirstier than RX8?
Their suprisingly good on fuel for a 5pot turbo when driven sedately. The costs come from running/insuring a 10+ year old turbo italian. Clutches, Turbos, cambelt jobs all labour intensive. Plus they have an appitite for front suspension arms etc Usual stuff for Fiats/Alfas of this era. I love em!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff