cheap but fun?
Discussion
I have pretty much decided that my mazda 6 mps is to be sold when i return from holiday next month. The threat of work issues and the fact i don't use the car very much at all and its a bit big and soft for my liking is pushing me to sell it on even if it is a good car. I don't want the finance on the car any more and want to be debt free so ! will sell it and buy something with the money left over! also tax,mpg and so on are stupid for what i use it for and once the otherhalf drives it so it will be to costly to run with one wage and a baby and a house!
So ideally I need;
-civic type r - will it be a dog for 3.5k? insurance ok i have checked but 30mpg?
-integra type r- to old now? space for baby?
-accord type r- love these but will it be reliable as its old and will 3.5k get a good one?
- BMW 330- will it be ok at this price, had a 330 covertible 4 years ago and it was so unreliable but i keep telling myself it was a lemon and there not like that!
saab 93 aero. had a saab company car and liked it but will it handle ok on a older model and will it be reliable?
- clio ph1 172- love the look of it, will in bidget and cheap to run but will space be a issue and will it just fall apart?
thanks guys.
So ideally I need;
- I need a car that does ok mpg around 30mpg avrage ( mps6 does 22mpg on vpower!).
- isn't silly insurance about the same as the mazda group16 or so, not 20a stuff!
- doesn't have silly tax (mazda £445 pa)!
- cost no more than 3.5k to buy.
- Isn't going to break down everytime i use it (mg zs180 mk2 never again!)
- will fit a baby in the back (he can help getting in and out so not newborn issues).
- i can service myself.
- is great fun to drive as its only used at weekends for now!
-civic type r - will it be a dog for 3.5k? insurance ok i have checked but 30mpg?
-integra type r- to old now? space for baby?
-accord type r- love these but will it be reliable as its old and will 3.5k get a good one?
- BMW 330- will it be ok at this price, had a 330 covertible 4 years ago and it was so unreliable but i keep telling myself it was a lemon and there not like that!
saab 93 aero. had a saab company car and liked it but will it handle ok on a older model and will it be reliable?
- clio ph1 172- love the look of it, will in bidget and cheap to run but will space be a issue and will it just fall apart?
thanks guys.
I'd forget about the Civic type R and the Clio, lifting a baby in and out of a car seat in a 3 door car is going to be a nightmare.
As suggested earlier, Ford Mondeo ST220, or what about a tidy Volvo 850 R or V70 R? Don't be put off by the badge, they are both cracking steers when you want to be a hooligan and refined barges when you don't. They should both be able to average 27-29mpg depending on use and are both very reliable. Loads of space for assorted baby crap too.
As suggested earlier, Ford Mondeo ST220, or what about a tidy Volvo 850 R or V70 R? Don't be put off by the badge, they are both cracking steers when you want to be a hooligan and refined barges when you don't. They should both be able to average 27-29mpg depending on use and are both very reliable. Loads of space for assorted baby crap too.
i have had issues with older cars you are right lol. maybe its not the route for me but i can really keep spending £170 a month on finance and coughing up£445 pa tax, £700 insrance, £400 service and 20mpg o a car i done 3k in last year!
if i lose my job which i might the mazda would be reprocesed anyway so be getting rid now and save some money.
i had a saxo vts years ago, it wasn't bad but the plastic blosters in the seat hurt my back many a times.
anyone think of something newer that still fun for around 3k?
if i lose my job which i might the mazda would be reprocesed anyway so be getting rid now and save some money.
i had a saxo vts years ago, it wasn't bad but the plastic blosters in the seat hurt my back many a times.
anyone think of something newer that still fun for around 3k?
sjc said:
That's an expensive Octavia if it has 112k on the clock! A guy on here is selling a very nice and subtly modded one with about 20k for £2500!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200649080646?ssPageName=...
Down the road from me is a 49k miles red one, one owner FSH for £3290!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/04-SKODA-OCTAVIA-1-8T-VR...
Edited by Emeye on Friday 16th September 22:59
Nick3point2 said:
You're going to be disappointed. You want:
A fairly new car
Space for a child
Cheap tax
Cheap insurance
Fairly good mpg
Fun to drive
Low buying price
Good reliability
Your cake
And to eat it
Do you really think if such a car truely existed there would be any need for any other car?
That's exactly what I'm after! A fairly new car
Space for a child
Cheap tax
Cheap insurance
Fairly good mpg
Fun to drive
Low buying price
Good reliability
Your cake
And to eat it
Do you really think if such a car truely existed there would be any need for any other car?

Emeye said:
sjc said:
That's an expensive Octavia if it has 112k on the clock! A guy on here is selling a very nice and subtly modded one with about 20k for £2500!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200649080646?ssPageName=...
Down the road from me is a 49k miles red one, one owner FSH for £3290!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/04-SKODA-OCTAVIA-1-8T-VR...
Edited by Emeye on Friday 16th September 22:59
well to be fair i think there are decent cars out there that fits the bill!
i actually don't like the drive of most modern cars i find them over weight and dull but need space for a baby. i see plenty of people with baby seats in cars like clio's and its only a second car give it 6 months and he will be climbing in the car himself!
i like volvos but the other half point blank refuses to drive one, which is a shame.
all i really want is some thing thats say older than 2003 so no silly taxing!
not going to have inherent issues like the mg was(alarm+electrical and engine! all very known issues but i admit i didnt research well engough.
can go 30mpg, thats not to much to ask, my fiat coupe with 300bhp done that.
doesn't reqire engine out to replace a cambelt or alike so its maintainable!
fun to drive, doesnt have to be silly quick.
are accords and civic bullet proof like they are made out to be?
if i got something like a e39 530i or 328i/330i with 80-90k with manual gearbox what are my chances or thousands needing speading?
so far the accord type r is my top choice followed by a 530i msport.
i really would love a 540i but i guess 20mpg is the best i could hope for?
i actually don't like the drive of most modern cars i find them over weight and dull but need space for a baby. i see plenty of people with baby seats in cars like clio's and its only a second car give it 6 months and he will be climbing in the car himself!
i like volvos but the other half point blank refuses to drive one, which is a shame.
all i really want is some thing thats say older than 2003 so no silly taxing!
not going to have inherent issues like the mg was(alarm+electrical and engine! all very known issues but i admit i didnt research well engough.
can go 30mpg, thats not to much to ask, my fiat coupe with 300bhp done that.
doesn't reqire engine out to replace a cambelt or alike so its maintainable!
fun to drive, doesnt have to be silly quick.
are accords and civic bullet proof like they are made out to be?
if i got something like a e39 530i or 328i/330i with 80-90k with manual gearbox what are my chances or thousands needing speading?
so far the accord type r is my top choice followed by a 530i msport.
i really would love a 540i but i guess 20mpg is the best i could hope for?
Emeye said:
Nick3point2 said:
You're going to be disappointed. You want:
A fairly new car
Space for a child
Cheap tax
Cheap insurance
Fairly good mpg
Fun to drive
Low buying price
Good reliability
Your cake
And to eat it
Do you really think if such a car truely existed there would be any need for any other car?
Ok, a slight curveball - panda 100hp. You could just about get one for 3.5k, they're great fun, feels quicker than the figures suggest, cheap tax & insurance, reliable, and so far we have had no problems with fitting my 6 week old girl, pram and other paraphernalia in it. I chopped a Mk3 MX5 for it. Like driving an over excited puppy!A fairly new car
Space for a child
Cheap tax
Cheap insurance
Fairly good mpg
Fun to drive
Low buying price
Good reliability
Your cake
And to eat it
Do you really think if such a car truely existed there would be any need for any other car?
That's exactly what I'm after!

sounds good, il have alook at the pandas.
i have also noticed that seat leon cupra 225r just hit that price bracket and the ibiza cupra fits in nicely. i could get a 2002 standard car with about 60-70k on the clock with fssh for my budget? i had a mk5 ibiza fr but what are the mk4 cupras like?
i have also noticed that seat leon cupra 225r just hit that price bracket and the ibiza cupra fits in nicely. i could get a 2002 standard car with about 60-70k on the clock with fssh for my budget? i had a mk5 ibiza fr but what are the mk4 cupras like?
I had a 530i Sport Manual - fantastic car, just make sure you buy one that has been looked after - I averaged about 29mpg in mine. It did 19mpg around town and the best I ever saw on a 60-70mpg busy mway run was 36mpg.
How about a 325ti Sport? - Topgear mag called it a mini M3 when they ran one - I really liked mine and it has a nice practical hatch - I also had a mk1 Leon Cupra which are great cars and 5 door which helps with the baby. Can you get an Audi TT for that budget? - another car I've owned with the VAG 1.8T engine and the back seats are ok for kids. Some people slate them, but they are a lovely car for day to day use.
How about a 325ti Sport? - Topgear mag called it a mini M3 when they ran one - I really liked mine and it has a nice practical hatch - I also had a mk1 Leon Cupra which are great cars and 5 door which helps with the baby. Can you get an Audi TT for that budget? - another car I've owned with the VAG 1.8T engine and the back seats are ok for kids. Some people slate them, but they are a lovely car for day to day use.
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