Cheap, Fast and Reliable... let’s see what we are running

[Matt UK]

A car which is Cheap, Fast and Reliable is the PHers Holy Grail

We all search for that magic answer, but I’m not convinced it exists.
I fear most of us end up having to choose two.
Some get lumbered with just one.
I’m sure there are horror stories of those who ended up with none...

So, vote on the poll and we’ll see what choices the PH collective is running. I’ve made the poll multiple choice so those running a fleet can click what they have.

[drophead]

I have that PH classic, the MX5

[Matt UK]

drophead said:

I have that PH classic, the MX5

And how do vote it?

[kambites]

I suppose expensive fast and (relatively) reliable... although many people on here probably wouldn't consider 16k to be expensive, it is to me.

[Jimbo.]

Interesting. Going purely by what I've seen/heard/read, I'd suggest an X300 XJR.
Reliable? Seems so. Always did well in the various driver/owner surveys over the years, and held in high regards on here.
Cheap? Pick 'em up for peanuts. Seems people don't want old, big Jaguars. The £5K smoker thread is a good place for this!
Fast? No slouch!

Other suggestions:
Volvo 850 T5?

[Zwoelf]

Matt UK said:

drophead said:

I have that PH classic, the MX5

And how do vote it?

Cheap, slow and reliable.

[B3njamin]

Fast is a bit subjective so to be safe I voted the mx5 as slow but cheap and reliable... I feel it's a bit silly to call it slow but it lags behind most of the quicker cars, although in fairness it is a lot cheaper and even the mk1 is very reliable ~20 years on.

[Major Fallout]

My daily is expensive fast and reliable. (expensive to me)

But I have much more fun from my expensive slow and unreliable car.

[Matt UK]

B3njamin said:

Fast is a bit subjective so to be safe I voted the mx5 as slow but cheap and reliable... I feel it's a bit silly to call it slow but it lags behind most of the quicker cars, although in fairness it is a lot cheaper and even the mk1 is very reliable ~20 years on.

Cheap, Slow, Reliable - having owned one, I consider your vote to be well-judged.

A car can't really be classed as 'fast' when you get blasted off from the lights by a MILF in a 4x4 eating an apple

[marcosgt]

Surely it's too subjective to have much meaning?

One man's fast is another's slow, same with cheap and reliable...

Also, cheap and fast in what respects? Cheap to buy? Insure? Run? All of these? Sub 6 second 0-60 or blessed with 200+ MPH top speed and sub 3 seconds 0-60?

My car's in the middle really - Cheap (by my standards) to buy and run (except the fuel), quickish (not fast by today's standards, but quick enough to keep up with all but the most outlandish hot hatches) and (touch wood) reliable to date (although I've changed coils and plugs).

I couldn't really find a poll option to suit...

M.

[e8_pack]

i take it this for road cars only?

i have a track car that ticks those boxes, but you would not want to drive it on the road.

[russy01]

I'd say I have one. Honda is s2000 is cheap, fast and reliable. Before people say its not fast, I don't agree. Next to Italian exotica it's not fast but compared to most road cars on the road it is.

[Cock Womble 7]

Cheap? Yes. Purchase price, based on what it's capable of, was a complete bargain. It's surprisingly economical and parts are affordable if you shop around.

Fast? Well, more "quick" than "fast", but yes.

Reliable? Touch wood, apart from a fuel pump issue, no problems yet.

[Matt UK]

marcosgt said:

Surely it's too subjective to have much meaning?

Oh I agree, it's totally subjective.

But I still think that whilst it's a target most PHers aim for, most in their heart of heart's know they only got two out of three. At best..

When I wanted a car for hooning and track days I got a Caterham:
Cheap - not sure. Good price for the performance, but it's a Caterham so you have to pay more than the competitors. And when I actually look at what my £13k bought me, there is not a huge amount of 15 year old car to look at...
Fast - yes I think so. 175bhp in 550kgs accelerates/corners/brakes like few others.
Reliable - not sure about this either. It's a rather highly strung motor which has already had some mild engine work to replace blown manifold gaskets. And I often drive listening out for clonks and wondering why there is a rattle at idle unless I depressed the clutch.. Can I run it like a white-goods new Toyota? I very much doubt it.

Edited by Matt UK on Saturday 12th November 23:35

[TameRacingDriver]

Primera GT - cheap, slow, reliable. £700!

[Major Fallout]

Cock Womble 7 said:

Cheap? Yes. Purchase price, based on what it's capable of, was a complete bargain. It's surprisingly economical and parts are affordable if you shop around.

Fast? Well, more "quick" than "fast", but yes.

Reliable? Touch wood, apart from a fuel pump issue, no problems yet.

I would say it was fast, it must be sub 5 to 60.

Your only trade off I imagine is warmth this time of year.

[Japveesix]

Not sure whether to consider my FTO fast or not (0-60 in 6.8 or so)? It is to me, and is a fair bit quicker than anything my friends drive (or the "average" car on the road), but then they do favour Yaris's (sp?) and the like.

It is however faultlessly reliable, currently on well over 100,000 miles and really had no issues to speak of at all.

It's also dirt cheap to buy, ok fuel economy (30mpg if you're careful) and cheap enough for parts. Insurance is horrible though for such a cheapy car, downside of being an import

So I voted in 2 categories because I'm indecisive

[e8_pack]

I suppose you could factor insurance and running costs into this when you consider what is cheap to buy. I wouldnt expect an FTO to be a cheap car to run and maintain if older jap cars are anything to go by. Consider my old Celica which cost me a small fortune - 300 quid for a lower front steering arm anyone..

[TotalControl]

TameRacingDriver said:

Primera GT - cheap, slow, reliable. £700!

I paid £750 for mine, except I have the SE+ Facelift thing with all the toys.

[soda]

Monaro - cheap enough (£8k), fast enough, and reliable so far