small, bit of fun, fairly reliable for under 2k?
Discussion
A new job position means I am required to drive all over the country, to its many race tracks once or twice a month. Currently don't have a road car as I'm a student and haven't needed my own transport until now. I would like it to be a bit of fun to drive being a keen petrol head, but doesn't have to be mind blowing as my race car is tucked away in the garage. Being a young male it has got to be fairly smart looking inside and out. Of course I understand that with a second hand car the previous maintenance is a massive factor in the reliability but I would like to buy a fairly reliable car as I wont have that much funds to keep it running. And the budget is around £2k.
The only thing that springs to my mind is an Audi A3 1.8T, any further suggestions would be appreciated
The only thing that springs to my mind is an Audi A3 1.8T, any further suggestions would be appreciated
Can pick up a not bad example of a clio 172 for under 2k easily nowadays. It's definitely gotta be up there with one of the most fun drivers cars that you can buy for peanuts. Interior is flimsy and frenchy as expected but doesn't look TOO shabby in the grand scheme of things. Looks relatively modern from the outside still, or at least not ancient.
A 1.8T VAG isn't much fun unless you're in a Cupra/S3/Octavia VRs and the Octavia is the only one there that you can get a half decent car from those. Unless that is you're prepared to mod a bit. I had a Golf4 with around 200BHP after a few simple mods and it had heated leather Recaro interior, which was nice.
The best cheap, fun car in your range is the MK1 MX-5. My favourite combo is green with tan roof and tan leather interior. Girls will love it
The best cheap, fun car in your range is the MK1 MX-5. My favourite combo is green with tan roof and tan leather interior. Girls will love it
Baryonyx said:
Having owned both, the MR2 Turbo is the one I'd go for. A better can than the MX5 in most ways, and definitely more fun. Very tough and reliable too, a great way to get some mid-engined motoring done on the cheap.
Had both variants or the Mr2, (rev2 NA, and rev3 turbo), and absolutely loved them. Had a good few hours in an MX5, and they are very different. More sliceable, but a fair bit softer in my opinion. The MR2 will suit someone who likes precise driving, and the MX5 will suit someone who likes to have fun in a bit more laity way. I am the former.Oh, and to the OP, the MR2 is one of the comfiest cars I've sat in, and it has a decent boot too.
TheHeretic said:
Had both variants or the Mr2, (rev2 NA, and rev3 turbo), and absolutely loved them. Had a good few hours in an MX5, and they are very different. More sliceable, but a fair bit softer in my opinion. The MR2 will suit someone who likes precise driving, and the MX5 will suit someone who likes to have fun in a bit more laity way. I am the former.
Oh, and to the OP, the MR2 is one of the comfiest cars I've sat in, and it has a decent boot too.
I know what you mean, the MX5 will 'flow' more down a road and doesn't demand as much in return from the driver. On the other hand, the MR2 needs to be driven smoothly to get the best from it, but it is much more exciting because it's more challenging and more rewarding because you can feel your skills develop and you drive it. Oh, and to the OP, the MR2 is one of the comfiest cars I've sat in, and it has a decent boot too.
You're quite right about the seats too, they are amazing. I found the MX5 interior cramped and uncomfortable. The interior in the MR2 is very comfortable and the boot is big too. Not that I ever have anything to put in it! So in a sense it's more practical than the MX5, though that wasn't a concern for me going from an MX5 to an MR2.
andy43 said:
Golf Gti MkII ?
You'll struggle to fine a decent one for £2000, though they are great fun when you get a decent one (my dad has a silver one in the early 90's which was great). I went looking at a few with my brother last year when he was thinking of getting one, and they were mostly in disastrous condition. Thanks for the replies, firstly I'm 20 years old so insurance is obviously a big factor but I've got a few online quotes on an A3 and its only a few quid more than I was paying on my Fiesta. A friend of mine had an mx5 although great fun I couldn't handle doing the drive from Essex to Oulton Park in that. I've owned a E36 compact previously and loved it but the running costs were on the steep side with the amount of mileage mine had, I would have to find a nice low mileage one. Big fan of the Puma having been involved in the fiesta zetec-s community (it's what I'm racing) but the standard interior is just not very comfortable or quiet, much more than a hour journey was tiring. No experience with the MR2's will have to look into them cheers!
My reasoning behind the A3 was that the engines are great, my mate has just a simple £350 re-mapped ibiza with it in and that would be more than enough grunt for me + the Audi leather interior and sound system is a just a nice place to be in.
My reasoning behind the A3 was that the engines are great, my mate has just a simple £350 re-mapped ibiza with it in and that would be more than enough grunt for me + the Audi leather interior and sound system is a just a nice place to be in.
motorsportbeng said:
also considering a mk4 golf gti with the 1.8t
I had a Golf GTI 1.8T which I picked up for £1550, spent a few quid on discs, perished breather hoses, MAF sensor and a REVO remap and it was pretty good fun.It was a 2owner car with FSH and 101000 miles on.
It rolled a bit much for a hot hatch, but it was a quick car post remap:
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