Another which car thread...£2k FUN daily driver
Discussion
My current daily drive is a MY05 Impreza WRX which will shortly be running c.320bhp. Whilst it is fine for the commute to work and daily use, I have started to do more long motorway journeys with work (Reading to Leeds, Manchester etc) and it is making the mileage go up quicker than I would like on my pride and joy. I am therefore considering the option of getting another car for longer trips and for when I don’t want to use the Impreza.
However (this is the bit I find difficult), I would still like it to be fun to drive (may even do the odd track day) as well as being fairly economical (30mpg+). My budget would be £2k max for the car, fantastic if this could include insurance also (will be insured as a 2nd car on current policy). Other criteria is that it needs to be able to get a road bike in the boot (seats down and wheels off is fine) or take a boot carrier cycle rack, and be fairly comfortable on long runs (comfortable compared to a WRX on BC coilovers!).
At the moment, my thoughts are:
Cliosport 172 / 182
Alfa 156
Focus ST170
VW Golf Mk4
BMW E46 Saloon / Touring
MG ZR
Mazda MX5 Mk2
Would welcome any discussion, opinions and suggestions.
However (this is the bit I find difficult), I would still like it to be fun to drive (may even do the odd track day) as well as being fairly economical (30mpg+). My budget would be £2k max for the car, fantastic if this could include insurance also (will be insured as a 2nd car on current policy). Other criteria is that it needs to be able to get a road bike in the boot (seats down and wheels off is fine) or take a boot carrier cycle rack, and be fairly comfortable on long runs (comfortable compared to a WRX on BC coilovers!).
At the moment, my thoughts are:
Cliosport 172 / 182
Alfa 156
Focus ST170
VW Golf Mk4
BMW E46 Saloon / Touring
MG ZR
Mazda MX5 Mk2
Would welcome any discussion, opinions and suggestions.
E46 Coupe?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3662417.htm
(I can get a road bike in the back of my E36 coupe with both wheels of and rear seats down).
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3662417.htm
(I can get a road bike in the back of my E36 coupe with both wheels of and rear seats down).
An early Porsche 944 Lux, much sharper than the Oval dash ones but still able to eat the miles comfortably at 30mpg+ and will show a lot of modern stuff a clean pair of Falkens on the track....
...Also stands out a bit on the crowd, you won't be lost on the morass of euroboxes on the road. It is also a much more involving drive than the Scooby, I could go quicker x country in my old WRX, but the Porker takes real skill/balls to hustle it and when you get it right it feels fantastic!
My Insurance has gone down this year and I insure it as my main car on normal insurance, it was only £200 when I had it on Classic ins 2 years ago
I can get my Mountain Bike and my Daughter's Hockey Goalie kit in the back of my Turbo!
...Also stands out a bit on the crowd, you won't be lost on the morass of euroboxes on the road. It is also a much more involving drive than the Scooby, I could go quicker x country in my old WRX, but the Porker takes real skill/balls to hustle it and when you get it right it feels fantastic!
My Insurance has gone down this year and I insure it as my main car on normal insurance, it was only £200 when I had it on Classic ins 2 years ago
I can get my Mountain Bike and my Daughter's Hockey Goalie kit in the back of my Turbo!
Edited by Fat Albert on Friday 24th February 12:19
Edited by Fat Albert on Friday 24th February 12:21
Clio 172 would be my choice. Easily 30+ mpg on a long motorway run. Could get a bike in the back with wheels off no probs. Only hesitation would be the comfort, but as that's subjective and you dirve a coilovered impreza I imagine it should be fine for you. Then when you get it on track it's an absolute hoot.
Wasn't there a guy on here a while back who had a garage full of exotica and on a track day had a go in a girls' 172 cup, then ending up going out and buying a mint one as he was so impressed?
Wasn't there a guy on here a while back who had a garage full of exotica and on a track day had a go in a girls' 172 cup, then ending up going out and buying a mint one as he was so impressed?
FeatherZ said:
Look at this weeks SOTW, Would find a good one for 2k, and would be fun on track too 
A possibility but personally prefer the 206 GTi shape, however if buying french, then the cliosport would win for the criteria. Only concern is that some reports say the ride can be harsh, but then it depends what you are used to driving.First, straight off the mark, nothing will be more fun to drive than the MX5. I know it's a bit cliché'd on this site and around the web, but it's also very true! RWD, easy to drive, comfortable and economical whilst still capable of some spectacular oversteer?!
An E46 might be obtainable at £2k, but insuring it and maintaining it will soon cost you that again I reckon. Plus, will you get a 6-pot for that price? The 318 doesn't sound like fun to me...
From your list I'd go for the Clio. Do your research though, you don't want to buy a lemon. Let's face it; putting a bike on the back of an mx5 is going to be annoying and look very silly. Clio has the bonus of being able to outrun most things on a B-road (including said Mazda) and 10x more practical.
Alfa is a bit too big to be real fun, plus they look very dated now.
Focus is a humble hatch, not a hot one, and not meant to be all that great. I looked at them and they're nice and cheap, but not exciting.
VW Golf? For £2k you should get a 1.8T which is the engine you want, but they're not a fun chassis...
MG ZR could be a good shout. I don't personally like the image, it's like Halfords got hold of a Rover 25. But they have a promising chassis and thrifty engines. Just don't expect it to be as quick as a Clio 172/182....
An E46 might be obtainable at £2k, but insuring it and maintaining it will soon cost you that again I reckon. Plus, will you get a 6-pot for that price? The 318 doesn't sound like fun to me...
From your list I'd go for the Clio. Do your research though, you don't want to buy a lemon. Let's face it; putting a bike on the back of an mx5 is going to be annoying and look very silly. Clio has the bonus of being able to outrun most things on a B-road (including said Mazda) and 10x more practical.
Alfa is a bit too big to be real fun, plus they look very dated now.
Focus is a humble hatch, not a hot one, and not meant to be all that great. I looked at them and they're nice and cheap, but not exciting.
VW Golf? For £2k you should get a 1.8T which is the engine you want, but they're not a fun chassis...
MG ZR could be a good shout. I don't personally like the image, it's like Halfords got hold of a Rover 25. But they have a promising chassis and thrifty engines. Just don't expect it to be as quick as a Clio 172/182....
Just picked up a Celica for about half your budget. Only an ST so 114bhp but it's a great wee driver. Nice engine (although the GT would be my choice if circumstances never pushed me into this one), good handling, seems to be pretty good on fuel, no problems getting my mtb in the boot. Seems to be better screwed together than some of the cars around that age/price.
C.A.R. said:
First, straight off the mark, nothing will be more fun to drive than the MX5. I know it's a bit cliché'd on this site and around the web, but it's also very true! RWD, easy to drive, comfortable and economical whilst still capable of some spectacular oversteer?!
An E46 might be obtainable at £2k, but insuring it and maintaining it will soon cost you that again I reckon. Plus, will you get a 6-pot for that price? The 318 doesn't sound like fun to me...
From your list I'd go for the Clio. Do your research though, you don't want to buy a lemon. Let's face it; putting a bike on the back of an mx5 is going to be annoying and look very silly. Clio has the bonus of being able to outrun most things on a B-road (including said Mazda) and 10x more practical.
Alfa is a bit too big to be real fun, plus they look very dated now.
Focus is a humble hatch, not a hot one, and not meant to be all that great. I looked at them and they're nice and cheap, but not exciting.
VW Golf? For £2k you should get a 1.8T which is the engine you want, but they're not a fun chassis...
MG ZR could be a good shout. I don't personally like the image, it's like Halfords got hold of a Rover 25. But they have a promising chassis and thrifty engines. Just don't expect it to be as quick as a Clio 172/182....
Thanks for a thorough response. Think I need to take a clio and mx5 for a test drive. Already joined the relevant forums (mx5oc, mx5nutz and cliosport) so already doing some research into these.An E46 might be obtainable at £2k, but insuring it and maintaining it will soon cost you that again I reckon. Plus, will you get a 6-pot for that price? The 318 doesn't sound like fun to me...
From your list I'd go for the Clio. Do your research though, you don't want to buy a lemon. Let's face it; putting a bike on the back of an mx5 is going to be annoying and look very silly. Clio has the bonus of being able to outrun most things on a B-road (including said Mazda) and 10x more practical.
Alfa is a bit too big to be real fun, plus they look very dated now.
Focus is a humble hatch, not a hot one, and not meant to be all that great. I looked at them and they're nice and cheap, but not exciting.
VW Golf? For £2k you should get a 1.8T which is the engine you want, but they're not a fun chassis...
MG ZR could be a good shout. I don't personally like the image, it's like Halfords got hold of a Rover 25. But they have a promising chassis and thrifty engines. Just don't expect it to be as quick as a Clio 172/182....
wilbo83 said:
Certainly hadnt thought about a porsche though, are they easy to work on and are cheap parts available? Think my preference would be for something more modern but will certainly go take a look through the classifieds.
Easy to work on, my 8 year old son changed my brakes (under supervision!) they are '70s technology so everything is just big girders bolted together
Lots of cheap parts available, the brake pads are £25 an end for Mintex, I replaced the Gear Lever and bearing for £39 delivered from Porsche in Germany via the dealer and took 20 minutes to change:
Obviously big on-line communities at PCGB and TIPEC (you don't have to be a club member to join the forums)
Mine has 227,500 miles on the clock!
Steve_F said:
Just picked up a Celica for about half your budget. Only an ST so 114bhp but it's a great wee driver. Nice engine (although the GT would be my choice if circumstances never pushed me into this one), good handling, seems to be pretty good on fuel, no problems getting my mtb in the boot. Seems to be better screwed together than some of the cars around that age/price.
Had a Gen7 Celica before the WRX, the Gen6 Celica is a great car but not for me. With my budget, I would only be able to pick up a pre facelift 140 Gen7 and as well as drinking oil like its going out of fashion, I would be disappointed as would compare it to my 190 T Sport.I currently drive a 190 Celica and will concede that my friends Clio 182 was both faster, easier to drive briskly and better on fuel (whilst probably being more practical!) however, the Toyota is much better built and not stitched together with a range of different-sized plastic clips!
Don't let that put you off though - they really are a hoot to drive. The only reason I don't own one is because I have the Celica...
Don't let that put you off though - they really are a hoot to drive. The only reason I don't own one is because I have the Celica...
wilbo83 said:
Are there any major differences between the cliosport 172 and 182? Apart from the obvious extra hp and a newer car.
Not really. It's not like the 182 will blow the 172 away. If you want the sorted cup suspension though, you'd have to get a back to basic 172, whereas on the 182 you could spec it on the version with leather and climate etc
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