£2000, whats the quickest car I can get?

[MrT8064]

Hi,

At the moment I have an E34 530i, however due to stupidly long gear ratios and an autobox it's not as fast as I would like so...

What should I get for around 2,000£ preferably a little less.

Must be rear wheel drive, must be manual.

Thanks for advice

[EDLT]

MR2 Turbo.

Would be a bit of a timebomb though, how long does it need to last?

[Welshbeef]

Does it have to have an MOT?

[TheHeretic]

EDLT said:

MR2 Turbo.

Would be a bit of a timebomb though, how long does it need to last?

+1 Nothing really comes close in the price bracket.

[tbc]

Nissan 200SX
Toyota MR2
Mazda MX-5
Porsche 944
Subaru Impreza Turbo
Alfa Romeo GTV
Honda CRX

[MrT8064]

Couple of years ideally... Want something relatively reliable too. My BMW cost less than a grand but in the last 20 months has needed £600 spending on the master cylinder, thermostat and alternator... and coming to think of it fuel pump.

Obviously I can't expect anything fast and maintainence free, but it's something I've got to consider!

[rumple]

E36 M3 3.0, they must be getting there now

[007 VXR]

Do you live on a hill?

[caprirob]

rumple said:

E36 M3 3.0, they must be getting there now

You might get one for £2k - but it will be close to its expiry date

What about a nice Manual 330i ?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edited by caprirob on Friday 13th April 22:07

[EDLT]

MrT8064 said:

Couple of years ideally... Want something relatively reliable too. My BMW cost less than a grand but in the last 20 months has needed £600 spending on the master cylinder, thermostat and alternator... and coming to think of it fuel pump.

Obviously I can't expect anything fast and maintainence free, but it's something I've got to consider!

Well that changes things completely. NA MR2 will be in better condition for the money, or another BMW. Finding a <£2k performance car that doesn't have a big bill looming will be difficult.

[MX7]

Kit car.

[andy-xr]

You have to get to the stage where the purchase price of the car dictates whether you'll use a 1) dealer 2) indie 3) your own tools

I'd be more inclined for option 3 on anything under a grand

[strangehighways]

I know this is ridiculously obvious, but a 540i Manual E34. You can pick them up for £1000. They are bloody quick.

[MrT8064]

Thanks for responses, I hadn't really looked at anything Japanese yet. Are all cheap turbo charged subarus likely to cost a fortune to keep going? I'm guessing it's near impossible to find a non-ragged example!

If I slightly redefined my definition of performance to 0-60 in around 7 seconds, perhaps this would widen the possibilities!

[GhostDriver]

fiat coupe turbo
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3820563.htm

[IanMorewood]

Jag XJR ok its not manual but 150+mph with 0-60 in under 6 seconds price wise starting from a bit under a grand.

[MrT8064]

strangehighways said:

I know this is ridiculously obvious, but a 540i Manual E34. You can pick them up for £1000. They are bloody quick.

Funnily enough I hadnt considered another e34, I'm slightly deterred by the gearbox in mine... But I have never driven a manual e34.

I'm starting to think I should just change the final drive on mine to make it a little more nippy at lower speeds, can anyone advise on this?

[simoid]

When you say RWD, tben suggest Subarus, you confuse me

[MrT8064]

Ha yes, I want something that'll let me childishly pop the back out in the wet, and won't torque steer.

-
Just saw the post about a manual 330i, that certainly is a tempting suggestion - do they handle well?

Edited by MrT8064 on Friday 13th April 22:28

[Steffan]

MX7 said:

Kit car.

You could probably get a V8 Dutton for that amount. My V8 Dutton has been breathed on by my engine men and turns something over 350 brake out.

In a car weighing less than 12 cwt. You do the maths. About 600BHP per ton.

Snag is getting this power on the road safely. Very easy to do 360 turns just floor the throttle. I will be fitting a limited slip diff this year.

Not a car to drive any distance or a very weatherproof car. But for sheer acceleration at that price probably unbeatable. It out accelerates my pals Mitsubishi 3000GT Twin Turbo which has been breathed on by the same men and rolling road tested at 650BHP. Easily. Variable boost. All in dry conditions.

The Mitsubishi is a heavy car. The Dutton is an ultra lightweight.

No idea what the top speed is my valour runs ought above 120 ish.

I doubt you could beat that type of car for sheer thrust at £2000 or so.