Find me a c. £500 car challenge!

[Lexual]

...another what car, if there is already a thread for the same thing please post the link.

But otherwise I am after a fast, fun or interesting car for c.£500 which will mostly just be used at the weekends as I live in London and would use it to drive back the Essex/Hertfordshire to see friends and family.

I know £500 doesn't buy a great deal but I'll consider almost anything, just not too interested in grey boxes like Vectras and the like.

engine size, mpg and insurance not an issue.. the more power the better! but also considering things like MX5's for the fun factor...

So far this seems to be the best find... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3895847.htm (I know this doesnt really fall into the 'fast, fun or interesting' categories but seems some decent motor for the money...

[Wafflesmk2]

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

[Lexual]

Wafflesmk2 said:

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

..too chavy, and vectra territory..

[Javam]

I am in danger of looking obsessed with one particular car, it is just coincidence honest:

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

[Pesty]

Shame this has sold

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3780414.htm

sure you can't stretch a couple of hundred more?

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

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 20th May 16:44

[BorkFactor]

Lexual said:

Wafflesmk2 said:

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

..too chavy, and vectra territory..

Don't discount them, they are fantastic cars. Miles ahead of the Vectra in every possible way. That particular one is a bit strange, wrong alloys (they are from a mk1 Focus Zetec I believe) and that is not an ST24 interior. Looks like the interior out of the ghia X model.

[Lexual]

A lex said:

Have a look in the for sale section of retrorides - on my internet travels ive found it to be the best source of 'honest' 500quid cars.

Cheers A lex...

[Pesty]

ok these are in budget

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

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

[m8rky]

Xsara VTS is worth a look,dirt cheap and some very nice examples around.167bhp,30+mpg and loads of kit as standard.

[Roadrunner23]

m8rky said:

Xsara VTS is worth a look,dirt cheap and some very nice examples around.167bhp,30+mpg and loads of kit as standard.

I second that, a lot of car for your money and they go like stink.

[Vitorio]

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

something a bit left field perhaps?

[crocodile tears]

m8rky said:

Xsara VTS is worth a look,dirt cheap and some very nice examples around.167bhp,30+mpg and loads of kit as standard.

the mpg is pretty woeful though! 30mpg just imo!

also see if theres any 306gtis too

[Lexual]

I would like an Alfa but a £500 Alfa might not be a great idea! not a fan of those 145's..

have just found this... http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C240829


been looking at the 306's as well...

[SonicShadow]

www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=161753

[W00DY]

Bit of haggling sees you in this:

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=FS...

[Vitorio]

Lexual said:

I would like an Alfa but a £500 Alfa might not be a great idea! not a fan of those 145's..

have just found this... http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C240829


been looking at the 306's as well...

As for the 500 pound alfa idea, it might work out poorly, but say an 8v twinspark 155 should be pretty reliable, as those engines are chaindriven and very strong, the 16v twinspark are a bit weaker. Not a fan of the 145 myself either really, but i couldnt find a sub 500 155

That GTV looks a bit scetchy, there isnt a "vts" version AFAIK, and it is a 2.0 TS, which are very sensitive to low oil, running one below the min mark will see the crank bearings shot and the engine ruined. I do love the GTV though, it is my dreamcar this side of ferrari-money.