what would you buy for 4k

[richcorsavxr]

so i've just sold my corsa vxr for a stupidly low price, and now need something to replace it.

budget at the max will be 4k, it would be nice if it dosent have massive miles i.e 60/70k max with full service history, not massivly old, but reliable, maybe fun but not costly running it.

still being youngish, and previously owning an massivly over bodykitted, big wheeled daft car. it would be nice if i could drive something that isn't old man'ish (still be the cool car if you like, single young bloke dring a jag x-type doesnt bode well in my eyes)

i looked at an
s2000 (but was a bit leggy and would need a bit of work to the roof)
impreza (always wanted one but low mpg and poor interior has put me off)
330i (a possiblilty but don't no a lot about them, and prices vary massivly to me)
clio 182 (maybe a backwards/side step, but looking the more likly out of the above)

to give a rough idea of where i'm going, the car will be my daily commuter/ also bit of fun car and doing 15k per year.

it seems helping others pick a car is easy, but once it comes to your own mind block happens.

any help would really be appreciated, i have a week to find something.

[nottyash]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-legacy-B4-twin-tu...
Fantastic, I have one now. 25mpg, but cheap to buy.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SKODA-FABIA-VRS-BLA...
Great all rounder with a remap. Nearly 50mpg and 185BHP, cheap interior/ light seats let it down.

[bamberwell]

i'd still go s2000, plenty around, reliable ,reasonable economy etc although i am slightly biased

[nottyash]

bamberwell said:

i'd still go s2000, plenty around, reliable ,reasonable economy etc although i am slightly biased

Not for £4000 I wouldnt.

[richcorsavxr]

didn't think of the fabia, that could be an idea.

i've just spotted a 3.0 z4 previous cat d for 4.5k. i'm sure some haggling could see it in my budget.

[bamberwell]

nottyash said:

bamberwell said:

i'd still go s2000, plenty around, reliable ,reasonable economy etc although i am slightly biased

Not for £4000 I wouldnt.

i did for £4500.....

[nottyash]

bamberwell said:

i did for £4500.....

Me too, but £4500 is not £4000. The cars you see for £4000 are mostly dogs. I sold mine yesterday for £4700.
Brilliant cars.

[poing]

RX8 if you can live with the fuel costs.

The S2000 can be silly for insurance so check that first.

[E30Addict]

E36 M3:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4014133.htm

These offer a lot of bang for your buck at the moment.

[richcorsavxr]

as i have a few s2000 owners are looking, this one seems to focus on both corners of the roof, should there be a concern?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Honda-S2000-Sports-...

[dema]

Both BMW and Subaru are very good car but can be expensive to maintain and I'm not sure you can get a 330 with 70K miles at 4K
Had a VRS and once you sort out suspensions and anti roll bars is fairly decent, get a re map or even better an hybrid turbo and you'll smile, main problem for me was that the front felt too heavy and not really planted at speed.

If you feel brave, RX-8 http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cool daddy car
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Iconic cars

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[bamberwell]

nottyash said:

bamberwell said:

i did for £4500.....

Me too, but £4500 is not £4000. The cars you see for £4000 are mostly dogs. I sold mine yesterday for £4700.
Brilliant cars.

they are quite addictive you're right of course but a bit of spirited haggling might bag a decent one for £4k ?

[Chris Type R]

poing said:

RX8 if you can live with the fuel costs.

The S2000 can be silly for insurance so check that first.

I agree, S2000 is group 20.

£4k is definitely at the ropier end.

Tyres are not cheap.

MPG isn't too bad. A pre '02 IIRC car is supposed to be run on 98+ RON as well.

[richcorsavxr]

E30Addict said:

E36 M3:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4014133.htm

These offer a lot of bang for your buck at the moment.

its just the milage that puts me off. i know it's sounds daft these days when it could be well looked after, and better than something with half the milage. but i plan to keep it a few years and fear things may go wrong and cost daft money to repair. i know its stupid buts whats stuck in my head.

[richcorsavxr]

i love the look of an RX8 and like the idea, but for the mpg you get i would rather run a V8

[dema]

LOL! Had the cost of oil to that!

What sort of mpg you looking at?

[richcorsavxr]

dema said:

LOL! Had the cost of oil to that!

What sort of mpg you looking at?

my corsa happily achived 32mpg thats was a mix of comuting with the odd blast here and there.

so if i say 30mpg combined that would be nice. i always run on v-power if its a perfomance car

[Chris Type R]

When I was running my S2000 I was getting < 25Mpg.

[james n]

Admittedly a bit older, but how about an Integra Type R?
I was looking at a 330 etc, and in the end went for an ITR. Awesome car. Or E36 M3. Think one of those 2 would get my money. In fact, I had similar budget with similar choices & the ITR DID get my money!
James

[richcorsavxr]

Chris Type R said:

When I was running my S2000 I was getting < 25Mpg.

really, i was expecting 30mpg, like what i belive the civic type r does.