206, 106, 172, 306...?
Discussion
Hey,
Looking for a shed and some advice!
I sold my Elise last month to buy a house. It's a short-term deal - the buyer is moving to the US in December, and we wrote up a contract that sees me buying the Lotus back again at the end of November.
That leaves me without a car for 6 months, and pretty broke as I've just bought a house and need to save for the Elise!
So...
Options for the next 6 months include:
Spend £1500odd on a nice 106 GTi, and if funds allow keep it and run alongside the Elise. Latter may not be financially viable.
Spend £900 on a 206 GTi. Not as nice to drive, have more issues, but a newer car, cheaper, and I can run it for the cost of the 106. Would sell when the Elise comes back - at most should lose £200 in a quick sale.
Spend £1000 on a 306 XSi. Nice car, nice handling, bit older though and things tend to be wearing out at this age.
Spend £1800 on a 172. Can't really afford this option.
Leaning towards the 206, simply as it's dirt cheap, I don't need to do so many miles (work from home) so reliability **shouldn't** be an issue, and it will be paid for out of my overdraft!!!
What would you do?? Opinions welcome. Oddball choices welcome, but don't fancy something that does 15mpg or costs £200 for a tyre.
Looking for a shed and some advice!
I sold my Elise last month to buy a house. It's a short-term deal - the buyer is moving to the US in December, and we wrote up a contract that sees me buying the Lotus back again at the end of November.
That leaves me without a car for 6 months, and pretty broke as I've just bought a house and need to save for the Elise!
So...
Options for the next 6 months include:
Spend £1500odd on a nice 106 GTi, and if funds allow keep it and run alongside the Elise. Latter may not be financially viable.
Spend £900 on a 206 GTi. Not as nice to drive, have more issues, but a newer car, cheaper, and I can run it for the cost of the 106. Would sell when the Elise comes back - at most should lose £200 in a quick sale.
Spend £1000 on a 306 XSi. Nice car, nice handling, bit older though and things tend to be wearing out at this age.
Spend £1800 on a 172. Can't really afford this option.
Leaning towards the 206, simply as it's dirt cheap, I don't need to do so many miles (work from home) so reliability **shouldn't** be an issue, and it will be paid for out of my overdraft!!!
What would you do?? Opinions welcome. Oddball choices welcome, but don't fancy something that does 15mpg or costs £200 for a tyre.
106 GTi / Saxo VTS in your position. Tiny, simple, 16v screamer. The 206 is more likely to go wrong (based on me licking my finger and holding it in the air - ie. pure guess) and it looks more girly, the 306 is much more sluggish in comparison with the 106 and thirstier too, a decent Clio will be more than your budget allows for...
Failing that.
MX5.
Buy one based not on mileage but condition/quantity of rust. Plenty in your budget. Get an import for LSD, better wheels, better specification all-round and a car which you can abuse - they're so incredibly simple and easy to work on *if* they go wrong.
No need to mention how much fun they are to drive...
Failing that.
MX5.
Buy one based not on mileage but condition/quantity of rust. Plenty in your budget. Get an import for LSD, better wheels, better specification all-round and a car which you can abuse - they're so incredibly simple and easy to work on *if* they go wrong.
No need to mention how much fun they are to drive...
I dont know if the 206 gti is any better than the cooking models, but I am very unimpressed with the build quality of Mrs C's 206.
both of my 306's were a different league both in terms of perceived quality (cabin etc) and reliability.
I have driven another 206 (both 1.4 models) and that was equally poor imho.
both of my 306's were a different league both in terms of perceived quality (cabin etc) and reliability.
I have driven another 206 (both 1.4 models) and that was equally poor imho.
The Crack Fox said:
206, 106, 172, 306...?
No, no, no, no...!
HTH.
Oi!! No, no, no, no...!
HTH.
106 is one of the best handling hot hatches ever. Superb little car.
Lots of people think the same of the 172.
French car / reliability thing doesn't come into it for me - we've done hundreds of thousands of miles in them over the past 15 years, and they've always been great.
The last 106 I had didn't have **any** issues at all, not even a leak or drop of rust, no suspension creaks or groans, no gremlins, nothing. Didn't cost me a penny.
For fun / handling / value for money I don't think you can beat them.
MX5 is a reasonable call, just the rust that puts me off. Then again, for a short-term car, may not be an issue...
I have had a 106 GTi for the past 5/6 years and has been utterly reliable despite what people say on here.
Service it as recomended and it wont go wrong - afterall I have kitchen utensils with more moving parts.
The only issue which is a known fault on these cars is the sunroof can block (its actually the drainage pipes that run doen the windscreen pillar.) This can cause water to drip in the car after heavy rainfall.
As the OP has mentioned they are cheap to buy - they are cheap to run (I average 36mpg)and cheap to insure and repair as parts are readily available ECP etc.
Service it as recomended and it wont go wrong - afterall I have kitchen utensils with more moving parts.
The only issue which is a known fault on these cars is the sunroof can block (its actually the drainage pipes that run doen the windscreen pillar.) This can cause water to drip in the car after heavy rainfall.
As the OP has mentioned they are cheap to buy - they are cheap to run (I average 36mpg)and cheap to insure and repair as parts are readily available ECP etc.
My Mrs has a 206 GTI (138). I really like it. Handles well, quick enough, a good little car. She is selling it now as she needs a 5 door car.
Bodywork is a bit tatty (bonnet is a mess) but she has spent about £600 over the last 9 months on wishbones, arb and MOT items. It could do with a service, and a new bonnet but if you want cheap motoring it should do that. She only wants £500 quid for it.
Bodywork is a bit tatty (bonnet is a mess) but she has spent about £600 over the last 9 months on wishbones, arb and MOT items. It could do with a service, and a new bonnet but if you want cheap motoring it should do that. She only wants £500 quid for it.
172 all the way. You only have to read the reviews to know it's the best handling little car. I owned one and say the following about it here: http://nitroaddiction.co.uk/category/second-hand-b...
MrBrightSi said:
Get a 206 and die from lift off oversteer.
I've owned an S1 Elise for the past couple of years, along with an S1 Clio, 106, 205, 306 - the lift-off oversteer thing doesn't really concern me!! Although I did end up in a hedge in the Clio 15 years ago!!!
Cheers for the suggestions all!
DJC said:
I've been giving a little thought to buying this: http://pistonheads.com/sales/3790729.htm
It gets my vote!
I've already been in contact with the seller for that very car!It gets my vote!
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