Fun, reliable car for £3k?

[weewyum]

Hello good PH'ers,

Am turning 20 soon and the 1.2 Corsa that has so kindly chaperoned me since 17 needs replacing. Will be sad to see it go but is becoming increasingly dull as the miles go on.

Insurance is now reasonable so the type of car I can own has improved. Budget no more than £3k and must be as reliable as possible - I don't drive often but when I do it is a 350 mile trip and the less things that fall off the better

Have looked at the obvious - EP3, 172, 182 , 306gti/rallye. But hoping you could open my eyes to more ideas..

MPG is not a concern, insurance on an EP3 is around £1000 so nothing north of group 16 and must be 4+ seats as I ferry around my band. So sorry no MX5 Other than that, anything you can suggest will be welcomed and greatly appreciated!

[HughS47]

Good luck trying to fit your band in the back of a 182 - what about Octavia VRS or early high milage Fabia VRS/golf GTI?

[james280779]

I know I keep mentioning it but the 406 coupe is a great buy. put together by Pininfarina in Italy so none of the peugeot usual issues , get the v6 se and its got the same engine from the v6 clio and fully loaded, about 25 mpg and relatively cheap insurance.

you will get an absolute blinder for under 2k leaving your first two years insurance also covered.

parts are not particularly expensive anymore but they were when I had mine new - I have had three in total over last 13 years and aside from a couple of issues on a new one sorted under warranty (radiator and coil pack) the usual consumables like brakes, tyres, exhaust back box - faultless motoring.

make sure you get a manual -

here is one to wet the appetite (nothing to do with me)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-PEUGEOT-406-SE-3-0-...

[james280779]

james280779 said:

I know I keep mentioning it but the 406 coupe is a great buy. put together by Pininfarina in Italy so none of the peugeot usual issues , get the v6 se and its got the same engine from the v6 clio and fully loaded, about 25 mpg and relatively cheap insurance.

you will get an absolute blinder for under 2k leaving your first two years insurance also covered.

parts are not particularly expensive anymore but they were when I had mine new - I have had three in total over last 13 years and aside from a couple of issues on a new one sorted under warranty (radiator and coil pack) the usual consumables like brakes, tyres, exhaust back box - faultless motoring.

make sure you get a manual -

here is one to wet the appetite (nothing to do with me)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-PEUGEOT-406-SE-3-0-...

in reference to your insurance....

I was paying 1300 for a group 12 1992 Vauxhall Astra 1.6

Bought a group 19 Peugeot 406 3.0 SE and my insurance dropped to 500 a year- I asked why and was told it doesnt always go on group rating but includes things like standard security of vehicle, amount stolen etc etc.

I also got a quote last December - it was actually 50 quid cheaper with my car parked on the road than garaged!!!!!!

[Captain Muppet]

E36 328i Touring?

[300bhp/ton]

weewyum said:

must be as reliable as possible - I don't drive often but when I do it is a 350 mile trip and the less things that fall off the better

Thing is, how do you define reliable? Most, in fact almost all modern cars (say past 20-25 years+) are all capable of daily use and indeed the very vast majority have been.

It's also down to individual cars too. As you could buy something with famed reliability and have a total nightmare with it, or you could buy something with an awful reputation and have no issues at all.

So how can you know if car 'x' is going to be more reliable than car 'y'? Basically you can't, so it's pointless asking for it.


Personally I'd probably look for something a little different and/or fun at your age. However if the majority of use is for long journeys then something comfy and barge like might be the best bet over something fast, flighty and raw to drive.

[300bhp/ton]

weewyum said:

MPG is not a concern, insurance on an EP3 is around £1000 so nothing north of group 16 and must be 4+ seats as I ferry around my band. So sorry no MX5 Other than that, anything you can suggest will be welcomed and greatly appreciated!

I take it your band only plays something like the kazoo? Not a lot of room in almost all the cars you mention.



How about something like a V8 Range Rover Classic?


Fun - check
comfy on long runs - check
"mpg is not a concern" - check
insurance - check (would have thought not too bad tbh)
Group 16 or under - check
seats 4 - check
big boot - check
cool factor - check

[billzeebub]

Six cylinder E46

[BorkFactor]

BMW 328i
Volvo 850 T5
BMW 330i if you are lucky
Audi S3

Lots of choice!

[weewyum]

Thanks for the ideas chaps,

must admit I am totally smitten with the 406 coupe. Was unaware of their current prices. Very tasty

Should of made it clear that I don't carry the instruments!! We have a TDV8 for that. This is purely for the people.

My friend is constantly bickering me to try the EP3 but can't see me enjoying it over a long trip if I have to keep it within the VTEC to really get it moving. But its an option I'll keep open.

Anyways off to check for some 406s!

[Djdan]

RX8, You could almost buy 2 for 3k these days!

[iwantagta]

Saab 9-3 Aero?
Loads of well looked after examples available for sub £3k.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Tend to be owned by an older demographic so often well looked after often.
Just got one myself - really liking it. Very comfortable on longer journeys.

[phototropic]

How about this...£5 inside your budget and should be a quick restoration

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-TRIUMPH-TR3A-for-re...

Seriously I cant believe this is actually for sale.

[Djdan]

iwantagta said:

Saab 9-3 Aero?
Loads of well looked after examples available for sub £3k.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...
Tend to be owned by an older demographic so often well looked after often.
Just got one myself - really liking it. Very comfortable on longer journeys.

The lads 20 not 60

[iwantagta]

Djdan said:

The lads 20 not 60

Fair point. Knew I should have said a 900....

[Stoatman]

Accord type r ! . There are a couple of crackers about at the moment for under three grand. Satisfy the VTEC urge but with something a bit different . Insurance is very often a bit cheaper than the civic too.

[C36 Nico]

300bhp/ton said:

Thing is, how do you define reliable? Most, in fact almost all modern cars (say past 20-25 years+) are all capable of daily use and indeed the very vast majority have been.

It's also down to individual cars too. As you could buy something with famed reliability and have a total nightmare with it, or you could buy something with an awful reputation and have no issues at all.

So how can you know if car 'x' is going to be more reliable than car 'y'? Basically you can't, so it's pointless asking for it.


Personally I'd probably look for something a little different and/or fun at your age. However if the majority of use is for long journeys then something comfy and barge like might be the best bet over something fast, flighty and raw to drive.

Here we go again..

[Ecosse RM]

Focus ST170 is worth a look, plenty around to choose from and insurance isn't too bad. Worth checking if clutch and exhaust cat have been done, other than that spares are pretty reasonable.

Some have full leather and heated windscreen option is very handy!

[itcaptainslow]

ZT190-nice V6eness, handling and perfect for a waft/fast cruise four up. More boot space too.

You'll pick up an absolute peach for £3k.

If you want something a bit cheaper on the go-juice, get a 1.8 turbo or a 2.0 diesel-it won't have the character of the KV6 though.

[carinaman]

Primera GT or the model that came after in Sport flavour.

Great handling, not too juicy and no expensive cambelt services with Japanese reliability. Under budget too so more money for holidays, instruments and groupies. You saw Mick Fleetwood on Top Gear right?