Mazda MX-5 vs Alfa GTV vs Celica VII gen vs Hyundai Coupe GK
Discussion
Recently I have got myself a driving license and want to buy a first car. I want my car to handle well, be reliable, efficient and look elegant. I know that MX-5 is a joy to drive and with the top down it would be great in summer. There is something about Alfa which makes me want it, although I am worried about the reliability. Last generation of Celica is apparently great to drive, is a Toyota so should be reliable and surprisingly I like the way how it looks. I don't know much about Hyundai Coupe, but I think it looks really well. Not so sure about the handling though.
It is worth noting that I won't be driving my car daily, just few times a week. Also I am a student so I don't need a very practical car.
Which one should I choose and why?
It is worth noting that I won't be driving my car daily, just few times a week. Also I am a student so I don't need a very practical car.
Which one should I choose and why?
Krikkit said:
Alfa - you don't need it to be mega reliable if you're not commuting. Buy one with a V6 and enjoy a lovely engine while you still can, the GTV's are becoming scarcer as we go along, the MX5 will be around for a long time yet.
'Recently got my license' and 'First car' don't really scream V6 to me. I think he'd struggle to insure any of those.Get a MK1 Focus for a couple of years, learn to drive properly and get used to other road users, then go for something decent.
I just got rid of my Punto which I drove for 2 years and have gone into a 2.0i Sport MX-5, couldn't be happier
Insurance is only £800 at the age of 20 as well.Grimezy93 said:
'Recently got my license' and 'First car' don't really scream V6 to me. I think he'd struggle to insure any of those.
Get a MK1 Focus for a couple of years, learn to drive properly and get used to other road users, then go for something decent.
I just got rid of my Punto which I drove for 2 years and have gone into a 2.0i Sport MX-5, couldn't be happier Insurance is only £800 at the age of 20 as well.
While that would be sensible thing to do I am an enthusiast so would like something more special. Get a MK1 Focus for a couple of years, learn to drive properly and get used to other road users, then go for something decent.
I just got rid of my Punto which I drove for 2 years and have gone into a 2.0i Sport MX-5, couldn't be happier
Insurance is only £800 at the age of 20 as well.I've heard a lot about the mark 1 mx5, but watch out for rust 
ETA - I would get a GTV. While the number of decent rust free mx5s is going down, you can still find them. This will still be the case in a couple of years. Even if you can't find a mk1, you'll get a decent mk2/mk3. The GTV (and more specifically that engine) are not likely to be affordable forever.
ETA - I would get a GTV. While the number of decent rust free mx5s is going down, you can still find them. This will still be the case in a couple of years. Even if you can't find a mk1, you'll get a decent mk2/mk3. The GTV (and more specifically that engine) are not likely to be affordable forever.
Bladefist said:
While that would be sensible thing to do I am an enthusiast so would like something more special.
Out of interest how old are you? Obviously if you're a 35 year old who just got their license then that's a little bit different insurance-wise than an 18 year old who just got their license. I don't see anything wrong at all with going for a more 'mainstream' but good handling car.
It really is worth checking the insurance before you set your heart on something though, normally anything in the Convertible or Coupe category is an absolutely buzzkill for new driver insurance. Like I said though, it all depends on your age.
I personally would go for the MX-5 out of those options.
Grimezy93 said:
Out of interest how old are you? Obviously if you're a 35 year old who just got their license then that's a little bit different insurance-wise than an 18 year old who just got their license.
I don't see anything wrong at all with going for a more 'mainstream' but good handling car.
It really is worth checking the insurance before you set your heart on something though, normally anything in the Convertible or Coupe category is an absolutely buzzkill for new driver insurance. Like I said though, it all depends on your age.
I personally would go for the MX-5 out of those options.
I am 21, however in my country it's possible to register the car on my father who is 53 and be able to use it as my own. I don't see anything wrong at all with going for a more 'mainstream' but good handling car.
It really is worth checking the insurance before you set your heart on something though, normally anything in the Convertible or Coupe category is an absolutely buzzkill for new driver insurance. Like I said though, it all depends on your age.
I personally would go for the MX-5 out of those options.
bicycleshorts said:
I've heard a lot about the mark 1 mx5, but watch out for rust
ETA - I would get a GTV. While the number of decent rust free mx5s is going down, you can still find them. This will still be the case in a couple of years. Even if you can't find a mk1, you'll get a decent mk2/mk3. The GTV (and more specifically that engine) are not likely to be affordable forever.
I have heard that cars with 2.0 TS handle much better than the V6 becouse of the lesser weight. ETA - I would get a GTV. While the number of decent rust free mx5s is going down, you can still find them. This will still be the case in a couple of years. Even if you can't find a mk1, you'll get a decent mk2/mk3. The GTV (and more specifically that engine) are not likely to be affordable forever.
Here is the question though, is reliability as bad as stereotype would suggest?
Edited by Bladefist on Tuesday 3rd December 12:39
I would avoid the Hyundai as they don't handle that well & seem a little low rent, appearing quite shabby as they age. The MX5 is a fun car with the added plus of lots of available parts to personalise or upgrade, while the Toyota seems a good solid choice but parts can be expensive. The Alfa is a beautiful car and the interior with leather is a nice place to be.
Personally I would narrow the list down to the Alfa and the MX5, then go and test drive a few examples of both, you will soon find your personal favourite.
Personally I would narrow the list down to the Alfa and the MX5, then go and test drive a few examples of both, you will soon find your personal favourite.
Bladefist said:
I have heard that cars with 2.0 TS handle much better than the V6 becouse of the lesser weight.
Nah, wouldn't worry about that. I had the V6 and it was just fine. Had one time where I approached a corner slightly too fast but it just went right around it without a bother. The sound from the V6 is amazing and you really feel like you're in a sports car when you're sitting in one. They don't rust - and I think they're bound to be a future classic due to their distinctive shape. Edited by Bladefist on Tuesday 3rd December 12:39
They have a few suspension issues, but I never really had problems with mine. There's little niggly things (like rear demister!) but the ironic thing is that often it's german parts that have failed.
I was in a similar quandry several years ago, considering the merits of each of the cars you mention, adding a Prelude 2.2vti to the list too - surprising how few of them there are around now considering they seemed popular at the time, but it'd be a good option for you too if you can find one. At the time (about 8 years ago) these sort of cars would be coming in at the £8-12k range, I had a notional budget of £10k.
Anyway, my experience was broadly to be predicted. I liked the MX5 but really needed a modicum of practicality with an occasional rear seat and load space. It also had to park in the street in a slightly dodgy part of town so (rightly or wrongly) I was concerned with it being a soft-top. so the MX5 was unfortunately ruled out quickly.
I like the Hyundai but all the research I had suggested it was a bit flat to drive and even with the V6, nice torque and noise, it's performance isn't the most spirited. SO scratch that.
I'd always wanted a GTV (specifically a Cup) since I were a lad, but the ones I looked at were just too marginal in terms of having obvious problems. Perhaps I was guilty of taking Alfa reliability rumours too seriously but the fact is I was stretching my budget so couldn't afford to take too many chances. Insurance quotes on the Alfa were very high too, while the Celica was surprisingly cheap to insure - not sure why that would be the case.
So in the end it was a choice between the Celica (190bhp) and the Prelude. I preferred the Celica for its 6 speed box and generally more enthusiastic attitude compared to the Prelude which was a bit more sober although a great car in its own way.
To get to the point - a few comments for the MX5 on here, but the Celica is a great car, certainly the best I've owned. Good to drive, great engine, still looks fantastic today (in my opinion), ridiculously reliable, cheapish to run and surprisingly practical. Some seem to think its a bit hairdressery, and you can see their point to a degree, but I'd suggest those who think it haven't driven one. Quite characterful I think, as well, I always got a good feeling of sitting in a well-planted, low, wide performance car, and the engine note as you rev is great. I'd still love a GTV, but all things being equal the Celica in my experience is a better car except for the romance of the Alfa badge. I'd suggest with the passing of time, the reliability and basic indestructibility of a Celica will be enhanced versus a contemporary Alfa - their respective reputations aren't wholly illusory. Oh yeah, if this is relevant to you, but it didn't do any harm to my success with the ladies.
Ultimately you should go for the car you like, but that's my 2ps - Celica (in 190/T-Sport guise) gets my vote.
Anyway, my experience was broadly to be predicted. I liked the MX5 but really needed a modicum of practicality with an occasional rear seat and load space. It also had to park in the street in a slightly dodgy part of town so (rightly or wrongly) I was concerned with it being a soft-top. so the MX5 was unfortunately ruled out quickly.
I like the Hyundai but all the research I had suggested it was a bit flat to drive and even with the V6, nice torque and noise, it's performance isn't the most spirited. SO scratch that.
I'd always wanted a GTV (specifically a Cup) since I were a lad, but the ones I looked at were just too marginal in terms of having obvious problems. Perhaps I was guilty of taking Alfa reliability rumours too seriously but the fact is I was stretching my budget so couldn't afford to take too many chances. Insurance quotes on the Alfa were very high too, while the Celica was surprisingly cheap to insure - not sure why that would be the case.
So in the end it was a choice between the Celica (190bhp) and the Prelude. I preferred the Celica for its 6 speed box and generally more enthusiastic attitude compared to the Prelude which was a bit more sober although a great car in its own way.
To get to the point - a few comments for the MX5 on here, but the Celica is a great car, certainly the best I've owned. Good to drive, great engine, still looks fantastic today (in my opinion), ridiculously reliable, cheapish to run and surprisingly practical. Some seem to think its a bit hairdressery, and you can see their point to a degree, but I'd suggest those who think it haven't driven one. Quite characterful I think, as well, I always got a good feeling of sitting in a well-planted, low, wide performance car, and the engine note as you rev is great. I'd still love a GTV, but all things being equal the Celica in my experience is a better car except for the romance of the Alfa badge. I'd suggest with the passing of time, the reliability and basic indestructibility of a Celica will be enhanced versus a contemporary Alfa - their respective reputations aren't wholly illusory. Oh yeah, if this is relevant to you, but it didn't do any harm to my success with the ladies.
Ultimately you should go for the car you like, but that's my 2ps - Celica (in 190/T-Sport guise) gets my vote.
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