£8500, fairly quick, decent mpg, petrol?? LOOK

[sillwuka]

So, i have around £8500 to spend on a car. I'm 23 and live in Manchester so my insurance does limit what i can get.

The criteria i hear you ask; Petrol (No bigger than a 2.2), has to be a 2006 model or newer, mileage less than 75k ish, fairly quick and not cost me an arm and a leg in running and maintenance costs. I only drive 8-9k a year so i'm not sure if mpg matters too much..

I've viewed quite a few cars but i'm still not sure what i want! 320i m sport(Saloon and coupe), Golf GTI, Audi A3/A4 2.0 TFSI, Z4. Few cars i'm not to keen on are the Megane 225 and MCS before you suggest these. But i'm open on whether it's a Hatchback, Convertible or whatever, What would you get for that budget???

[mike9009]

I would heartily recommend a MCS but notice you would prefer german metal.

At your age, i would choose a two seater though, as later in life you may not have the option. How about a S2000? Might not be able to buy a car with an engine like that again.....

[wemorgan]

Civic Type R

[Fabric]

Something about putting look in caps is an instant turnoff. Sorry.

[sillwuka]

I'd be looking at 03-04 S2000 so i'm not too sure. I did look into a FN2 Type R but the harsh ride worries me.

The caps put you off but you still decided to click the topic and reply.. Helpful

[CrouchingWayne]

For a similar budget (but less annual mileage) I ended up with a NA VX220, came in under budget as well.

Appreciate it might be a bit too hardcore though.

[wemorgan]

CrouchingWayne said:

For a similar budget (but less annual mileage) I ended up with a NA VX220, came in under budget as well.

Appreciate it might be a bit too hardcore though.

Good call. About a year ago I sold my 2003 VX220 55k for ~£8k. I can imagine good condition, sensible mileage examples depreciating very slowly.

[sillwuka]

i would love a VX220 but as you said i think it would be a bit too hardcore for me, would have been a great option if i was a track day nut.

On the complete opposite end of the scale, would an 2.0 EOS be an awful idea?..

[moebiusuk]

S2000 - 2006, 74k miles, £8495

SEAT LEON (SE350) TFSI FR 270 bhp

Renaultsport Clio 197 Turbo - 280BHP/310lbFt. Megane Conversion (2007)

Audi TT 1.8T 240 Quattro Sport Coupe with FSH, 55,500 miles (2006)

[Pentoman]

This plus £5500 of mods should be able to go quickly. Would certainly be rare.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Juber]

Fabric said:

Something about putting look in caps is an instant turnoff. Sorry.

Like a desperate ebay advert! AVOID!

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Read about the EOS roofs...

[sillwuka]

Cheers for those links Moe, the FR is definitely something i would consider, i'll have to look into those.

Roof leakages..

[SSBB]

Juber said:

Fabric said:

Something about putting look in caps is an instant turnoff. Sorry.

Like a desperate ebay advert! AVOID!

We would also have accepted "L@@K" or "NOT audi porsche bmw".

[sillwuka]

SSBB said:

Juber said:

Fabric said:

Something about putting look in caps is an instant turnoff. Sorry.

Like a desperate ebay advert! AVOID!

We would also have accepted "L@@K" or "NOT audi porsche bmw".

You're all a sensitive bunch aren't you. Bless

[DaveCWK]

I'd get this + repair fund

L@@K

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131091331506

[Axionknight]

sillwuka said:

I'd be looking at 03-04 S2000 so i'm not too sure. I did look into a FN2 Type R but the harsh ride worries me.

The caps put you off but you still decided to click the topic and reply.. Helpful

The ride isn't appauling but it is firm, don't rule it out until you try one mate, around town 23-25mpg, on a run I did 37mpg in one at 75/80mph over a 320 mile round trip. Tax is around £290 a year.

I had an S2000, mega tax and insurance bands, excellent car that was great fun but it'll cost you plenty, I crashed mine!

[ManOpener]

If you were after a hot hatch, I'd be looking at an FN2 (don't let the nay-sayers bother you, the ride isn't that bad- better than most S-Line Audis for example) or a Mk5 GTI. In both cases with a couple of grand's worth of war chest.

[Nige_GTI]

Fabric said:

Something about putting look in caps is an instant turnoff. Sorry.

Yet you still felt the need to post . . .

OP I would go for a boxster, cheapish on insurance and shouldn't be too much to run if you a well cared for example?

[CO2000]

Pentoman said:

This plus £5500 of mods should be able to go quickly. Would certainly be rare.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Nice sleeper that would be prob need to budget for tints too though (esp front windows haha)