What Car - £3k - Anything Missed?
Discussion
Change of job and losing company car so need to buy something to last me a good few relatively hassle free years as a house purchase is looming in the near-ish future. I can free up around £3k max but that's about it.
I have in mind something fun and mildly quick(6-7ish secs to 60) that is fairly reliable and has reasonable service / running costs. I know a 2nd hand £3k car could throw a big bill any time but certain cars are more likely than others... RWD would be a bonus after owning an MR2 Turbo but isn't a deal breaker. I'm easy when it comes to NA or turbo (knowing a blown turbo could cost big bucks NA would be preferred). Would like to avoid mega high miles under 100k would be nice but condition could negate mileage on the right car.
I have around 4 weeks to buy so can't hold out for anything too rare.
Car's I've considered so far:
BMW 330i or 325i - May consider an E36 328 but have yet to find one I'd like to buy
Seat Leon Cupra - Can be tuned but I worry these may be rather dull?
Honda Prelude 2.2vti - Used to own one and think highly of them but good ones are rare
MX5 - They seem to like a drink for performance on offer?
Is there anything else around at my price point which will tick the right boxes?
I have in mind something fun and mildly quick(6-7ish secs to 60) that is fairly reliable and has reasonable service / running costs. I know a 2nd hand £3k car could throw a big bill any time but certain cars are more likely than others... RWD would be a bonus after owning an MR2 Turbo but isn't a deal breaker. I'm easy when it comes to NA or turbo (knowing a blown turbo could cost big bucks NA would be preferred). Would like to avoid mega high miles under 100k would be nice but condition could negate mileage on the right car.
I have around 4 weeks to buy so can't hold out for anything too rare.
Car's I've considered so far:
BMW 330i or 325i - May consider an E36 328 but have yet to find one I'd like to buy
Seat Leon Cupra - Can be tuned but I worry these may be rather dull?
Honda Prelude 2.2vti - Used to own one and think highly of them but good ones are rare
MX5 - They seem to like a drink for performance on offer?
Is there anything else around at my price point which will tick the right boxes?
v8250 said:
Subaru Forester XT. Search carefully and you'll find a low mileage XT with FSH. With winter approaching you'll how you've ever lived without one before; search over.
Had an S-turbo with a boost controller...not much fin in the dry, but hilarious when it gets wet / muddy / snowywillmagrath said:
A civic type r is a good shout, although if you're going to be commuting in it, it'll drink a lot for the performance on offer. My mate gets circa 23mpg from his when sitting at 75mph!!
Is he in 3rd gear? Mine averaged about 30mpg and I used vtec. Often.
ETA: the official extra urban MPG is 40.4
Never understood this has to be RWD argument, I had a BMW E34 525i and it was exactly the same to drive as every other car I had. It's not like I went round a roundabout at normal speed and felt any difference. The Cupra R is a good shout, I've heard they are reliable, and thing they look great! A Corolla T Sport would be good too, certainly reliable anyway! I had a 2004 1.4 T3 and it was a great car. Felt quick for a 1400 anyway especially when you ragged it.
If it's limited mileage then a clio or Civic type R would be my choice, with very little to sway me otherwise. Probably the civic for the slightly increased practicality, better wearing interior and hopefully better reliability.
edit to add: I loved my MX5 and it was rather good on fuel as far as hooning was concerned - commuting saw maybe 32mpg out of it, but weekends of B road blasting never went below 28, so the balance was more favourable than the 328i sport or 325ci.
Both of beemers were lovely, but potential for stonking bills and more of a wafty GT with a penchant for fun in twistys than the other way round. If your commute was longer I'd say consider them, but as it is a hot hatch sounds perfect.
edit to add: I loved my MX5 and it was rather good on fuel as far as hooning was concerned - commuting saw maybe 32mpg out of it, but weekends of B road blasting never went below 28, so the balance was more favourable than the 328i sport or 325ci.
Both of beemers were lovely, but potential for stonking bills and more of a wafty GT with a penchant for fun in twistys than the other way round. If your commute was longer I'd say consider them, but as it is a hot hatch sounds perfect.
Edited by luckystrike on Friday 10th October 15:57
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