Best car for under £2k?

[SD1992]

As the title says really, what is the best car that I could buy for under £2k?

I am looking for something quick, that handles well, can seat 4, is fairly reliable, but can also be comfortable on a long run. High mileage cars don't bother me, and I can service it myself if need be along with other basic jobs.

Fuel consumption is not really an issue as I will be doing significantly less miles very soon.

Insurance however is a bit of a problem. I do not want to be paying any more than £2k a year, so something in the range of an Integra Type R, or an E36 328i is what I can insure. Obviously less is better!

I would ideally like RWD, but am open to options. I would like to do some track days as I want to become a better driver, and dive further into my fascination with cars!

Thanks for any help

[SD1992]

Sline said:

Mk2 Golf 16v?

Since it is such an old car, are they reliable? And are they actually that fast?

[SD1992]

turboman786 said:

Nissan 200 sx maybe?....

Are they actually very good?

I know of someone who has just bought one, but it looks really scabby (paid around £2k for it) and I am not entirely convinced.

How would it compare to, say, a 328i?

[SD1992]

andye30m3 said:

If I was spending £2k I'd go for a clio 172 just because they're a great laugh to drive,

my old one was comfortable enough to drive to Switzerland and back and reasonably reliable and parts were cheap when it did brake, good mpg and not that bad to insure.

Looked great, but the insurance companies really don't like it

£3200 a year! :O

[SD1992]

andye30m3 said:

wow I didn't think they'd be any worse than an integra.

The Integra is £2070 a year, the same as an Accord Type R 2.2. Are they any good?

[SD1992]

robsco said:

Alfa 156 V6. Oh yes.

How reliable are they?

[SD1992]

It appears that the insurance man does not like the hot hatches (ST170, Leon Cupra) or the Fiat Coupe at all. The 200SX doesn't seem too bad (£1700) but for some reason I am still not too keen on it.

I am not sure about the MX5 either, as I do need something reasonably practical.

An older, higher mileage Integra can be had for around £2300, but the Accord seems to be a lot less. What are they like?

And by fast, I mean something that can be driven round a twisty road / track quicker than my old 1.6 Astra and my current 1.8 Mondeo, and that will accelerate well in a straight line, and overtake with ease. The Golf doesn't really seem like that sort of car. And yes, I have thought of that, but considering the performance of the cars now won't be anything like it was when the car was made, I would rather get opinions from people who have first hand experience with the cars.

P.s. I don't want anyone getting the impression that I am a boy racer from this! I just want a car that I can learn to drive "properly" in.

[SD1992]

Wow, thank you for all the replies! I will set to work tonight with insurance comparisons, and get back to you soon

I certainly did not expect this much input!

[SD1992]

What about the Accord Type R? Are they any good?

I will get insurance prices for all cars mentioned later tonight...

[SD1992]

I have just run an insurance quote for an E36 323i (will do the rest tonight, lack of time due to exams) and it is a very reasonable price.

Is it possible to modify a 323i fairly cheaply to the same performance as a 328i? I have heard that they have restricted inlet manifolds, so would a changed manifold combined with a remap, air filter, and induction kit make much of a difference?

[SD1992]

Ok, insurance quotes!

My current Mondeo - £819
1998 Honda Prelude 2.2 VTEC - £1607
1998 BMW 328i Coupe - £1663
1995 Alfa 155 2.5 V6 - £1667
1999 Alfa 156 2.5 V6 - £1667
1998 Peugeot 306 GTI-6 - £1608
2002 Toyota Corolla T Sport VVTI - £1665
2004 RX8 - £1795
1995 Jaguar XJ6 3.2 - £1079
1994 VW Corrado VR6 - £2604
1996 BMW 540i - £1667
1989 BMW 535i - £1667
1996 Volvo 850 T5R - £2205
1996 Volvo 850 T5 - £1667
2001 BMW 325TI Compact - £1867

Well, what do we think? These prices are just from gocompare.com, so I would call round specialists and see if I could get that reduced at all. Have I missed anything important?

Thanks for all the help so far

[SD1992]

Probably because of the are I live in? No idea where you are, but I live in the Scottish Highlands where nothing happens, and there is almost no risk of a car being stolen. I think the last stolen car in my area was over 20 years ago.

I have a years no claims, a years named drivers bonus, and pass plus. Makes a big difference!