Low Cost Fun Required

[Tackle.]

I feel the want for a second set of wheels.

I’ve got a works supplied BMW X4 which I spend a great deal of time in during the week (30k per year). Currently having a semi serious look for a cheep but fun run around for weekends and just to have something different (with a manual box).

I don’t mind doing work occasionally, but don’t have access to a service ramp, which restricts what I can do at the weekend. Bodywork, electrics / interior I’m fine with.

Maximum price would be £5K, is something / anything possible?

Thanks Collective, do your thing!

[Manxwilliams]

Renault Twingo RS

[Ambleton]

Oh c'mon! You gotta be kidding me.....

Is there really any other answer?!

Mx5 obvs

[littleredrooster]

Ambleton said:

Oh c'mon! You gotta be kidding me.....

Is there really any other answer?!

Mx5 obvs

Absolutely. Obvs. Love mine - I’m onto my third & have even given up the two-wheeled missile for it.

[CountVacillate]

Clio Renaultsport 200 would be my suggestion

Loved by most car Journos. Cheap to run and good fun. Not the fastest but great fun to thrash with amazing handling. The front end grip is immense, it needs thrashing but rewards you for it.

If you do get one make sure you use Super Unleaded as the engine has a compression ratio of 11.5-1 and on normal 95 octane fuel the ecu pulls timing making them feel a bit flat.

Here’s an old review by Jethro Bovingdon (this is Part 1, there is a second Part to accompany it, which should be suggested)

https://youtu.be/o6sWkm6OJW8

And the legendary Autocar video of it trying to keep up with a Volvo RS

https://youtu.be/Ae4RqTW5UDU

[glazbagun]

Cheap RS hatch. 182 or maybe 200?

MX5 if not rusty (or cheap enough)

MR2 Spyder seems criminally underappreciated right now.

Old BMW 328?

[ahas]

I'm saying this I've only just got one myself.

BMW 130i.

N52 NA. Pretty reliable. Small rear wheel hot hatch with a usable 265bhp.
Lots of mods you can do to improve the handling.
Will do you well on a motorway, b road blast and track.
If your X4 is otherwise unavailable, it won't look too bad in your work car park.
As well as being practical and unassuming.

Ticks a lot of boxes. Just not many of them around...

Edit: it's also GREAT fun!!!

Edited by ahas on Friday 29th October 23:37

[MiseryStreak]

172 Cup. A decent one can still be had for £5k, this won’t be the case for much longer. I selfishly hope.

These threads always go the same way, you get the usual obvious choices (like RS Clios, MX-5s etc), then some really oddball, leftfield suggestions, which I appreciate but usually starts a row. Then someone who puts way too much effort in posting links from a Pistonheads <£5k search.

The correct answer is the car you already know you want, that you’re hoping gets affirmation here. Just buy that one. Look at as many examples as you can, take a mechanic friend who doesn’t like the car you’ve chosen.

[Tackle.]

MiseryStreak said:

172 Cup. A decent one can still be had for £5k, this won’t be the case for much longer. I selfishly hope.

These threads always go the same way, you get the usual obvious choices (like RS Clios, MX-5s etc), then some really oddball, leftfield suggestions, which I appreciate but usually starts a row. Then someone who puts way too much effort in posting links from a Pistonheads <£5k search.

The correct answer is the car you already know you want, that you’re hoping gets affirmation here. Just buy that one. Look at as many examples as you can, take a mechanic friend who doesn’t like the car you’ve chosen.

The one I already know I want is Chrysler Crossfire, but for £5k, I’ll get a whole load of trouble!

[bennno]

I just bought a low mileage, two owner, 1999 2.5 Boxster, it’s a relevation. Never liked new, great fun to drive. paid £4K plus spent £500 on serving and rear tyres.

[MightyBadger]

Out of all of the cheap cars I have owned the mx5 and r53 are the two I have had the most fun in and that have brought the most smiles to my face, perfect for twisty b roads.

[hamish88]

I just got myself a Suzuki Swift sport not long ago for £1100 quid.

It already has a cold air intake on it so I just serviced it myself which I had never ever done before and it was so easy.

Not the fastest thing in the world but with good tyres on it, it’s loads of fun ,easy and cheap to fix.

[DanielSan]

Mk3 MR2 and some cash for mods, R53 Cooper S or the usual MX5/Clio/Civic Type R.

[Mr Tidy]

ahas said:

I'm saying this I've only just got one myself.

BMW 130i.

N52 NA. Pretty reliable. Small rear wheel hot hatch with a usable 265bhp.
Lots of mods you can do to improve the handling.
Will do you well on a motorway, b road blast and track.
If your X4 is otherwise unavailable, it won't look too bad in your work car park.
As well as being practical and unassuming.

Ticks a lot of boxes. Just not many of them around...

Edit: it's also GREAT fun!!!

Edited by ahas on Friday 29th October 23:37

Or save a couple of grand and get an E90 330i with the same engine like my daily!

It will be out of budget, but the N52 works much better in a Z4 though (I've had 2 of those).

[944 Man]

glazbagun said:

MX5 if not rusty

They're all rusty.

[georgeyboy12345]

Get this NC Mazda MX-5 that's had a BBR Super 200 conversion - it'll be great fun to drive!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110268...


What about another BMW to go with your X4?

Z3 3.0i Sport (remove the stupid black M badges)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...


Same engine in a Z4 - 3.0i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110268...


Staying German, what about this Porsche Boxster 986 2.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...


Also mid-engined, but cheaper, this Toyota MR2 Roadster
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...


Stretch the budget a bit and you can get this lovely 350Z convertible - cheaper versions of these are a bit barried out and nasty
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...

[ZX10R NIN]

208 Feline/XY 165 a sweet steer not as sharp as the GTI but a good low cost car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

GTI a cracking steer, running costs are sensible but not low cost:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

Mito Cloverleaf 170 not as sharp as the above but none the less these are a fun steer that don't cost the earth:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Twingo RS another very sweet steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

Cup

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

197 Cup

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

Astra GTC 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...

[bennno]

ZX10R NIN said:

208 Feline/XY 165 a sweet steer not as sharp as the GTI but a good low cost car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

GTI a cracking steer, running costs are sensible but not low cost:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110138...

Mito Cloverleaf 170 not as sharp as the above but none the less these are a fun steer that don't cost the earth:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Twingo RS another very sweet steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

Cup

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

197 Cup

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...

Astra GTC 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109267...

With the exception of the 197 cup of those as good fun as a Boxster or MX5.

[TameRacingDriver]

Boxster. Maybe a little costlier to run than most suggestions, but cheap enough to buy and in another league to most of the suggestions.

[ZX10R NIN]

bennno said:

With the exception of the 197 cup of those as good fun as a Boxster or MX5.

Boxster? Did you read the title brief?

As for the others being as fun as the MX5 I'd say yes but it depends on what besides fun you're looking for from your car.