3k for a fun car
Discussion
So as the title says you have up to 3k for a car im struggling for ideas I've always owned eg and ek civics b16/18 also had a ep3 but didn't rate it is had a dc2 best car I have ever owned and I feel like it's time to move on from hondas.
Not sure what to go for i need a fun daily that will be reliable insurance not too much off an issue and as long as it's 20mpg or more that's fine also doesn't have to be a hatch back would consider saloon and estates.
On my list so far is another b18 civic EG there's one on eBay at the moment for 3200 and it looks like a good one, please no one recommend me a mk5 gti just sold a edition 30 because it was a boring uninvolved drive.
Not sure what to go for i need a fun daily that will be reliable insurance not too much off an issue and as long as it's 20mpg or more that's fine also doesn't have to be a hatch back would consider saloon and estates.
On my list so far is another b18 civic EG there's one on eBay at the moment for 3200 and it looks like a good one, please no one recommend me a mk5 gti just sold a edition 30 because it was a boring uninvolved drive.
What are you like with spanners, a K20/k24 EG is bonkers fun .
I guess the problem when you have already had a DC2 is there are few other fwd platforms that can offer the same kind of fun combined with b18 levels of rev happy motoring. What about a JDM versions of Prelude 2.2, Toyota Levin (the 90s version not AE86), Altezza, Celicas ?
What are you looking for in a car? where do you get your kicks? I'm intrigued by the mk5 GTI and the EP3 not being fun enough for you.
I guess the problem when you have already had a DC2 is there are few other fwd platforms that can offer the same kind of fun combined with b18 levels of rev happy motoring. What about a JDM versions of Prelude 2.2, Toyota Levin (the 90s version not AE86), Altezza, Celicas ?
What are you looking for in a car? where do you get your kicks? I'm intrigued by the mk5 GTI and the EP3 not being fun enough for you.
A Clio 172 cup is the only other car that ive driven that felt like a DC2. Albeit without the 'driven from somewhere under your bum' feeling the dc2 diff gives you.
However, once you've had a car as solid and reliable as a civic, you'll want to set fire to the french hatch after a few weeks. On the plus side, after a few weeks, at least the Clio will still be rust free. Unlike the Civic, which likely won't have any rear arches left...
So basically, a Clio if you are prepared to constantly sort common problems and electrical issues, or an mx5 if you aren't worried about the image, outright speeds, and just want a fun car. And are handy with a welder.
Someone will likely suggest a Saab soon. Ignore them
However, once you've had a car as solid and reliable as a civic, you'll want to set fire to the french hatch after a few weeks. On the plus side, after a few weeks, at least the Clio will still be rust free. Unlike the Civic, which likely won't have any rear arches left...
So basically, a Clio if you are prepared to constantly sort common problems and electrical issues, or an mx5 if you aren't worried about the image, outright speeds, and just want a fun car. And are handy with a welder.
Someone will likely suggest a Saab soon. Ignore them
Benbay001 said:
MK3 MR2. Honestly other than being slow for a sports car, its perfect.
Cheap to run, economical, top dollar handling and convertible. Luggage storage isn't as bad as people would have you believe either.
You'll get one with a 190bhp Celica engine for £3k too...Cheap to run, economical, top dollar handling and convertible. Luggage storage isn't as bad as people would have you believe either.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-MR2-2ZZ-conversio...
IcAAOSw0kNXhmxKThe Op said "3K for a fun car", not "3K for a fast car" and in my experience fun cars are not necessarily the quick ones.
Definitely the MX-5 is the most fun car I have owned and it cost all of £1200. Yep, it needs welding now and again, but is £300 every few years really a hardship when the rest of the car costs buttons to run?
MR2 definitely up there with the MX-5...a friend brought a cheap MGF Trophy recently and that was a lot of fun for under 3 grand....
As for hot hatches, I think it has to be one of the smaller ones...Clio 182, Twingo (if you could find one), or how about a soon to be classic Saxo VTS or 106 GTI. They don't make 'em like that any more.
Definitely the MX-5 is the most fun car I have owned and it cost all of £1200. Yep, it needs welding now and again, but is £300 every few years really a hardship when the rest of the car costs buttons to run?
MR2 definitely up there with the MX-5...a friend brought a cheap MGF Trophy recently and that was a lot of fun for under 3 grand....
As for hot hatches, I think it has to be one of the smaller ones...Clio 182, Twingo (if you could find one), or how about a soon to be classic Saxo VTS or 106 GTI. They don't make 'em like that any more.
Any of the RenaultSport Clios will put a big smile on your face for that kind of money. Same goes for a Twingo 133 as well, less power but I'd say as much fun if not more so than a Clio 172/182.
A Megane 225 has more grunt and toys than an RS Clio but might find it's a bit ropey in this price bracket (make sure cam belt is done!)
That's all I can comment on from personal experience I'm afraid.
A Megane 225 has more grunt and toys than an RS Clio but might find it's a bit ropey in this price bracket (make sure cam belt is done!)
That's all I can comment on from personal experience I'm afraid.
Some good suggestions here forgot to mention it has to have 4 seats more than twice a week I have passengers although I do feel like I have a mx5 itch to scratch maybe next summer.
Don't think I could venture in the RS range my freind has a 182 trophy and although it's never off the road technically apart from the time the dephaser exploded it's always got lights on the dash and little niggles and that would irritate me.
Someone asked about the mk5 gti and the ctr well the mk5 feels like a nose heavy car and also I found it to understeer and didn't inspire confidence it was like a sigh of relief when you got around a fast corner without understeering in to the nearest wall, the brakes were over servod with no progression it was either on or off and finally the engine felt like a diesel with a big surge of torque at 2.5k but fell flat at around 4k, it's got a nice gearbox and also a nice place to be would make a nice daily but unworthy of a gti IMO of course, so edition 30 must be better right ? Well the brakes were slightly better and it didn't fall flat at 4k but that's probably due to k04 and stage 1 resulting in 285bhp everything else just the same very bland and dumbed down very fast in a straight line though, I think the problem with the CTR I'd just jumped out of a dc2 it was the next car and everything just felt not quite as good it's a hard one to explain I'm sure if I had not of experienced the dc2 it would of been a good progression and maybe more fun.
Must say although fun is not always fast I would prefer something with a bit of poke.
Don't think I could venture in the RS range my freind has a 182 trophy and although it's never off the road technically apart from the time the dephaser exploded it's always got lights on the dash and little niggles and that would irritate me.
Someone asked about the mk5 gti and the ctr well the mk5 feels like a nose heavy car and also I found it to understeer and didn't inspire confidence it was like a sigh of relief when you got around a fast corner without understeering in to the nearest wall, the brakes were over servod with no progression it was either on or off and finally the engine felt like a diesel with a big surge of torque at 2.5k but fell flat at around 4k, it's got a nice gearbox and also a nice place to be would make a nice daily but unworthy of a gti IMO of course, so edition 30 must be better right ? Well the brakes were slightly better and it didn't fall flat at 4k but that's probably due to k04 and stage 1 resulting in 285bhp everything else just the same very bland and dumbed down very fast in a straight line though, I think the problem with the CTR I'd just jumped out of a dc2 it was the next car and everything just felt not quite as good it's a hard one to explain I'm sure if I had not of experienced the dc2 it would of been a good progression and maybe more fun.
Must say although fun is not always fast I would prefer something with a bit of poke.
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