Justifiable Second Car For £1,500

[Mk3Ed]

Hello

After a bit of advice/suggestions.

I've got 6 years no claims that will expire in December this year. I don't currently have my own insurance policy as I have access to a company vehicle.

I'm itching to buy a car so the no claims don't expire, but at the same time want it to be a fun car (In looks or performance etc.)

Now I know that £1,500 isn't going to buy me a rocket ship, I was thinking of upping my budget and going down the Boxter route. but this would require getting a loan.

I've been considering ClioSports, Toyota MR2 MK2 etc. Just a shame I missed the prices when 924's were bottom'd out.

The car will be stored in a garage and used occasionally.

Just looking for any suggestions of anyone that has anything similar?

[Integroo]

MX5, without a doubt.

[Uncle John]

MR2 Mk3

[InitialDave]

Well, I suppose part of it is how much you just want to keep the no claims rolling along, and how much is man maths over wanting a new car!

I think a 924 is perfectly achievable at that sort of money, as long as you're OK with it needing a bit of attention.

Might be worth checking on the insurance policies available first - if you get something eligible for classic insurance, they may well not be interested in the NCB anyway.

What about a Panda 100hp?

[Mk3Ed]

Hello

Thank you for the suggestions.

Didn't really consider MX5's or MK3 MR2's so may have a look at prices etc.

InitialDave - It's a bit of both really, I've always been saving towards buying a house or on a low income/student - so never really been able to buy a car that I want, only what is sensible and cheap. I think now I have a house and some savings man maths have taken over to try and use the no claims before they expire. I couldn't justify having a second car with no no claims as I would be looking at around £1,500 a year to insure as opposed to £1,100.

I might do a bit more research into the 924's as i'm in no rush to purchase a vehicle so they could be worth holding out for.

[Mk3Ed]

sorry forgot to mention, although I know a Panda 100hp gets a lot of good press. I just think anyone who isn't into their cars would be wondering why I bought one as a second vehicle

[TooMany2cvs]

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-s...

[Integroo]

Mk3Ed said:

sorry forgot to mention, although I know a Panda 100hp gets a lot of good press. I just think anyone who isn't into their cars would be wondering why I bought one as a second vehicle

Yes, please don't buy a bloody Panda as your second car.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Summer waftage?
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Yes i realise it'll be rusty but if its garaged should slow the progress

[JZZ30]

Celica 190?

V8 Soarer?

[TooMany2cvs]

This should be a laugh - and the auction may end within budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112478226502

[InitialDave]

You could always buy one of the Ebay V5s from the "ringing kits" thread to give you a cheap, easily stored "car" to insure

[MorganP104]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Summer waftage?
I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Yes i realise it'll be rusty but if its garaged should slow the progress

Wafty indeed! This is where my £1,500 would be going. Cruise it round for a year, then put it back on Autotrader for what you paid for it when the weather starts getting good in 2018.

[RSTurboPaul]

TooMany2cvs said:

This should be a laugh - and the auction may end within budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112478226502

WILL BE ON ORIGINAL REG NOT THE ONE IN PHOTOS



I thought cars had to have an MOT to take a registration plate off it?

That's just a pile of scrap metal... lol

[TooMany2cvs]

RSTurboPaul said:

TooMany2cvs said:

This should be a laugh - and the auction may end within budget.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112478226502

WILL BE ON ORIGINAL REG NOT THE ONE IN PHOTOS

I thought cars had to have an MOT to take a registration plate off it?

They do. And this is exactly why.

RSTurboPaul said:

That's just a pile of scrap metal... lol

Yup. But it's brought the optimists out in force.

[E36Ross]

BMW E36?

[markirl]

Mini Cooper S?

[InitialDave]

OP, are you really looking at £1k+ to insure a second car as a limited-use, garaged toy? That seems very expensive to me. Are you particularly young, or living in a war zone or something?

[Mk3Ed]

I couldn't drive around in the Merc with those arches on, and I think I would be quite scared to see whats underneath upon removal

didn't think of a Celica so will add that to the research list. I've heard bad reviews on the reliability of early Cooper S but I will bare them in mind.

InitialDave, I think the insurance premium jumps quite a bit - when I was looking at EP3's/Boxers/350z (this was when I was considering a loan) it seemed to add around £800 - £1,000 to the price of insurance with my no claims out of the equation. I'm 26 and live in an okay area and insurance on most these cars seems around the £400 - £450 a year (5k PA, and kept in a garage) I can justify that for to insure a second car, plus running costs and the high tax bracket most of these are in.

Also will look more into MX-5's and see what I can get for that kind of money.

Really appreciate all the suggestions.

In terms of cheap convertibles is it worth waiting until summer has been on gone? or will it not make a difference in price at this end of the market?

[Mk3Ed]

Also I don't know how I accidentally typed £1,100 in the first post about insurance