Whatcar: £3K smiles per miles

[Sam3773]

I know, another 'What Car'!

So, this is my second What car on PH. Last time I ended up buying a stunning, beautiful, great fun Audi A3 3.2l V6 (Red. OV55 ***. Say hi if you see it.)

Anyway, the OH car had loads of problems so we ended up chipping in her car and my Audi for a new family car. Down to one car. Great plan.

12 months later, I want another run around in my life! It's primarily for me to commute and get about, but I want it to be a fun steer on the twisties. I have exactly 0 criteria other than the fun element and the budget of £3000. Two seats, estate, drop top, coupe, etc.. All suggestions very welcome!

A side note if it helps, because I know it'll be the first recommendation, I'm 6ft6. I can't fit in an MX-5 or it'll be the one! (I've only tried a MK2, to be fair!)

Anyway, all help appreciated!

[p4cks]

Golf GTI MK5 might be a good option although it's not exactly a fun car as such

Clio 172 Cup would be a better option I reckon

[Chris_91]

Clio 182, Pre-facelift EP3

[Patrick Bateman]

Are you 6ft 6" but built like an orangutan? If so, you may just fit in a Clio 182.

[Sam3773]

I have heard good things about the 182 and the 197 that I think have made those my top contenders.

To be far, I'm mostly torso I think. I've driven other smaller cars before like MG TF's and Mini Coopers, so hopefully I'll be alright in a little hatch.

My head keeps getting turned by Alfas and old BMWs though. I'm sure they will be an absolute nightmare though in this budget. I think it's just the idea of sliding around in a BMW or the odd petrol head passion for Alfa's..

[VAGLover]

Mini Cooper S
Mazda 3 MPS
Golf 2.8 VR6
Seat Leon Cupra
Skoda Octavia VRS
Skoda Fabia VRS (Diesel)

Come to mind

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say grab a 197 they're real fun.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You could get another 3.2 A3, nowhere near as much fun as the Clio but you can enjoy it in a different way.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[300bhp/ton]

p4cks said:

Golf GTI MK5 might be a good option although it's not exactly a fun car as such

Isn’t a Golf a great candidate for Britain’s dullest car?

[300bhp/ton]

Sam3773 said:

I know, another 'What Car'!

So, this is my second What car on PH. Last time I ended up buying a stunning, beautiful, great fun Audi A3 3.2l V6 (Red. OV55 ***. Say hi if you see it.)

Anyway, the OH car had loads of problems so we ended up chipping in her car and my Audi for a new family car. Down to one car. Great plan.

12 months later, I want another run around in my life! It's primarily for me to commute and get about, but I want it to be a fun steer on the twisties. I have exactly 0 criteria other than the fun element and the budget of £3000. Two seats, estate, drop top, coupe, etc.. All suggestions very welcome!

A side note if it helps, because I know it'll be the first recommendation, I'm 6ft6. I can't fit in an MX-5 or it'll be the one! (I've only tried a MK2, to be fair!)

Anyway, all help appreciated!

This all comes down to what you really want. As in what floats your boat and what will appeal.

Hatchbacks appeal to many because they are genuinely practical. And they can be nimble and entertaining. But budget interiors, upright driving position and fwd can loose their novelty if you’ve sampled other car types.

Personally for a ‘fun’ car and needing not practicality I’d be looking at something rwd and maybe even a rag top. OR a 4x4. Depending on where you live.

Something like a BMW Z3 would probably be on the list. MR2 any mark. You might even find something like a Lexus Soarer in budget too. Not the best drive and more GT than sporting. But a set of loud pipes and it’ll be very entertaining.

Or a Tonka toy.

I owned this. 4.0 litres straight 6 and a lot quicker than you’d think. It frankly was one of the most fun and enjoyable cars I’ve owned.



It was not only fun on road. But had the added benefit that it was a complete riot off road and allowed you to do things you couldn’t in a normal car.

[VAGLover]

Bet that ate the fields up!

[browna]

i opted for a swift sport mk1, which i can heartily recomend if you want something reliable and fun (it is much more fun than it looks on paper), as long don't commute too far away, motorways are a bit tiresome. theres lots of relatively low mileage ones for around £3k.

if you wernt so tall and you don't need the rear seats, id say go for a MR2 roadster, but i only just fit in one and im 6ft.

at this price i found anything german too old or leggy, and i just think renaults might need more maintenance/niggles, which is just plain inconvenient with work and young kids. lol.
good luck

Edited by browna on Wednesday 11th October 12:45

[Sam3773]

Thanks all.

I think what I'm after (given the nature of the German coupes I'd be looking at, at this budget) is something light and chuckable. And that doesn't have to be practical at all. 4 seats, 2 seats etc. I'm open to options!

At the moment my top three is:
Mini Cooper S (R53)
Clio 182/197
BMW Z3/4 (Size might be a problem here.)

[billzeebub]

BMW 3 series 6 cylinder Convertible
Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible
Subaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Forester Turbo
Audi TT (the original one)

[VEX]

You cant have mine, but I am collecting a modified Mini Cooper S tomorrow with about 230bhp!

Advertised on here, went to see it within 24hrs and bought it there and then at £3250. I think it is a steel, so if you are prepared to wait there are some bargins come up!

V.

[Sam3773]

So, bit if an update! I drove a friend's 330ci yesterday and now it's positioned firmly itself as the car I want. Struggling to find a low mileage manual in budget though (I realise my budget is low anyway!)

What experience, if any, do people have with the 330ci and reliability? Particularly leggy autos? I know the engine is relatively bombproof, but if I end up with an automatic, I worry about the reliability of that.

[Patrick Bateman]

Cooling systems would be the main 'breakdown' worry. When I got mine the radiator was sagging badly.

Otherwise, rust, suspension bushes and snapped springs come to mind as common issues.

[cerb4.5lee]

If you want smiles I would steer well clear of a 330i mated to an auto, I had a 330i(E90) auto for almost four years and I never smiled once driving it, it was a great cruiser and a great all round car but it was as boring as hell to drive.

[300bhp/ton]

Sam3773 said:

So, bit if an update! I drove a friend's 330ci yesterday and now it's positioned firmly itself as the car I want. Struggling to find a low mileage manual in budget though (I realise my budget is low anyway!)

What experience, if any, do people have with the 330ci and reliability? Particularly leggy autos? I know the engine is relatively bombproof, but if I end up with an automatic, I worry about the reliability of that.

I don’t mind BMW’s. But there are vehicles which are a lot more fun for the money. IMO.

I would also say an auto in that type of car with that type of engine would not be much fun at all.

Having a quick look on Autotrader there are quite a few 2.8 Z3’s around your budget. Personally think these are a lot more entertaining than the 3 Series as an overall fun car.

[kurt535]

£3k?

Celica
MR2
IS300

But I am Jap biased!

[Scobblelotcher]

Impreza would be my choice, tons of performance and fun for the money!