Suggestions for a new car (19y/o)

[WillCarterUK]

I’ve just sold my ‘88 mini. It’s time to get something else. I’m looking to buy something by May and should have around £6000 for the car and insurance. I’m wanting something fun and with a good supply of spare parts. I’m starting to wonder whether selling the mini was a bad idea and might just get another one but does anyone have any other ideas? I prefer older cars and have been looking at Japanese cars, namely mr2’s, mx5’s, celicas etc. As much as I’d like a silvia, skyline, rx7, subaru, evo, supra etc, even if I could afford the car, the insurance would be impossible to afford. I’ve also been looking at mgb’s, capris, mk3/4 escorts, sierras, bmw’s and a few older mercedes but I’m open to anything really as long as it’s manual, petrol and preferably pre 2000’s
19(y/o) with 2 years ncb.

Thanks in advance

[StevieT735]

A Mark 3 MR2 could be a good shout. Cheap to buy, and although it’s barely a pre ‘00s car, this means it shouldn’t be too hard to find parts for....

[A500leroy]

205gti?

[WillCarterUK]

StevieT735 said:

A Mark 3 MR2 could be a good shout. Cheap to buy, and although it’s barely a pre ‘00s car, this means it shouldn’t be too hard to find parts for....

I do like the mr2’s and I’m surprised how cheap they are to insure (apart from the mk2 turbos), I’ll be having a
look out for a good one.

[WillCarterUK]

A500leroy said:

205gti?

Completely forgot about the 205gti, I’d been looking at golf gti’s too but the 205’s seem like great fun. Good call!

[StevieT735]

A Mark 3 MR2 could be a good shout. Cheap to buy, and although it’s barely a pre ‘00s car, this means it shouldn’t be too hard to find parts for....

[67Dino]

Loved my MR2 Mk2, bought new in the 1990s. Looked terrific and proper mid-engined handling characteristics, like a baby Ferrari. Loved it so much that despite since having had real Ferraris*, am a bit tempted to get another one. Still browse the ads, and not many unmolested/non-import examples come up, but there’s a black late T-bar with 77k on the clock, 2 lady owners, on PH at the moment:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Wheels aren’t right, but easily replaced and otherwise one of the better ones I’ve seen recently (on paper anyway, can’t vouch for it). Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

Note: *yes, I know, worst ‘I’ve got a Ferrari’ post ever...

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 26th December 10:10

[WillCarterUK]

67Dino said:

Loved my MR2 Mk2, bought new in the 1990s. Looked terrific and proper mid-engined handling characteristics, like a baby Ferrari. Loved it so much that despite since having had real Ferraris*, am a bit tempted to get another one. Still browse the ads, and not many unmolested/non-import examples come up, but there’s a black late T-bar with 77k on the clock, 2 lady owners, on PH at the moment:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Wheels aren’t right, but easily replaced and otherwise one of the better ones I’ve seen recently (on paper anyway, can’t vouch for it). Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

Note: *yes, I know, worst ‘I’ve got a Ferrari’ post ever...

Edited by 67Dino on Tuesday 26th December 10:10

Cheers! And dw, I’d probably tell people I owned ferraris if I did.

I’ve heard about the mk2’s snap oversteer problem? Is this a real issue or is it a scapegoat for bad drivers?

[67Dino]

WillCarterUK said:

I’ve heard about the mk2’s snap oversteer problem? Is this a real issue or is it a scapegoat for bad drivers?

I’d heard this too, but I had my MR2 for 4 years and only had one scare. Was going way too fast on a wet road at night and, finding myself in a sharper bend than I expected*, made the rookie error of braking suddenly, and fishtailed wildly for 20 yards. Any mid-engined car would probably do that (can’t beat the laws of physics) and usually I found the MR2 easy to drive quickly, and generally well balanced. As you say, it’s bad driving really - having had lots of cars that are tricky to handle at extemis, I just don’t take them to the limits on public roads.

note: *that does remind me, the headlights are distinctly weedy, which may have been part of the cause. I gather you can get a Xenon bulb replacement that makes them much brighter.

[tonyb1968]

The later MR2's were a far more competent car to drive over earlier cars, look for a late model if you don't want too many scares

[WillCarterUK]

Looks like a mk2 MR2’s number 1 at the moment! Anyone had any experience with mk1’s?

[gavsdavs]

tonyb1968 said:

The later MR2's were a far more competent car to drive over earlier cars, look for a late model if you don't want too many scares

It was the first revision of the mark 2 (1989-1991) which was the most prone to it. There aren't many of them left due to tin worm. Revs 2-5 were pacifiied with altered rear suspension and wider tyres.

WillCarterUK said:

I’ve heard about the mk2’s snap oversteer problem? Is this a real issue or is it a scapegoat for bad drivers?

A bit of both - it's really its' mid-engined-ness and its' availability to younger drivers. You wouldn't cane a ferrari if you were aware pranging it would be a five figure repair sum, but that isn't true for the sw20. It tends to be the more powerful cars where the back end can get unruly - the N/A cars are pretty benign.

The mk3 is a great dirvers car too - probably the best of all the revs - but they do look a bit girly (.....runs for cover.....) - but they're a bit small inside. The rev 2 had a little biit more space.

Unless you're handy with spanners keeping one road worthy can cost a bit - they're all 15+ years old now and starting to deteriorate.

Best of luck.

[WillCarterUK]

gavsdavs said:

A bit of both - it's really its' mid-engined-ness and its' availability to younger drivers. You wouldn't cane a ferrari if you were aware pranging it would be a five figure repair sum, but that isn't true for the sw20. It tends to be the more powerful cars where the back end can get unruly - the N/A cars are pretty benign.

The mk3 is a great dirvers car too - probably the best of all the revs - but they do look a bit girly (.....runs for cover.....) - but they're a bit small inside. The rev 2 had a little biit more space.

Unless you're handy with spanners keeping one road worthy can cost a bit - they're all 15+ years old now and starting to deteriorate.

Best of luck.

Thank you, owned a mini since I was 16 so I’m used to working on cars. However, I’ve never worked on injected cars so I’m not sure how much different that’ll be.

I agree the mk3’s are a bit girly, not too much of a fan of soft tops either. I’ll see if there are any sort of body kits to make it a little more agressive looking without turning it into a f&f car.

I’ll let you all know how I get on but I’m pleasantly surprised how cheap mr2’s are... at the moment.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and have a happy New Year.

If anyone else has any suggestions then I’d love to keep discovering. Cheers!