Car Buying Help..

[Wankelz]

I've been toying with the idea for quite some time now,

Currently I drive an Astra Van MK4 1.7dti and don't get me wrong it's never let me down (bar a fixed oil leak and new starter) but it's getting boring to drive now as the only thing it really has that I like is the fact it's got space but even so it's not practical.

I want something pretty quick 0-60 under 10 seconds as van gets there eventually lol.
4 seat's and nice looking.
Running costs not fussed on aslong as over 15mpg.
Insurance is a big issues due to being 22 with NCB (due to somone rear ending me)

But there's 3 cars I've been looking at but just can't make my mind up, so witch one would probably be the better option?

Mazda RX8 (love them or hate them)
Good.
-Love the style.
-challange to work on.
-high rev.
-quick.
-RWD
Bad.
You can see this one coming...
-Engine realiablity.
I've noticed you can pick them up for £500 ish with a blown engine, so I'd probably go down the route of buying one with a broken engine and have it rebuilt because then I know it's been done and out the way, plus upgrade starter, premix, ect spent hours looking into the engine alone.
But very limited on the modding protentials for proformance witch is abit sad but style is there.
(Insurance £96ish pcm)

Volvo s60 T5.
Good.
-look nice.
-turbo petrol.
- proformance protential.
Bad.
-FWD
Nothing really puts me off, not the nicest looking car but quick for what it is.
(Insurance £73pcm)
(R Design Insurance £154pcm)

Audi TT MK1 coupe
Good.
-style.
-petrol turbo.
-AWD
Bad.
Not best reviews?
(Insurance £104ish pcm)

Any more suggestions on what cars to look at?
Or what car would you choose?
I know the RX8 drinks oil and MPG is terrible

Also the cars I've listed I want for a daily drive of around 20 miles

Thanks guys!

1-3k budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but one of these will do you fine they're easy & reasonable to maintain they come in 165-215bhp form (so insurance should be ok) so you should find something in budget.

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

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

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

[Wankelz]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm bias but one of these will do you fine they're easy & reasonable to maintain they come in 165-215bhp form (so insurance should be ok) so you should find something in budget.

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

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

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

Looked into it mate to pricey on the insurance £187pcm unfortunately, to steep,
Same with BMW, Mercs, Subaru, mitsubishi (looked into the GTO)

Like my older cars like pre 2005, less electricals and cheaper lol don't get me wrong love some new shaped cars but don't want to go down the finance route

[Valgar]

You sound like a man with similar tastes to myself

Between a TT and an RX8 I'd be tempted to lean towards the latter

Like yourself I'd buy one with issues and get them repaired rather than buying one that could have an issue lurking around the corner. It's got the classic front engine rear wheel layout which I bet would be great on the track. And great reviews about it's balanced handling.

The TT would have me worried about what was going to go wrong next, my friend had a new 225 and it seemed like every other month there was something not quite right with it, one day it was running of 3 cylinders (common problem easy to fix thankfully) and I remember turning up to his house to the sight of his alternator belt on the floor, well before it was due to be replaced. And there were several electrical issues such as window not lowering with the door opening etc.

However it was stunning inside, it drove really nicely but that's the problem, it was just nice, not super exciting although I'm sure £1000 would get you 280ish which would maybe increase the excitement.

The Volvo, while sensible and very capable doesn't ignite the passion in me, the S80 V8 on the other hand....