3rd car advice - toy - £2.5k... or £4k...
Discussion
So, been planning on getting on the PCP conveyor for a while - after years of reasonably happy second hand ownership - but worked out that even with just £200 regular monthlys I'm potentially setting my retirement age back from 15 years out to more like 20 years...
Currently driving an IS250. Maybe not very PH, but it's a nice place to sit and good for the motorway munching on the weekends away. Parkers lists the 0-60 as 7.6 and the 50-70 time is more competitive than many imagine...
My small, angry wife drives a 2016 fabia which gets 45mpg all day with £20 rfl. People think of it as a fiesta rival but the interior and boot are as big as mk1 Focus.
So far so sensible.
PCP is out then. In a few months I'll have a few £k saved that doesnt need spending on the house. Was thinking of a mk6 Golf GTI to replace the IS250, but I had a mk5 and some people say the mk5s were better... struggling to think what else I might like for the relatively limited budget to replace the Lexus.
Which leaves me thinking maybe a third car could be more interesting?
Weekend toy. Not the end of the world if it dies. Could be two seats/doors as the fabia and the IS250 will have the child seats in.
Was thinking this could mean:
mk1 Swift Sport - for NA purity
NC MX5 - had one before though
R53 Cooper S
SLK230
Honda CRz - not quick but different?
Ideally budget is £2.5k but could stretch to £4k...
Currently driving an IS250. Maybe not very PH, but it's a nice place to sit and good for the motorway munching on the weekends away. Parkers lists the 0-60 as 7.6 and the 50-70 time is more competitive than many imagine...
My small, angry wife drives a 2016 fabia which gets 45mpg all day with £20 rfl. People think of it as a fiesta rival but the interior and boot are as big as mk1 Focus.
So far so sensible.
PCP is out then. In a few months I'll have a few £k saved that doesnt need spending on the house. Was thinking of a mk6 Golf GTI to replace the IS250, but I had a mk5 and some people say the mk5s were better... struggling to think what else I might like for the relatively limited budget to replace the Lexus.
Which leaves me thinking maybe a third car could be more interesting?
Weekend toy. Not the end of the world if it dies. Could be two seats/doors as the fabia and the IS250 will have the child seats in.
Was thinking this could mean:
mk1 Swift Sport - for NA purity
NC MX5 - had one before though
R53 Cooper S
SLK230
Honda CRz - not quick but different?
Ideally budget is £2.5k but could stretch to £4k...
My 3rd car choice is similar with MX5 and R53. I’m also considering the mk3 Toyota MR2 but I am planning on doing some modifications for track work to whatever I get...
I had an R53 which was fun but not sure much of a weekend car. What about something slightly crazier like a 645 bmw. Lovely v8 and can be had for 4kish...
I had an R53 which was fun but not sure much of a weekend car. What about something slightly crazier like a 645 bmw. Lovely v8 and can be had for 4kish...
I'll bang the drum for my car as you've mentioned similar rivals - a Twingo RS is a lot of fun. But for that cash (and for a weekend toy only) I'd consider a 182 or 197 Clio perhaps?
However another poster mentioned the RX8. That would be my shout as your budget should find a good 'in with no rust/rebuild.
However another poster mentioned the RX8. That would be my shout as your budget should find a good 'in with no rust/rebuild.
I often wonder what i'd get as a weekend fun car for a similar budget and my focus revolves around either being able to do the odd track day, or something for a bit of green laning / pay n play off roading.
I have done both previously and although I love off roading, the chances of totally destroying a car are quite high, so I think I will want something for the odd track day but can still be used for regular practical family stuff.
I keep navigating back to either an ep3 or fn2 civic and £3k can buy you something pretty good and reliable which shouldn't loose much money.
I have done both previously and although I love off roading, the chances of totally destroying a car are quite high, so I think I will want something for the odd track day but can still be used for regular practical family stuff.
I keep navigating back to either an ep3 or fn2 civic and £3k can buy you something pretty good and reliable which shouldn't loose much money.
I do something similar, comfy auto saloon commuter for the week, petrol manual hatch for weekends/variety.
Before marriage and kids that was a 944 S2 when they were £4k.
After a gap I had an MG ZR160 for year which was cheap and ace. A Mini R53 followed which was great on track but I didn't enjoy it on the road (too uncomfortable) so I sold after 9 months.
Currently in a Subaru WRX hatch, which is much better road car than the Mini but probably a bit soft for the track.
Are early Boxsters still £4k? If you don't need rear seats, then that would be a great option I would think.
Before marriage and kids that was a 944 S2 when they were £4k.
After a gap I had an MG ZR160 for year which was cheap and ace. A Mini R53 followed which was great on track but I didn't enjoy it on the road (too uncomfortable) so I sold after 9 months.
Currently in a Subaru WRX hatch, which is much better road car than the Mini but probably a bit soft for the track.
Are early Boxsters still £4k? If you don't need rear seats, then that would be a great option I would think.
Cheers, Some great thoughts there.
Toyed with something like a 645 (why are they so cheap?) or an old XJR but in the end I think they won’t fit in the drive!
MR2 could be a real option, they don’t rust much do they?
Z4 nice. Surprised they’re that cheap - the advantage of time passing is that decent cars get cheap.
RX8 lot of car for the money. I think their a bit of a punt as to whether you get one that’ll run and run or one that’s on its last revolution... but might be worth it..
Twingo- will have a look.
Civic - same some with mega miles on and they keep going
Boxter- might be a winner, hadn’t occurred they’d be in budget and my better half might like having a porsche on the drive...!
Toyed with something like a 645 (why are they so cheap?) or an old XJR but in the end I think they won’t fit in the drive!
MR2 could be a real option, they don’t rust much do they?
Z4 nice. Surprised they’re that cheap - the advantage of time passing is that decent cars get cheap.
RX8 lot of car for the money. I think their a bit of a punt as to whether you get one that’ll run and run or one that’s on its last revolution... but might be worth it..
Twingo- will have a look.
Civic - same some with mega miles on and they keep going
Boxter- might be a winner, hadn’t occurred they’d be in budget and my better half might like having a porsche on the drive...!
Have heard of valve stem seal issues with the 645 but I’d budgeted getting them done by a specialist if I were to buy one... I decided on a sensible daily and smaller fun car rather than a big thirsty daily!!
Have heard the front subframes on the MR2 can rust and there is an engine issue to keep an eye out for but other than that all good (I think!)
Have heard the front subframes on the MR2 can rust and there is an engine issue to keep an eye out for but other than that all good (I think!)
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