Fun daily driver for £5k
Discussion
I currently use a GT86 as a daily driver and will be giving this to MrsOrange in the very near future which leaves me looking for something new. I'm looking for something that's up to roughly £5k; I can live with going a little over. As for requirements, I'm pretty easy going. I don't need anything particularly practical, so I'm thinking manual, petrol, reasonably reliable, cheap to run and fun. Everything else is open to suggestion.
I tried a 2.0 NC MX5 today, but it felt pretty lethargic compared to the GT86 and I think I'd be wanting a bit more...
My thoughts so far; some may be incorrect assumptions so feel free to put me straight:
Mk5 Golf GTI or Leon Worth considering; what are they like for general running costs and reliability?
RX8 Usual engine worries and thirsty, but risk/fuel costs offset by low purchase price.
BMW 3/5 series 6-pot Worth considering, but I'm assuming there's potential for the occasional hefty bill.
Subaru Impreza Turbo Could be fun, but I'm assuming at this price bracket, I'd be looking at less cared for examples.
370Z £5k seems to get me into the bottom end of the market... not really where I want to be shopping unless anyone thinks otherwise?
I'm not particularly interested in Clio's or Mk3 MR2's; I know these tend to come up a lot
Any thoughts/comments/opinions anyone?
I tried a 2.0 NC MX5 today, but it felt pretty lethargic compared to the GT86 and I think I'd be wanting a bit more...
My thoughts so far; some may be incorrect assumptions so feel free to put me straight:
Mk5 Golf GTI or Leon Worth considering; what are they like for general running costs and reliability?
RX8 Usual engine worries and thirsty, but risk/fuel costs offset by low purchase price.
BMW 3/5 series 6-pot Worth considering, but I'm assuming there's potential for the occasional hefty bill.
Subaru Impreza Turbo Could be fun, but I'm assuming at this price bracket, I'd be looking at less cared for examples.
370Z £5k seems to get me into the bottom end of the market... not really where I want to be shopping unless anyone thinks otherwise?
I'm not particularly interested in Clio's or Mk3 MR2's; I know these tend to come up a lot
Any thoughts/comments/opinions anyone?
_MrOrange said:
I currently use a GT86 as a daily driver and will be giving this to MrsOrange in the very near future which leaves me looking for something new. I'm looking for something that's up to roughly £5k; I can live with going a little over. As for requirements, I'm pretty easy going. I don't need anything particularly practical, so I'm thinking manual, petrol, reasonably reliable, cheap to run and fun. Everything else is open to suggestion.
I tried a 2.0 NC MX5 today, but it felt pretty lethargic compared to the GT86 and I think I'd be wanting a bit more...
My thoughts so far; some may be incorrect assumptions so feel free to put me straight:
Mk5 Golf GTI Worth considering; what are they like for general running costs and reliability?
RX8 Usual engine worries and thirsty, but risk/fuel costs offset by low purchase price.
BMW 3/5 series 6-pot Worth considering, but I'm assuming there's potential for the occasional hefty bill.
Subaru Impreza Turbo Could be fun, but I'm assuming at this price bracket, I'd be looking at less cared for examples.
370Z £5k seems to get me into the bottom end of the market... not really where I want to be shopping unless anyone thinks otherwise?
I'm not particularly interested in Clio's or Mk3 MR2's; I know these tend to come up a lot
Any thoughts/comments/opinions anyone?
Any BMW for £5k that's got a decent turn of pace is likely to require plenty of maintenance. As will any Impreza. Golf GTI would be a good bet but you could also get a 5 Pot Focus ST. I'd be avoiding an RX8 like the plague.I tried a 2.0 NC MX5 today, but it felt pretty lethargic compared to the GT86 and I think I'd be wanting a bit more...
My thoughts so far; some may be incorrect assumptions so feel free to put me straight:
Mk5 Golf GTI Worth considering; what are they like for general running costs and reliability?
RX8 Usual engine worries and thirsty, but risk/fuel costs offset by low purchase price.
BMW 3/5 series 6-pot Worth considering, but I'm assuming there's potential for the occasional hefty bill.
Subaru Impreza Turbo Could be fun, but I'm assuming at this price bracket, I'd be looking at less cared for examples.
370Z £5k seems to get me into the bottom end of the market... not really where I want to be shopping unless anyone thinks otherwise?
I'm not particularly interested in Clio's or Mk3 MR2's; I know these tend to come up a lot
Any thoughts/comments/opinions anyone?
MissChief said:
Any BMW for £5k that's got a decent turn of pace is likely to require plenty of maintenance. As will any Impreza. Golf GTI would be a good bet but you could also get a 5 Pot Focus ST. I'd be avoiding an RX8 like the plague.
I've had 3 petrol straight 6 BMWs in that budget and wouldn't agree with that! OK, my E46 needed a new radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, temperature sender, etc. which cost about £400 at my local BMW Indy in 2015 - but it was 15 years old! My 2000 Seat Leon Cupra needed a service and a cam-belt in 2003 and that cost over £600! So in my experience anything VAG will throw up bills at least as big as a BMW!
With BMWs you just need to pick the right ones - I'm on my 4th with the N52 engine and IMHO it's so much better to drive than anything FWD with a turbo.
But BMW N53 engines have issues with High Pressure Fuel Pumps, injectors and coking up - which is why I've deliberately avoided them!
At least BMW use cam-chains, so you don't need to budget for replacing rubber bands!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 15th April 23:03
lots of choice for £5k, id say focus ST for a nice sound and bit of fun, also consider a FN2 civic type r and Mk2 swift sport for reliable NA fun. how old was the mx5 you tried? maybe a later mk 3.5 might be better, and you'd soon get used to the relative slowness lol. id say try and find a 130i rather than a 330, slightly more playful maybe? I find the 3 series a bit big. oh and 350z?
Golf GTI & Focus ST as mentioned are good bets. Here's some others I was considering with a similar budget:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330ci-M-Sport-2005-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Celica-1-8-VVTL-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Audi-TT-Coupe-1-8-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Vauxhall-Astra-2-0...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330ci-M-Sport-2005-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Celica-1-8-VVTL-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Audi-TT-Coupe-1-8-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Vauxhall-Astra-2-0...
browna said:
how old was the mx5 you tried? maybe a later mk 3.5 might be better, and you'd soon get used to the relative slowness lol.
The MX5 was an 09 plate which I believe would make it a 3.5. I've driven a few MX5's over the years and I don't recall them feeling quite that slow. It might be worth trying another one for comparison...As for the other suggestions everyone, thank you! I do quite like the suggestion of the Focus ST and the 5-pot should be interesting
I'll check out a few in the local area...I'd say take a look at the ST225 I loved mine it was a very good car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 17th April 16:52
Definitely recommend an RX8. I had one for a while. Handled brilliantly, 9,000 rpm, begged to be thrashed, nice gear change, nice seats and stereo.
Downsides, it did do 18mpg on a combined run and although it has a decent sized boot, the opening is pretty small (I once tried to get a 37inch flat screen in the boot, boot was easily big enough to accommodate but couldn’t get it through the hole!).
The engines are absolutely reliable if taken care of. Fully warm up, use correct oil, 97 octane fuel with a drop of mineral 2-stroke.
I loved mine and I’ve been on the RX8 owners club website trying to get it back. I sold it to a bloke from Kent but saw it in Sheffield last year.
It was expensive to run, I had to replace the cat, coil packs, ignition leads and spark plugs, soon after buying. Spark plugs the can fire 27,000 a minute are about 4 times more expensive than the ones that go into a focus! Also people complain about the £450ish per year tax but in the grand scheme of running a car for a year that’s not a big deal.
Also recommend a R53 MINI Cooper S. Good to chuck about, lots of grip and plenty of feedback of when you are about to run out. Harsh ride but pillarless doors, fair trade in my book.
Downsides, it did do 18mpg on a combined run and although it has a decent sized boot, the opening is pretty small (I once tried to get a 37inch flat screen in the boot, boot was easily big enough to accommodate but couldn’t get it through the hole!).
The engines are absolutely reliable if taken care of. Fully warm up, use correct oil, 97 octane fuel with a drop of mineral 2-stroke.
I loved mine and I’ve been on the RX8 owners club website trying to get it back. I sold it to a bloke from Kent but saw it in Sheffield last year.
It was expensive to run, I had to replace the cat, coil packs, ignition leads and spark plugs, soon after buying. Spark plugs the can fire 27,000 a minute are about 4 times more expensive than the ones that go into a focus! Also people complain about the £450ish per year tax but in the grand scheme of running a car for a year that’s not a big deal.
Also recommend a R53 MINI Cooper S. Good to chuck about, lots of grip and plenty of feedback of when you are about to run out. Harsh ride but pillarless doors, fair trade in my book.
_MrOrange said:
370Z £5k seems to get me into the bottom end of the market... not really where I want to be shopping unless anyone thinks otherwise?
I think you mean 350Z . At that price you're looking at the DE engined cars (2003 - 2006). They are generally very reliable, but at the age where the tin worm begins to take hold, especially around the rear arches. They have an inner skin, and tend to rot from the inside out, so be weary. p4cks said:
A MK5 Golf GTI can not be described as 'fun' - I should know I've owned a couple. They're good, don't get me wrong, but fun? Nah.
I'd go for something else.
Isn't it lucky we all like different things because plenty and I do mean plenty of reviews/test drives/owners all say a Golf Mk5 is fun.I'd go for something else.
I've certainly found them a good blast, especially with some subtle upgrades an decent tyres.
I also find it amusing whenever the vag VS bmw VS anything else running cost comparisons come into play.
When you are buying a 10-15 year old car it is frankly bonkers to believe the majority of rubbish online mostly from the people who bought s
t ones and can't afford the maintenance. aka_kerrly said:
p4cks said:
A MK5 Golf GTI can not be described as 'fun' - I should know I've owned a couple. They're good, don't get me wrong, but fun? Nah.
I'd go for something else.
Isn't it lucky we all like different things because plenty and I do mean plenty of reviews/test drives/owners all say a Golf Mk5 is fun.I'd go for something else.
I've certainly found them a good blast, especially with some subtle upgrades an decent tyres.
I also find it amusing whenever the vag VS bmw VS anything else running cost comparisons come into play.
When you are buying a 10-15 year old car it is frankly bonkers to believe the majority of rubbish online mostly from the people who bought s
t ones and can't afford the maintenance. A brave choice to consider an RX-8, I think if I was to go down that road personally i'd buy one in the best condition possible but with a knackered engine which should make it cheap as chips then get the engine rebuilt by a specialist at the outset, at least that way you know it should be good an in theory have some sort of warranty on the rebuild.
There is one option to consider @5k especially as I'm a firm believer in ragtops making most journeys more fun - especially with the +30mph effect of dropping the roof...
Take an mx5 for about 3.5-4k then spend the change with bbr to liven it up a bit...
Currently toying with something similar but with an nd mx5 in a year or so to replace the S2000.
S.
Take an mx5 for about 3.5-4k then spend the change with bbr to liven it up a bit...
Currently toying with something similar but with an nd mx5 in a year or so to replace the S2000.
S.
Another for a Mini Cooper S
Girlfriend has an 2008 (R56) high spec sub 60,000 miles for just shy of £5k insurance is cheap, tax is only £190 + real world 40MPG when not fotting it everywhere which is really good for how quick they are
Couple of known problems with the timing chain guides snapping, burning oil but nothing crazy (~£600 for a new chain + chain guides + updated chain tensioner) and if you know of the problems they're a good bargaining point
Worth a look though
Girlfriend has an 2008 (R56) high spec sub 60,000 miles for just shy of £5k insurance is cheap, tax is only £190 + real world 40MPG when not fotting it everywhere which is really good for how quick they are
Couple of known problems with the timing chain guides snapping, burning oil but nothing crazy (~£600 for a new chain + chain guides + updated chain tensioner) and if you know of the problems they're a good bargaining point
Worth a look though
MissChief said:
Any BMW for £5k that's got a decent turn of pace is likely to require plenty of maintenance. As will any Impreza. Golf GTI would be a good bet but you could also get a 5 Pot Focus ST. I'd be avoiding an RX8 like the plague.
Depends on the bmw. Na3.0l has very little In terms of issues and bills. It's what I went for when In the same boat.130i probably one of the most bulletproof engines bmw made!
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