Weekend Toy £2500 limit

[RED5RACING]

Having just started a new job just 2 miles from home and planning to walk unless it's pouring it down, I've done away with my 16 plate Fiesta ZS and decided to purchase a weekend toy. I have a budget of £2500 MAX and have a few ideas. My knowledge and experience is mainly with Renault RS models and VW Group having worked within their dealer networks for over 12 years. My new job is not in motor trade having decided to move on after 18 years in the trade.

I've had a scan on here, ebay, forums , Auto Trader and found a few cars that I'm interested in. Anyone give their opinions of past experiences with any of these

Renault Sport Clio 182
Renault Sport Megane 225 LUX
Renault Sport Clio 197
Skoda Octavia VRs 1.8 T
Skoda Octavia VRs 2.0 FSI
VW Golf GTi MK5 2.0 FSI
Audi TT 225 (BAM)
BMW E46 330Ci
Mini Cooper S R53
Peugeot 106 GTi

Edited by RED5RACING on Wednesday 8th January 16:44

[PushedDover]

No Convertible ? Some weekend toy.......

[RED5RACING]

Convertibles just don't do it for me

[anthonysjb]

I currently daily a Mk5 GTI and had a Clio 182 before. The 182 is a much much better toy for the weekend, handles and sounds great. I wouldn't really be that excited to take the GTI for a Sunday drive, it handles fine but isn't that exciting.

My vote goes for the 182! Just make sure it is a good one.

[Krikkit]

Clio 1x2 or 106 GTI if you can find one. The 106 is more fun, but harder to find in good condition.

[Tyre Smoke]

MX5 all day long.

Buy a hard top convertible and keep the roof up. If you must. But it's better with the roof off.

[Agila b 6yr 6k]

Tyre Smoke said:

MX5 all day long.

Buy a hard top convertible and keep the roof up. If you must. But it's better with the roof off.

This. Except replace mx5 with mr2 roadster.

[anthonysjb]

Tyre Smoke said:

MX5 all day long.

Buy a hard top convertible and keep the roof up. If you must. But it's better with the roof off.

Had one too. Too slow and imprecise. 182 much better steer.

[SiT]

I ran a MK5 GTi as a daily which it was very good at, however as a weekend toy I am not really sure. Your recipe for weekend toy should involve lightweight and free-revving NA engine.

Same goes for the Octavia, even in VRS spec it’s no toy and think you will find it lacking.

Clio is a great car, they had the recipe right with the 182, I owned a later 200 Cup which was incredible fun!

Si

[Trevor555]

Fiesta ST150 any good?

I quite liked the last one I drove.

£2500 would get a very nice one.

[Tyre Smoke]

Agila b 6yr 6k said:

Tyre Smoke said:

MX5 all day long.

Buy a hard top convertible and keep the roof up. If you must. But it's better with the roof off.

This. Except replace mx5 with mr2 roadster.

More bits available for aftermarket tuning for the Mazda though.

[Dicky Knee]

Supercharged MINI for me.

And plenty of scope for tuning and upgrading.

[stargazer30]

MR2 roadster with a hardtop. Its not a convertable then, but its still mid engine RWD fun.

[Kawasicki]

I’m a BMW fan.

Don’t get the 330i.

[Kawasicki]

From your list the Peugeot.

The Renault Sport cars next.

[Weekendrebuild]

I would double your budget an get something more interesting? Anything remotely good will be shed territory at that price , cost you more to get right in the end .

[SAS Tom]

Weekendrebuild said:

I would double your budget an get something more interesting? Anything remotely good will be shed territory at that price , cost you more to get right in the end .

I’m not sure you understand how budgets work. If someone has £2500 they only have that much, they can’t just double it.

Also you can buy plenty of none sheddy cars for £2500.

[DoubleD]

Weekendrebuild said:

I would double your budget an get something more interesting? Anything remotely good will be shed territory at that price , cost you more to get right in the end .

Why just double it?!

[davek_964]

MX5s always seem to be suggested, but are they realistic at this price? I've been tempted by them for a while - but it seems that pretty much every one at the lower end (£2.5k and under) is an absolute rust bucket - most of the adverts even admit that!

If I could pick up a decent (mostly) rust free one for £2k I'd buy it tomorrow.

[ilikejam]

Just multiply your budget by 50 and get a Mclaren