Weekend Car suggestion?

[mr2alex]

Hey everyone, I am looking for a car to use only on the weekends for fun and the odd road trip with the girlfriend. Here are the details and some options I’ve considered hopefully you can help me with this one.

Budget 4.5K max just for the car, ideally rwd, can be a 2 seater or even a coupe, I would like something sort of reliable that won’t cost me a fortune to fix in case it breaks

This are some of the options I’ve considered

BMW 325i/330i E92 coupe, the ones I’ve seen range from a 100k miles to 167k miles for around 2.6k to 3.5k

I’ve seen one 335i E92 coupe manual with 140k miles (I know I like to live dangerously) for around 4.5k

MX5 MK3 2.0 sport 2006, found a really nice one with 1 owner, 45k miles for around 4.5k

BMW 120i MSport 2009/8 with 70/80k miles

My question is would you care too much about the high mileage on the 3 series BMW’s ? Maybe the 335i is pushing too much. Or would you prefer a safer bet with the MX5 ? Any other suggestion of fun, cheap, reliable, not as high mileage weekend car in that budget?


Thanks for your help !

[sherman]

Your asking pistonheads.

MX5
/closethread

[Lee Jones Jnr]

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

[SidewaysSi]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

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

God no...never, ever think this is a good idea..

[Baldchap]

Another MX-5 vote here. The MK2 TT was better than the MK1, but was basically a 'good car' - essentially a Golf coupe. I owned a GTI and an R, so that isn't a criticism, as a daily they rock, but as a weekend car you can do better...

PH cliché, but it's MX-5 for me. I owned an NC 2.0 Sport Coupe many moons ago and loved it.

[benzinbob]

Fiat Barchetta perhaps?

[Lee Jones Jnr]

SidewaysSi said:

God no...never, ever think this is a good idea..

Fits the brief perfectly IMO.
There is a limit to what can be bought on a limited budget.

[Jamescrs]

Has to be the MX-5.

You can't beat the feeling on a sunny day of driving with the top down. They are popular for a.reason.

I don't see any reason to buy the BMW's over one as a.weekend car unless you are wanting the badge.

[DoubleD]

The BMWs are nice cars, but they are lacking when it comes to fun. A Z4 3.0 might be a bit more fun.

Or get an MX5......just watch for rust!

[Mariosbt]

You could just about get a Boxster for that money, just don’t buy a car that’s not been looked after or you could double that money. You will enjoy the Porsche experience.

[Azzurrinick]

Another vote for the MX5, although my mate has just bought the Z4 3.0 and absolutely loves the car. If you want to go retro, I would consider the Z3 as well.
I'll throw in another one SLK350

[Xcore]

Coxster S for that money

[300bhp/ton]

mr2alex said:

Hey everyone, I am looking for a car to use only on the weekends for fun and the odd road trip with the girlfriend. Here are the details and some options I’ve considered hopefully you can help me with this one.

Budget 4.5K max just for the car, ideally rwd, can be a 2 seater or even a coupe, I would like something sort of reliable that won’t cost me a fortune to fix in case it breaks

This are some of the options I’ve considered

BMW 325i/330i E92 coupe, the ones I’ve seen range from a 100k miles to 167k miles for around 2.6k to 3.5k

I’ve seen one 335i E92 coupe manual with 140k miles (I know I like to live dangerously) for around 4.5k

MX5 MK3 2.0 sport 2006, found a really nice one with 1 owner, 45k miles for around 4.5k

BMW 120i MSport 2009/8 with 70/80k miles

My question is would you care too much about the high mileage on the 3 series BMW’s ? Maybe the 335i is pushing too much. Or would you prefer a safer bet with the MX5 ? Any other suggestion of fun, cheap, reliable, not as high mileage weekend car in that budget?


Thanks for your help !

What sort of use at the weekends?

The BMW's you list all seem very much daily drivers to me. Yes ok the 335i is fairly speedy, but at low speeds it is not really any different to a small engine BMW of the same era. Likewise the 325i might be marketed as a coupe. But it is really just a 2 door saloon. And won't really be any more exciting to drive than any other 3 Series.

Arguably I'd say they all lack sense of occasion. And lack of enjoyment for a weekend only car. If you wanted something to go to work in, they would be ideal however.


Therefore of the cars on your list, the MX-5 is, by a country mile the most exciting vehicle. And the one likely to return the biggest grins and the most often. It will feel special when you drive it and at any speeds.

For your budget a BMW Z3 or Z4 might be doable. They should have the same sense of occasion as the MX-5. MR2 maybe even a tidy MGF/TF or a Boxster should all be doable. Or maybe even something semi-classic.

[JackReacher]

Can you get an early 350z for that, or stretch slightly to get one. Much more interesting and fun than one of the BMWs shown.

[TREMAiNE]

I wouldn't consider an M3/M4 to be a weekend car, let alone a 335 or 325.

As others have said, an MX-5 is the way to go but I'd be going for a MK1 or Mk2 and skip the MK3.
Pound for pound, a MK1 MX-5 was the best car I've ever owned.
This MK2 looks pretty clean: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

The MK3 Toyota MR2 is also a really good option and if you want something more left-field, maybe look at an MGF or possibly even a Chrysler Crossfire?

Edited by TREMAiNE on Tuesday 21st April 10:41

[bx14]

If you wanted a mk3 mx5 I've got a cracker that's in need of selling due to new baby

[bx14]

If you wanted a mk3 mx5 I've got a cracker that's in need of selling due to new baby

[Mr Tidy]

If you want a bit more performance than an MX5 can offer I'd look at a Boxster, 350Z or BMW Z4 3 litre.

All of them will feel a bit more special than any 1 or 3 Series even just getting into the driver's seat.

And whatever you do go for avoid any 4 cylinder BMW - they have issues!

[PTF]

For that money i'd be keeping things simple and going for something as reliable as possible. A Boxster/350Z/Z4 at that price point would be a big risk IMO.

I've got a Boxster S and paid strong money to get a good one so it hasn't really cost much to run, but i don't think the same would be true at the other end of the market.

I'd be looking at an NC MX5.

Edit: or this, which seems to tick all the boxes
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[mr2alex]

PTF said:

For that money i'd be keeping things simple and going for something as reliable as possible. A Boxster/350Z/Z4 at that price point would be a big risk IMO.

I've got a Boxster S and paid strong money to get a good one so it hasn't really cost much to run, but i don't think the same would be true at the other end of the market.

I'd be looking at an NC MX5.

Edit: or this, which seems to tick all the boxes
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Thanks to everyone for their reccomendations certainly put a couple of cars in my mind I haven't considered. I was thinking about the 3 series as this would be my only and weekend car (due to my job I commute by train) but I could use it for the odd trip to the groceries but tbh that is secondary and I am not too fussed about the practicality.

I used to have a MK3 MR2 before, lovely car, but sadly engine blew up with the famous pre-cat, oil burning engine issue. Eventhough I am mechanically inclined, I don´t have a place and lots of tools, and living in london garage space would be very expensive, so I am a bit scarred by the MR2 experience, probably would prefer something that is more reliable that I can take it to the garage for the odd oil change etc.

Boxster sound veryyyyy tempting as I am a porsche fan and I always dream of having one, but I am afraid if something goes wrong would be expensive to get fixed, so probably I would pass on that. Same with 350Z, Z4, and Audi TT

I think I'll go for a MK3 MX5 with low miles and good service history just for peace of mind, unless I found a really pristine boxster with somewhat low miles, but I doubt it tbh.

Thanks again to everyone for helping me out and suggesting me !