£3k daily that won't lose money?

[Lukas239]

Long story short, i've been on a personal finance journey that was set to culminate in the purchase of a desirable car.

Given the state of the world and the questionable decision of taking out any finance right now i'm exploring the temporary option of buying something for up to £3k that i can sell whenever this is over and be right back to where i left off, ready to pick up the original plan.

I do appreciate that the cheapest car is always the one you own but unfortunately that's due an MOT soon and unlikely to pass (plus i've fallen out of interest with it and it owes me nothing). I also appreciate that there is no such thing as a free lunch so anything that at least gets close to the brief would be great.

Requirements;
- Bare minimum 30mpg, preferably closer to 40.
- a tinge of PHness/Desirability if possible (open to interpretation but no 20 year old corollas is the idea).
- can be 2 seater, no real luggage/practicality requirements
- preferably petrol but not against diesel
- not likely to throw up a ruinous bill that destroys the original idea.
- Engaging to drive (i have a great commute along some cracking roads so always a bonus)

I haven't given it a great deal of thought but immediate examples along the lines of;
- Mk5 GTI (ropey at this price but seems to always be a market for these)
- RS182 (bit too boy racer for me but does tick the above boxes and supposedly great fun).

Any other ideas welcomed, left field ones encouraged.

Thanks

[Drive it fix it repeat]

Ep3 type r? Cant imagine prices can drop much further, if at all.

[Hashtaggggg]

Saab 93 Aero,

Volvo V70/S60 D5

[ZX10R NIN]

All cars will lose money but you can get yourself a fun set of wheels, the MX5 is the obvious answer.

Focus ST you'll see 27mpg at best but maybe less if the roads are as good as you say but you'll be compensated in aural & driving pleasure.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2.5i Z4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Audi TT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Lukas239]

Drive it fix it repeat said:

Ep3 type r? Cant imagine prices can drop much further, if at all.

I appreciate the idea but not a fan.

[Lukas239]

ZX10R NIN said:

All cars will lose money but you can get yourself a fun set of wheels, the MX5 is the obvious answer.

Focus ST you'll see 27mpg at best but maybe less if the roads are as good as you say but you'll be compensated in aural & driving pleasure.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2.5i Z4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Audi TT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Z4 and any 6 cylinder beemer is a good shout. 30mpg unlikely I imagine though.

[adam.]

You will not have more fun for the money than a 172/182 RS Clio.

Find one that's had the belts and bushes looked at recently, and you'll have a decent car that shouldn't lose a penny.

When I ran a 172 Cup, I once got (an indicated) 50mpg over about 150miles, you simply don't need to brake.

[andburg]

one I've been keeping an eyes for values are the Z3's

These seem to have bottomed out and despite being bottom of the market for them £3000+haggle seems buy a fairly tidy car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202... - 1.9

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202... - 2.8

[ChrisH72]

I'd say now is the wrong time of year to get a good deal on a roadster. But obviously this year things are far from normal so who knows.

You might not fancy a corolla but how about a MK3 MR2 or a Celica T sport? I've had both and loved them. It seems prices are stable, maybe even on the up slightly especially the Celica as good ones are getting rarer.

[Hothouse]

Bit left field perhaps but I was in exactly same position in December and went for a '57 plate Subaru Forrester 2.0 petrol. Exactly £3k from respected Sub dealer. Bit slower than most of your other options but enough fun in the bends.
Should be safe from big bills and reckon will hold value, particularly if selling just before next winter.

[Z4MCSL]

I bought a 182 as a track toy and have a z4Coupe 3.0si as a daily and a z4m coupe a weekend/failed-investment car


the 182 is by far the most exciting, maybe I enjoy the fact its a bit of a sleeper as well but 3k would get you a very nice one, or do what I did and pay £1500 with a pot of money to fix any issues.

OR I am also looking at 225/230 meganes. The 230 (r26) has the LSD which supposedly makes a huge difference. I went out in a stripped remapped 230 on track and its a seriously seriously capable car.

[Hashtaggggg]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&...



Z4 3,0 roadster

[TurboBlue]

Both private sales on PH Classifieds; will do 30mpg plus and I'd doubt you'd lose money on them; you might even keep them.

2005 RS Megane 225 £2,195
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


Mini Cooper S with factory JCW conversion £2,595
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Lukas239]

Hashtaggggg said:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&...



Z4 3,0 roadster

[SuperNads]

I'm in a similar position, I have an S2000 for fun/weekends/track days and want something more comfortable and practical for the daily drive of 12 miles of dual carriageway each way so still undecided whether I should go for a hot hatch like the FN2 Type R or something completely different like a Lexus RX300!

Lots of interesting cars available under 3k but I'd rather spend money on my S2000 than on repairing an unreliable daily driver. The S2000 is also just into the £570 tax band so ideally no more than £300 RFL too.

[anonymous-user]

ChrisH72 said:

Celica T sport?

Good shout but be weary of the head bolts in early cars.

[T6 vanman]

My perennial PH response … Honda CR-Z

[Lukas239]

T6 vanman said:

My perennial PH response … Honda CR-Z

I honestly thought you meant the fugly SUV thing. I did not know these existed.

[steevewright]

Absolutely would be a Mini Cooper S with my money, one of my favourite cars I've had, they just make you smile! Maybe not the fastest car in the world but fast enough and with such soul, 30mpg may be a stretch for them though (I certainly never got that)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Just reliability may be a slight issue.

[drmike37]

I've got a 2.0 6 cylinder Z3 in my garage that needs selling.....
Seems to fit the description.

(does 27mpg. It's close to 30).