Reliable, fun, under £2.5K?

[grgkn]

Hi all,

I'm lucky enough to have a new job and I need a decent car. I need something reliable and fairly cheap to service that's not going to bore me to death.

• Doesn't have to be fast - I'd like to keep insurance low as I'd like the option of lowering + new wheels.

• I'm 25 but I'm moving to a city that's expensive to get insurance.

• The dream is a MK2 Golf GTI or an E36 328 Touring to give you some idea of the style I like - older the better. Would love a classic but I'll be parking on city streets...

• Flexible on size and number of seats but an estate could be useful for moving.

Thanks!

Edited by grgkn on Tuesday 9th March 18:12

[OverSteery]

MX5?

[Normodog]

Mk1 swift sport, probably the closest feeling to the old hot hatches

[Jag_NE]

If you are budget sensitive on purchase price and running costs just get the cleanest, newest, fewest owners, fullest history, clean mot history car you can. If you get tunnel vision on a particular model you risk buying a heap (I learned the hard way, sadly).

[MiseryStreak]

grgkn said:

Hi all,

I'm lucky enough to have a new job and I need a decent car. I need something reliable and fairly cheap to service that's not going to bore me to death.

• Doesn't have to be fast - I'd like to keep insurance low as I'd like the option of lowering + new wheels.

• I'm 25 but I'm moving to a city that's expensive to get insurance.

• The dream is a MK2 Golf GTI or an E36 328 Touring to give you some idea of the style I like - older the better. Would love a classic but I'll be parking on city streets...

• Flexible on size and number of seats but an estate could be useful for moving.

Thanks!

Edited by grgkn on Tuesday 9th March 18:12

I would not be looking at MK2 GTIs with that budget, they will be project cars/sheds, also lowering and putting silly wheels on it would just ruin another one.

Have you thought about an E30 touring? They’re getting scarce now, and I’m not sure you’d want a £2.5k one, especially to leave outside.

Saab 9-5 Aero?
They have a great engine (a Saab one not the dreadful GM units) and this probably has lots of life left in it. They’re certainly quick enough:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11138854

Clio 172?
You’d have to up your budget but this is what I would get, this one is actually in fantastic original condition and has had the belts done:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11358515

If you do buy it don’t slam it and put horrible massive wheels on it though. It will just ruin its whole purpose, which is a great handling b-road blaster.

Wild card classic:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11344205

Not terribly quick, or practical, but seriously cool. Wouldn’t want to leave it outside though.

Welcome to PH.

[Thebaggers]

Some slightly different ideas for you; mk1 Octavia vrs or a Mini Clubmnan Cooper S?

[ZX10R NIN]

C30 R Design

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103089...

Grande Punto T Jet

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102229...

Suzuki Swift Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011015...

Mito Veloce 155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103079...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102199...

DS3 D Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...

Mazda2 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

Sleeper option:

1.6T Astra SRI 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103079...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101318...

[tomwilliams0326]

you could look at getting a vw corrado, bit of a haggle and easily 2.5k! just have to remove some of the things theyve done to it
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/46292607...

[tomwilliams0326]

could have a look at the scirocco too, looks nice!
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/37749197...

[Birr97]

Celica MK7, japanese so reliable.
Timing chain instead of a belt which is a massive plus.

Easily get a VVTi (140bhp) with your budget, may get a VVTLi/T-Sport (190bhp) at a push.

I had lots of fun with my 140 as the above image shows, great handling cars and overlooked/underrated in my opinion.

Boot is cavernous too so unless you're moving lots of furniture it will be fine.

Edited by Birr97 on Tuesday 9th March 23:53

[CoolHands]

^ whenever I see a Celica they always look battered. Like a pool car for uninsured junkies

[Birr97]

CoolHands said:

^ whenever I see a Celica they always look battered. Like a pool car for uninsured junkies

Quite ironic considering mine was written off in a hit and run by a pool car driven by uninsured junkies after I sold it.

Same with any car at that price point, there's still good ones around though.

[mbwoy84]

MK6 Fiesta ST

[grgkn]

Thanks all, some really good suggestions.

I've found a really clean, mostly stock Fiesta ST which has sailed through every MOT so that's top of my list.

Seems like a good all-rounder.

Also looking at a clean, high spec 2005 Golf 1.9 Sport TDI, heard this engine is reliable and great MPG.

[Challo]

What about a E46 Touring? Should be some cheap 4 cylinder version around, and look good with wheels and lowering springs.

They aren't the quickest in the world, but should be reliable, and easy to work on. Loads where sold, so spares should be plentiful.

Only issue is rust which can be a pain on these cars, especially around the arches.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102018...

[Ash_]

grgkn said:

Thanks all, some really good suggestions.

I've found a really clean, mostly stock Fiesta ST which has sailed through every MOT so that's top of my list.

Seems like a good all-rounder.

Also looking at a clean, high spec 2005 Golf 1.9 Sport TDI, heard this engine is reliable and great MPG.

Think about the journeys you'll be doing to decide on Petrol/Diesel, for mostly shorter journeys get petrol, if you'll regularly do 20 miles each way on a commute then diesel.

For the money and the brief, I'd also go with a Mk7 Celica.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

From your original post, it sounds like you might be reliant on the car for work? In which case I'd look for something less interesting and more reliable than E36s and old VWs.

[Halo in reverse]

The Mazda 2 Sport above looks a good match to your requirements OP

[grgkn]

Thanks all! Appreciate the suggestions.

Fiesta ST was sold... done lots of research on a few more cars but I'm indecisive! Yes, I would be using this car to commute so reliability is important - I don't want any surprise big bills. However, it's a short journey to work plus 1 motorway return journey a week. I'll be based in a city so I don't think a diesel is worth it.

Mazda 2 and mk7 Celica have been mentioned a few times but I'm not a huge fan of the looks. Will bear them in mind!

A few more options:

- Panda 100HP with track mods. A little pricey above 2k, and 120k miles, long MOT. Seems to be in really good nick, and my current Panda 1.2 which I bought for £400 has been super reliable.

- R53 Cooper S near me under 2k, around 100k miles, long MOT. Worried about servicing costs and apparently average 20mpg

- Twingo RS 133 has come up under 2k, around 120k miles. 6 month MOT.

Also... bit of a wildcard, but

- MK6 Celica ST 1.8 has come up for cheap too. 120k miles, 12 month MOT.

Any thoughts on these? I'm so torn!

Edited by grgkn on Monday 15th March 17:05

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I'd err towards the R53 but at 100k they need the supercharger service doing etc I think. I'm half tempted by one and may treat myself soon.

Otherwise, not as quick but certainly not slow, how about a standard Mini Cooper, ideally a gen 2 R56 shape one? Really good little cars and the gen 2 is better built and in my opinion looks better than the R53/R50 whilst keeping the "real" Mini shape before they went a bit big with the F series. £2.5k will get a tidy one.