4-5 grand on something new...

[djchocice]

Hi everyone,

Ive come into a bit of money recently and im going to say goodbye to my horrid peugeot forever and im looking at getting something that will be a lot more exciting.
basically, 4-5 grand to spend.
Has to be quick.
Good to drive of course..
reliable.
reasonable to run.
petrol (none of that diesel crap).

I would love a scooby WRX or an Integra Type R, but i want to get a better idea of whats out there, if anyones got experience etc with the Scoob and Teg, please share.

Thanks

[pbirkett]

The ITR is brilliant, I used to have one. If you can get past the FWD thing then it really is an event to drive. Really comfy driving position, excellent sounding howling engine note, superb handling, yet quite rare and utterly reliable. Even capable of being quite economical too - you can get 40+ MPG on a run.

I've never driven a scoob so have no idea how it compares. I'd imagine though most Scoobs wouldn't be quite as "hardcore" as the teg. I did have a drag race once with a WRX and if anything, my teg was slightly quicker on the straights (though it was a JDM one with 10 extra BHP).

I'd also consider an MR2 Turbo, MX5, Celica ST205, Evo V/VI, or Skyline GTS-T. It really depends what you want from a car though.

[_Al_]

I found my impreza JDM WRX a little inert. MR2 turbo was really rather lairy and I loved it. Both were good cars but at real world speeds the '2 was far more engaging. Tried a celica GT4 but wasn't in the same league as the other two for driver entertainment to my mind. I understand some simple chassis tweaks will wake it up a bit.

I've never driven a teg. Drove a civic type r, and while I can see the appeal it didn't work for me. Felt like my old rover 216gti in fast-forward. Not sure if that's a fair reflection on the ITR though as I haven't driven one.

Is insurance a worry? Subaru was more than twice as expensive as the MR2 turbo.

Edited by _Al_ on Monday 21st December 18:28

[djchocice]

Insurance isnt that much of a worry as long as it doesnt go over say £1,300, £1,400 absolute tops. I need something with a reasonably big boot idealy, Ive thought of and looked at a few other cars, Seat Leon cupra 180bhp, BMW 325, Lupo GTI and they all leave me a bit cold, the Beemer is a cracker to drive but very dull, to the point of being almost clinical, the Lupo was good to drive but no were near quick enough to keep me interested for very long.

Im quite interested though in the Celica GT4 now, im assuming being a Toyota it will be bulletproof reliable etc?
what are they like practicallity wise as well? (bit of a stupid question, but I cant remember which variant of Celica the ST205 is, was it the verstion with pop up head lights?)

[ScoobieWRX]

Newage UK WRX Wagon or Classic WRX or STi Wagon if you want quick, and practical space as std. Newage WRX Wagon is very tweakable for not a lot of money. It will deliver lots of extra go and it's easy to make it handle extremely well. Same for V2 Classic WRX Wagon and that's lighter than the newage car.

They will both be an engaging drive, corner at silly speeds, and no disrespect to the ITR but it won't see which way you went....specially down a properly twisty B-road. You'll get reasonable mileage from a tank of 99RON and the newage cars are a relaxing drive at motorway speeds.

Go and test drive a couple.

[djchocice]

thanks for the help everyone, im going to start enquiring about test drives tomorrow, im definetely going to get a drive in an Impreza WRX, the STI i dont think i will be able to run, purely because of insurance and petrol cost's but ill drive one anyway. Hell, if its good enough, then its worth the extra cash, the Integra is a definite one and im very intrigued by the Celica GT4 ST205 at the moment, great value for money so im seriously considering one of those. Also a Lancer Evo 4 someone has for sale in llandudno has taken my eye as well, again im skeptical about insurance and petrol cost's with that one.

Out of interest, the Skyline GTS, i know that basically its a RWD version of the GTR, but i havent heard much about what they are like to drive, anyone got any experience?

[gazchap]

djchocice said:

Im quite interested though in the Celica GT4 now, im assuming being a Toyota it will be bulletproof reliable etc?

Depends on whether you buy one that's been well-looked after, maintained properly, and modified. If it's modified and had the power upped considerably it's likely to be less bulletproof, but it's difficult to tell.

Common failure points are the front suspension lower control arms (banana arms, they're called) and figure-8 camber control links. These wear out every 60K miles or so and are quite costly to replace, so if yours has had it done then all the better.

The diff mount at the rear is also prone to failure, this is about £100.

[quote]what are they like practicallity wise as well? (bit of a stupid question, but I cant remember which variant of Celica the ST205 is, was it the verstion with pop up head lights?)

ST205 is the 6th gen body shape, so the four headlights up front. The ST185 is the popup head light version.

Practicality wise, I don't have any problems. The back seats will just about comfortably fit two adults, although not big guys. The boot is more than ample for a week or two's shopping.

[woodytype S]

The ultramate sleeper.I had one of the first imports for 5 years.220bhp http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1374868.htm

[djchocice]

that particular car is out of my price range, but thank you very much though, i completely forgot about the Honda Prelude, just had a quick lookie in the PH classifieds and they seem to be pretty good value for money, certainly more bang for yer buck than the Teg's (mainly because they are newer).

thanks for all the help so far guys, youve all been great

[pbirkett]

djchocice said:

Honda Prelude, just had a quick lookie in the PH classifieds and they seem to be pretty good value for money, certainly more bang for yer buck than the Teg's (mainly because they are newer).

They're better value than tegs, because they aint tegs basically

Now TBF I've never driven a Prelude, and I'm sure they are good cars, but I doubt one would be as thrilling or fun steer as the lighter, rawer, more agile teg.

You can get a decent UK spec teg for £3500 these days. I'd suggest have a look on their club forum (you'd have to join) at the classified and see whats out there, if thats what you want.

[Johnyanorak]

djchocice said:

thanks for the help everyone, im going to start enquiring about test drives tomorrow, im definetely going to get a drive in an Impreza WRX, the STI i dont think i will be able to run, purely because of insurance and petrol cost's but ill drive one anyway. Hell, if its good enough, then its worth the extra cash, the Integra is a definite one and im very intrigued by the Celica GT4 ST205 at the moment, great value for money so im seriously considering one of those. Also a Lancer Evo 4 someone has for sale in llandudno has taken my eye as well, again im skeptical about insurance and petrol cost's with that one.

Out of interest, the Skyline GTS, i know that basically its a RWD version of the GTR, but i havent heard much about what they are like to drive, anyone got any experience?

Its a nice smoothe ride , fast car , different leauge to these cars your mentioning , apart from the petrol prices ;]

[djchocice]

The Skyline GTS looks like a pretty nice motor, however the insurance was simply astronomical, more than an Impreza and after having a look round one were i live, i must admit, does not seem like my cup of tea.
Ive now driven a bug eyed Subaru Impreza, absolutely loved it, the handling and the engine are simply fabulous, surprisingly comfy as well!
However, the high insurance and heavy running costs have put me off the Impreza, i just cant justify the cost's of owning an Impreza with my meagre part time job and being in uni. Ive decided provisionally at the moment, that im going to go for the Integra Type R. As an all rounder it does seem to have everything covered, speed, reliability and dependability and its pretty cheap to run for what it is.
Ive registered on the DC2 owners club forum now, thanks for the help guys, its been much appreciated and i wish all of you a very merry christmas

[ScoobieWRX]

Same to you
Good luck with the Integra Type R. Very decent drivers car. Nice one!!

[woodytype S]

pbirkett said:

djchocice said:

Honda Prelude, just had a quick lookie in the PH classifieds and they seem to be pretty good value for money, certainly more bang for yer buck than the Teg's (mainly because they are newer).

They're better value than tegs, because they aint tegs basically

Now TBF I've never driven a Prelude, and I'm sure they are good cars, but I doubt one would be as thrilling or fun steer as the lighter, rawer, more agile teg.

From the look of your web site and your remarks I dont think that your have heard of a Prelude Type S!
There is not much betweem them and a Teg. apart from about 30 bhp ATTS,they are lighter than a normal Prelude.

[woodytype S]

Check out the spec. http://asia.vtec.net/beystock/honda/preludes/

[pbirkett]

woodytype S said:

pbirkett said:

djchocice said:

Honda Prelude, just had a quick lookie in the PH classifieds and they seem to be pretty good value for money, certainly more bang for yer buck than the Teg's (mainly because they are newer).

They're better value than tegs, because they aint tegs basically

Now TBF I've never driven a Prelude, and I'm sure they are good cars, but I doubt one would be as thrilling or fun steer as the lighter, rawer, more agile teg.

From the look of your web site and your remarks I dont think that your have heard of a Prelude Type S!
There is not much betweem them and a Teg. apart from about 30 bhp ATTS,they are lighter than a normal Prelude.

The website I linked to was written ages ago, when for some reason, I thought writing a website would be a good way to spend time. Alas, I quickly thought better of it

Yes, I've heard of the PTS, and yes I know they have more power, they also have more weight. They're a different type of car, you cant say the Prelude is as focused as the teg, it just isn't. As a drivers car, I'd always choose the ITR over that, but I'm not saying its not decent. If I wanted more luxury than a teg could offer though, I'd certainly consider it.

[Johnyanorak]

Why are you thinking about subarus , evos , integras , civics , skylines etc etc etc

IF your in uni and cant afford the insurance

My skyline gtst swallowed 40 pound a day petrol if drove hard
my subaru swollowed the same if drove hard
my evo swallowed more if drove hard!

[djchocice]

Sorry to drag this thread back from the dead guys and gals, but a bit of a curveball has come my way and its got me. I completely forgot about one car which i have my heart a bit set on now along with the Integra, its not quite in the same league performance wise, but its still a quick little thing and its a lot cheaper on insurance than the Teg and cheaper to buy. Honda Civic VTI, in particular the EK4 hatch variation, its £300 cheaper on insurance and there are several good un's here on PH classifieds.
Compared to the Integra, its a much cheaper option, despite being about a second and a bit slower to 60. Its still going to be a big jump from my current car, plus im drawn to the fact that it looks like a boggo 1.4 civic of that era. While the Integra is a bit showy, especially in white, ive been trying to find one in black but im not having any luck.
Anyone owned or had any experience with a Civic VTI?
And crucially is it worth choosing the cheaper option over the Integra or waiting another 3-5 months or so and getting a decent Teg?