Sensible sleeper - bangers
Discussion
Hi all, am looking for suggestions for cheap (under £1500- pref under a grand but will make exceptions) cars that are quickish, without having terrible economy.
My work situation is about to change and I may have to travel around a bit more for jobs and leave said car in any sort of undesirable location.
Car must look very ordinary but must induce a slight grin when pedal is pressed, and be pleasant to sit in for 3 hours at a time. Nothing that's excessively modified, and no diesels, I have nothing against them but I already have one as the family shed.
Oh and big enough to fit the family in on occasions which rules out an MX5.
Examples I'm considering are Mondeo/vectra V6 or 2.0. Honda Civic 1.8 Vti, Omega V6 or 2.2, Mid 90's Jag, 328i/528iBMW, older Volvo, or an MG Rover, or 75 v6.....
Any opinions on these or any other suggestions?
My work situation is about to change and I may have to travel around a bit more for jobs and leave said car in any sort of undesirable location.
Car must look very ordinary but must induce a slight grin when pedal is pressed, and be pleasant to sit in for 3 hours at a time. Nothing that's excessively modified, and no diesels, I have nothing against them but I already have one as the family shed.
Oh and big enough to fit the family in on occasions which rules out an MX5.
Examples I'm considering are Mondeo/vectra V6 or 2.0. Honda Civic 1.8 Vti, Omega V6 or 2.2, Mid 90's Jag, 328i/528iBMW, older Volvo, or an MG Rover, or 75 v6.....
Any opinions on these or any other suggestions?
t, omega 3.0 V6 Elite (LSD) etc would be a good laugh ...........I happen to know the omegas go sideways rather well 
for got to mention you wont see much better than 15 mpg out of either if you like to put your foot down. would'nt have thought the omega or old jag would be much better.
i get about 14.5 from my e39 round town with ocasinal spirited driving. not nice now hat £80 only gets you aroun 250miles
i get about 14.5 from my e39 round town with ocasinal spirited driving. not nice now hat £80 only gets you aroun 250miles
I am biased but hey -- a Bora/Toledo V5 -- not really mental performance, but the engine does have some poke, and if you decide to go for a more liberating exhaust, a very lovely note -- economy around town would be in the low 20s and on the motorway in the high or low 30s depending on how spiritedly you decide to drive. It's quite nice on the inside with sat-nav and half leather seats. Pretty much everything is electric too, sadly no heated seats.
Here's mine. E36 325i SE. 192bhp originally and I typically average 28mpg.
I couldn't sell it recently (advertised at £600 I received one phone call over the four weeks it was advertised and that person didn't turn up) so they're apparently worthless. Get out there and find a good one for well within your budget. Mine's got a 316i badge now, too, to deter thieves.
I couldn't sell it recently (advertised at £600 I received one phone call over the four weeks it was advertised and that person didn't turn up) so they're apparently worthless. Get out there and find a good one for well within your budget. Mine's got a 316i badge now, too, to deter thieves.
I was in a similar predicament. I went for an Alfa 156 V6. Leather, climate, and an engine capable of 30 mpg on a run, I regularly get 29mpg combined, and I see 90mph most days.
I keep it reasonably well looked after but I do 18k work miles a year plus several surfing and camping trips, and it's proved itself reliable and still fun after 18 months. I'm now considering it bangernomics since the rear elec windows have stopped working and the air con needs a gas but mechanically it just runs and runs. Looks good too - without the silly spoiler.
I'm pleased I took the plunge. The horror stories aren't as regular as people would have you believe. Car is a 51 plate, cost £2k 18 months ago, at 48k miles and history. Bargain. The saving over comparable German models gives you plenty of fuel equity...
I keep it reasonably well looked after but I do 18k work miles a year plus several surfing and camping trips, and it's proved itself reliable and still fun after 18 months. I'm now considering it bangernomics since the rear elec windows have stopped working and the air con needs a gas but mechanically it just runs and runs. Looks good too - without the silly spoiler.
I'm pleased I took the plunge. The horror stories aren't as regular as people would have you believe. Car is a 51 plate, cost £2k 18 months ago, at 48k miles and history. Bargain. The saving over comparable German models gives you plenty of fuel equity...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff