Best Cheap Sporty Car (for a 20 yr old)
Discussion
Hi, I'm 20 years old and looking to buy my next car, after having owned 2 polos i want something with a bit more power and more of a sporty feel.
I have a budget of between 2,000 and 3,000k and the insurance has to be reasonable, under 1,700 would be great.(i know its subjective to where i live, just roughly reasonable
)
Have been searching for what seems like forever but have been pleasantly surprised with how much I can actually afford to insure. It won't be used as a daily driver, probably only around 2-3 days a week. Also would be a bonus if it makes my friends jealous ;P I'm on an automotive design course so we.re competitive with things like that
Budget summary:
Cost of car : 2,000 - 3,000
Insurance : < 1,700
Cheers Guys
I have a budget of between 2,000 and 3,000k and the insurance has to be reasonable, under 1,700 would be great.(i know its subjective to where i live, just roughly reasonable
)Have been searching for what seems like forever but have been pleasantly surprised with how much I can actually afford to insure. It won't be used as a daily driver, probably only around 2-3 days a week. Also would be a bonus if it makes my friends jealous ;P I'm on an automotive design course so we.re competitive with things like that
Budget summary:
Cost of car : 2,000 - 3,000
Insurance : < 1,700
Cheers Guys
Cannot be much help, but have you considered a "classic" car ? If your age allows you to qualify for a classic car policy you may be surprised what you can get bang for buck, likewise with kitcars. I know a lad who at 21 got a GTM Libra with a 1.4 Rover K series in, apparently his willy nearly fell off with the local girls 😂😂
Welcome! We’ll need more details to help best, there’s a lot of things you could buy for £2500, but some will have polo-like running costs, and others could be substantially more.
Excluding fuel, how much would you/can you budget a month for repairs/tyres/etc?
If it’s £100, then we’re still looking at Polo’s ( for example), but if it’s more, this brings opportunity....
Would you even consider paying £535 for a > ‘06 car on RFL, or is that right out?
Of course, as you’ll no doubt see, the answer is Mx5.
Excluding fuel, how much would you/can you budget a month for repairs/tyres/etc?
If it’s £100, then we’re still looking at Polo’s ( for example), but if it’s more, this brings opportunity....
Would you even consider paying £535 for a > ‘06 car on RFL, or is that right out?
Of course, as you’ll no doubt see, the answer is Mx5.
Based on what we know so far, how about a Mazda RX-8?
The insurance tends to be reasonable on them, running costs are high however but your low usage will offset that.
They are sporty and handle very well, the suicide doors may impress your auto design mates (plus 3 of them can fit in if you want to take them anywhere)
£2000 buys you a nice example easily if you know what to look for.
The insurance tends to be reasonable on them, running costs are high however but your low usage will offset that.
They are sporty and handle very well, the suicide doors may impress your auto design mates (plus 3 of them can fit in if you want to take them anywhere)
£2000 buys you a nice example easily if you know what to look for.
Nickp82 said:
Based on what we know so far, how about a Mazda RX-8?
The insurance tends to be reasonable on them, running costs are high however but your low usage will offset that.
They are sporty and handle very well, the suicide doors may impress your auto design mates (plus 3 of them can fit in if you want to take them anywhere)
£2000 buys you a nice example easily if you know what to look for.
Obviously don't know how the OP is financially, but I wouldn't recommend this simply because of the high fuel and maintenance costs for a 20 year old at college/uni. Unless you can find one that's been recently been rebuilt and has upgraded coil packs then go for it, but make sure you stay on top of the servicing!The insurance tends to be reasonable on them, running costs are high however but your low usage will offset that.
They are sporty and handle very well, the suicide doors may impress your auto design mates (plus 3 of them can fit in if you want to take them anywhere)
£2000 buys you a nice example easily if you know what to look for.
Hey if it goes bang maybe you and your mates can also learn to rebuild it!
are Mx5s into the classic status yet? Oldest ones?
Anything classic though (girls love them) and they'll break down a bit, thus teaching you to be mechanical (apologies I have no idea how mechanical you are now)
When I was 21 (a long time ago before insurance was a disgraceful raping situation) I owned an old Westfield Pre (Caterham) Litigation. Meaning it looked like a Caterham.
It was a 1.6 Xflow with a Carb............it was FAST AS f
k for what I knew back then..........
the guy I bought it from said - don't accelerate until the wheels are pointing forward. First roundabout - massive tail out st myself slide.
brilliant. Obviously it's a very acquired taste, but there are all sorts of old cars floating about that could be fun.
Assuming you're not doing loads of motorway miles for work
Anything classic though (girls love them) and they'll break down a bit, thus teaching you to be mechanical (apologies I have no idea how mechanical you are now)
When I was 21 (a long time ago before insurance was a disgraceful raping situation) I owned an old Westfield Pre (Caterham) Litigation. Meaning it looked like a Caterham.
It was a 1.6 Xflow with a Carb............it was FAST AS f
k for what I knew back then..........the guy I bought it from said - don't accelerate until the wheels are pointing forward. First roundabout - massive tail out s
t myself slide.brilliant. Obviously it's a very acquired taste, but there are all sorts of old cars floating about that could be fun.
Assuming you're not doing loads of motorway miles for work
check out this badboy..........no idea on insurance because i'm old..............but limit mileage and you might get it done?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C469897
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C469897
I’m in a decently good financial position to be able to pay for tires repairs etc, and I do have a basic understanding of the mechanical aspects of a car so can do a bit of work on it with just me and my mates. Everywhere I go MX-5 seems to be the top one, are they really that good? Never been or even sat in one. Always thought they looked a bit small, but I’m only 5,10” myself the problem with the rx8 and why I’m thinking of staying away is the rotary, just because of how high maintenance it is, and also if it hasn’t had the rebuild how costly. Love the rx-8 as a car though, just not keen on the the maintenance side.
the problem with the rx8 and why I’m thinking of staying away is the rotary, just because of how high maintenance it is, and also if it hasn’t had the rebuild how costly. Love the rx-8 as a car though, just not keen on the the maintenance side.I think MX5s are well liked because they're front engine, RWD and cheap relatively for that configuration.
I don't personally find them hugely interesting compared to something like a TR7 or Hillman Imp.
It's just for your age, it'll certainly be a lot more fun than a wrong wheel drive car :-)
That said - I once bought a Citreon C2 as a shopping car - did 150k miles in it from New. It was a right laugh even though completely crap.
In your situation again, I would go something Kit Like..........as the specialist insurers are usually more forgiving AND they are light, so smaller engines still give good power to weight
I don't personally find them hugely interesting compared to something like a TR7 or Hillman Imp.
It's just for your age, it'll certainly be a lot more fun than a wrong wheel drive car :-)
That said - I once bought a Citreon C2 as a shopping car - did 150k miles in it from New. It was a right laugh even though completely crap.
In your situation again, I would go something Kit Like..........as the specialist insurers are usually more forgiving AND they are light, so smaller engines still give good power to weight
MrCadno said:
I’m in a decently good financial position to be able to pay for tires repairs etc, and I do have a basic understanding of the mechanical aspects of a car so can do a bit of work on it with just me and my mates. Everywhere I go MX-5 seems to be the top one, are they really that good? Never been or even sat in one. Always thought they looked a bit small, but I’m only 5,10” myself the problem with the rx8 and why I’m thinking of staying away is the rotary, just because of how high maintenance it is, and also if it hasn’t had the rebuild how costly. Love the rx-8 as a car though, just not keen on the the maintenance side.
Maintenance isn't that bad to be fair. the problem with the rx8 and why I’m thinking of staying away is the rotary, just because of how high maintenance it is, and also if it hasn’t had the rebuild how costly. Love the rx-8 as a car though, just not keen on the the maintenance side.Coil upgrades are always recommended as originals are only good for 30k miles but aren't ever mentioned on service intervals - £300 but come with a lifetime 100,000 mile guarantee (D585)
Other than that it's just keeping an eye on the oil levels (go for 10W-40 Semi Synth) and then getting it serviced once a year or every 6-7k miles. You can veen do it yourself if you know your way around a car.
The high costs with these cars come when the above is just ignored or not done.
Mx5 are popular for a reason! At 5’10”. you’ll be fine.
They rust, but they’re a good introduction to rwd, and convertible is an added bonus. Plenty to choose from, go & have a look.
This is a potential alternative: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Lots of z3 1.9l bmw out there too, or the e46 318’s, personally I don’t rate the z3, and a 318 isn’t ever going to set the world alight, so I’d be going back to the 2dr droptops. (Don’t forget MGTF’s if you can find a good one).
Or, some off the wall thinking...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=spons...
I wouldn’t take on an E65 in this price range, the potential for cost is astronomical ( I have one), but an E38 not only looks good in a classic saloon shape, it’s different to your average 20yr olds car too! A good one can be found if you’re willing to wait/invest time & research. ( see the smoker barge thread for inspiration!).
Lastly, good hunting, whatever you decide to go for.
They rust, but they’re a good introduction to rwd, and convertible is an added bonus. Plenty to choose from, go & have a look.
This is a potential alternative: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Lots of z3 1.9l bmw out there too, or the e46 318’s, personally I don’t rate the z3, and a 318 isn’t ever going to set the world alight, so I’d be going back to the 2dr droptops. (Don’t forget MGTF’s if you can find a good one).
Or, some off the wall thinking...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=spons...
I wouldn’t take on an E65 in this price range, the potential for cost is astronomical ( I have one), but an E38 not only looks good in a classic saloon shape, it’s different to your average 20yr olds car too! A good one can be found if you’re willing to wait/invest time & research. ( see the smoker barge thread for inspiration!).
Lastly, good hunting, whatever you decide to go for.
Cheers for all the answers guys, for my first post wasn’t expecting much. Got a lot to think about, The rx8 is a lovely car but I would have to spend time looking for one, which I’m willing to do so that could be an option, also which gen mx5 would you guys go for? Heard the mk1 rusts like theres no tmrw, but the mk2 is better?? Not too sure on them tbh, but the thought of a rwd front engine go kart basically sounds fun 😄
Not sure if you can get insured on one (some people get surprisingly low quotes) but what about a Jap spec 350Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
325ti
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
TT try to look for the FWD one if the full fat Quatro is too much insurance wise.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
325ti
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
TT try to look for the FWD one if the full fat Quatro is too much insurance wise.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Hmm the TT is probably a very good shout if insurance is affordable. When they were released it was highly praised for its design, and as you're studying motoring design it seems logical? My personal opinion (a little biased) is that they've aged incredibly well in terms of looks.
If I were to go back to being 22 tomorrow and weighing up my options however I'd probably be looking at an E39 5 series. 530i would sound lovely, be comfortable and for me, still a very nice design. One in purple or burgundy would probably get extra unique points. Not sure on the insurance front though if it would be affordable, but even the smaller engined ones have their character.
If I were to go back to being 22 tomorrow and weighing up my options however I'd probably be looking at an E39 5 series. 530i would sound lovely, be comfortable and for me, still a very nice design. One in purple or burgundy would probably get extra unique points. Not sure on the insurance front though if it would be affordable, but even the smaller engined ones have their character.
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