What car - almost an open floor for fun suggestions c.£2000
Discussion
Hi guys,
I hate to add another what car to the mix, but hopefully this is a more interesting one than most as I'm open to a wide selection!
I've driven a 1996 2.6 A4 for two years now, am 20 and finally reasonably insurable, and fancy a change. I have around £2000 to play with, this could stretch to £2500 or maybe maybe even £3k but really I want some reserve, so please keep them as near to £2k as you can get.
So I'm looking for something loosely in these terms:
So at the moment, you're all waiting to say MX-5. Frankly, if this isn't the first suggestion in a one-word post, PH has failed itself! I have thought about that, would like something more practical but am still thinking about it.
Really, I want alternatives, and as wide and varied a choice as you can throw at me!
To give you an idea, I like this RX-8, though I am scared of it.
I also love the idea of this Saab 9-5 Aero, less scary for my wallet but would I get bored?
I would love an E46 330ci, but really I expect that car to follow this one, as my budget is the very bottom of the barrel and I'd like to get a proper one.
Have at it!
I hate to add another what car to the mix, but hopefully this is a more interesting one than most as I'm open to a wide selection!
I've driven a 1996 2.6 A4 for two years now, am 20 and finally reasonably insurable, and fancy a change. I have around £2000 to play with, this could stretch to £2500 or maybe maybe even £3k but really I want some reserve, so please keep them as near to £2k as you can get.
So I'm looking for something loosely in these terms:
- "fun"
- quick enough (say, 160-170bhp/ton plus, faster=better)
- reasonably practical - by which I mean I can take humans in the back occasionally, and have some sort of bootspace for weekends away, but negotiable on an otherwise great idea
- rear-wheel drive would be lovely, about time my road car was
- decent kerb appeal. I'm no snob, but I do want to be happy with what I'm arriving in, and to look respectable.
- economy isn't the be-all and end-all. I do 6k a year, I'm a student so it can't be utterly crippling, but don't worry too much.
- can't be silly money to run in terms of parts, essential maintenence, etc - student!
- £2000-2500.
So at the moment, you're all waiting to say MX-5. Frankly, if this isn't the first suggestion in a one-word post, PH has failed itself! I have thought about that, would like something more practical but am still thinking about it.
Really, I want alternatives, and as wide and varied a choice as you can throw at me!
To give you an idea, I like this RX-8, though I am scared of it.
I also love the idea of this Saab 9-5 Aero, less scary for my wallet but would I get bored?
I would love an E46 330ci, but really I expect that car to follow this one, as my budget is the very bottom of the barrel and I'd like to get a proper one.
Have at it!
I should have put in the OP, I'm not that much of a hatchback man, exceptions may be made but after a car like the Audi it seems unlikely.
I did consider E36 328is - I hoped to go newer and more refined, but talk to me about the ride, quality inside and power delivery. Worth it? I understand they are excellent drives.
I feel the MR2 looks a little too dated for what I'm after. Otherwise a great idea, though, and still on the table.
I did consider E36 328is - I hoped to go newer and more refined, but talk to me about the ride, quality inside and power delivery. Worth it? I understand they are excellent drives.
I feel the MR2 looks a little too dated for what I'm after. Otherwise a great idea, though, and still on the table.
McSam said:
So I'm looking for something loosely in these terms:
I very rarely post on the "what car" threads as tend to just post E30 BMW's- "fun" I think so
- quick enough (say, 160-170bhp/ton plus, faster=better)170bhp but 1250KG
- reasonably practical - occasionally, and have some sort of bootspace for weekends away, but negotiable on an otherwise great idea Its an estate
- rear-wheel drive would be lovely, about time my road car wascheck
- decent kerb appeal. BMW
- economy isn't the be-all and end-all. 27mpg without trying.
- can't be silly money to run in terms of parts, essential maintenence, second hand part cheep, easy to fix
- £2000-2500.check
But what the hell its late, im drunk.
How about a BMW 325i E30 touring
Ticks lots of boxes.
Cotty said:
McSam said:
I did consider E36 328is - I hoped to go newer and more refined, but talk to me about the ride, quality inside and power delivery. Worth it? I understand they are excellent drives.
ok scrap my suggestion.
You know what, your suggestion has got me scratching my chin - a nice idea well delivered. Somehow, I actually see the E30 as a more attractive proposition than an E36. You look less of a knob, for sure, but apart from that they just seem.. Nicer, you know?
However, I do think I'd find it hard explaining going five years backwards in my German saloons, possibly even to myself! Something to consider, as it's a nice blend of dignified and fun, but looking at all these post-2000 Saabs and RX-8s is making me all the more age-conscious. I've never worried about it in the past, but now I am coming round to the trend of newer equalling more solid and nicer to sit in.
McSam said:
I've never worried about it in the past, but now I am coming round to the trend of newer equalling more solid and nicer to sit in.
More solid? You mean in case of an accident? Fair point, compared to new cars with NCAP ratings they would fair poorly. Nicer to sit in? some people love classic cars with wood rimmed steering wheels, basis equipment, wooden dash etc it all come down to what you want. When I discovered old cars it changed my life.
My first car was new.
My second car was new.
My third car was nearly new.
My fourth car was 20 years old...
...never looked back.
I don't spend any less money on old cars than I did on new cars. The budget is the same. But the fun of older cars is far greater.
If you want something fun and practical and fast for £2000.00 then why not think outside the box and get a Volvo estate with nitrous?
When I was 21 I got my Saab 900 Turbo, I was 23 when I bought my BMW 635. There's no way I could have afforded the same level of luxuary and performance if I were buying either car new. The Saab was £4000 and the BMW £9000 - both very good examples of the car in question.
Following this I found that going even cheaper was even more fun. Think of it like girls. One really pretty one who is expensive and demanding can be far less fun than multiple less demanding models.
My first car was new.
My second car was new.
My third car was nearly new.
My fourth car was 20 years old...
...never looked back.
I don't spend any less money on old cars than I did on new cars. The budget is the same. But the fun of older cars is far greater.
If you want something fun and practical and fast for £2000.00 then why not think outside the box and get a Volvo estate with nitrous?
When I was 21 I got my Saab 900 Turbo, I was 23 when I bought my BMW 635. There's no way I could have afforded the same level of luxuary and performance if I were buying either car new. The Saab was £4000 and the BMW £9000 - both very good examples of the car in question.
Following this I found that going even cheaper was even more fun. Think of it like girls. One really pretty one who is expensive and demanding can be far less fun than multiple less demanding models.
Cotty said:
McSam said:
I've never worried about it in the past, but now I am coming round to the trend of newer equalling more solid and nicer to sit in.
More solid? You mean in case of an accident? Fair point, compared to new cars with NCAP ratings they would fair poorly. Nicer to sit in? some people love classic cars with wood rimmed steering wheels, basis equipment, wooden dash etc it all come down to what you want. NCAP scores depend a lot these days on how the pedestrian fares and how French the car is. French cars always do really well in NCAP tests.
Going older has always intrigued me, and I think it's something I'd like to do with a second car. I do enjoy the wood-rimmed steering wheel, chromed knobs on the dash etc. but the early 90s is not the period, we'd need to go way back, further than I feel my budget can stand. I also want to be able to have complete faith in the car - I'm not prejudiced against older stuff but wouldn't want to be relying on, say, a TR7 in a dire emergency!
I think I might've got my criteria a bit lopsided. With how much 9-3 and 9-5 Aeros are tempting me, I think the biggest thing might actually be that it's good-looking and of high quality - seems I'm more vain than I originally realised! Fun can be in many directions. Including turbo barge giggles really what I was thinking with that criteria is that I live near a lot of lanes and while I would often be chilling on the motorway, I'd like to be able to have something that would respond well enough to spirited driving.
Also, like I said in the OP, "practical" only goes so far as some bootspace for suitcases and some rear space for adults.
Like the look of this 9-3 too.. Anyone know what they're like?
I think I might've got my criteria a bit lopsided. With how much 9-3 and 9-5 Aeros are tempting me, I think the biggest thing might actually be that it's good-looking and of high quality - seems I'm more vain than I originally realised! Fun can be in many directions. Including turbo barge giggles
really what I was thinking with that criteria is that I live near a lot of lanes and while I would often be chilling on the motorway, I'd like to be able to have something that would respond well enough to spirited driving.Also, like I said in the OP, "practical" only goes so far as some bootspace for suitcases and some rear space for adults.
Like the look of this 9-3 too.. Anyone know what they're like?
Went through this myself recently (albeit with a slightly more restricted budget) and came out with an E46 328i. I have a thread about it in readers rides if you are interested 
I would strongly suggest looking at an E46. I looked at an E36, but considering most of my driving would be on boring A roads with the occasional blast down the back roads I went for the E46 and never looked back.
You could probably get a nice 330i saloon for that money!
I thought about Saab Aeros too for a while, but was put off by the risk of a turbo going pop, and the fact it is still 250 bhp through the front wheels. My ST24 had 170 through the front and that was enough IMO.
RX8 has terrifying potential for bork and the fuel consumption is horiffic so that put me off!
I am sure the 328i was the right choice for me - plenty power, really comfortable, does over 40 mpg on a run (yes, it really does), cheap insurance, and looks fantastic. So good, that my mate went out and bought one and we are picking it up today
Good luck!
I would strongly suggest looking at an E46. I looked at an E36, but considering most of my driving would be on boring A roads with the occasional blast down the back roads I went for the E46 and never looked back.
You could probably get a nice 330i saloon for that money!
I thought about Saab Aeros too for a while, but was put off by the risk of a turbo going pop, and the fact it is still 250 bhp through the front wheels. My ST24 had 170 through the front and that was enough IMO.
RX8 has terrifying potential for bork and the fuel consumption is horiffic so that put me off!
I am sure the 328i was the right choice for me - plenty power, really comfortable, does over 40 mpg on a run (yes, it really does), cheap insurance, and looks fantastic. So good, that my mate went out and bought one and we are picking it up today
Good luck!
Hi BF, how's it going 
That's actually a remarkably good idea! I sort of wrote myself out of the E46s because I can't yet afford a 330ci, which is what I really want, but had completely forgotten about the 28i being a much cheaper engine in these. I also kinda disregarded that the saloon is a viable option too, are they really that much cheaper?! I'm gonna toddle off for a look!
I'm also going to have a look at your thread, cheers for the heads-up!
Alfa GTV6 isn't a bad idea at all - I did nearly buy a 156 instead of the Audi! I might keep looking into that, but how sheddy are they going to be at my budget?
?It's bloody spooky you did that, actually!
I currently have on offer (somewhere 400 miles north of me) an Excel that's been standing for a couple of years, absolutely free. The plan was to bring it down, tidy it up and sell it on - but I have thought about keeping it. However, it's an automatic - surely that would completely kill it off for what I'm looking for?
Also slightly dubious about the reliability, how does that look?
That's actually a remarkably good idea! I sort of wrote myself out of the E46s because I can't yet afford a 330ci, which is what I really want, but had completely forgotten about the 28i being a much cheaper engine in these. I also kinda disregarded that the saloon is a viable option too, are they really that much cheaper?! I'm gonna toddle off for a look!
I'm also going to have a look at your thread, cheers for the heads-up!
Alfa GTV6 isn't a bad idea at all - I did nearly buy a 156 instead of the Audi! I might keep looking into that, but how sheddy are they going to be at my budget?
The Crack Fox said:
McSam said:
"practical" only goes so far as some bootspace for suitcases and some rear space for adults
?
I currently have on offer (somewhere 400 miles north of me) an Excel that's been standing for a couple of years, absolutely free. The plan was to bring it down, tidy it up and sell it on - but I have thought about keeping it. However, it's an automatic - surely that would completely kill it off for what I'm looking for?
Also slightly dubious about the reliability, how does that look?
Edited by McSam on Wednesday 28th March 09:52
£2k - £2.5k should buy you a very good well cared for late E36 328i Coupe possibly even a Sport - should be a year or two newer than your Audi anyway.
Plenty of poke, well specced ( although later cars commonly come with ASC rather than an LSD ) and easy and cheap to fix.
Other advantage of sticking with something a bit older is that if you need some sort of basic part replacing it won't have to be coded to the car to make it work.
Plenty of poke, well specced ( although later cars commonly come with ASC rather than an LSD ) and easy and cheap to fix.
Other advantage of sticking with something a bit older is that if you need some sort of basic part replacing it won't have to be coded to the car to make it work.
I think I'm going to look very hard into BMWs of all the forms I hadn't considered. I have to admit I prefer the idea of the E46 to the '36, maybe I'm being daft and should just go drive a '36 but to me it just looks much more dated and last time I was in one, felt it inside too. I could forgive that if it was pant-wettingly excellent to drive, and a useful chunk cheaper than an equivilant E46!
You speak the truth about older equalling easier and cheaper to work on.
You speak the truth about older equalling easier and cheaper to work on.
Edited by McSam on Wednesday 28th March 09:54
I have both a GTV V6 and an E36 328i Sport, both are available within your budget but you will need to be careful - if you buy right you should secure one that is better than average, if not amongst the best
E36 is more fun to drive, the GTV feels more special.
Easy to get 220bhp out of a 328i by an M50 inlet manifold conversion, lets the engine breathe far more freely and transforms the car
My E36 is quite substantially upgraded in terms of drivetrain but is at least as comfortable / refined (apart from slightly more tyre noise) as my 2011 Mondeo daily driver
There is a stunner of an E36 328i Sport on the E36 coupe forum for less than 3k at the moment, if I had the space I'd have already bought it
E36 is more fun to drive, the GTV feels more special.
Easy to get 220bhp out of a 328i by an M50 inlet manifold conversion, lets the engine breathe far more freely and transforms the car
My E36 is quite substantially upgraded in terms of drivetrain but is at least as comfortable / refined (apart from slightly more tyre noise) as my 2011 Mondeo daily driver
There is a stunner of an E36 328i Sport on the E36 coupe forum for less than 3k at the moment, if I had the space I'd have already bought it
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