car ideas's (im sorry)

[johnhenry]

Morning all

I have just got a job interview (overjoyed and happy), Im really coming to the conclusion my 205gti whilst it probably could do the daily hack, would just worry me continuously that something wouldnt work. So im looking for something. Heres the spec.

Sub £2500
Bullet proof, Good build quality
Petrol
professional appearance - just a clean smart good looking car
Something a little different maybe?

sporting credentials - the drive to/from where this job is, can be really good fun OR something that goes anywhere/does anything 4x4 essentially.

my postcode: CF61 2XR

I hate doing these, ive been looking abit this morning, i just wondered what you guys thought.
Cheers
John

[renrut]

Might get an early Honda EP3 Type R for that money or maybe even an Integra Type R. Should give the same thrills without the risk of breaking every 5 minutes.

[Sparta VAG]

Certainly a bit different, and definitely bullet proof:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

This one's a V8 too:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Obligatory MX-5:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Also ticks some most of your boxes:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Edit: Apologies OP, I missed the bit about sporty credentials. Discount all of the above except the MX-5

[RobCrezz]

doogz said:

Gen5 2.2 Vtec Prelude?

Smart and sleek, not too audacious looking, can come with 4WS, which is cool, cracking seats, handles well, quick enough.

I really like them. And you'd probably get a belter, with some change, within your budget

+1

The Prelude vtec really is a bargain for what you get. I really liked the one I had.

[Captain Muppet]

I was going to suggest a Civic, but the Prelude is better.

[300bhp/ton]

RobCrezz said:

doogz said:

Gen5 2.2 Vtec Prelude?

Smart and sleek, not too audacious looking, can come with 4WS, which is cool, cracking seats, handles well, quick enough.

I really like them. And you'd probably get a belter, with some change, within your budget

+1

The Prelude vtec really is a bargain for what you get. I really liked the one I had.

+2

I like the look of these. Go well and cheap to run too.

[johnhenry]

hello again! had never thought of a prelude! good find! will look into them now.

i know im going back on what i said, it doesnt have to be a sports car, just something that can get on and drives well and isnt just purely dull!
Also interested in a couple of others!

welcome to more suggestions.

[a311]

I'd been looking at S60 T5's recently. Might fit the bill and seem allot o car for the money.

[300bhp/ton]

johnhenry said:

hello again! had never thought of a prelude! good find! will look into them now.

i know im going back on what i said, it doesnt have to be a sports car, just something that can get on and drives well and isnt just purely dull!
Also interested in a couple of others!

welcome to more suggestions.

Well £2500 gives you a bit of choice. Really depends on your own preferences, likes and dislikes though.

Reliability is also a rather vague thing, most/all newish car (past 25+ years) are reliable, bar the odd exception. But you can never grantee that the example you buy will be.

Some other cars in budget:

-MG ZS 180
-MG ZT
-620 Ti turbo
-e46 3 Series 318-323
-Puma
-SportKA
-Alfa 156
-Jaguar X-Type (just)
-Celica
-MR2
-MGF/TF
-MX-5
-RX-8
-200SX
-Astra GSI Turbo (just)

[mikey77]

I've had my vtec Prelude for seven years now - I bought it off eBay for a bit of fun, intending to keep it for a year. Instead I've done 80,000 miles all over northern and southern Europe and now I just can't find anything in the same league to replace it.
I think this is the same as saying...

+3

[300bhp/ton]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

don't be a $%^&*

[deltashad]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

Come on Rob, nothing wrong with MG's, since I've put a new engine and braking system in mine its had no problems.

Llantwit Major is a nice part of South Wales, I lived in Pencoed until I was 16, miss those days, any how, getting back to topic, enjoyed a read of a thread last night and the Ops present car may be just what you need.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Captain Muppet]

I just saw "200SX" in a list of reliable cars. I competed in a class of dozens of these and always picked up a few places because they were broken (yes, S14s as well, not just the CA18DET cars). Nissan reliability is why I used an MX5.

[300bhp/ton]

Captain Muppet said:

I just saw "200SX" in a list of reliable cars. I competed in a class of dozens of these and always picked up a few places because they were broken (yes, S14s as well, not just the CA18DET cars). Nissan reliability is why I used an MX5.

Mine was fine. Used a little oil, but I drove it hard. Nothing else wrong with it while I owned it.

s13 200SX. This one in fact:

[cra1gy1989]

Not to go off the subject or anything, but how a bout a fabia vrs? I think there good looking? Diesel? But good mpg! Reliable! And the little things shift! Get yourself a remmaped one and you'll have a good buzz! Get mine wheel spinning in 4th gear in the wet! Just a thought and I no... people suggest there own cars....

[Captain Muppet]

doogz said:

I always thought the SR20DET was pretty reliable? I've heard of gearbox issues in the Pulsar, but I thought the engine itself was pretty solid.

Although, my mates used to make a heck of a rattle from the top end for 5 mins til it warmed up, something to do with the variable valve timing? It never actually broke though. The chassis rusted away around the engine.

Boost leaks, misfires, random "not starting". It's not like the CA18 where a bad/poorly maintained one just falls to bits, but they aren't as reliable as a 20 year old MX5.

I still want an SR20DET in a Sileighty, but I expect some kind of grief from it.

[johnhenry]

Good call on the vrs somewhere in there! ive never really driven diesels regularly, but when i do i just dont like the throttle response and nature of the engine (was in a hire van and a 306 d turbo) but i will try and find info as the vrs does look good and have heard good things

[Sharknose]

I bought this 1991 Audi 80 recently as a usable 'classic' and I like it a lot.



It's a 2.0i 16V quattro - a nice mix of modern comforts and old-fashioned feel and gets a surprising amount of attention.
It's well-built, rust-free (galvanised) and cheap to run with 30+ MPG and classic insurance. It has a nice interior with sport seats.
It's not that quick due to the 4WD sapping some of the 137 horses but it's still nice to drive and it's a very rare car these days (approximately 12 left on UK roads).

[cra1gy1989]

johnhenry said:

Good call on the vrs somewhere in there! ive never really driven diesels regularly, but when i do i just dont like the throttle response and nature of the engine (was in a hire van and a 306 d turbo) but i will try and find info as the vrs does look good and have heard good things

Well as I say I wasn't excepting how nippy it was going to be! For a 1.9 tdi it certainly shifts! And compared to a van 'lol' its a completely different driving experience, remmaped as quick as or quicker than cooper 'S' , type R, fiesta st, and you can pick one up for a couple of g's! 60+ mpg motorway, how can you go wrong?

[300bhp/ton]

cra1gy1989 said:

johnhenry said:

Good call on the vrs somewhere in there! ive never really driven diesels regularly, but when i do i just dont like the throttle response and nature of the engine (was in a hire van and a 306 d turbo) but i will try and find info as the vrs does look good and have heard good things

Well as I say I wasn't excepting how nippy it was going to be! For a 1.9 tdi it certainly shifts! And compared to a van 'lol' its a completely different driving experience, remmaped as quick as or quicker than cooper 'S' , type R, fiesta st, and you can pick one up for a couple of g's! 60+ mpg motorway, how can you go wrong?

A Type R and a Fiesta ST are an Everest apart in performance. I don't don't a vRS can go ok with a remap, but I don't see it being Type R fast, not without a lot more work and money.