the 2k triple option conundrum- opinions and Ideas please

[320touring]

Looking to get myself a new car and I'm after suggestions:

Budget is £2000 and I'm looking for one of 3 things:

1. A Luxo barge (open to any manufacturer/FWD/RWD/6cyl/v8/v12)

Preferably LPG'd (or enough left in the budget to LPG), but if not, I can use my 328i lpg for commuting and use the Luxo at the weekends
or

2. A Back Road blaster- Either a FWD hot-hatch (no Clio 172, as just bought one for the Mrs) or something RWD and fairly powerful
or

3. A classic to use for High days/Weekends (completely free choice)



Suggestions please!

So far, I've mainly been looking at

BMW 7s, Jag XJs and Merc S classes for 1

Mk2 golfs/e36 coupes/leon cupras for 2 and

MGB GTs/spitfires for 3


Cheers.

[320touring]

bump

[V8RX7]

If you want something wafty and LPG'd for £2k it's going to have to be already converted, at this price it's more a case of searching for "LPG" and seeing what comes up.

I can't see the point of buying a hot hatch when you can (presumably) borrow your wife's not a fan of really old stuff so I'm going to suggest an MX5 as an alternative if you could add a bit more to your budget you'd get a supercharged one.

[TurboBlue]

Depends on how 'left field' you want to go...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-MITSUBISHI-COLT-SAP...

[320touring]

V8RX7 said:

If you want something wafty and LPG'd for £2k it's going to have to be already converted, at this price it's more a case of searching for "LPG" and seeing what comes up.

I can't see the point of buying a hot hatch when you can (presumably) borrow your wife's not a fan of really old stuff so I'm going to suggest an MX5 as an alternative if you could add a bit more to your budget you'd get a supercharged one.

True re the LPG on a Luxo, but If not LPG'd I could just use at the weekends (so no major fuel costs)

Fair comment re the 172, doubt you could get a better hot hatch for the cash!

congrats on the "MX5" stock answer

[randomman]

A few older MR2 turbos about for that money, probably less bork factor than a luxobarge though, so that's in their favour. You'll struggle to go much faster on four wheels with any sembelece of reliability after a few mods.

[320touring]

TurboBlue said:

Depends on how 'left field' you want to go...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1982-MITSUBISHI-COLT-SAP...

I've just this minute been looking at that..interesting, but dont know if I could..

[320touring]

randomman said:

A few older MR2 turbos about for that money, probably less bork factor than a luxobarge though, so that's in their favour. You'll struggle to go much faster on four wheels with any sembelece of reliability after a few mods.

MR2's never really been a car I've liked- known a couple of people with them, but I cant see the attraction..

good comment re the power though!

[V8RX7]

320touring said:

congrats on the "MX5" stock answer

But it's there for a reason.

A Mk1 is a classic now and is better in every way than a Spit or MGB

My Dad deals in Classics and has 3 MGBs a TR7 conv and a midget in stock so I'm well aware of quite how crap they all are.

[320touring]

V8RX7 said:

But it's there for a reason.

A Mk1 is a classic now and is better in every way than a Spit or MGB

My Dad deals in Classics and has 3 MGBs a TR7 conv and a midget in stock so I'm well aware of quite how crap they all are.

I know they're crap but I'd forgive em..

Thanks for the input,and an mx5 is a sensible solution,and I'm not sure I want that..


Merc cossie 2.3 anyone?

[V8RX7]

320touring said:

Merc cossie 2.3 anyone?

I had one whilst I owned an E36 328...

The 328 was a better car in every way (except maybe looks)

[ADM06]

Why are you looking to buy? A 328 is a pretty good all rounder and you already sound quite fond of it.

[320touring]

V8RX7 said:

320touring said:

Merc cossie 2.3 anyone?

I had one whilst I owned an E36 328...

The 328 was a better car in every way (except maybe looks)

Really? that's disappointing to hear. Thought it'd be fun for the weekends, but if no better than a 328, its not going to be worth the effort.

I dont think they're even a very sound investment piece (unlike, say an e30 m3) which could have been another justification for buying it.

ADM06 said:

Why are you looking to buy? A 328 is a pretty good all rounder and you already sound quite fond of it.

The 328 is ok, now that most of the faults are fixed, but its rough round the edges (front wings/rear arches/tailgate) and will probably need more money thrown at it.

I have an e30 touring I'm putting back on the road, so the 328 will be redundant in the " cool estate" niche,

Plus I fancied either an intercontinental schleper, or a tinker worthy oldschool looker

[Hodgie]

A 306 GTI-6? Great fun and in budget, or possibly a 205 GTI?

[V8RX7]

320touring said:

The 328 is ok, now that most of the faults are fixed, but its rough round the edges (front wings/rear arches/tailgate) and will probably need more money thrown at it.

I have an e30 touring I'm putting back on the road, so the 328 will be redundant in the " cool estate" niche,

Plus I fancied either an intercontinental schleper, or a tinker worthy oldschool looker

Ha you sound like me... you want another car but actually you have no need of anything else and what you have is the best car for the job.

I had my 328 almost 10 years ago and I keep thinking about getting another - they aren't great drivers cars but they are a very good everyday car.

I'm probably going to buy an E36 M3 but I know I'll end up selling it as I'll drive too fast.

Back to you - yes the Merc Cosworth (which I'd always wanted) was a mint one in black with FSH and low miles it looked stunning but it just wasn't as good as the 328 (admittedly a later car with a bigger engine)

A very knowledgeable friend said that if you were to spend a fortune on both the Merc would end up the better car but as standard it was disappointing.

I'll throw a couple of random suggestions I've been looking at:

Soarer V8 or TT
Evo 1 or 2 (bit of a sleeper and within budget)

Or just buy a better 328

[320touring]

Hodgie said:

A 306 GTI-6? Great fun and in budget, or possibly a 205 GTI?

Fair shout, fair shout- Having just brought the 172 up the road, I've re-found my love of FWD Hot hatches!

V8RX7 said:

Ha you sound like me... you want another car but actually you have no need of anything else and what you have is the best car for the job.

Back to you - yes the Merc Cosworth (which I'd always wanted) was a mint one in black with FSH and low miles it looked stunning but it just wasn't as good as the 328 (admittedly a later car with a bigger engine)

A very knowledgeable friend said that if you were to spend a fortune on both the Merc would end up the better car but as standard it was disappointing.

I'll throw a couple of random suggestions I've been looking at:

Soarer V8 or TT
Evo 1 or 2 (bit of a sleeper and within budget)

Or just buy a better 328

Evo's sound decent..

I'm acutely aware that I don't NEED another car, I could fix the 320, and put the LPG from the 328 on it, and be a happy boy...Also negates the 328 issues(namely that its no e30, too big for backroads, and not barge like enough for the Mway (esp with drop!))

However, my brother has just shown me an e34 m5..

[V8RX7]

320touring said:

However, my brother has just shown me an e34 m5..

Surely not for £2k !!!

I would try one and see if you like it, they drive like a fast 2 litre - by which I mean there is little low down torque and you have to rev them - not at all like you'd think they'd drive.

Also even simple things that are M5 specific are horrifically priced.