Best car for under £2k?

[SD1992]

As the title says really, what is the best car that I could buy for under £2k?

I am looking for something quick, that handles well, can seat 4, is fairly reliable, but can also be comfortable on a long run. High mileage cars don't bother me, and I can service it myself if need be along with other basic jobs.

Fuel consumption is not really an issue as I will be doing significantly less miles very soon.

Insurance however is a bit of a problem. I do not want to be paying any more than £2k a year, so something in the range of an Integra Type R, or an E36 328i is what I can insure. Obviously less is better!

I would ideally like RWD, but am open to options. I would like to do some track days as I want to become a better driver, and dive further into my fascination with cars!

Thanks for any help

[Sline]

Mk2 Golf 16v?

[DrYazz]

If the Mercedes S Class is the best car in the world, then a pre-1999 Mercedes S Class for under £2k would, de facto, be the best car for under £2k.

And track days would be very interesting

[SD1992]

Sline said:

Mk2 Golf 16v?

Since it is such an old car, are they reliable? And are they actually that fast?

[andye30m3]

If I was spending £2k I'd go for a clio 172 just because they're a great laugh to drive,

my old one was comfortable enough to drive to Switzerland and back and reasonably reliable and parts were cheap when it did brake, good mpg and not that bad to insure.

[turboman786]

Nissan 200 sx maybe?....

[Baryonyx]

Tell the backseat passengers to take a hike and get an MX5.

[MarJay]

E36 328i

[SD1992]

turboman786 said:

Nissan 200 sx maybe?....

Are they actually very good?

I know of someone who has just bought one, but it looks really scabby (paid around £2k for it) and I am not entirely convinced.

How would it compare to, say, a 328i?

[SD1992]

andye30m3 said:

If I was spending £2k I'd go for a clio 172 just because they're a great laugh to drive,

my old one was comfortable enough to drive to Switzerland and back and reasonably reliable and parts were cheap when it did brake, good mpg and not that bad to insure.

Looked great, but the insurance companies really don't like it

£3200 a year! :O

[andye30m3]

SD1992 said:

andye30m3 said:

If I was spending £2k I'd go for a clio 172 just because they're a great laugh to drive,

my old one was comfortable enough to drive to Switzerland and back and reasonably reliable and parts were cheap when it did brake, good mpg and not that bad to insure.

Looked great, but the insurance companies really don't like it

£3200 a year! :O

wow I didn't think they'd be any worse than an integra.

[SD1992]

andye30m3 said:

wow I didn't think they'd be any worse than an integra.

The Integra is £2070 a year, the same as an Accord Type R 2.2. Are they any good?

[anonymous-user]

I'm in a very similar position apart from the fuel bit

The E30 will be going up for sale at the end of the month

I've identified the following that will suit me so might be helpful to you

Clio 172
Focus ST170
Leon Cupra
Golf Mk4 1.8T
Octavia VRS

[kainedog]

theres an e30 318is with a 3.5 ltr lump for sale in the classifieds, 4 seats, quick and rwd, £2300, maybe you could haggle still a 318is on the log book too and has track bits

Edited by kainedog on Monday 21st March 21:48

[robsco]

Alfa 156 V6. Oh yes.

[SD1992]

robsco said:

Alfa 156 V6. Oh yes.

How reliable are they?

[Y282]

e36 328i. your money goes further on these than on a 200sx. best all round rwd 200bhp car in that price bracket by far.

[rb5230]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-Subaru-Impreza-Turbo-20...

[Stuey145]

SD1992 said:

How reliable are they?

As reliable as any modern car if they are correctly maintained. (Just avoid Selespeed)

[bamberwell]

mg zt190 , reasonably quick , handle well , very comfy , well equipped and cheap!!!