Most fun car for narrow garage (4.6m x 1.8m)
Discussion
stumpage said:
GOT IT!!!! Ford Capri 2.8i - Petrol, yes. Manual, yes, engaging to drive, yes, nice sound engine, yes, 6 cylinder, RWD, light weight (Today world yes), low driving position yes, No power steering so weighty and a coupe. And by today's standards quite small. 1.7m wide x 4.2m long.
One of my favourite cars.All V6 Capris had power steering from the Mk2 of 1975 onward.
I doubt you could find a good 2.8i for under £10k
TheAlastair34 said:
VX220 as an elise is out of your budget
is 90% as fun as a Caterham & Westfield but you can use it far more, solid price wise so you wont loose even after using for a year or so
Thought about this, but think VX220 is something like 1860mm wide, if I remember rightly.is 90% as fun as a Caterham & Westfield but you can use it far more, solid price wise so you wont loose even after using for a year or so
egor110 said:
You can get lower seat bases
Clio cup what you give up in nice cabin and toys you more than gain in handling.
You really need to go out for a go in one.
The scimitar , corrado and 328 are going to feel like big wallowing boats in comparison.
Didn't think about lower seat bases. Clio cup what you give up in nice cabin and toys you more than gain in handling.
You really need to go out for a go in one.
The scimitar , corrado and 328 are going to feel like big wallowing boats in comparison.
Edited by egor110 on Tuesday 7th January 13:08
I am a sucker for a VR6, though, and serial BMWist. Will see if I can find a local Clio to look at.
RoVoFob said:
We have a few more contenders...
Smart Roadster Coupe: 1615mm (are there any manual conversions out there?)
924: 1656-1701mm
Corrado VR6: 1674mm
Impreza Turbo 2000: 1690mm
Of those, the Cappuccino, CRX, 328i e36, Corrado and Impreza stand out on my new patented width-vs-fun-ometer. Has anyone had the chance to drive any of these? They all appeal in different ways, but barring the Suzuki they’re only 58mm-123mm narrower than my old 130i. Would that make any difference?
Unlike the others, the BMW has standard reversing sensors, plus a hatchback I could climb out of, if needbe!
Smart roadster is small but the doors need quite a wide area to actually enable getting in or out! Some had lambo door conversions which would make things easier. Good fun but maintenance can be a pain. If I had the choice again I would try a cappuccino or a Honda beat. Smart Roadster Coupe: 1615mm (are there any manual conversions out there?)
924: 1656-1701mm
Corrado VR6: 1674mm
Impreza Turbo 2000: 1690mm
Of those, the Cappuccino, CRX, 328i e36, Corrado and Impreza stand out on my new patented width-vs-fun-ometer. Has anyone had the chance to drive any of these? They all appeal in different ways, but barring the Suzuki they’re only 58mm-123mm narrower than my old 130i. Would that make any difference?
Unlike the others, the BMW has standard reversing sensors, plus a hatchback I could climb out of, if needbe!
cailean said:
you could make the spec B more fun, for its size it is actually narrower than most cars. I also have one in a garage.
The width would just about work, but the length wouldn’t! Might try parking it in as far in as I can, though, as a width test. As for fun, I’ve picked up some super lightweight Enkei alloys for it and am toying with remap, new exhaust (current one is nearly dead anyway) and air filter. The in time new suspension...Hmm, could get pricey!
Mr Tidy said:
That would be a tight fit though - they are 1,781mm without the mirrors!
Still if the OP wants one I've got one for sale.
As classics go a MK1 or MK2 Escort would fit easily, but only a 4 pot and prices are a bit silly these days.
What are you selling it for? I thought you were as wedded to it as I was to my 130i!Still if the OP wants one I've got one for sale.
As classics go a MK1 or MK2 Escort would fit easily, but only a 4 pot and prices are a bit silly these days.
ST565NP said:
Too widthy, methinks.RoVoFob said:
egor110 said:
You can get lower seat bases
Clio cup what you give up in nice cabin and toys you more than gain in handling.
You really need to go out for a go in one.
The scimitar , corrado and 328 are going to feel like big wallowing boats in comparison.
Didn't think about lower seat bases. Clio cup what you give up in nice cabin and toys you more than gain in handling.
You really need to go out for a go in one.
The scimitar , corrado and 328 are going to feel like big wallowing boats in comparison.
Edited by egor110 on Tuesday 7th January 13:08
I am a sucker for a VR6, though, and serial BMWist. Will see if I can find a local Clio to look at.
I used to have a e46 325 and it made a nice noise but handling was nothing like the clio , plus the back seats were just as useless.
Ecosseven said:
BMW Z3 is 1692mm wide........
Have you moved in yet? If so get a tape measure and check the actual dimensions of the garage and door.
when car shopping one of the first things I look at is the width as I run two cars (currently a mk3.5 MX-5 and a mk3 Seat Leon) and one of them is almost always garaged to free up some space on the driveway. Don't let a small garage put you off getting something fun - there are plenty options out there is you look hard enough!
Have the keys, but not properly moved in yet, as we need to bring some of it into the 21st century first. Have you moved in yet? If so get a tape measure and check the actual dimensions of the garage and door.
when car shopping one of the first things I look at is the width as I run two cars (currently a mk3.5 MX-5 and a mk3 Seat Leon) and one of them is almost always garaged to free up some space on the driveway. Don't let a small garage put you off getting something fun - there are plenty options out there is you look hard enough!
Will see if I can do some proper measuring tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’m probably a year or two off buying anything, but I’m planning now to make sure I pick the most fun car when the time comes!
Ecosseven said:
if you are prepared to look at FWD.......
How about an original mini or fiat 500. Alternatively what about a new model 500 Abarth (1627mm wide)
I can’t decide if an old Mini is a very good idea or a very bad one. I thought they’d all rocketed up in price, but some are still within reach, though it’s a lot of money for such a basic, common thing! Is Mini fun enough to warrant paying up to £7,500 for a reasonably tidy one? Might see if I can find some to look at...How about an original mini or fiat 500. Alternatively what about a new model 500 Abarth (1627mm wide)
Oddly 500 doesn’t do it for me and I really don’t like how the new 500 drives.
InitialDave said:
Someone else mentioned it before me!
Get a good one though. Mine is "ok" but needs some TLC at this point.
I’ve seen what looks like a reasonable one for less than £3,000. Is that suspiciously cheap?Get a good one though. Mine is "ok" but needs some TLC at this point.
What kind of TLC does yours need - big money stuff or just wear and tear stuff that mounts up over time? Thanks.
TheInternet said:
E30 BMW ticks the boxes, but maybe too much maintenance expensive? Certainly a good bit narrower than an E36.
Would love one. Decent ones seem big money now, unless I’m not looking in the right places.Edited by TheInternet on Tuesday 7th January 14:44
Was wondering about e21 323i and have found a couple that look good, but nearer £12k, which seems like a lot of cash to me. Maybe I’m being greedy expecting low classic car running costs (well MOT, tax and insurance anyway) for older models, without having to stump up lots of cash in the first place!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff