What car for cheap thrills?
Discussion
Gazboy said:
I'm thinking mk1 MR2.
I would recommend nothing else for that money.
Gazboy said:
Would be nice if it could out-drag a mk1 Golf GTi (one-up-manship with friend).
Mine did it in low 16's to high 15's. If i had some decent rear tyres, I reckon it could've gone faster. Dont know what a MK1 Golf does, but cant be much quicker than that?
Sometimes still wish I had mine. Until I I come on boost
They do indeed.
Quite how difficult it is I dont know. They also do the 4AGE20V engines as well. 160bhp, 1600cc, 4cyl, twin cam 20v. Could be easier on insurance.
£1.5 - £2k should get him a good one. Go for the T-Bar, preferably with leather. Or go for a cheaper one without leather, and dodgy engine, drop the 20v in it, with some bucket seats, and he's got an everyday trackday toy.
Why did I sell mine??
Quite how difficult it is I dont know. They also do the 4AGE20V engines as well. 160bhp, 1600cc, 4cyl, twin cam 20v. Could be easier on insurance.
£1.5 - £2k should get him a good one. Go for the T-Bar, preferably with leather. Or go for a cheaper one without leather, and dodgy engine, drop the 20v in it, with some bucket seats, and he's got an everyday trackday toy.
Why did I sell mine??
Hello, might as well come clean, it's me we're talking about - I'm grateful Gaz set this up here to avoid the TVR/BMW domination prevalent in General Gassing.
Basically, I want to buy a sports car I can use every day, that won't be a problem to insure or run, but won't have depreciation against it. It will be my only car, and as I'm 21 and have never been the owner-driver before, there are one or two considerations (this is where I get picky)
-I'd like to be able to use it in absolutely all weathers, so no convertibles (T-roof is OK though).
-It's got to be RWD. Sorry, but with the exception of the Lotus Elan SE, FWD just doesn't do it for me. As someone used to Rotax karts, I appreciate mid engines too (though I'm really not fussed as to where the engine is).
-£2.5k is the absolute maximum, and I'd really want it below £2k. This rules out the MX-5.
-Anything above 2 litres might be a problem for insurance and could get thirsty day-to-day.
My shortlist at the moment is:
-Fiat X1/9. Pros - cheap, brilliant handling and looks, cheap parts. Cons - stupidly high insurance group for a 1.5 (12!), not that fast, rusts like crazy, I'll need those cheap parts quite a lot.
-Toyota MR2 MK1. Pros - reliable, cheap, brilliant handling, can be supercharged. Cons - no idea about the insurance, I hear the parts are expensive (but I'm less likely to need them)
-Porsche 924. Pros - it's a Porsche, it uses cheap VW bits, GT appeal. Cons - don't hold their value, expensive to insure for what they are.
Bear in mind, I like the idea of uprating it engine-wise some time.
Also, I'm really into kit cars and always have an eye on the adverts and magazines - if I can find a good kit with the right specifications in good usable condition, consider it done.
I'm looking to buy this thing in the summer when I've graduated and (with a bit of luck) got some kind of job. I just wanted to gauge the opinions of people who may have owned these cars, so I can check out the relevant buyer's guides in advance and narrow down my selection.
But remember - I'm 21 and despite having driven regularly without a point or an accident since I was 18, and doing regular competetive karting, I have no NCB, so insurance really is a factor here.
I'm beginning to warm to the MR2, but remember the kit cars!
Basically, I want to buy a sports car I can use every day, that won't be a problem to insure or run, but won't have depreciation against it. It will be my only car, and as I'm 21 and have never been the owner-driver before, there are one or two considerations (this is where I get picky)
-I'd like to be able to use it in absolutely all weathers, so no convertibles (T-roof is OK though).
-It's got to be RWD. Sorry, but with the exception of the Lotus Elan SE, FWD just doesn't do it for me. As someone used to Rotax karts, I appreciate mid engines too (though I'm really not fussed as to where the engine is).
-£2.5k is the absolute maximum, and I'd really want it below £2k. This rules out the MX-5.
-Anything above 2 litres might be a problem for insurance and could get thirsty day-to-day.
My shortlist at the moment is:
-Fiat X1/9. Pros - cheap, brilliant handling and looks, cheap parts. Cons - stupidly high insurance group for a 1.5 (12!), not that fast, rusts like crazy, I'll need those cheap parts quite a lot.
-Toyota MR2 MK1. Pros - reliable, cheap, brilliant handling, can be supercharged. Cons - no idea about the insurance, I hear the parts are expensive (but I'm less likely to need them)
-Porsche 924. Pros - it's a Porsche, it uses cheap VW bits, GT appeal. Cons - don't hold their value, expensive to insure for what they are.
Bear in mind, I like the idea of uprating it engine-wise some time.
Also, I'm really into kit cars and always have an eye on the adverts and magazines - if I can find a good kit with the right specifications in good usable condition, consider it done.
I'm looking to buy this thing in the summer when I've graduated and (with a bit of luck) got some kind of job. I just wanted to gauge the opinions of people who may have owned these cars, so I can check out the relevant buyer's guides in advance and narrow down my selection.
But remember - I'm 21 and despite having driven regularly without a point or an accident since I was 18, and doing regular competetive karting, I have no NCB, so insurance really is a factor here.
I'm beginning to warm to the MR2, but remember the kit cars!
I'm afraid I'm not a massive fan of the MX-5, and I know it drives well and it's cheap to run, but it just reminds me of the MGB - utterly ubiquitous. I fancy something a little left-field and less obvious. And it's a convertible (I know they do hardtops but that's not the point)
Also, I know you've seen cheap ones on ebay, but I wouldn't buy anything on ebay - I'd need to buy something I can go and look at, and Auto Trader always has plenty of options.
I thought about the Pontiac Fiero, but LHD puts me off, and most of them seem to be Automatics.
Also, I know you've seen cheap ones on ebay, but I wouldn't buy anything on ebay - I'd need to buy something I can go and look at, and Auto Trader always has plenty of options.
I thought about the Pontiac Fiero, but LHD puts me off, and most of them seem to be Automatics.
I know you want to stay away from TVR / BMW bias, but have you considered an E30 318iS?
Modern 16v engine, 138bhp, RWD, best handling e30 this side of the m3. Get one with LSD (or retrofit it) and its a dream!
You'd get a really good example for £1800.
Have a look in my profile...go on, you know you want one.
(p.s. I had the misfortune of buying a cheap one, hence the high expense!)
Modern 16v engine, 138bhp, RWD, best handling e30 this side of the m3. Get one with LSD (or retrofit it) and its a dream!
You'd get a really good example for £1800.
Have a look in my profile...go on, you know you want one.
(p.s. I had the misfortune of buying a cheap one, hence the high expense!)
On mine if you disarm the alarm and leave the door open it stays off.
If you shut the door it rearms after 45 seconds.
If you shut the door and then hold the button on the keyfob down for three seconds, it arms the alarm but not the interior alarm which is the real pain in the arse.
Alternatively, you can do what I do and put the key in the ignition, give it one tiwst to the 'on' position and hold down the button until the alarm chirps, then bleeps once ever few seconds. That is what they called 'valet mode' which effectively means the alarm is deactivated. Thw only downside then is that if you close the door with automatic central locking, you're locked out!
(When I say "the button" I mean the big one on the keyfob - I have no idea what the smaller one is for)!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 23 January 21:46
If you shut the door it rearms after 45 seconds.
If you shut the door and then hold the button on the keyfob down for three seconds, it arms the alarm but not the interior alarm which is the real pain in the arse.
Alternatively, you can do what I do and put the key in the ignition, give it one tiwst to the 'on' position and hold down the button until the alarm chirps, then bleeps once ever few seconds. That is what they called 'valet mode' which effectively means the alarm is deactivated. Thw only downside then is that if you close the door with automatic central locking, you're locked out!
(When I say "the button" I mean the big one on the keyfob - I have no idea what the smaller one is for)!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 23 January 21:46
I think mine's good, but is perhaps a little too eager to protect sometimes!
A couple of times it's gone off at 3AM because something inside shrunk due to a slight drop in temperature, thus triggering the movement sensors.
Still, I reckon my MR2 fits the bill.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 23 January 22:07
A couple of times it's gone off at 3AM because something inside shrunk due to a slight drop in temperature, thus triggering the movement sensors.
Still, I reckon my MR2 fits the bill.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Sunday 23 January 22:07
£1800 for insurance is mad - I've had a quote for £700 on a Fiat X1/9 from Direct Line, and I know full well they're a rip off.
The BMW 320 - well, I was after a sports car. Some people consider this car a sports coupe, but IMO it's a 2-door saloon, I fancy something built specifically as a sports car - I don't want to see any 4-door, Estate or diesel versions. I'm not a snob, I just don't see what's so special about them and just can't get excited.
Mazda RX-7 - great car. Would you drive one every day with that stupendous Rotary thirst though? and try getting one insured anywhere for a 21 year old with no NCB - madness!
I'd go through the owner's clubs for insurance - most clubs suggest an insurer and offer a discount. Kit cars always have cheap insurance (simply because according to the lists they appear to be obscure one-offs that no-one would want to steal based on componants from unexciting cars). Given that quote for a MK1 MR2 I would still be erring towards the X1/9 or a kit, but if anyone else can give me a sensible suggestion I'd happily add it to the list. Bear in mind I won't be buying for at least another seven months so changing my mind is a likely occurence, just give me a few ideas to play with!
The BMW 320 - well, I was after a sports car. Some people consider this car a sports coupe, but IMO it's a 2-door saloon, I fancy something built specifically as a sports car - I don't want to see any 4-door, Estate or diesel versions. I'm not a snob, I just don't see what's so special about them and just can't get excited.
Mazda RX-7 - great car. Would you drive one every day with that stupendous Rotary thirst though? and try getting one insured anywhere for a 21 year old with no NCB - madness!
I'd go through the owner's clubs for insurance - most clubs suggest an insurer and offer a discount. Kit cars always have cheap insurance (simply because according to the lists they appear to be obscure one-offs that no-one would want to steal based on componants from unexciting cars). Given that quote for a MK1 MR2 I would still be erring towards the X1/9 or a kit, but if anyone else can give me a sensible suggestion I'd happily add it to the list. Bear in mind I won't be buying for at least another seven months so changing my mind is a likely occurence, just give me a few ideas to play with!
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