Another what car!

[drummerian]

Hey guys,

Sorry for yet another what car thread but the views on here are important to what i choose to test drive and eventually buy!

I currently drive a fast original mini that has a nissan micra engine in it. It is a great car to drive but i need something more practical, safer, and better on the motorway. I love doing my own mechanics so have been considering buying a car that needs a little work and then fixing it.

I have a budget of £4k but would be happy to spend less!, and would like something from year 2000 onwards. I need something that has some practicality and speed whilst being reliable and cheapish to insure (i am 21 with 4 years no claims)

Have been considering the following:
Mazda Rx8 - only put off by the low mpg, i do around 6K miles a year at the moment which isn't too many...
BMW 3 Series - possibly a little common, feels like it doesn't have that touch of uniqueness the mini has
Alfa 156 JTD - FWD, would like a change from this and get some experience with RWD, love the looks though
MX5 - have even considered these but i feel if i only have 1 car i need something more practical, i need to cart bikes round and as a uni student I move around alot at the moment

If anyone has any other ideas or any comments that can help that would be great. The problem I am having is that when i brought the mini i knew i wanted a mini. Now i am not sure what i want i don't know how to make the decision...

Thanks guys

Ian

[tercelgold]

You want an estate, and @ 6,000 miles a low mpg one.

[drummerian]

well the 6000 miles may increase, not sure yet as to what ill be doing, i had considered estates but i feel i am at the prime age in life to not own one (if that makes sense)

[drummerian]

looking to buy within the next month if that helps!

[Evo]

Could you get a Clio 182 insured? Would get a very nice one for your budget.

[drummerian]

great car but never really caught my eye for some reason..

[tercelgold]

Ford Focus? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2809605.htm

[drummerian]

another great handling car but for lack of a better word it doesn't have any of the 'passion' the mini has, i need something a little unique/interesting

[sparks_E39]

E39 530i Sport

[nitsypee]

New Mini?

[drummerian]

sparks_E39 said:

E39 530i Sport

great shout but i wanted something a little newer so i was looking at an e46 3 series as a possible?

[drummerian]

nitsypee said:

New Mini?

great cars and as a classic owner i have nothing against the new breed

[George H]

Golf GT TDI?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2837430.htm

[sparks_E39]

drummerian said:

sparks_E39 said:

E39 530i Sport

great shout but i wanted something a little newer so i was looking at an e46 3 series as a possible?

2 very different cars, the 5 isn't really a bigger 3, the difference in quality between the 2 is immediately obvious when you step into a later E39.

[drummerian]

hatchbacks don't really appeal to me as they are the only cars i have really driven, think it is time for a change

is the 5 that much better then? i hadn't even considered them but perhaps i should!

[em177]

m 20 an still at Uni as well, and have run a few 'mini exec' stuff while the MX5 was off the road being supercharged

Best 2 were:

Lexus IS200
Good: Lovely straight 6, cracking build quality, almost cathedral quiet, rear wheel drive chassis.
Bad: Absolutely crap fuel economy, a few bits were a little expensive to fix.

Jaguar X-Type 3.0 V6
Good: Aging lovely engine, nice place to be inside, lots of cheap (Ford cough cough!) parts underneath to fix, sounded great, 4x4 was awesome in the snow
Bad: Mondeo comments from every 2nd idiot! No rear headroom

[drummerian]

great ideas, will have a look at both! the jags seem great value but not so sure about the looks..

any other suggestions?

[drummerian]

what are peoples opinions on some of the cars i had short-listed?

[T16OLE]

I think you will struggle to get a decent price for insurance with no NCB at 21.

Not so much the age but that Lack of NCB will really increase the premiums

[Harji]

I would not include the RX-8, not because of mpg, if it's driven hard it will return 18-21mpg, if it's driven like a granny in traffic it will return less.

No, the reason is if you are going to be on the motorway then their are better cars for that, but if are going to venture in twisty roads, then that's the car for you.

I occasionally have to drive to Brum, and use a B-road route which is lots more fun and is about 65% of the total drive. And lots more fun.