Good, cheap, comfortable, fast car?

[SD1992]

I know this has been done to death, but I could really use the help of the PH brain on this one!

I am changing my 2002 1.8 Mondeo as soon as it sells, and I am looking for something to replace it with. I am toying with the idea of getting something cheap so I have a bit more cash in my back pocket, and I would like to get something decent for the cash.

Budget would be around £1000, can be stretched for the right car.

I need something that is comfortable on long journeys and can seat 4, and around 30 mpg would be nice but I am not too fussed about that. I also need something reliable, as I don't have time during term to be fixing my car all the time. Must be a manual!

I would like something fast, and quite interesting. I love sleeper cars

I was thinking along the lines of a Mondeo ST24, or an 850 T5.

Over to you PH!

[YesItsARover]

Can I suggest an MG ZS 180?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-ZS180-V6-Trophy-Blue-2002...

Slightly quicker than a ST24 I believe, take the spoiler off and replace MG badges with Rover ones, sleeper!

[louismchuge]

please feel free to look in my profile for the correct answer!

[SD1992]

I like the Jag and the MG!

How reliable are the Jags? My only worry would be that they are very reliable, but when something does go wrong it will cost a bomb to fix...

Also what is the availability of parts like for the MG? I assume it is fine, but thought I better check!

From the left wing, I have just discovered the Saab 9000 Aero! What are they like?

[theboss]

E39 528i anyone, or is that stretching the 30mpg requirement?

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/2831112.htm

eta sorry didn't see OP was after manual

[louismchuge]

Lots of places selling cheap parts and quite a few are being broken these days so eBay is your friend!

Rust will be your worst enemy but you should get a pretty decent one for a grand at the moment

Manuals are rare-ish, just be a little patient

[YesItsARover]

No problem getting hold of MG parts!

[chrisispringles]

Get a T5, they are wonderful cars. My dad had one and it never missed a beat for the ten years he had it, it was incredibly comfortable and plastered the silliest grin all over my face whenever he planted it.

[SSBB]

Maybe a bit of a stretch of the budget quick, equipped and comfortable:

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/2863587.htm

[The Tea Boy]

chrisispringles said:

Get a T5, they are wonderful cars. My dad had one and it never missed a beat for the ten years he had it, it was incredibly comfortable and plastered the silliest grin all over my face whenever he planted it.

Ok slightly ovet budget but ive just brought a volvo C70 T5 for 2k! Chuffin fast, comfy and supprisingly fun quite a few about if u dont mind the bronze colour!

Matt

[EDLT]

As the old saying goes:

Cheap
Fast
Reliable

Pick two.

[NiceCupOfTea]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2836277.htm

with money spare to turn up the boost. Or spend 10 minutes searching for a 2.3T with 200bhp easily upped to 300.

Supremely comfortable & most reliable car Saab ever built.

No need to thank me!

[GingerWizard]

honda accord

[infradig]

It sometimes amazes me how cheap 90's XJ's e34/39s and e classes are these days. It would be rude not to take advantage of some of the best built 'over engineered 'cars ever made.
Just pick the best of the three you can find on the day,you won't be disapointed.Parts for all of them are everywhere and there will be an independent specialist nearby if you can't manage a spanner-although all three are so straightforward and the net is full of expert help and advice.Obviously the same would apply to Volvos,Saabs and Audis of the same era but they're wrong wheel drive!

[SD1992]

Some great suggestions here, will get on o mr insurance man and go from there

What are Saab Aeros like? I can easily insure a 9000 or a 9-3, or even a 9-5 at a push. I remember my Dad used to drive Saabs and they were always reliable.

[V88Dicky]

Can you get a Primera GT for around a grand these days?

[NiceCupOfTea]

SD1992 said:

Some great suggestions here, will get on o mr insurance man and go from there

What are Saab Aeros like? I can easily insure a 9000 or a 9-3, or even a 9-5 at a push. I remember my Dad used to drive Saabs and they were always reliable.

Great.

9000 - a bit long in the tooth these days, and a decent Aero will be 2k+, but 225bhp (200 in the auto) and very tuneable. A bit bargelike but can be made to handle. IMHO the best built car Saab ever did.

9-3 - 205bhp, handling not great but a nice looking car and a very nice place to be

9-5 - fantastic milemuncher. 250bhpish depending on year, but doesn't really feel like it IMHO due to the size and weight. Lovely place to be.

I would be looking for a non Aero 9000 2.3 turbo (light or full pressure - can easily be tuned for 250bhp+). Generally cheaper and less abused. My dad has a lovely 2.3T Anniversary with 100k on it (not for sale!)

[djt100]

I've got a thing for a volvo's at the moment, so I'd say any fast volvo, plenty about for a bag'o'sand s60 but the 2.4 turbo not the T5, 200bhp should be fast enought, or C70's plenty about, the T5's demand a little premium over the lesser models but they are all reasonably fast

[TEKNOPUG]

3.0l Omega

[nuster100]

Passat B5 1.8 T can be had for that money these days.

30MPG, 150bhp but can be mapped to 190

Lots of room!!