New Car... No ideas... make a suggestion...

[H18 ENF]

Evenin' All!

Right,

Decided that it may be time to say goodbye to the 160,000 mile BMW 330d (Its on ebay with no reserve) and that it's time for a different set of mechanical faults to hinder my trundling...

But the question is what.

Financially I'm a trifle unsure as still within the 1st 12 months of my business being setup and haven't quite made that first million yet...

So let's say I have a budget of £1500, I don't want something that's going to cost the earth to repair but I do fancy something that's fun to drive. It's not got to last me forever but would be rather nice if I could do a few trips from Birmingham to London in it.

Quite happy to to try and pick up something at auction, so feel free to make some suggestions, what hidden gems am I missing out on... I'll post pictures of whatever I get in the end...

[Jasandjules]

I'd look at an MR2 T-Bar. Good fun and comfy to drive for a long way..

[H18 ENF]

Have thought about MR2s in the past actually - hadn't occurred to me this time round...

Nice shout...

[Jw Vw]

Sorry to say but......MX5? Ticks all the boxes. Or how about a Ford Puma?

[Wadeski]

Saabs are very, very cheap at the moment, especially at auction.

[FreeLitres]

Ford Puma?

[H18 ENF]

MX5 is what instantly came to mind, but wondered if the older ones were actually worth it or if at 90,000 miles they were best a bit of a stupid idea...?

[Welshbeef]

Rover 620Ti

[BuzzLightyear]

The best VW Golf you can find?

Never had one myself but It's often quoted as all the car you ever need.

[Welshbeef]

Seat Leon Cupra Mk1.

Your not going to lose a penny on it with these prices

[H18 ENF]

Welshbeef said:

Seat Leon Cupra Mk1.

Your not going to lose a penny on it with these prices

You see I would never have even thought of that...

[Welshbeef]

H18 ENF said:

You see I would never have even thought of that...

We've got one it's bloody good
Climate control
Great front seats
Electric mirrors which electically fold in
Multiple cd changer
180bhp
Discs all round
Discrete.

[dave6666]

ill ask the same question as i also have the same budget. However it has to be fuel efficient and i cant work out whether it would be cheaper to get a 1.4 petrol like an astra for example or a 1.9 diesel tdi golf or something similar - i want it to be fun but im on a student budget here :/

[dabofoppo]

Get a Saxo Vtr (or VTS if insurance isnt an issue) Iv had mine since febuary and its been great a bit expensive at first needed brakes wheel bearing and stuff as it had been sat for a year. Iv never driven anything thats as fun and cheap to run i put in £50 every week and always get around 360 - 420 miles out of it depending on how i drive. Also parts are very cheap.

[nickythesaint]

I'd agree with all of the above suggestions. Also, if you want something a bit more modern.

I've never driven one, but I recall that Evo rated the Sportka. Found one for less than a grand. 4 out of 5 stars on their website.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cardata/?cat=super...

Although, personally I would get the daddy:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3058473.htm

Edited by nickythesaint on Tuesday 26th July 05:37

[H18 ENF]

I just don't know if I could live with owning a Saxo... unfortunately too many have tarnished its image in my head! Maybe I'm being an idiot though?

Call me odd but I quite like the SportKa - One went through the local Auction house the other day... it was questioned if I could ever live with the shame associated with driving one which I though was a bit harsh!

[Chris71]

H18 ENF said:

I just don't know if I could live with owning a Saxo... unfortunately too many have tarnished its image in my head! Maybe I'm being an idiot though?

I can understand the image concerns, but they are fantastic little cars. They'll oversteer for England France given a suitable lift.

[nickythesaint]

Chris71 said:

H18 ENF said:

I just don't know if I could live with owning a Saxo... unfortunately too many have tarnished its image in my head! Maybe I'm being an idiot though?

I can understand the image concerns, but they are fantastic little cars. They'll oversteer for England France given a suitable lift.

I agree, I test drove one when they first came out with 0% finance, it was brilliant. Same chassis as the Pug 106 GTi/Raylee. Also very good cars, but equally as hard to find one which hasn't been interfered with. I agree on image.

As for the sportka. I think it would be a nice little car to own, Ford build quality is way above the Frenchies, small, light, agile. Could probably do with just a little bit more power.

[xeon]

You could possibly find an alright corrado vr6 for that price?

ETA: you could maybe find a Porsche 944 at an auction for that price? I'm in the exact same position as you at the moment so ill be interested to see what you get!

[Chris71]

xeon said:

You could maybe find a Porsche 944 at an auction for that price? I'm in the exact same position as you at the moment so ill be interested to see what you get!

At that price I reckon a 924S might be a better bet. The S has the same engine (in the full 944 state of tune in its final incarnation too), very closely related (lighter) chassis and an, arguably better looking, more aerodynamic body. But due to the 'it's a VW' jibes you're more likely to get a good one for £1500 than you are with its bigger brother.