Something fast within my budget...£5k
Something fast within my budget...£5k
Author
Discussion

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Hi,

This is my first post so be gentle smile

Im looking at getting a new car for when my insurance is due in October (I'm 21, and taking out insurance with the cheapest company for that car is a must, as the cheapest on one car may be the most expensive for another!). My budget is up to £5k and im looking for something pretty quick.

So far I have been looking at ST220's, Scooby's, Sapphire Cosworths (My fav choice, but getting a good one at my price will be diffcult!), Skoda VRS, Honda S2000...the list goes on

As you can see my options are very varied, I don't really care about practicality, although getting a car that is would not be a bad thing! It MUST be reliable as I will use it everyday...even in the snow.

Don't worry too much about insurance premiums as some cars are actually surprisingly cheap to insure, and some are ridiculous i.e (1.4 polo..£900 TPFT, Mondeo ST220..£980 Fully Comp)

Any suggetions welcome smile Although it must have 4 wheels smile


Cheers

John

DLovett

329 posts

193 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Out of that selection, I would pick the Scoob. Best bang for buck, and plenty of overhead room for modifications. Great in the snow, horrible MPG, good reliability.

johnthesifu

112 posts

214 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Could get a very nice example of a mr2 turbo with about £1000-£2000 left over to spend on petrol/tyres.

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
I agree with D, that the Scoob is a pretty good all round car. But I dunno, I think it just lacks some class if you know what I mean...I think a test drive might blow that problem out the water though ha!

MR2 Turbo...By the end of the year I should be racing these (N/A verison) in the 750 motorclub championship and possibly using it for driver tutorials, so I think after a couple of months I'd be fed up with it, but still an interesting option

nonuts

15,855 posts

259 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
e36 M3 Evo + winter tyres for the winter, more grin factor per mile than almost all of those, however I expect insurance will be a no go area at 21.

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
nonuts said:
e36 M3 Evo + winter tyres for the winter, more grin factor per mile than almost all of those, however I expect insurance will be a no go area at 21.
Believe it or not its the same as a scooby for a 3.0 EVO...haven't done one for a 3.2...after owning a 318Ti and it being a pain with little niggly problems, claims of bmw reliability being good doesn't sway so much with me...maybe I just had an unlucky spell with that one, but do I risk it again?!

nonuts

15,855 posts

259 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
JohnClem88 said:
Believe it or not its the same as a scooby for a 3.0 EVO...haven't done one for a 3.2...after owning a 318Ti and it being a pain with little niggly problems, claims of bmw reliability being good doesn't sway so much with me...maybe I just had an unlucky spell with that one, but do I risk it again?!
I didn't say it would be cheap to run, however it will be a lot more rewarding to drive than a lot of those listed as long as it's a good one.

s m

24,475 posts

233 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
JohnClem88 said:
Hi,

This is my first post so be gentle smile

Im looking at getting a new car for when my insurance is due in October (I'm 21, and taking out insurance with the cheapest company for that car is a must, as the cheapest on one car may be the most expensive for another!). My budget is up to £5k and im looking for something pretty quick.

So far I have been looking at ST220's, Scooby's, Sapphire Cosworths (My fav choice, but getting a good one at my price will be diffcult!), Skoda VRS, Honda S2000...the list goes on

As you can see my options are very varied, I don't really care about practicality, although getting a car that is would not be a bad thing! It MUST be reliable as I will use it everyday...even in the snow.

Don't worry too much about insurance premiums as some cars are actually surprisingly cheap to insure, and some are ridiculous i.e (1.4 polo..£900 TPFT, Mondeo ST220..£980 Fully Comp)

Any suggetions welcome smile Although it must have 4 wheels smile


Cheers

John
Were you watching the Top gear repeat last night by any chance? smile The "What Sports Saloon for 5k" feature?

Very varied choice there - have you driven some/any of the suggestions on your list?

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
s m said:
Were you watching the Top gear repeat last night by any chance? smile The "What Sports Saloon for 5k" feature?

Very varied choice there - have you driven some/any of the suggestions on your list?
I think i have seen that it...Is that the one with a cossie, merc and m3?

I've driven a VRS, my dads got an Escort Cossie, and i've been in a couple of saffs. My dad had 4 st220 company cars in a row (thats why i have a soft spot for them...150mph+ with a ton of tools/kart/spares on board biggrinbiggrin). Been in a couple of Scoobys which do seem a bit dull compared to a cossie but still impressive.

Another car that intigues me is a Civic Type-R, fantastically reliable I hear and awesome to drive, but a crap image and I can see the V-tec appeal wearing off...

aldo56

80 posts

215 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
I'd second an E36 M3 if you can possible insure it. £5,000 would get you a good condition one i'd imagine. 300bhp too!

chrisispringles

893 posts

195 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Mercedes E55 AMG

If the insurance is affordable then get it bought.

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
chrisispringles said:
Mercedes E55 AMG

If the insurance is affordable then get it bought.
I LIKE! insurance isn't too bad actually, justifiable as the car is cheaper to buy. But will it be reliable?


Prof Prolapse

16,163 posts

220 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
What about going down the Japanese and turbocharged route?

EVO, Scooby STI...

My personal preference was always the insurance friendly MR2 turbo though. Felt quicker, two handfuls in the wet.

ETA: Can see now all already suggested....Sorry!

escortcosworth12

1,837 posts

182 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Not something fast, but still...

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

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


ETA the insurance might not like though, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

and what about an 05 jag?

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


Edited by escortcosworth12 on Monday 8th August 13:52

visual123

150 posts

195 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Talking Jap, RX-8 could be worth a look, also check out DC2 Integra Type-Rs.

Facefirst

1,412 posts

204 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Prof Prolapse said:
What about going down the Japanese and turbocharged route?

EVO, Scooby STI...

My personal preference was always the insurance friendly MR2 turbo though. Felt quicker, two handfuls in the wet.

ETA: Can see now all already suggested....Sorry!
Yep, MR2 Turbo can be insured as a classic - mine was under £200 per year on a special policy like this. You could then get something cheap to build up NCB and use when it rains...

Reliable too, and I think they've settled at a price and won't be losing money like some other cars on your list. A Rev 3 car is well within budget, will get to 60 in just over 5 seconds, is easy to tune should you want even more, and the mechanicals are pretty tough.

Good luck!

Prof Prolapse

16,163 posts

220 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Facefirst said:
A Rev 3 car is well within budget, will get to 60 in just over 5 seconds, is easy to tune should you want even more, and the mechanicals are pretty tough.

Good luck!
290 with a hybrid turbo, injectors (I think!) and remap in my old one. It was too fast for a 20 year old!

ETA:

OP, what about an XJR? You can get the X308 ones for under £5000 now. 380BHP, dragster in a drawing room!

rossmc88

490 posts

190 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
subaru impreza's are not reliable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

google

impreza + bottom + end + failure

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
Ive looked into RX8's but just not for me...more and more people keep saying MR2 Turbo...might have to drive one as I adore the way they handle (albiet the only time ive driven one is on a track in full race spec N/A). It's just finding one that has got a Max Power bodykit :@

E55 would be awesome though, be good for taking the nurburgring, which I hope to do next year.

JohnClem88

Original Poster:

76 posts

183 months

Monday 8th August 2011
quotequote all
yea looked at them XJR's but again reliability...However XK8's are apaprently very reliable according to a recent Autocar buying guide...
290bhP sounds a nice amount for the road. My dads cossie has little more than that and nowt much can keep up down a country lane, or as I found out when we went wales in it, motorbikes really struggle ha but then it is 4wd and stupidly grippy!

Prof Prolapse said:
290 with a hybrid turbo, injectors (I think!) and remap in my old one. It was too fast for a 20 year old!

ETA:

OP, what about an XJR? You can get the X308 ones for under £5000 now. 380BHP, dragster in a drawing room!