Car suggestions please

[Chunk49]

Hi All

I started a thread in the Porsche section yesterday as I have been dreaming about buying a Porsche 944 for a while now. However, the advice I've been given is that they can cost thousands to run and maintain, and I don't want to spend that kind of money. I don't actually need a car - it would just be for the weekend, and it is my first car (although I'm 26). I think it would be fun to do some maintenance myself at a local garage, so that is an option to keep costs down.

So, what car should I buy which fulfills the following criteria:

- around £1,000 - £1,500

- sporty-ish looks (I'm 26 and no kids but don't need a speed machine)

- not a convertible

- reliable build quality that is not going to give me grief for the life of the car

- fairly low maintenance costs

- 2 or 4 seats

- fairly substantial (but obv not a big barge) in terms of size i.e. not a tiny MR2 or MX5

- doesn't need to be garaged/wrapped in cotton wool and can be used generally in all weathers


All advice gratefully received!

Thanks.

Edited by Chunk49 on Friday 3rd February 12:18

Edited by Chunk49 on Friday 3rd February 12:26

[PaperCut]

E36 328i Sport 2dr?

[vixen1700]

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

A grunty old V6 Scimitar?

[Meoricin]

MR2?

[Yiliterate]

Toyota Celica would seem to fit most of your requirements.

6th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3558156.htm

Or 7th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3609625.htm

[Chunk49]

Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

MR2 - too girly/not substantial enough of a car for me - I will add this requirement to the list!

Scimitar - I don't like the looks of it

E36 328 - this has some potential for me

thanks

[Chunk49]

Yiliterate said:

Toyota Celica would seem to fit most of your requirements.

6th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3558156.htm

Or 7th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3609625.htm

I like the look of the 7th gen. I'll add it to my list along with the E36 328i

[Yiliterate]

Chunk49 said:

Yiliterate said:

Toyota Celica would seem to fit most of your requirements.

6th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3558156.htm

Or 7th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3609625.htm

I like the look of the 7th gen. I'll add it to my list along with the E36 328i

Plenty of choice out there too...

[Chunk49]

PaperCut said:

E36 328i Sport 2dr?

I've taken a look - looks-wise I prefer the looks of the E46 models. Do you think I could get into an E46 car for that kind of money? If so, which model? Thanks!

[Yiliterate]

Peugeot 406 Coupe:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3596485.htm

[Meoricin]

Chunk49 said:

Yiliterate said:

Toyota Celica would seem to fit most of your requirements.

6th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3558156.htm

Or 7th Gen:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3609625.htm

I like the look of the 7th gen. I'll add it to my list along with the E36 328i

Not sure which world that gen Celica is less girly than an MR2, but ok. I did mean the MK1/MK2, not the MK3.

[PaperCut]

Chunk49 said:

PaperCut said:

E36 328i Sport 2dr?

I've taken a look - looks-wise I prefer the looks of the E46 models. Do you think I could get into an E46 car for that kind of money? If so, which model? Thanks!

Yes you could get an E46 in budget - i've got an E46 320i Saloon myself - but bear in mind it's likely to be a high miler, or in need of some work. There is plenty out there so you can be quite picky. I'd recommend a 323i or the 328i E46 if you can find one, just make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

[SD1992]

PaperCut said:

Yes you could get an E46 in budget - i've got an E46 320i Saloon myself - but bear in mind it's likely to be a high miler, or in need of some work. There is plenty out there so you can be quite picky. I'd recommend a 323i or the 328i E46 if you can find one, just make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

Exactly this - you can get the E46 with the older engines (323i and 328i)for not much money at all.

I considered it, but I found that hardly any have the sports seats, and most are either very tired, or have issues with suspension (rear subframe bushes being the main one) and that put me off.

Re considering now though, and this thread is not helping!

[Chrisw666]

What about a porsche 924? Slower than the 944 but classic insurance and easy to work on/learn how bits of porsches work and then you could upgrade to a 944 later.

[Chunk49]

PaperCut said:

Yes you could get an E46 in budget - i've got an E46 320i Saloon myself - but bear in mind it's likely to be a high miler, or in need of some work. There is plenty out there so you can be quite picky. I'd recommend a 323i or the 328i E46 if you can find one, just make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

Thanks. Just for my own understanding could you explain why the 323i or 328i (I don't really know the differences between the models at this point).

[Chunk49]

Chrisw666 said:

What about a porsche 924? Slower than the 944 but classic insurance and easy to work on/learn how bits of porsches work and then you could upgrade to a 944 later.

Yes that was what some of the advice I received said to do as well. I am still thinking about it, but I just really like the looks of the 944 and think the 924 does not look good in comparison.

[GravyScape]

any of these could suffice?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3586862.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3596098.htm

[SD1992]

Chunk49 said:

Thanks. Just for my own understanding could you explain why the 323i or 328i (I don't really know the differences between the models at this point).

323i = 2.5 straight 6, around 170bhp
328i = 2.8 straight 6, around 193 bhp
320i = 2.2 straight 6, around 167 bhp

Come to think of it - why take the 323i over the 320i?

[PaperCut]

Chunk49 said:

PaperCut said:

Yes you could get an E46 in budget - i've got an E46 320i Saloon myself - but bear in mind it's likely to be a high miler, or in need of some work. There is plenty out there so you can be quite picky. I'd recommend a 323i or the 328i E46 if you can find one, just make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

Thanks. Just for my own understanding could you explain why the 323i or 328i (I don't really know the differences between the models at this point).

I'm sure others can go into more detail, but with BMWs, it's always worth going for the bigger engine as everything from economy, parts prices, and even insurance differences are so minimal between lesser models - but you'll be getting better performance! You'll have to search local to yourself to see what's out there so there may be a tidy 323i over a tatty 328i - or vice versa - but those are the two models i would pick. It's worth pointing out that the 323 is actually a 2.5 litre!

I've not looked recently, but i'd be surprised if the newer versions are slipping this low. I was looking for a 330Ci, albeit more for more than £1500!

[sjc]

This had had all the big bit done, and early on miles.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3524737.htm