Please help! What car should I buy?

[Bigbaddaboom]

Hi all. I am new to this forum. I need some advice to help me decide which car to buy. I have a few in mind but just cant decide. I have just sold my 1.6 auto Golf and now want a car which is a bit more fun. I have a budget of £6k, I'm 28 and have 5 years no claims bonus. I mostly do short distance driving and only cover aroun 6k miles a year.
Below are the cars im interested in. Let me know what you think.

Toyota Celica (04-06)
Toyota Corolla 1.8 T-sport (05)
BMW 318/320 CI Coupe (04-05)
Mazda RX8 (04-05)
Honda Civic 1.8 (06-07)
VW Golf GT (05)
Mazda3 Sport (05-07)

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Baryonyx]

A Honda Civic EP3 Type R would seem a good bet given your choices of Japanese FWD cars there.

[vrsmxtb]

Mazda 3 gets my vote, but with those low miles, budget and a decent NCB I'd look at the Mk1 MPS.

[crocodile tears]

Baryonyx said:

A Honda Civic EP3 Type R would seem a good bet given your choices of Japanese FWD cars there.

this does seem spot on

in the fwd camp some other possibilities are:
-focus ST
-clio 197
-leon cupra

if you'd like rwd
-s2000
-350z

[Dalto123]

Dont bring up the RX8 with these guys!

On a serious note would youconsider wither of these?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Bigbaddaboom]

Thanks for the replies so far. Yeah the type r is also on the list. I like the tt and gtv too. That TT hasnt been used! Just concerned about maintenance costs.

[The Stiglet]

Bigbaddaboom said:

want a car which is a bit more fun. I have a budget of £6k,
Below are the cars im interested in. Let me know what you think.

Toyota Celica (04-06)
Toyota Corolla 1.8 T-sport (05)
BMW 318/320 CI Coupe (04-05)
Mazda RX8 (04-05)
Honda Civic 1.8 (06-07)
VW Golf GT (05)
Mazda3 Sport (05-07)

Thanks in advance for your help.

A bit dull for your money though, aren't they? £6k can get you something a lot more fun unless you've picked these cars specifically because of the lower fuel costs associated with lower displacement engines?

For £6k I'd be considering these:

BMW E36 M3
BMW E46 330ci sport
Honda S2000
Porsche Boxster 986
VW Golf R32 MK1

Interest you?

[Bigbaddaboom]

The Stiglet said:

A bit dull for your money though, aren't they? £6k can get you something a lot more fun unless you've picked these cars specifically because of the lower fuel costs associated with lower displacement engines?

For £6k I'd be considering these:

BMW E36 M3
BMW E46 330ci sport
Honda S2000
Porsche Boxster 986
VW Golf R32 MK1

Interest you?

I see what you mean but as I said before im concerned about maintenance costs, especially for the older cars.

[Meoricin]

Bigbaddaboom said:

I see what you mean but as I said before im concerned about maintenance costs, especially for the older cars.

While I'm loathe to bring it up (I believe they're probably no worse than any other performance car if you take proper care of them), how on earth did an RX-8 reach your list if maintenance costs are your primary concern?

Also, I'm struggling to see where the extra fun comes from in the majority of the list - a bit of extra power won't make the cars more fun, it'll just make them faster.

[Bigbaddaboom]

Meoricin said:

While I'm loathe to bring it up (I believe they're probably no worse than any other performance car if you take proper care of them), how on earth did an RX-8 reach your list if maintenance costs are your primary concern?

Also, I'm struggling to see where the extra fun comes from in the majority of the list - a bit of extra power won't make the cars more fun, it'll just make them faster.

Well the rx8 is my weakness, I love them but I am worried about the reliability issues. I always look after my cars. Just worried that it might not have been looked after by previous owners. I suppose thats the risk of buying used. What would you suggest as being a fun car then? Taking into account ive been driving a 1.6 auto golf for the last 3 years.

[The Stiglet]

Bigbaddaboom said:

I see what you mean but as I said before im concerned about maintenance costs, especially for the older cars.

What about the S2000 then?

[McSam]

To be honest, since the 330Ci has been mentioned but discounted because of maintenance costs..

£4k will get you a nice one, in fact at that sort of money you can choose, really - and that's a lot left over for a car that isn't prone to delivering crippling bills or having expensive maintenance costs

Not sure about the lights, but you get the idea





Not sure you'll get a better blend of RWDness, respectability, involving drive and 230bhp than this. Supposedly sound gorgeous, too.

[Bigbaddaboom]

The Stiglet said:

What about the S2000 then?

Yeah I do like the s2000 but didnt think it was in my budget. I usually set the mileage at under 80k. Should I condider higher mileage cars then?

[Bigbaddaboom]

McSam said:

To be honest, since the 330Ci has been mentioned but discounted because of maintenance costs..

£4k will get you a nice one, in fact at that sort of money you can choose, really - and that's a lot left over for a car that isn't prone to delivering crippling bills or having expensive maintenance costs

Not sure about the lights, but you get the idea



Yeah its a nice car. Will have to check my insurance. what sort of mileage should I look for on a 330?

Not sure you'll get a better blend of RWDness, respectability, involving drive and 230bhp than this. Supposedly sound gorgeous, too.

[Tazio1]

Ford Racing Puma, fantastic fun car to drive built by Tickford Aston Martin, originally 25k now within your budget.

[McSam]

Under 80k? You are demanding, aren't you..

So have this one instead

[crocodile tears]

Bigbaddaboom said:

The Stiglet said:

What about the S2000 then?

Yeah I do like the s2000 but didnt think it was in my budget. I usually set the mileage at under 80k. Should I condider higher mileage cars then?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3661105.htm

[Bigbaddaboom]

McSam said:

Under 80k? You are demanding, aren't you..

So have this one instead

Lol, I think it is just a habbit for me. Im just scared to get a car with over 80k, dont know why. I think I will have to look into the 330 more.