My 'what car'/Advice please thread!!
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Firstly, sorry, I know there are a LOT of these types of threads, & I looked at several but I'd like your opinions on my particular options..
I need a fun, sensible (ish) car for approx 2.5k, I'll tell you what I'm thinking of & if anyone has any experience or advice regarding those I'd be extremely interested to hear it, be it positive or negative.
Or if you think of something I may have missed feel free to add it!
I'm after something to use daily, I do quite a few miles so around 30mpg ish would be nice, insurance isn't a problem, & I'm a qualified mechanic so I'll do all servicing. I'd like something around a year 2000, & ideally a 4 door, definitely a 4 seater (bar the one option you'll see below!!)
Must be manual though!!
I own a track/sprint impreza for my track fun, so I doubt the sensible car would be used for that although if it's good enough I wouldn't rule it out
Here's my thoughts;
Honda Accord Type R (my favourite choice so far I think...)
E46 323,
Clio 172 (not keen on a car this small although they are great fun!)
Mk2 MR2 (only 2 seater I'd consider I think)
Alfa 156, probably a 2.4JTD
BMW 530d (sensible choice!)
E36 M3 (pushing it for my budget I'd say!)
Well those are the main ideas, I love the look of the Honda, & they're meant to be great to drive so that's my favourite option right now, but there's a lot of good advice on here & I know some of you guys will think of stuff I haven't. So let's hear anything that will help me decide.
Thanks in advance, & sorry for the rather long post!
James
Firstly, sorry, I know there are a LOT of these types of threads, & I looked at several but I'd like your opinions on my particular options..
I need a fun, sensible (ish) car for approx 2.5k, I'll tell you what I'm thinking of & if anyone has any experience or advice regarding those I'd be extremely interested to hear it, be it positive or negative.
Or if you think of something I may have missed feel free to add it!
I'm after something to use daily, I do quite a few miles so around 30mpg ish would be nice, insurance isn't a problem, & I'm a qualified mechanic so I'll do all servicing. I'd like something around a year 2000, & ideally a 4 door, definitely a 4 seater (bar the one option you'll see below!!)
Must be manual though!!
I own a track/sprint impreza for my track fun, so I doubt the sensible car would be used for that although if it's good enough I wouldn't rule it out
Here's my thoughts;
Honda Accord Type R (my favourite choice so far I think...)
E46 323,
Clio 172 (not keen on a car this small although they are great fun!)
Mk2 MR2 (only 2 seater I'd consider I think)
Alfa 156, probably a 2.4JTD
BMW 530d (sensible choice!)
E36 M3 (pushing it for my budget I'd say!)
Well those are the main ideas, I love the look of the Honda, & they're meant to be great to drive so that's my favourite option right now, but there's a lot of good advice on here & I know some of you guys will think of stuff I haven't. So let's hear anything that will help me decide.
Thanks in advance, & sorry for the rather long post!
James
james n said:
Hi everyone,
Firstly, sorry, I know there are a LOT of these types of threads, & I looked at several but I'd like your opinions on my particular options..
I need a fun, sensible (ish) car for approx 2.5k, I'll tell you what I'm thinking of & if anyone has any experience or advice regarding those I'd be extremely interested to hear it, be it positive or negative.
Or if you think of something I may have missed feel free to add it!
I'm after something to use daily, I do quite a few miles so around 30mpg ish would be nice, insurance isn't a problem, & I'm a qualified mechanic so I'll do all servicing. I'd like something around a year 2000, & ideally a 4 door, definitely a 4 seater (bar the one option you'll see below!!)
Must be manual though!!
I own a track/sprint impreza for my track fun, so I doubt the sensible car would be used for that although if it's good enough I wouldn't rule it out
Here's my thoughts;
Honda Accord Type R (my favourite choice so far I think...)
E46 323,
Clio 172 (not keen on a car this small although they are great fun!)
Mk2 MR2 (only 2 seater I'd consider I think)
Alfa 156, probably a 2.4JTD
BMW 530d (sensible choice!)
E36 M3 (pushing it for my budget I'd say!)
Well those are the main ideas, I love the look of the Honda, & they're meant to be great to drive so that's my favourite option right now, but there's a lot of good advice on here & I know some of you guys will think of stuff I haven't. So let's hear anything that will help me decide.
Thanks in advance, & sorry for the rather long post!
James
Hi James.Firstly, sorry, I know there are a LOT of these types of threads, & I looked at several but I'd like your opinions on my particular options..
I need a fun, sensible (ish) car for approx 2.5k, I'll tell you what I'm thinking of & if anyone has any experience or advice regarding those I'd be extremely interested to hear it, be it positive or negative.
Or if you think of something I may have missed feel free to add it!
I'm after something to use daily, I do quite a few miles so around 30mpg ish would be nice, insurance isn't a problem, & I'm a qualified mechanic so I'll do all servicing. I'd like something around a year 2000, & ideally a 4 door, definitely a 4 seater (bar the one option you'll see below!!)
Must be manual though!!
I own a track/sprint impreza for my track fun, so I doubt the sensible car would be used for that although if it's good enough I wouldn't rule it out
Here's my thoughts;
Honda Accord Type R (my favourite choice so far I think...)
E46 323,
Clio 172 (not keen on a car this small although they are great fun!)
Mk2 MR2 (only 2 seater I'd consider I think)
Alfa 156, probably a 2.4JTD
BMW 530d (sensible choice!)
E36 M3 (pushing it for my budget I'd say!)
Well those are the main ideas, I love the look of the Honda, & they're meant to be great to drive so that's my favourite option right now, but there's a lot of good advice on here & I know some of you guys will think of stuff I haven't. So let's hear anything that will help me decide.
Thanks in advance, & sorry for the rather long post!
James
Have to say, having read all that it appears you just want a £2.5k car that can do 30mpg. Although the cars you've considered seem pretty varied. But you don't seem to list any real requirements on what you need it do (if you have any).
And as you haven't, then it means almost anything would seem appropriate. So the worlds your oyster really.
When you say a lot of miles... how many is lot? Do you really need to look at diesels?
How important is having 4 seats, I suspect not all that important if you are considering an MR2?
Will you ever need to haul anything in it?
How important is being able to take it on a track? As I'd say some you've listed are totally the wrong vehicle for doing so?
And if you are prepared to work on the car yourself, does it really need to be 2000 or newer? Is there any reason for this, or are you wanting more gadgets and refinement?
If a 2 seater is ok, then I'd suggest you take a look at a MK3 MR2. If you need a bigger boot then an MGF/TF.
BMW e36 328i and e46 328i might be worth considering too if you are looking at 323i's.
MG ZS180 is a good alternative to an ACR, you'll probably get more and newer car for your money.
However, I suspect you'll find it far easier to find something suitable if you can actually narrow down what you really want and what you really need and go from there.
Fair point, I really haven't been very specific!
Ok, the 530d & 156JTD were suggestions incase anyone said something to suggest the ATR would be dreadful daily!
My main requirements are 30ish MPG, a bit of refinement when I'm being gentle with it (20-30k per year) & most importantly something that could be fun to drive.
In regards to track use, if it would be no good on track, then I wouldn't, but I think the ATR should be tried on track if I get one!
I guess really the best options are the ATR or a 6cyl 3 series, I love mk2 MR2's, but realistically it wouldn't be ideal.
2000 onwards was as you say, down to refinement due to mileage & needing for car occasionally for meetings at work so reliability is important.
Fun to drive is most important, 4dr is definitely best. I just get carried away sometimes..
Ok, the 530d & 156JTD were suggestions incase anyone said something to suggest the ATR would be dreadful daily!
My main requirements are 30ish MPG, a bit of refinement when I'm being gentle with it (20-30k per year) & most importantly something that could be fun to drive.
In regards to track use, if it would be no good on track, then I wouldn't, but I think the ATR should be tried on track if I get one!
I guess really the best options are the ATR or a 6cyl 3 series, I love mk2 MR2's, but realistically it wouldn't be ideal.
2000 onwards was as you say, down to refinement due to mileage & needing for car occasionally for meetings at work so reliability is important.
Fun to drive is most important, 4dr is definitely best. I just get carried away sometimes..
james n said:
Fair point, I really haven't been very specific!
Ok, the 530d & 156JTD were suggestions incase anyone said something to suggest the ATR would be dreadful daily!
My main requirements are 30ish MPG, a bit of refinement when I'm being gentle with it (20-30k per year) & most importantly something that could be fun to drive.
In regards to track use, if it would be no good on track, then I wouldn't, but I think the ATR should be tried on track if I get one!
I guess really the best options are the ATR or a 6cyl 3 series, I love mk2 MR2's, but realistically it wouldn't be ideal.
2000 onwards was as you say, down to refinement due to mileage & needing for car occasionally for meetings at work so reliability is important.
Fun to drive is most important, 4dr is definitely best. I just get carried away sometimes..
You really do 20,000-30,000 miles a year! That's a lot and considering most ACR's are likely to be in 6 figures already. How long do you plan to keep such a car anyway?Ok, the 530d & 156JTD were suggestions incase anyone said something to suggest the ATR would be dreadful daily!
My main requirements are 30ish MPG, a bit of refinement when I'm being gentle with it (20-30k per year) & most importantly something that could be fun to drive.
In regards to track use, if it would be no good on track, then I wouldn't, but I think the ATR should be tried on track if I get one!
I guess really the best options are the ATR or a 6cyl 3 series, I love mk2 MR2's, but realistically it wouldn't be ideal.
2000 onwards was as you say, down to refinement due to mileage & needing for car occasionally for meetings at work so reliability is important.
Fun to drive is most important, 4dr is definitely best. I just get carried away sometimes..
Also do you get fuel paid for, because 30mpg for that distance is pricey, really pricey. Like £4,121.71 to £6,182.56 a year pricey.
Around 20k per year average yeah, sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes I get fuel paid for (if it's work use obviously), I know it'll still be quite expensive, but if I start looking at more economical stuff I just won't want to drive it!
I don't mind the fuel costs, if I can get 30mpg then I can afford to use it, used to use a 350bhp impreza & that got silly!
I know it'll put the mileage on the car up dramatically, but that'll happen whatever I buy, & as I'm pretty obsessive about servicing/maintaining my cars I'm hoping reliability wouldn't be an issue. I know it won't help the resale value one bit, but again there's nothing I can do about that..
Thanks again for all the advice
James
I don't mind the fuel costs, if I can get 30mpg then I can afford to use it, used to use a 350bhp impreza & that got silly!
I know it'll put the mileage on the car up dramatically, but that'll happen whatever I buy, & as I'm pretty obsessive about servicing/maintaining my cars I'm hoping reliability wouldn't be an issue. I know it won't help the resale value one bit, but again there's nothing I can do about that..
Thanks again for all the advice
James
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