Car dilemma
Author
Discussion

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
I recently made a thread "3k diesel with toys" but for some reason didn't think into the very near future when I'll be working up London and getting the train, car use will be at a minimum.

I do still like the suggestions in the thread, main one being the Volvo S60 but with the amount of miles I'll be doing it seems like a good excuse to go crazy, ok not crazy but something more 'fun'.

I'm now open to petrol cars, but wouldn't mind something that gets an easy 35+mpg when driven gently. Needs to also be reliable with relatively inexpensive servicing/parts.

Something fairly modern too.

£2.5k budget this time round, maybe a few hundred more.

And no, not an MX5 or similar. (don't fit..)



Cheers.

telecat

8,528 posts

262 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Hyundai Coupe? Even a 2.7 should be within range. MR2 might be a bit small. BMW 325 Coupes Peugoet 406 Coupe Hell There's loads of Stuff!!! You'll need to narrow down mileage age etc.

Hammy13

57 posts

162 months

Friday 20th July 2012
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How about a high spec mk4 Golf? Might do the job!

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks,

The only time I'll be using the car will be after work popping to the shops or driving to a friends at the weekend. 10 miles a day even sounds a bit much. Will be more on the weekend, maybe 100 or so.

I've owned an MKII MR2 which was a lovely size, very comfortable, great to drive but they're showing their age. Beggars can't be choosers, I know. But I would prefer sliding into something a little more modern. The MKIII MR2, no chance. It's tiny, the steering wheel nearly cut off both my legs. biggrin

Age wise, probably 1999>.

I do like my Golf's and did consider a GT TDI (before I realize how many miles I'd be doing) and I feel I could do better in terms of fun/different.

I don't know what 'fun' I'm looking for really. I like the sound of the 325.

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Scratch that, an MR2 makes perfect sense. Seeing as I'm on a budget it makes more sense to spend less on something I'd hardly be driving, and the MR2 is cheap as chips, fun, reliable and decent MPG.

nagsheadwarrior

2,789 posts

200 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Sounds like a case for an Alfa GTV or even better a spider, either the bestest 2.0 ts lusso around which your budget will easily cover or even better the 3.0 v6 in Spider form, awesome sound and looks,instant classic status and not too unreliable if you get a good one and service it correctly.

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
nagsheadwarrior said:
Sounds like a case for an Alfa GTV or even better a spider, either the bestest 2.0 ts lusso around which your budget will easily cover or even better the 3.0 v6 in Spider form, awesome sound and looks,instant classic status and not too unreliable if you get a good one and service it correctly.
Nice cars, I've owned two 147's and whilst they are cheap the buy I found them quite expensive to run for what they are. The 2.0 gets bad MPG, expensive parts and both cars had the same electrical issues. Will still give them another look as when they are running right you can get a bargain. Guessing the GTV will have the same performance and build?


nagsheadwarrior

2,789 posts

200 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
beatngu said:
Nice cars, I've owned two 147's and whilst they are cheap the buy I found them quite expensive to run for what they are. The 2.0 gets bad MPG, expensive parts and both cars had the same electrical issues. Will still give them another look as when they are running right you can get a bargain. Guessing the GTV will have the same performance and build?
Not had a 147 but guessing they are cut from similar cloth.
I think the 3.0 has slightly lower running costs than the 2.0 bar fuel but ya definitely need to find a good one and take some luck/brave pills with you.
I have a leggy 99 2.0 gtv thats been faultless so far,it thinks its an audi i think! I get upper 20s going to work and hooning it around which im quite happy with.

New POD

3,851 posts

171 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
beatngu said:
wouldn't mind something that gets an easy 35+mpg when driven gently.

And no, not an MX5 or similar. (don't fit..)



Cheers.
Damm.

Loose weight ? On a good day might achieve 40 mpg, on a bad day 20 mpg



rossub

5,403 posts

211 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
Clio 172/182

Rushmore

1,223 posts

163 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
MX-5?

telecat

8,528 posts

262 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
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Rushmore said:
MX-5?
QI Mode on

EEEEEE AWWWWWWW EEEEEEE AAAAWWWWW


Minus 10 points for Rushmore

Rushmore

1,223 posts

163 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
I forgot - he doesn't fit into a standard one.

How about a Mulliner Park Ward MX-5 with raised roof?

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Saturday 21st July 2012
quotequote all
nagsheadwarrior said:
Not had a 147 but guessing they are cut from similar cloth.
I think the 3.0 has slightly lower running costs than the 2.0 bar fuel but ya definitely need to find a good one and take some luck/brave pills with you.
I have a leggy 99 2.0 gtv thats been faultless so far,it thinks its an audi i think! I get upper 20s going to work and hooning it around which im quite happy with.
Don't get me wrong, I never feared of being left by the side of the road in either of my Alfa's. They are reliable in that sense but I feel they're a car you need to look after more than most.

And to be honest it wasn't the annoying little niggles that put me off as I'm used to fixing them and bodging stuff but the cost of the parts is too expensive. The price of suspension is ridiculous.

uote=New POD]

Damm.

Loose weight ? On a good day might achieve 40 mpg, on a bad day 20 mpg
They should make their cars bigger! It's tiny. I've never sat in one but have done in a MK3 MR2 which is smaller than the MK2 and the MX5 I'm guessing is smaller than the MK3!


Going to look at an MR2 tomorrow.

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Tuesday 24th July 2012
quotequote all
Went to see the MR2 but wasn't what I had hope. The clutch was slipping something terrible, the seller said it wasn't doing it before..

Still on the look out, but not for an MR2 though, smaller than I remember and not many about strangely. I would jump at the chance at an MK3 MK3 but sadly these are even smaller than the older one's! I did think about buying one and adding an aftermarket steering wheel to free some space but it's more hassle.

Clio's, MX5, Fiesta, MR2s are all too small. biggrin

£3,000 budget now I think. Something 'cool'

telecat

8,528 posts

262 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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I don't know if they are in the price bracket but what about the Honda S2000? Then of course the Z3 would drop into that price bracket. I gather changing the tyres improves the handling. Can't remember why though.

Schuey M

178 posts

163 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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How about a civic type r? Or an integra type r?

beatngu

Original Poster:

173 posts

173 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
quotequote all
telecat said:
I don't know if they are in the price bracket but what about the Honda S2000? Then of course the Z3 would drop into that price bracket. I gather changing the tyres improves the handling. Can't remember why though.
£3,000 is surely too low for a S2000? Lovely cars though. I have a feeling the Z3 will be a bit small, I do like the sound of buying one though, will give them a look.

Schuey M said:
How about a civic type r? Or an integra type r?
Had a search for Type-R's but £3k seemed the very bottom of the barrel.

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

229 months

Wednesday 25th July 2012
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You could get a really nice Honda Prelude 2.2 Vtec for less than that. Not as hardcore as the type r's but still got a fantastic engine and a good balance of handling and ride. Really great cars for not much money.