Possible RWD cars for 21 year old

[traktom]

Hi,

I'm looking in to buying a car when I get back from my year abroad in May and was just hoping you guys could give me a few alternatives to start the ball rolling.

My budget is £1500 - £2k for the car and around £1k for the insurance. For that I ideally want something reliable, rear-wheel drive, and with a punchy sub 2.0 non-turbo'd engine (insurance and all that!).

So far the only real option I've come up with is the Mk1 Mazda MX5 which I am interested in but would prefer something a bit meaner in the looks department!

Also thought about e30 and e36 BMWs but how are these on insurance?

Any other suggestions would be much appreciated!

[EDLT]

I think E36 Compacts are in better condition at this price than the full size car. You might get a rough E46 for £2k.

Your main problems will be insurance and rust. You might get an E30 or Mk1 MX5 on a classic policy these days though.

[mini1380cc]

Mr2
E36 318is

[davepoth]

4 cylinder E30s and E36s (E30 M3 excepted)should be reasonably cheap on insurance. Also consider a Volvo 340 and C class mercedes.

[B17NNS]

VW Beetle.

Great community to get involved with. Simple to work on, not quick enough to get you in trouble until you start modding it and will wag its tail with the best of them. Keep control of the rust and it will always be worth what you paid and probably more in years to come.

[BorkFactor]

EDLT said:

You might get a rough E46 for £2k.

Rough?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[welshjohn]

vauxhall omega
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[DouggyMc]

You should be able to pick up a decent sierra for that money.

[laam999]

mk1 MR2 I'd say, I just finished my 3 year project one and it's bloody good fun to take out, nice and roomy too with loads of luggage space, and when you can get classic car insurance it costs sweet FA (mine is £100 a year fully comp and I'm only 25)

[Viperz888]

Just some ideas:

Ford Sierra
Ford Capri
Lexus IS200
Toyota MR2
Vauxhall Omega
Volvo 240/740/940
Old Mercs/BMWs

[DanGPR]

Edit: I need to learn to read.

[deltashad]

Open manta

Bmw e21, 1602/2002

May have to travel and search in mobile.de for a tidy example.

[traktom]

Thanks for the suggestions!

The MR2 is a good shout and I'll look in to one of those. Also like the old BMWs.

I'm afraid the fords/volvo's etc are not my cup of tea.

Any others? Would something like a Z3 be anywhere near insurable or is that a tad ambitious?

Any other early 90s Japanese cars I should look at?

[16v stretch]

I bought my z4 as a 22nd birthday present to myself... Depends on what type of red you're looking for In a car.

convertible? Coupe? Saloon? Etc.

[MrBrightSi]

traktom said:

Thanks for the suggestions!

The MR2 is a good shout and I'll look in to one of those. Also like the old BMWs.

I'm afraid the fords/volvo's etc are not my cup of tea.

Any others? Would something like a Z3 be anywhere near insurable or is that a tad ambitious?

Any other early 90s Japanese cars I should look at?

If youre honestly looking for an MR2. GET THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD. These cars do not promote do-it-yourself. Can remember reading that to refill the coolant the bleed poitns are under the car.

Clutch and cambelt are a must, a later red with round lights gives the most capable comfy fast cruiser, however they are thirsty. Go for a Tbar as well, they are just so worth it in the summer, most keep a good water tight seal, well mine did, only good thing about it haha.

[traktom]

16v stretch said:

I bought my z4 as a 22nd birthday present to myself... Depends on what type of red you're looking for In a car.

convertible? Coupe? Saloon? Etc.

How much is the insurance on that z4 if you don't mind me asking?

I'm pretty easy on the type of car. Only looking into convertibles and such because I want lively RWD handling and decent acceleration from a small engine. Insurance is my main concern though as usual.

[getawayturtle]

E30 318is 1.8 M42
E36 318is 1.9 M44

Both good cars, fun to chuck around and reasonable enough to insure. I had the E36 when I was 21, was 1600 for me but I had a crash on my record, without it they told me it would be about £900 for the year.

[Raize]

924!!!

Actually seems ideal for you tbh.

[traktom]

Funny you should mention the 924. I was interested in those before the mx5. What are they like for performance and reliability?

[AndyT77]

I don't mean to be blunt, but there is really no point asking anyone on here about insurance, as it varies so much depending on a lot of factors. For example if one 21yr old on here can insure a car for £1600, doesn't mean a button to what quotes another 21yr old might get.

Best try running some quotes with the comparison sites on various cars.