Ideas for a first car?

[AleksG]

Hey guys!

I'm going to be getting my drivers license in a few months and have decided to start searching for a car.

I'm looking for a car that is:
£2000 max
Around 1.6l
Lhd (I currently live in Lithuania)
Easy to work on
Manual
Fun to drive

I'd use it mostly for seasonal driving (summer, spring) and for long trips across Europe. I have worked on a Porsche 928 and an old Soviet motorbike, so I'm no stranger when it comes to holding a wrench, but I'm no expert either Also, insurance in Lithuania is insanely cheap!

The Mazda Mx-5 is top of my list right now, but I was wondering if you guys had any other suggestions?

[ajb85]

AleksG said:

The Mazda Mx-5 is top of my list right now

[AleksG]

ajb85 said:

AleksG said:

The Mazda Mx-5 is top of my list right now

What's wrong with an mx5? It's reliable and apparently a fun car to drive. Mind you, it ain't the prettiest.

[ajb85]

AleksG said:

ajb85 said:

AleksG said:

The Mazda Mx-5 is top of my list right now

What's wrong with an mx5? It's reliable and apparently a fun car to drive. Mind you, it ain't the prettiest.

No no, nothing wrong with MX5s at all, quite the contrary. You're in good company, it's the PH staple cheap RWD 'must have' roadster.

[Mr Roper]

You'd get a pretty nice 205 1.6 GTI for 2 grand.

??

[AleksG]

I've never been a big fan of Peugeots

[ajb85]

Alfa 156? Lots of car for the money, nice to look at in and out, sweet T.Spark engine, reasonably competent to drive, and good for you because you're handy with a spanner!

[Willy Nilly]

Skoda Estelle

[Geekman]

If insurance was insanely cheap and I had a decent knowledge of mechanics, no way would I be limiting myself to a 1.6!

[AleksG]

My dad used to have a 156 1.6l sportwagon, it was one of my favorite cars that he has owned! Definitely a possibility

[AleksG]

Geekman said:

If insurance was insanely cheap and I had a decent knowledge of mechanics, no way would I be limiting myself to a 1.6!

Engine capacity isn't my main concern to be honest. I wouldn't say no to something bigger than a 1.6 though

[Geekman]

AleksG said:

Engine capacity isn't my main concern to be honest. I wouldn't say no to something bigger than a 1.6 though

Fair enough! In that case I'd probably go for an MR2, might even get a slightly leggy 330 in that budget

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Suzuki vitara 1.6! Then you can dabble in some off roading along the way! Easy to work on too.

[AleksG]

furrywoolyhatuk said:

Suzuki vitara 1.6! Then you can dabble in some off roading along the way! Easy to work on too.

I am thinking about a 4x4, especially with the terrible roads here in Lithuania.

[markrc]

A Suzuki Vitara isn't a bad shout and although I can't believe this would be 'fun to drive' in the traditional sense, it might help out on those Lithuanian roads!

http://bit.ly/ZmErIi

[UK952]

A while since I was there (early 1990s), but I think our roads are worse! mx5, e30 touring (more space for road trips) mr2. Vitara or similar might be better in the winter though.

[tomsugden]

My missus has a 1.6 MX5. Fun as it is, there's no way I'd want to do long trips across europe in it.

[AleksG]

UK952 said:

A while since I was there (early 1990s), but I think our roads are worse!

Trust me, the roads here are much worse than in the UK. One winter we had to change 7 tyres