Shed(ish), practical, cheap, FUN

[WhyAyeMan]

My mate has just had to write off his e36 328 coupe, and is now in search of a daily driver for the 1k mark. He is a competent mechanic, doesn't care about fuel economy, and needs more than 2 seats to carry his dad and son around. He's been looking at MG ZT190s and I've suggested a V6 Alfa 156 and a scooby wagon, but just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions to make?

[T0MMY]

If he can stomach the looks, Xsara VTSs are incredibly cheap, pretty comfortable and economical and a lot of fun. I had one alongside a 328 coupe funnily enough and it was a far more entertaining car, despite being FWD. Brilliant handling and a great engine, similar acceleration to a 328 but a bit less top speed. I don't think you could get a better hot hatch for his budget to be honest, in fact I'm positive you can't.

If he can't stomach the looks, 306gti6 but they're a lot more expensive for what is fundamentally the same car with a much nicer body and an extra gear. Might struggle to get a good one of them for a grand.

Edited by T0MMY on Saturday 19th July 09:55

[danp]

306 XSI?, should be a bit cheaper than the GTI.

You might find a slightly tired Corrado, Celica mk7, Leon Cupra at around a grand...but at this level guess you are unlikely to find a minter.

Keep an open mind and search ph/trader/eBay/gumtree etc for a reasonably local, decent looking example of any of the above? (or anything else that tickles his fancy, even another e36?)

[nickofh]

WhyAyeMan said:

My mate has just had to write off his e36 328 coupe, and is now in search of a daily driver for the 1k mark. He is a competent mechanic, doesn't care about fuel economy, and needs more than 2 seats to carry his dad and son around. He's been looking at MG ZT190s and I've suggested a V6 Alfa 156 and a scooby wagon, but just wondered if anyone had any other suggestions to make?

Think you got my suggestions in there actually , if I were anything more than a simple home mechanic I would have something more risky (at a low price ) on my drive , such as a WRX or an alfa.

Used to have a ZS 120 and at the time would have really loved a ZS180 , especially the last version...

[Pebbles167]

306 gti6. As said above. A fairly good one can be had in budget. Xsara vts is pretty much the same but uglier, and cheaper.

XSI is also a good car but is a fair way off the pace at around 9 seconds to 60, but the handling is good. Not bad for sub £500 in good nick. Fitting gti6 bits will give instant BHP boosts as the block is the same.

Edit: looking above, I agree the ZS180 is a decent car, lools great and goes well, looks excellent after the facelift (but out of budget) MG ZR160 VVC is also a fairly competent motor.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Saturday 19th July 19:53

[Debaser]

Sorry, all your suggestions are wrong. New PH rules state you're moronically stupid to think you can have fun in a car with anything other than two seats.

[WhyAyeMan]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, he's had a look at a ZT190 this weekend but it was shagged.

I did suggest a two sweater but he was adamant he needed 4 seats

I'll suggest the xsara (although he likes good looking cars so I'm not sure hell go for that) and the 306, and yeah the ZS is surely worth a punt especially if he's looking at ZTs as well.

I also suggested the mondeo St220 but they are as rare as anything it would seem especially for his budget.

[inabox]

Clio 172

[WhyAyeMan]

I've suggested the T5. Clio is too small and he's not keen on them anyway.