spend my 3 grand
Author
Discussion

stepmeek

Original Poster:

181 posts

135 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Have three grand to spend, no more, to buy something reasonably fast and fun. It will be our third car so I am not concerned about running costs etc. Only stipulation is that it needs to have back seats as I have a toddler who will sometimes be in the car with me.

On the list so far:

Alfa GTV V6, can just about get one for three grand although the potential bills down the line scare me a little bit. This is definitely top of my list however.
Lupo GTI, always liked the look of these, seem pretty cheap now, but not particularly quick.
BMW e36, probably struggle to pick up a 328i for this although I have spotted a tidy 328i which has an automatic box which could always be changed to manual later on.
EP3 type R, near the bottom of the market at this price so I imagine might be hard to find a decent one.

Pistonheads always produces decent options, so any ideas? Anyone with anything interesting for sale?


CubanPete

3,759 posts

210 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
You don't say what your dailies are,but for that money you probably won't get anything reliable with 4 seats that is much quicker than a new 2.0D.

I'd be looking for a fun classic rather than a speed machine

boobles

15,251 posts

237 months

stepmeek

Original Poster:

181 posts

135 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
CubanPete said:
You don't say what your dailies are,but for that money you probably won't get anything reliable with 4 seats that is much quicker than a new 2.0D.

I'd be looking for a fun classic rather than a speed machine
Yeah when I say quick I don't mean modern quick, just something that feels quick more than anything. Doesn't need to be particularly reliable either, I can budget for maintenance associated with an older car.

stepmeek

Original Poster:

181 posts

135 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
boobles said:
Good shout, thanks. Never realised these had dropped quite so much in price to be honest

civiclegend

166 posts

192 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
'Feels fast'.

  • Read - Fiat Coupe Turbo 20v. Nothing feels faster at around 220 bhp.

anonymous-user

76 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
civiclegend said:
'Feels fast'.

  • Read - Fiat Coupe Turbo 20v. Nothing feels faster at around 220 bhp.
I was going to suggest that along with the Alfa GT, Mazda RX-8 worth a look too

soad

34,282 posts

198 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
WRX Turbo?

egor110

17,617 posts

225 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Clio 182 or rust free ford puma ?

Pica-Pica

15,883 posts

106 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
stepmeek said:
boobles said:
Good shout, thanks. Never realised these had dropped quite so much in price to be honest
Yes.
(I am amused by shadows in these photos, but not as bad as the full clear reflection of a photographer in a room mirror of a house for sale in an on-line sale)

avenger286

425 posts

125 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Twingo 133.

Frankthered

1,666 posts

202 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
A GTV V6 would be a bit of a stretch, but you would easily get a 2.0 for that. I understand why you would want the V6 but the 2.0 handles better by all accounts!

You could get a nice RX8 for that money, but they can be a bit scary, bill-wise.

Your budget would probably get you a decent Celica or Hyundai Coupe if they float your boat.

stepmeek

Original Poster:

181 posts

135 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
I do like the 325ti, had one before and it was a great little car. May well give the dealer a call on that blue on if my first choice falls through, potentially just made an e bay purchase pending confirmation from the seller. Something Jap and fast smile

FerdiZ28

1,355 posts

156 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Xsara vts for £800, throttle bodies, exhaust, suspension refresh and lightweight wheels/sticky tyres with the balance.

All the fun you’ll ever need.

egor110

17,617 posts

225 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Frankthered said:
A GTV V6 would be a bit of a stretch, but you would easily get a 2.0 for that. I understand why you would want the V6 but the 2.0 handles better by all accounts!

You could get a nice RX8 for that money, but they can be a bit scary, bill-wise.

Your budget would probably get you a decent Celica or Hyundai Coupe if they float your boat.
You could get a rx8 for sub 1k and spend the other 2k getting the engine rebuilt

Frankthered

1,666 posts

202 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
egor110 said:
Frankthered said:
A GTV V6 would be a bit of a stretch, but you would easily get a 2.0 for that. I understand why you would want the V6 but the 2.0 handles better by all accounts!

You could get a nice RX8 for that money, but they can be a bit scary, bill-wise.

Your budget would probably get you a decent Celica or Hyundai Coupe if they float your boat.
You could get a rx8 for sub 1k and spend the other 2k getting the engine rebuilt
True! thumbup

Scobblelotcher

1,724 posts

134 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
soad said:
WRX Turbo?
yes

With a few engine mods, you have great performance in all conditions, reliability and more performance is available later on should you want it.

I think they need more than 330-350bhp to be at their best.

PapaJohns

1,064 posts

175 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Renault Clio 172 Cup

CubanPete

3,759 posts

210 months