E39, R53 Cooper S, Toyota Celica 190

[mickyc79]

Coming to the end of my finance deal on current car, wife has a new car, so reliable family transport is covered if we ever need to go anywhere...Decided to ditch the finance car and try and save some money (wife wants/needs a new kitchen!)

Budget between 1-2K, have narrowed it down to the 3 cars mentioned.

The E39 i fancy in estate mode, and always hankered for a BMW inline 6, or seen a couple of 535's and 540's ion budget.

Didn't realise the cooper S was in budget until recently and really like the idea of one of them.

The toyota is a car i've always liked the look of and the reliability is certainly attractive.

Is there anything i would need to look out for in these particular models?

Or is there anything else in budget that would fit the following criteria...

reliable
1-2K budget
fun to drive
classless (i think E39 and mini are, not sure about toyota...)
won't throw up massive bills (looking to save as much as possible over next 2 years)
Only do about 8000 miles a year, so petrol and not too worried about MPG

Thanks

[mickyc79]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-535I-AUTO-5-SERIES-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-Mini-Cooper-S-...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-CELICA-1-8-VVTL-...

Examples i've been looking at

[cdrx]

That 535i was discussed in one of the bargain barge threads, a year or two ago when it was being sold by the original owner. Those photos on the eBay listing are not recent.

[mickyc79]

appreciate the heads up on the 535i, think it will likely go for more than budget anyway.

[mickyc79]

Really like the idea of E39 tourer, was watching this one the other week and feel that someone got a cracking car for the money! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-520I-E39-TOURING-ES...

Would consider the 520, but was wondering if there's much between the 525, 528 and 530?

[andyr30]

R53 Cooper S is well within budget.

I picked an '04 up for £1700 - 79k miles - Full Service History and a few mods (smaller supercharger pulley, full Miltek exhaust)

Great fun little car, the supercharger whine is addictive, which can lead to poor MPG.

It's been reliable so far, has a slight oil leak from somewhere which needs investigating.

Obviously being a mini it is small, I rarely have people in the back but there isn't much room.

• edit read the OP properly - one of these would be ideal given your requirements I think.

Just try and fight the urge of upgrading it - mine was just supposed to be a daily commuter.

I now have coilovers and various other bits and pieces waiting to fit

Edited by andyr30 on Monday 19th February 12:34

[mickyc79]

Thanks Andy, would probably be tempted to upgrade as well!

I am certainly leaning towards these...i had no idea they were in this price range.

I have a 4yr old and a 13yr old. Are the back seats really that small? I don't have the kids in the car that often right enough...

Whats the boot space like?

[steve-5snwi]

Boot space on the Mini is the same size as the glovebox on the E39.

In order of reliability

Toyota
BMW
Mini

In terms of fun

Mini
Toyota
BMW

For eveyday

BMW
Mini
Toyota

I'd probably go BMW as it would make the better family car.

[mickyc79]

Thanks Steve, I had kind of settled on the BMW, then i saw the cooper S was in budget too!

I've been considering this for a while and also had 2.4 Accord tourer, MG ZT(T) 2.5V6 and Volvo S60 2.0T se on my list too.

There's actually a surprising amount of good cars to be had in this price range, and i change my mind almost every day!

[mickyc79]

Cheeky bid for this even??

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-GS-GS430-SPORT-4-...

[steve-5snwi]

Noooooooooo

[mickyc79]

I know...I need to stop looking.
Stick to my narrowed down shortlist!

Think the mg-zt might still be on my list, anything to watch out for on the 2.5v6?

[Patrick Bateman]

Might not be 'classless' but appears like stonking VFM at face value-

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[CX53]

Patrick Bateman said:

Might not be 'classless' but appears like stonking VFM at face value-

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Good advert too, no waffle and gets to the point

[Patrick Bateman]

I'd be curious as to how long it's been since the belts were done.

[steve-5snwi]

Belts on the MG, there are 3 of them, and the intake manifold motors, the earlier car the better.

[mickyc79]

That Clio looks a great buy!

When looking for older cars, belts always seem to be the main big job that needs done. What are he best chain driven bargains on this price range? Are there any?

[culpz]

mickyc79 said:

That Clio looks a great buy!

When looking for older cars, belts always seem to be the main big job that needs done. What are he best chain driven bargains on this price range? Are there any?

Buy the Clio, i say. Cracking cars!

The issue with chain-driven cars is that they can also need replacing and usually cost a similar amount, sometimes even more.

[andyr30]

mickyc79 said:

Thanks Andy, would probably be tempted to upgrade as well!

I am certainly leaning towards these...i had no idea they were in this price range.

I have a 4yr old and a 13yr old. Are the back seats really that small? I don't have the kids in the car that often right enough...

Whats the boot space like?

The back seats will fit adults in...I've had a car full of adults and whilst it is cramped they do fit. Would be fine for children I think.

As mentioned, the boot space is pretty small. I have fixed this issue by removing the rear seats and having a seat delete fitted = nice big boot

[mickyc79]

Clio wasnt on my list, but might be now! That looks a very good example and a great advert. Seems to have been cherished by its current owner...

Belts would be due in about 2 years at my mileage...how much to do belts on one of these? Assuming i either fall in love with it and wanted to keep it, or to sell on after 2 fun years with the belts done for the next owner.