£3000 to spend. Daily driver. 80s/90s?

[stedaley]

after starting the process of getting the Fiesta sold, ive worked out ill have around £3000 to sort myself out another car.

In order of importance.

---

Must be Reliable.

---

size isn't an issue so can be big or small.

---

Fun to drive

---

preferably appreciating (hence age).

---

Insurance/tax costs not more than i pay now (around £1000)

I really have no idea, but i need to set the ball rolling as i need to find something asap after the fiesta goes. Most important part is the car is reliable and it gets from A > B. A car with abit of speed and noise would be appreciated.

Cars ive looked into vary wildly,

Subaru WRX -
Volvo 850 T5 -
Corrado G60 - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C981969
W124 Mercedes - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C978087
MR2 -
Boxster - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C989500
E28 5 series - https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C984375

anyone whos had one let me know!

Ste

[CRA1G]

£3000 to spend on a 80/90's daily driver that "Must Be Reliable"......! : I'm sorry but laugh:

[RSTurboPaul]

MX5 (mk1)




Other than that, I can recommend a Gen6 Celica (but not the 1.8 version). 23k+ miles in a year (without a service, oops) and only needed an oil and filter change, new tyres (puncture + hadn't been replaced for a while so all were worn), and front struts (age / fair wear and tear). Still going strong at 210k miles.

You can pick them up for under a grand.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 9th May 14:46

[Obison]

E36 328i of any body style, I had my 97 car 4 yrs and only had consumables to cover in that time, buy the best condition you can find.

[Integroo]

You want to buy an appreciating, reliable, 20+ year old, interesting daily driver for 3k?

Wouldn't get your hopes up ...

I'm sure that leggy 1999 Porsche Boxster you linked would be a great idea ... or an old BMW 5 Series ...

[stedaley]

CRA1G said:

£3000 to spend on a 80/90's daily driver that "Must Be Reliable"......! : I'm sorry but laugh:

One can hope! well any car that's looked after can be reliable so was hoping something may come to light!

[stedaley]

RSTurboPaul said:

MX5 (mk1)




Other than that, I can recommend a Gen6 Celica (but not the 1.8 version). 23k+ miles in a year (without a service, oops) and only needed an oil and filter change, new tyres (puncture + hadn't been replaced for a while so all were worn), and front struts (age / fair wear and tear). Still going strong at 210k miles.

You can pick them up for under a grand.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Wednesday 9th May 14:46

Celica is a good shout, anything with a looked after toyota engine should last! MR2 was my thought!

[stedaley]

Integroo said:

You want to buy an appreciating, reliable, 20+ year old, interesting daily driver for 3k?

Wouldn't get your hopes up ...

I'm sure that leggy 1999 Porsche Boxster you linked would be a great idea ... or an old BMW 5 Series ...

Just hoping there is something that i hadn't thought of! or a car that someone has had and knows the issues with and can enjoy!

Suzuki Ignis sport 1.5 has popped up a few times, i just dont want to spend for deprecation on a newer car.

[layercake]

w124 that was an easy one

[Integroo]

stedaley said:

Just hoping there is something that i hadn't thought of! or a car that someone has had and knows the issues with and can enjoy!

Suzuki Ignis sport 1.5 has popped up a few times, i just dont want to spend for deprecation on a newer car.

In that case, I would be tempted by a n/a Mk2 MR-2 if you can find one with a clean bodyshell. Should be as reliable as a 20+ year old car can be, running costs should be reasonable, depreciation non existent and it will be interesting to drive and look at. Mk1 and Mk2 MX-5s are likely to rust into nothingness (and totally rust free ones will be out of budget).

[andysgriff]

stedaley said:

CRA1G said:

£3000 to spend on a 80/90's daily driver that "Must Be Reliable"......! : I'm sorry but laugh:

One can hope! well any car that's looked after can be reliable so was hoping something may come to light!

£650 1998 Volvo 940 estate, regularly doing a 1100 mile round trip from Aberdeen to Suffolk with no issues.

[stedaley]

andysgriff said:

£650 1998 Volvo 940 estate, regularly doing a 1100 mile round trip from Aberdeen to Suffolk with no issues.

Exactly the oddballs kinda cars im after!
Ive been looking at the 850 estates, had any issues?

[andysgriff]

stedaley said:

andysgriff said:

£650 1998 Volvo 940 estate, regularly doing a 1100 mile round trip from Aberdeen to Suffolk with no issues.

Exactly the oddballs kinda cars im after!
Ive been looking at the 850 estates, had any issues?

I had an 850 T5, I would say imho the 940 is a more dependable motor and its rwd. Have a look on the Volvo 700/900 group on Fbook there's always something decent for sale..

[Nickp82]

My money would go on a Puma (even though you have just sold a Fiesta!), they are starting to climb steadily now in terms of value.

[caelite]

CRA1G said:

£3000 to spend on a 80/90's daily driver that "Must Be Reliable"......! : I'm sorry but laugh:

Plenty of big saloon cars with lazy motors poodling about around the world with mileages approaching the 7 digits.

Lexus LS400
W124 Merc (Personally I think your missing a trick if you don't get the OM606 300D, that motor is legendary)
Nissan Primera P11, I think they did a couple of models with the SR20DE motor, plenty of tuning companies will refurb those
Nissan Pulsar N14, As above, but rarer
Volvo 850, various motors
Pug 405, still being made in Egypt
Would recommend an old VAG PD, but their golden era really was the late 90s coming into the early 00s with the PD110 and 130, might be a bit new for your criteria

Definitely doable, as a general rule I'd aim for something common, with either a very unstressed (OM606, 1UZ, etc), or common tuner motor. The former is likely to last longer, the latter is likely going to be easy to find parts for well into the future. Avoid anything with any sort of bespoke systems (Looking at you, Citreon hydro suspension)

Edited by caelite on Wednesday 9th May 17:00

[stedaley]

Nickp82 said:

My money would go on a Puma (even though you have just sold a Fiesta!), they are starting to climb steadily now in terms of value.

1.7?

I have thought about them but hard to find it seems, in good condition anyways!

Anyone got one?

[f1nn]

I'd say a mk2 MR2...mid engined, Toyota reliability...well you know what I mean...and
I'm convinced the values will gain momentum as the whole jap car thing come of age.

Oh, and pop up headlights.

[stedaley]

caelite said:

Plenty of big saloon cars with lazy motors poodling about around the world with mileages approaching the 7 digits.

Lexus LS400
W124 Merc (Personally I think your missing a trick if you don't get the OM606 300D, that motor is legendary)
Nissan Primera P11, I think they did a couple of models with the SR20DE motor, plenty of tuning companies will refurb those
Nissan Pulsar N14, As above, but rarer
Volvo 850, various motors
Pug 405, still being made in Egypt
Would recommend an old VAG PD, but their golden era really was the late 90s coming into the early 00s with the PD110 and 130, might be a bit new for your criteria

Definitely doable, as a general rule I'd aim for something common, with either a very unstressed (OM606, 1UZ, etc), or common tuner motor. The former is likely to last longer, the latter is likely going to be easy to find parts for well into the future. Avoid anything with any sort of bespoke systems (Looking at you, Citreon hydro suspension)

Edited by caelite on Wednesday 9th May 17:00

The w124 is really enticing, I just think it's a classic already, any idea which models have that motor?

I can't see any primeras, but I have a mate who's grandparents have one so I'll have to enquire about it!

The pd130 was in the fabia vrs wasn't it? Not sure I really do enough miles to manage a diesel!

[S100HP]

FTO

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Mitsubishi-FTO-2-0...