Best Drivers car for £5k
Discussion
Hi All.
I'm looking for a fun drivers car as a weekend/summer car. It needs to be quick and have enough power that I won't get bored. I know that £5k can only buy me so much and I won't be looking to have anything as a project. Possible that I might put a better exhaust to make it sound better but that's it.
Anything is welcome RWD, FWD, 4WD. The car will be stored on my drive under a car cover as I don't have a garage so nothing too old as it will more than likely rot away due to the UK adverse rubbish weather (except now with this heatwave).
I've been looking at Ford Focus ST's to Nissan 350z's so any other suggestions would be great and experience with them would be nice.
Cheers.
I'm looking for a fun drivers car as a weekend/summer car. It needs to be quick and have enough power that I won't get bored. I know that £5k can only buy me so much and I won't be looking to have anything as a project. Possible that I might put a better exhaust to make it sound better but that's it.
Anything is welcome RWD, FWD, 4WD. The car will be stored on my drive under a car cover as I don't have a garage so nothing too old as it will more than likely rot away due to the UK adverse rubbish weather (except now with this heatwave).
I've been looking at Ford Focus ST's to Nissan 350z's so any other suggestions would be great and experience with them would be nice.
Cheers.
tektas said:
I don't think it will have the power that would keep me entertained. I've had a Subaru Impreza which I've just sold so I now have a runaround so looking for something fun to replace the Impreza.Ankh87 said:
tektas said:
I don't think it will have the power that would keep me entertained. I've had a Subaru Impreza which I've just sold so I now have a runaround so looking for something fun to replace the Impreza.MX 5 all day long - m y missus has a Mk2 1.6 yes it does not have power but its so much fun to drive and has 'enough' if you see what I mean - I really enjoy it and find myself taking it out regulally depite owning a Caterham R500 so I know all about power, speed and handling. I can only imagine a later car with 1.8 or 2 litre with a few minor tweaks would be superb
I have a mk2 ST, had it about 16 months, its a lot of fun, the engine dominating everything. I wouldn't say it's the most nimble hot hatch, but its engaging and rewarding to chuck about, handles well and did I mention the engine? They really need a stage 1 map to liven them up though, but are easy to tune and still reliable. I lasted 4 weeks before getting a decent Stage 1 map, had it like that since then and feel it's perfectly adequate peformance and it still puts a grin on my face everytime I use the loud peddle. There's better "drivers cars" for 5k though, an MX5 is more engaging, as is a Megane R26, Clio 182, 306 GTi-6 however none are as much fun in my opinion.
Do your research if considering an 5 pot ST though, they are generally solid and reliable but google cracked liners. Get one that's already had block mod and you'll be fine.
Do your research if considering an 5 pot ST though, they are generally solid and reliable but google cracked liners. Get one that's already had block mod and you'll be fine.
I'm not completely sold on an mx5 as yes they are lightweight and the power will feel fast but actually they aren't. I'd be best saving my money and buying an MR2 roadster and put the 2zz engine in one.
As for a Focus they sound really good. A few people where I live have them but my only concern is how special they feel. I had the old Fiesta ST which yes it were a great car but it felt like a normal Fiesta. Didn't feel special. This is why I started to look at 350z's as they seem to be rare and different but the repairs I can imagine will cost a lot due to how rare the car is. Whereas a Focus ST should be cheaper as there's plenty about and plenty of tuners.
As for a Focus they sound really good. A few people where I live have them but my only concern is how special they feel. I had the old Fiesta ST which yes it were a great car but it felt like a normal Fiesta. Didn't feel special. This is why I started to look at 350z's as they seem to be rare and different but the repairs I can imagine will cost a lot due to how rare the car is. Whereas a Focus ST should be cheaper as there's plenty about and plenty of tuners.
For 5k, you'll be looking at an early pre-facelift on decent mileage. There are many many dogs about, so it's like a needle in a haystack trying to find a good one. The desirable ones are 2010 platers, last year they were made but you're looking at 8k minimum, plenty up for 9k now, even some dreamers asking 10k...
For 5k, do a lot of research!
For 5k, do a lot of research!
Ankh87 said:
Hi All.
I'm looking for a fun drivers car as a weekend/summer car. It needs to be quick and have enough power that I won't get bored. I know that £5k can only buy me so much and I won't be looking to have anything as a project. Possible that I might put a better exhaust to make it sound better but that's it.
Anything is welcome RWD, FWD, 4WD. The car will be stored on my drive under a car cover as I don't have a garage so nothing too old as it will more than likely rot away due to the UK adverse rubbish weather (except now with this heatwave).
I've been looking at Ford Focus ST's to Nissan 350z's so any other suggestions would be great and experience with them would be nice.
Cheers.
Need a better description in your eyes of 'fun'. To be honest reading between the lines of what has come after you are more interested in straight line foot down fun than twisty on th edge fun. I have a £5k Celica ST205 with a peak 290bhp but I do not use all of that 95% of the time, but enjoy the grip and sounds it gives me. I had a VX220 with 'just' 150bhp and it was much more fun than my Celica in terms of driving enjoyment - low slung, mid engined, noise, throwability, using all the power lots of the time. I'm looking for a fun drivers car as a weekend/summer car. It needs to be quick and have enough power that I won't get bored. I know that £5k can only buy me so much and I won't be looking to have anything as a project. Possible that I might put a better exhaust to make it sound better but that's it.
Anything is welcome RWD, FWD, 4WD. The car will be stored on my drive under a car cover as I don't have a garage so nothing too old as it will more than likely rot away due to the UK adverse rubbish weather (except now with this heatwave).
I've been looking at Ford Focus ST's to Nissan 350z's so any other suggestions would be great and experience with them would be nice.
Cheers.
Miata is always the answer. 
You'll get a really tidy Mk1 for that.
In fact you'll get a decent one for 2.5 or 3k probably. Use the rest for a nice sounding exhaust & coilovers.
A Mk2 sport with the LSD would be another good option. Rusty buggers though and hard to see how bad it is without getting it lifted up.
Or if you'd prefer a little more practicality, maybe an EP3 Type R.
You'll get a really tidy Mk1 for that.
In fact you'll get a decent one for 2.5 or 3k probably. Use the rest for a nice sounding exhaust & coilovers.
A Mk2 sport with the LSD would be another good option. Rusty buggers though and hard to see how bad it is without getting it lifted up.
Or if you'd prefer a little more practicality, maybe an EP3 Type R.
Ankh87 said:
I don't think it will have the power that would keep me entertained. I've had a Subaru Impreza which I've just sold so I now have a runaround so looking for something fun to replace the Impreza.
I drive a mk3 Cupra 290 as my daily. I had one of my "notions" at the start of the year which led to me buying a very cheap Mk2.5 1.8 SV-T MX5 for a bit of fun. They aren't fast but they are definitely fun and a more involving drive than my last 3 c300bhp daily cars.I'd say my fun is a mixture. I want something that is good in the corners but won't get blown away when it comes to the straights. Ideally a turbo MX5 would be the best option but they are over £5k. An S2000 would be perfect out of the box but none exist at £5k unless they are scrap.
Again a Focus ST would be a good option as they handle well. Impreza is out of the question as I'm never owning one again. I thought about an old Audi S3 with the old 1.8T in them. They are starting to look really dated though now.
Again a Focus ST would be a good option as they handle well. Impreza is out of the question as I'm never owning one again. I thought about an old Audi S3 with the old 1.8T in them. They are starting to look really dated though now.
Ankh87 said:
I'd say my fun is a mixture. I want something that is good in the corners but won't get blown away when it comes to the straights. Ideally a turbo MX5 would be the best option but they are over £5k. An S2000 would be perfect out of the box but none exist at £5k unless they are scrap.
Again a Focus ST would be a good option as they handle well. Impreza is out of the question as I'm never owning one again. I thought about an old Audi S3 with the old 1.8T in them. They are starting to look really dated though now.
There isn't much you can get that is a cornering god and fast on straights nowadays for £5k. It's not a lot of money. You are looking I think at older turbo hatches then? And presume you have a slush fund for the inevitable parts failures that come with them?Again a Focus ST would be a good option as they handle well. Impreza is out of the question as I'm never owning one again. I thought about an old Audi S3 with the old 1.8T in them. They are starting to look really dated though now.
You mentioned a 350z, they are cheap at the moment and very underrated (people who have never owned one will look at the specs and state its heavy therefore not great handling blah blah) - there are plenty around that have had basic mods i.e. suspension, bracing, breathing, uprev/ecutek - but at £5k there is going to be some downsides be it high miles (UK are a fickle bunch about miles, check maintenance schedule, oil burning issues, rust (£5k cars are going to be knocking on the door of 15 years old) etc.
Mileage isn't an issue to me as long as the car has been looked after. Rather have a high mileage car with full service history than a low mileage car with only part service history.
The reason I looked at 350z's are because as mentioned they are overall decent cars. The only thing that is putting me off is the cost of repairs due to them not been popular here in the UK.
MX5 would be an option if there is a turbo for sale but they are few and far between. As I mentioned this car will be used on the weekends during the summer and winter if the weather is kind.
As the car will be stored outside I have to think will the car be OK even under a car cover to the elements.
The reason I looked at 350z's are because as mentioned they are overall decent cars. The only thing that is putting me off is the cost of repairs due to them not been popular here in the UK.
MX5 would be an option if there is a turbo for sale but they are few and far between. As I mentioned this car will be used on the weekends during the summer and winter if the weather is kind.
As the car will be stored outside I have to think will the car be OK even under a car cover to the elements.
Loads of places you can get parts for the 350z for in the UK such as Tarmac Sportz, Torqen, Cougar Store to name but a few. Loads of stock in and based in the UK. In terms of prices, you pay for what you get really. Discs and pads are more heavy duty so cost a little more than say an MX5, if you want new cats you will need two so its twice the price, decent tyres will cost you £500 for a set of four as the wheels are generally wider than most so on and so forth. Its a very capable car though for the money, a V6 RWD front engined two seater, not many cars around offering that at £5k.
Yeah for the money they are good.
I'm looking for something that will give me just as much enjoyment as the Impreza did. MX5 would be nice if it had a little more power and grunt. Focus ST is a good shout and Civic Type R but ep3's seem to be scarred with the bad rep now.
I'll test drive an MX5 and MR2 see which I prefer out of those.
I'm looking for something that will give me just as much enjoyment as the Impreza did. MX5 would be nice if it had a little more power and grunt. Focus ST is a good shout and Civic Type R but ep3's seem to be scarred with the bad rep now.
I'll test drive an MX5 and MR2 see which I prefer out of those.
Turbo MX5 is the right answer. I'm sure I see them pop up for sub £5k quite often.
350Z is great, but not sure it satisfies the title. That being said, although nowhere near as cheap as an MX5, parts aren't that expensive, especially if you buy used, and there isn't that much that goes wrong anyway.
350Z is great, but not sure it satisfies the title. That being said, although nowhere near as cheap as an MX5, parts aren't that expensive, especially if you buy used, and there isn't that much that goes wrong anyway.
R53 Cooper S, fit some decent suspension and they are more than enough fun with stock power. Change the pulley and the manifold and you will happily be over 200 bhp, swap the S turbo brakes on and fit some decent pads. All more than doable for under 5k.
My car runs BC RM coilovers, a pulley, cat back and manifold and I've stripped about 100kg out of it. Never felt it was lacking for hooning.
My car runs BC RM coilovers, a pulley, cat back and manifold and I've stripped about 100kg out of it. Never felt it was lacking for hooning.
Ankh87 said:
I'm not completely sold on an mx5 as yes they are lightweight and the power will feel fast but actually they aren't. I'd be best saving my money and buying an MR2 roadster and put the 2zz engine in one.
As for a Focus they sound really good. A few people where I live have them but my only concern is how special they feel. I had the old Fiesta ST which yes it were a great car but it felt like a normal Fiesta. Didn't feel special. This is why I started to look at 350z's as they seem to be rare and different but the repairs I can imagine will cost a lot due to how rare the car is. Whereas a Focus ST should be cheaper as there's plenty about and plenty of tuners.
Surely if an Mx5 feels fast to you then thats the answer?As for a Focus they sound really good. A few people where I live have them but my only concern is how special they feel. I had the old Fiesta ST which yes it were a great car but it felt like a normal Fiesta. Didn't feel special. This is why I started to look at 350z's as they seem to be rare and different but the repairs I can imagine will cost a lot due to how rare the car is. Whereas a Focus ST should be cheaper as there's plenty about and plenty of tuners.
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