fun car on a 2k budget

[Lancep]

Hi guys

I have just sold my 350z and im looking for a replacement everyday car. The criteria is as follows

can only cost around 2k
fun to drive
preferably 4 seats
better mpg that the 350z
as little rust as possible

So far i have been looking at Clio 172/182's but i cant help but think there has to be something a bit more interesting out there.

[treeroy]

How about an MX-5? 2 fewer seats than you need, equally terrible fuel economy, far more rust, BUT it is 2 grand and it is a lot of fun.

Remember, the answer is always Miata!

[LordHaveMurci]

A Clio is a huge amount of fun, I'm biased as I have owned a 172 Cup for over 8yrs but I prefer driving it to my 996 in many ways.

Oh, they are mostly reliable too so ignore all the French car haters that'll be along shortly...

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Thursday 16th August 16:08

[treeroy]

have a read through the shed of the week articles they'll be ideal for you.

[Lancep]

treeroy said:

How about an MX-5? 2 fewer seats than you need, equally terrible fuel economy, far more rust, BUT it is 2 grand and it is a lot of fun.

Remember, the answer is always Miata!

haha i had a feeling that would be the first car suggested. As much as i would lover another two seater my partner would kill me and most of the ones i have see around 2k are just rust where the sills used to be

[egor110]

ford puma or clio 1+2 , both a good laugh on b roads , i think the puma is a bit cheaper to run but they suffer from rust more than clios.

[treeroy]

Lancep said:

haha i had a feeling that would be the first car suggested. As much as i would lover another two seater my partner would kill me and most of the ones i have see around 2k are just rust where the sills used to be

yes, please don't do it bud, I'm only joking. I bought mine for £2000 exactly and within a year it had fallen apart and having spent plenty of money throughout 12 months. when it got to MOT time the next year it needed another 2 grand to pass MOT and even more if you wanted to make the rust go away for good.

I could push my finger at the poo-brown sill and it would just flake off. Bearing in mind I had the sills partly replaced shortly after buying the car and this was only about 8 months later. Not a great car. But a lot of fun while it lasted I will admit.

[Lancep]

LordHaveMurci said:

A Clio is a huge amount of fun, I'm biased as I have owned a 172 Cup for over 8yrs but I prefer driving it to my 996 in many ways.

Oh, they are mostly reliable too so ignore all the French car haters that'll be along shortly...

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Thursday 16th August 16:08

I am intrigued by a hot hatch i have mostly had rwd cars and everyone i know that has had one has raved about it.

To be fair i quite like the idea of something that needs fixing every now and again. I had the Nissan for 6 years and the only thing that needed doing a control arm. it was very boring in that sense

[treeroy]

I just noticed you are new on the forum. Are you aware of Shed of the Week? Its a weekly feature on the website where they trawl through the classifieds section and find interesting cars ("sheds") for 1-2k.

Have a read through some of them. Check the website every Friday when they're written.

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-s...

[carinaman]

MR2 Roadster.

[AT]

I would say EP3 Civic - I think that fits your criteria best TBH

[Lancep]

Nanook said:

Are the days of E36 328s for £2k gone?

Are EP3 Civic Type Rs down to that sort of price yet?

I'm not a fan of the Clio, but if that's your thing, you could do worse for £2k than one of them i suppose.

Long gone i'm afraid my first proper car was e36 328 which i bough for around £700.

i had a look on ebay last week and there was a 328 sport going for 5k with bids on!!! I would love a m50 325 but there just are none about anymore.

the CTR are really top end of the budget, im idealy looking for something a bit cheaper

[Lancep]

treeroy said:

I just noticed you are new on the forum. Are you aware of Shed of the Week? Its a weekly feature on the website where they trawl through the classifieds section and find interesting cars ("sheds") for 1-2k.

Have a read through some of them. Check the website every Friday when they're written.

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-s...

ah thanks mate! i used to browse piston heads years ago and shed of the week was one of my favorite articles. I had a little look just now and could find it i just presumed it had stopped doing it

[Lancep]

treeroy said:

yes, please don't do it bud, I'm only joking. I bought mine for £2000 exactly and within a year it had fallen apart and having spent plenty of money throughout 12 months. when it got to MOT time the next year it needed another 2 grand to pass MOT and even more if you wanted to make the rust go away for good.

I could push my finger at the poo-brown sill and it would just flake off. Bearing in mind I had the sills partly replaced shortly after buying the car and this was only about 8 months later. Not a great car. But a lot of fun while it lasted I will admit.

God sounds like a nightmare, i wouldn't mind if i could pick one up with a years mot for under a grand and just scrap it after a year but i think those days of super cheap fun cars are over

[Integroo]

AT said:

I would say EP3 Civic - I think that fits your criteria best TBH

Not likely to get a decent one near 2k, and fuel economy won't be much better than 350z.


Mk2 MR2?

[Lancep]

Integroo said:

Not likely to get a decent one near 2k, and fuel economy won't be much better than 350z.


Mk2 MR2?

the MR2 does interest me i always i always think of them as mini super cars,

The only things that scare me are rust and the fact i know nothing about mid engined cars or turbos.

[carinaman]

No turbo and 40 mpg possible.

[SydneyBridge]

how much is a Fiat Panda 100 BHP ??

Suzuki swift sport

[LordHaveMurci]

Lancep said:

Integroo said:

Not likely to get a decent one near 2k, and fuel economy won't be much better than 350z.


Mk2 MR2?

the MR2 does interest me i always i always think of them as mini super cars,

The only things that scare me are rust and the fact i know nothing about mid engined cars or turbos.

There was a feature on them in Classic & Sportscar last month or month before, may be worth finding a copy.

[AT]

Integroo said:

Not likely to get a decent one near 2k, and fuel economy won't be much better than 350z.


Mk2 MR2?

Wow – didn’t realise they were so thirsty.