Fun cars for occasional driver
Discussion
Currently I have a FN2, its in pretty good condition, 70k fsh etc but since last year I only did 1400 miles and I just feel I would prefer something that was a bit more exciting.
The type r is great on the vtec but outside of vtec it's just okay, it's a good "daily" but maybe a bit too much of a "normal" car so I am after something a bit different. . .
Would like to experience rear wheel drive, if it's front wheel would like to have LSD.
Needs to be pretty reliable and not have some horrible issues like timing chain snapping as a common theme.
Looking to spend 3k to 7500.
DC5, they are out of my price bracket sadly, well basically 10k buys you a decent, less buys you hassle.
JDM EP3, not sure it will have right credentials, seems a bit more raw than the FN2 which would be a step in the right direction, but for me, hard to have fun in on the street, having to rev the nuts off of something, means you're already above the speed limit before the show has begun.
S2000, same as above really but never driven one so wouldn't know. seems to be some sort of vtec tax on the Honda which just makes them very expensive and maybe overhyped.
GT86, I see quite a few being sold with "knocking noises" and have read and watched videos which seem to confirm the big ends for some reason do go kaput from time to time, even at a low mileage like 30k, I couldn't afford one that still has the Toyota 5 year warranty and to fix the issue is like 5k. .
3.0 Z4, seems a bit of a tank but could be fun, nice straight 6.
MK1 or MK2 MX5, seems like rust is the biggest issue with these, MK1 seems to actually do better due not having the same chassis rials in the engine bay but should I avoid a 30 year old car? Surely it will be hassle. 4-5k buys a very clean MK1, FSH, Low miles, no rust or sills already been done etc
Not very powerful, 1.8 is 130hp but they look like a fun car for the city which is where I mainly drive, potentially enjoy some roundabouts and floating around the bends.
That's all I could come up with.
The 1 series, I like the coupe but not sure a 170 bmw would actually be much fun, refined yes, fun I will leave that to you.
Crossfire 3.2 ugly as sin
And I live in a flat so project car, it's not something I want, to carry tools up and down to work on the car, so not looking at any 200sx etc because in my price range they are all scrapheaps.
So basically FN2 is great but lacks fun unless pushed hard, looking for something that's got fun handling, makes a nice noise but isn't too much of a pain to live with and maintain.
The type r is great on the vtec but outside of vtec it's just okay, it's a good "daily" but maybe a bit too much of a "normal" car so I am after something a bit different. . .
Would like to experience rear wheel drive, if it's front wheel would like to have LSD.
Needs to be pretty reliable and not have some horrible issues like timing chain snapping as a common theme.
Looking to spend 3k to 7500.
DC5, they are out of my price bracket sadly, well basically 10k buys you a decent, less buys you hassle.
JDM EP3, not sure it will have right credentials, seems a bit more raw than the FN2 which would be a step in the right direction, but for me, hard to have fun in on the street, having to rev the nuts off of something, means you're already above the speed limit before the show has begun.
S2000, same as above really but never driven one so wouldn't know. seems to be some sort of vtec tax on the Honda which just makes them very expensive and maybe overhyped.
GT86, I see quite a few being sold with "knocking noises" and have read and watched videos which seem to confirm the big ends for some reason do go kaput from time to time, even at a low mileage like 30k, I couldn't afford one that still has the Toyota 5 year warranty and to fix the issue is like 5k. .
3.0 Z4, seems a bit of a tank but could be fun, nice straight 6.
MK1 or MK2 MX5, seems like rust is the biggest issue with these, MK1 seems to actually do better due not having the same chassis rials in the engine bay but should I avoid a 30 year old car? Surely it will be hassle. 4-5k buys a very clean MK1, FSH, Low miles, no rust or sills already been done etc
Not very powerful, 1.8 is 130hp but they look like a fun car for the city which is where I mainly drive, potentially enjoy some roundabouts and floating around the bends.
That's all I could come up with.
The 1 series, I like the coupe but not sure a 170 bmw would actually be much fun, refined yes, fun I will leave that to you.
Crossfire 3.2 ugly as sin
And I live in a flat so project car, it's not something I want, to carry tools up and down to work on the car, so not looking at any 200sx etc because in my price range they are all scrapheaps.
So basically FN2 is great but lacks fun unless pushed hard, looking for something that's got fun handling, makes a nice noise but isn't too much of a pain to live with and maintain.
2005 350Z so you can keep to the lower road tax:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Warcloud36 said:
Currently I have a FN2, its in pretty good condition, 70k fsh etc but since last year I only did 1400 miles and I just feel I would prefer something that was a bit more exciting.
The type r is great on the vtec but outside of vtec it's just okay, it's a good "daily" but maybe a bit too much of a "normal" car so I am after something a bit different. . .
Would like to experience rear wheel drive, if it's front wheel would like to have LSD.
Needs to be pretty reliable and not have some horrible issues like timing chain snapping as a common theme.
Looking to spend 3k to 7500.
DC5, they are out of my price bracket sadly, well basically 10k buys you a decent, less buys you hassle.
JDM EP3, not sure it will have right credentials, seems a bit more raw than the FN2 which would be a step in the right direction, but for me, hard to have fun in on the street, having to rev the nuts off of something, means you're already above the speed limit before the show has begun.
S2000, same as above really but never driven one so wouldn't know. seems to be some sort of vtec tax on the Honda which just makes them very expensive and maybe overhyped.
GT86, I see quite a few being sold with "knocking noises" and have read and watched videos which seem to confirm the big ends for some reason do go kaput from time to time, even at a low mileage like 30k, I couldn't afford one that still has the Toyota 5 year warranty and to fix the issue is like 5k. .
3.0 Z4, seems a bit of a tank but could be fun, nice straight 6.
MK1 or MK2 MX5, seems like rust is the biggest issue with these, MK1 seems to actually do better due not having the same chassis rials in the engine bay but should I avoid a 30 year old car? Surely it will be hassle. 4-5k buys a very clean MK1, FSH, Low miles, no rust or sills already been done etc
Not very powerful, 1.8 is 130hp but they look like a fun car for the city which is where I mainly drive, potentially enjoy some roundabouts and floating around the bends.
That's all I could come up with.
The 1 series, I like the coupe but not sure a 170 bmw would actually be much fun, refined yes, fun I will leave that to you.
Crossfire 3.2 ugly as sin
And I live in a flat so project car, it's not something I want, to carry tools up and down to work on the car, so not looking at any 200sx etc because in my price range they are all scrapheaps.
So basically FN2 is great but lacks fun unless pushed hard, looking for something that's got fun handling, makes a nice noise but isn't too much of a pain to live with and maintain.
The 3 litre Z4 isn't that heavy. I had a couple of 3.0Si Coupes and they weighed just under 1,400kg with 265bhp like all facelift models. They are a fair bit lighter than the 350Z too!The type r is great on the vtec but outside of vtec it's just okay, it's a good "daily" but maybe a bit too much of a "normal" car so I am after something a bit different. . .
Would like to experience rear wheel drive, if it's front wheel would like to have LSD.
Needs to be pretty reliable and not have some horrible issues like timing chain snapping as a common theme.
Looking to spend 3k to 7500.
DC5, they are out of my price bracket sadly, well basically 10k buys you a decent, less buys you hassle.
JDM EP3, not sure it will have right credentials, seems a bit more raw than the FN2 which would be a step in the right direction, but for me, hard to have fun in on the street, having to rev the nuts off of something, means you're already above the speed limit before the show has begun.
S2000, same as above really but never driven one so wouldn't know. seems to be some sort of vtec tax on the Honda which just makes them very expensive and maybe overhyped.
GT86, I see quite a few being sold with "knocking noises" and have read and watched videos which seem to confirm the big ends for some reason do go kaput from time to time, even at a low mileage like 30k, I couldn't afford one that still has the Toyota 5 year warranty and to fix the issue is like 5k. .
3.0 Z4, seems a bit of a tank but could be fun, nice straight 6.
MK1 or MK2 MX5, seems like rust is the biggest issue with these, MK1 seems to actually do better due not having the same chassis rials in the engine bay but should I avoid a 30 year old car? Surely it will be hassle. 4-5k buys a very clean MK1, FSH, Low miles, no rust or sills already been done etc
Not very powerful, 1.8 is 130hp but they look like a fun car for the city which is where I mainly drive, potentially enjoy some roundabouts and floating around the bends.
That's all I could come up with.
The 1 series, I like the coupe but not sure a 170 bmw would actually be much fun, refined yes, fun I will leave that to you.
Crossfire 3.2 ugly as sin
And I live in a flat so project car, it's not something I want, to carry tools up and down to work on the car, so not looking at any 200sx etc because in my price range they are all scrapheaps.
So basically FN2 is great but lacks fun unless pushed hard, looking for something that's got fun handling, makes a nice noise but isn't too much of a pain to live with and maintain.
There was a 125i 1 Series Coupe that had the same 3 litre N52 engine as the 3.0Si Z4, just detuned to 218bhp. But it seems people like Evolve can remap them to find the missing horses.
MX5s get great write-ups for how they drive, but they aren't that powerful and they do seem to rust for fun.
Enjoy the search.
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