4.5K weekend car
Discussion
Before I burn my cash looking for a decent MK3 MR2 I just wondered if there is anything else I should be considering?
I don't need any practicality and am looking for something that will be fun to drive, doesn't have to be a convertible, in fact preference has always been on a coupe.
So far I've been thinking the MR2 fits the bill but I probably don't need to spend £4.5k on one. This just got me thinking if there are any viable alternatives?
The obvious answer is MX5, but I've had a MK2 and I don't want to spend my life battling rust. And from what I have seen/heard the MR2 is a better performing car than the NC MX5.
Other things I have considered:
Alfa GTV - it would have to be the V6 which might not meet the 'fun' criteria to drive but I am sure the sense of occasion and engine noise will make up for it.
Fiat Coupe - 2.0L Turbo? I'm sure this would feel like a rocket but not sure about how much time I would spend fixing things on it.
TT - not sure which one at this budget, MK1 or MK2, then would the 1.8T or 3.0L be better?
EP3 type R - Great engine and gearbox combo, but worried I would get bored if I'm not constantly keeping it on the red line.
Focus ST - Great soundtrack and performance, but a little too sensible for a weekend car?
Megane R26 - not really sure about these, only heard/read they offer great performance and enjoyment to drive, not many within budget.
To be honest the market is not great at the moment, a couple of years ago things like Z4's and 350z's would pop up for around 5k, but not much at all these days.
I don't need any practicality and am looking for something that will be fun to drive, doesn't have to be a convertible, in fact preference has always been on a coupe.
So far I've been thinking the MR2 fits the bill but I probably don't need to spend £4.5k on one. This just got me thinking if there are any viable alternatives?
The obvious answer is MX5, but I've had a MK2 and I don't want to spend my life battling rust. And from what I have seen/heard the MR2 is a better performing car than the NC MX5.
Other things I have considered:
Alfa GTV - it would have to be the V6 which might not meet the 'fun' criteria to drive but I am sure the sense of occasion and engine noise will make up for it.
Fiat Coupe - 2.0L Turbo? I'm sure this would feel like a rocket but not sure about how much time I would spend fixing things on it.
TT - not sure which one at this budget, MK1 or MK2, then would the 1.8T or 3.0L be better?
EP3 type R - Great engine and gearbox combo, but worried I would get bored if I'm not constantly keeping it on the red line.
Focus ST - Great soundtrack and performance, but a little too sensible for a weekend car?
Megane R26 - not really sure about these, only heard/read they offer great performance and enjoyment to drive, not many within budget.
To be honest the market is not great at the moment, a couple of years ago things like Z4's and 350z's would pop up for around 5k, but not much at all these days.
Rustybits said:
vulture1 said:
low millage z3? likely wont lose money either.
It did cross my mind, and it's aging rather elegantly and I think it looks better now than it did 10 years ago for some reason.Just not quite sure if it cuts the grade in terms of performance?
190 bhp straight 6 and pretty light.
This is quite a nice 2.8 within budget
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...
or a Z4?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...
What about something really different? Honda Beat
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...
Most of the good cars have already been suggested, I'm scraping the barrel with some others here:
Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
Porsche 986 2.5 Boxster
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107295...
or a Z4?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108075...
What about something really different? Honda Beat
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106234...
Most of the good cars have already been suggested, I'm scraping the barrel with some others here:
Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...
Porsche 986 2.5 Boxster
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
The 182 is a good shout, hadn't really thought about it as small hatchbacks aren't really my thing, but this one is hard to ignore.
Never seen a Honda Beat before and to be honest I'm not sold at all on it!!
A 2.5 Z4 doesn't really interest me all that much, I'd rather save for longer and get the 3.0.
A £4.5k Boxster is probably a bad idea? Even though I'll only be doing about 1000 miles a year in it I'm still concerned the running costs and bork factor would be quite high. Plus there are about 4 on AT suggesting that it's not really feasible at this budget?
Mini, as with the Clio is a good shout and again not one I previously considered on account on not really being a fan of small hatchbacks.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone
Never seen a Honda Beat before and to be honest I'm not sold at all on it!!
A 2.5 Z4 doesn't really interest me all that much, I'd rather save for longer and get the 3.0.
A £4.5k Boxster is probably a bad idea? Even though I'll only be doing about 1000 miles a year in it I'm still concerned the running costs and bork factor would be quite high. Plus there are about 4 on AT suggesting that it's not really feasible at this budget?
Mini, as with the Clio is a good shout and again not one I previously considered on account on not really being a fan of small hatchbacks.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone
Left field.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021080759...
Think of it as a 205 GTi for modern times.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021080759...
Think of it as a 205 GTi for modern times.
I enjoyed my MR2 roadster and it was really good fun to drive. Definitely a summer car though and although I did use it year round it was less fun in the cold winter months.
Alongside the MR2 I had a Celica T sport which was my daily for over three years. I preferred it to the MR2 as the vvtli engine made it more of an event to drive. Loved the shape too and I would often get positive comments from people. The power is up top like a Type R but if it's a weekend car that's no problem, it never really bothered me and hitting that power band was never boring. Prices are on the up but you'd get a minter for 4.5k.
Alongside the MR2 I had a Celica T sport which was my daily for over three years. I preferred it to the MR2 as the vvtli engine made it more of an event to drive. Loved the shape too and I would often get positive comments from people. The power is up top like a Type R but if it's a weekend car that's no problem, it never really bothered me and hitting that power band was never boring. Prices are on the up but you'd get a minter for 4.5k.
Gah, I just wish the MR2 was just a wee bit quicker, it's such a shame it had the 1zz engine rather than the 2zz.
I think the lack of outright power is the thing holding me back on the MR2 at the moment as I'd like something with a bit more poke. But I guess that's the limitation of the budget.
I think the lack of outright power is the thing holding me back on the MR2 at the moment as I'd like something with a bit more poke. But I guess that's the limitation of the budget.
The only problem with BMW Z3s is they can suffer from rust.
Z4s seem to generally be better in that regard, and you might find a 3 litre in budget. But a 2.5i has 192PS anyway so isn't sluggish, plus you get a straight 6 sound-track.
It depends what yuor preferences are though. Is it a 2 seat Roadster, a hot hatch or something else?
Z4s seem to generally be better in that regard, and you might find a 3 litre in budget. But a 2.5i has 192PS anyway so isn't sluggish, plus you get a straight 6 sound-track.
It depends what yuor preferences are though. Is it a 2 seat Roadster, a hot hatch or something else?
biggbn said:
We loved our z3, basic wee 1.9, kept it 8 years and will buy another, a 6 cylinder one won't lose any money and mist be a lovely thing to drive in an old school point and squirt way. Prices will rise and soon I reckon.
I'm hoping they will i've held mine for years now. Doubt they would go crazy but 8-10k ish would be nice and reasonable.
350Z would be my first choice & you can still get nice ones for near your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255101705281?hash=item3...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...
Z4 wise you'll get a nice 2.5si in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
Now if you want a cracking hot hatch then the 208 GTI is a cracking buy/car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255101705281?hash=item3...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...
Z4 wise you'll get a nice 2.5si in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
Now if you want a cracking hot hatch then the 208 GTI is a cracking buy/car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...
ZX10R NIN said:
350Z would be my first choice & you can still get nice ones for near your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255101705281?hash=item3...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...
Z4 wise you'll get a nice 2.5si in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
Now if you want a cracking hot hatch then the 208 GTI is a cracking buy/car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...
I love the Z4 advert when most of the pictures are of Z3's https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108116...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255101705281?hash=item3...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108206...
Z4 wise you'll get a nice 2.5si in budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107064...
Now if you want a cracking hot hatch then the 208 GTI is a cracking buy/car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...
Rustybits said:
Gah, I just wish the MR2 was just a wee bit quicker, it's such a shame it had the 1zz engine rather than the 2zz.
I think the lack of outright power is the thing holding me back on the MR2 at the moment as I'd like something with a bit more poke. But I guess that's the limitation of the budget.
That's kind of how I felt about mine when I had it. The engine from the Celica would've been huge fun in the MR2. Plenty of people did that conversion or added a turbo so you may be able to find one already done. Only thing is that I'd imagine a 2zz MR2 to be a bit of a handful. The transition to 'lift' at high revs was quite savage, more so than the Honda vtec. On a wet road my celica would spin up when hitting lift in 2nd gear (around 50mph). That could be an issue in an MR2!I think the lack of outright power is the thing holding me back on the MR2 at the moment as I'd like something with a bit more poke. But I guess that's the limitation of the budget.
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