£4K ideas…must be fun!

[Gandoolie]

Evening all,

I may well be in the process of moving on my Jazz and have been prompted by the wife to buy something more fun!!

I’ve now picked myself off the floor and am leaning towards a 197/200 Clio but I’m open to other ideas!

No real requirements other than it needs to be able to chauffeur my daughter to school and be a laugh to drive!

Thanks

[Xcore]

Forced induction mx5, 2zz mr2 , 350z

[TameRacingDriver]

Do you need more than 2 seats? If not, Boxster 2.5, MR2 Roadster, MX5 Mk1/2

If you need a hot hatch then I doubt you're going to do much better than a Clio 200 for the price. Maybe consider an R53 Cooper S with a few mods. More grown up option BMW 130i

[Gavin0478]

How about a night of "Coke & Hookers" would be more fun.

On a serious note I would wait to buy with how the car market is at the moment as prices are nuts.

[sherman]

At the 4k price point I would stay away from French electrics.
Do you need it to have 4 seats or are 2 enough?

[Gandoolie]

TameRacingDriver said:

Do you need more than 2 seats? If not, Boxster 2.5, MR2 Roadster, MX5 Mk1/2

If you need a hot hatch then I doubt you're going to do much better than a Clio 200 for the price. Maybe consider an R53 Cooper S with a few mods. More grown up option BMW 130i

More than 2 seats is the only real criteria that is a must

[bencollins4]

My wife’s R56 Cooper S could be bought for £4K, although make sure it’s MY2011 on. I have a 1M and Elise S1 but still love taking the Mini every now and then. Handles great, lots of grip, plenty of performance, cheap to fuel and most importantly, a lot of fun!

Edited by bencollins4 on Thursday 26th August 21:44

[loskie]

more fun? Than what the wife or Jazz or both?

[Gandoolie]

loskie said:

more fun? Than what the wife or Jazz or both?

That’s a good question! 😂

[Gandoolie]

bencollins4 said:

My wife’s R56 Cooper S could be bought for £4K, although maker it’s MY2011 on. I have a 1M and Elise S1 but still love taking the Mini every now and then. Handles great, lots of grip, plenty of performance, cheap to fuel and most importantly, a lot of fun!

Mini’s have never really done it for me unfortunately

[300sl-24]

Save a grand or so and buy a Clio 182

[georgeyboy12345]

BMW Z4 2.0i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106023...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta TB
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106173...


Mazda MX-5 NC 2.0i Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106033...


Mercedes SLK200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108025...


Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108085...


Renaultsport Clio
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106204...


Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...

[loskie]

just buy an old cheap hatchback (doesn't need to be powerful) and do targa rallies.

Or MX5 or RS Twingo

[ZX10R NIN]

Abarth 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...

Alfa Mito Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108126...

DS3 DSport 155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108196...

DSport Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108096...

[Gandoolie]

bencollins4 said:

My wife’s R56 Cooper S could be bought for £4K, although make sure it’s MY2011 on. I have a 1M and Elise S1 but still love taking the Mini every now and then. Handles great, lots of grip, plenty of performance, cheap to fuel and most importantly, a lot of fun!

Edited by bencollins4 on Thursday 26th August 21:44

Although now I’ve been looking at them it’s a lot of car for the money!

[ChrisH72]

You could stick with Honda and get an FN2 Civic type r gt.

At your budget they will have 100k miles but that's not really a problem. I noticed one for sale with 214k miles and the pics look good as new.

Or maybe a Toyota Celica.

Might help to narrow it down to hot hatch, coupe or saloon.

[J90ack]

[redacted]

[TameRacingDriver]

Having owned a 182 I'd probably go for a Clio 200 over it, as I've heard they've a better chassis and are more revvy and shorter geared. I've heard people say they prefer the 200 over the 182 Trophy. Then again though, I'm well known for being a critic of the first gen Clio Sports so take from that what you will.

[Tommo87]

What about a Megane R26, or if you need rear doors for the child seats a 225 Lux pack?

Unless you like garage bills, stay away from the BMW mini. They were a great exercise in form over function.

[Gandoolie]

Not just looking at hatch’s but most things!