£1500 Quid to spend on something a bit different

[Peritas]

Looking to the collective knowledge from the PH community
I'm looking to buy a runabout car for £1500
Only thing it has be be able to do a lot of miles eg. 20K per annum.

but it has to be fun
Looking at an E30 318iS
Any other suggestions
P.S Maintenance I can do on my own so not worried about that



>>> Edited by Peritas on Wednesday 11th December 13:03

[incorrigible]

Just done a quick search on Auto trader

1995 ALFA ROMEO 155 V6 2.5, 1995, full MOT, electric pack, A1 condition, priced to sell at £1700

Bobby Bargain

[shadowninja]

lowish mileage Nissan 200sx 1.8 turbo from 89/90? (S13 spec)

rwd, 0-60, 6.7s, turbo, pretty reliable, easy to modify should you want more power... www.sxoc.com

[Captain Muppet]

I've seen a 1990 CRX VTec go for £1800. 150bhp, 8000rpm and Honda reliability.

[incorrigible]

I wouldn't go as old as that if you're doing 20k a year. Seek out NikB for advise on sx's (the only one I know of on PH) I've only had dealings with one (little Brothers) and it was a pain, (good when it was going though and he sold it for £1500)

[pbrettle]

Bought a car for the missus and always wanted the "daddy" of the old style GTi's. So spend £1800 on a Golf MkII GTi 16v (5 door with big bumpers and BBS alloys, PAS and central locking). Quite basic compared to the modern ones, but just fantastic value for money.

If you've never driven a MkII then try it - its a revelation (though Pug 205 Gtis are as good, if not better). Do it, you know you want to.

Cheers,

Paul

[tekta]

I've got a 318is and it's definitely a lot of fun, even more if you can get one with a LSD. You can get a decent one for 1500 quid and it'll keep up with 90% of cars in a straight line, 98% round corners Lots of fun on track too.

If you're thinking of doing 20k a year though, it could get a bit pricey. The car will do it, and start reliably etc., but it demands preventative maintenance and regular servicing. It is easy to work on though (you HAVE to get the Bentley manual, although you need the haynes or E36 Bentley for the 318is 16v engine) and once something is fixed it'll last and last.

I've done about 15k a year and spent at least a grand a year on bits, but I'm probably a bit too enthusiastic on maintenance Get a good one though and you'll want to keep it forever.

Hope that helps a bit, good luck with ya choice

[Peritas]

Thanks for the info

I used to have an E30 318iS. Demon little cars. Hard to track them down at the moment though
They require a fair bit of maintaining but its good fun though

How would you rate the ALphas then?

[andymadmak]

Get a RWD V6 Alfa. The engine noise alone is worth more than a whole squadron of 4 cylinder BMWs!
Go for a mid 80s GTV6 (not the current shape)
Rear mounted Gbox for great weight distribution, 2.5l V6, 2+2 body, lovely alloys, some have leather interior, loadsa style.
Of course, it'll give niggles, but hey, its a love affair, right? ! 1500 squid buys a good un.
Andy 400se

[Fatboy]

Won't an 80's alfa be cronically rust ridden?

[Captain Muppet]

Fatboy said: Won't an 80's alfa be cronically rust ridden?

not anymore...

...you'll be able to sweep it up from the floor under where it last broke down.

:BittercoslittlebrotherisborrowingCRXashisAlfaisinthegarageAGAIN: