Hi

[Nicki27]

Hi,

I've just joined this forum. Found it after doing several searches for sites about sports cars.

I'm 27 year old single girl, (I'm not looking for a date btw...just giving you a bit of background!), and have around 12k to spend on a car. I really want a sports car and have looked around but am feeling confused about what would suit me best? I use my current car for the short drive to work, going out etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Gorvid]

This is about to become a hormone-fest.....

[Glassman]

Doh! Too late.

[Grey Ghost]

Nicki27 said:

have around 12k to spend on a car. I really want a sports car and have looked around but am feeling confused about what would suit me best?

Can we have a few clues...2 door, 4 door, 2 seats, 4 seats, weekend stuff to go in, anything specific you have seen you like the look of etc, etc. Lots of information will be forthcoming once you provide some more clues as £12K can buy a lot of car these days.

If you can get to Battlesbridge (just east of Wickford) try to come along to the Essex meet advertised in this forum. We don't bite (except for a few of the Scooby guys ) and most of us are happy to talk to anyone interested in cars who is looking for some advise. If pushed (just ask ) most of us will gladly demo our cars as it is easy to do a lap of the pub and come straight back.

I work schedules allow me to get along to the meet I'll be the old git desperately trying to get a ride in the bright red Ultima

[Nicki27]

Thanks for your replies.

I would prefer a 2 door, and have seen quite a few different makes/models but feel really confused about what would suit me best. Some garages I have spoken to say "oh you don't want to touch one of these cars..." While another garage/dealer will say the complete opposite. I really don't want a car that I'm going to have to get loads of work done on. I want something that will be ready to drive away and will (hopefully) give me hassle free driving.

I'm just after some impartial advice. I.e...cars that people have bought/driven and would never have again for ....reason, or cars that people have bought that they are really pleased with.

I use my car for getting to work and back, going out, the odd weekend away and going to the gym. That's it really. I don't have kids so space doesn't matter too much.

Thanks
Nik

[Mattt]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned an MX5 yet!

You could buy a decent Elise S1 for that sort of money, or a higher mileage early S2 - if you pop down to the meet as suggested above there will be plenty to look around, and we even have a friendly Lotus dealer who comes along

[Grey Ghost]

Mattt said:

I can't believe nobody has mentioned an MX5 yet!

Good choice of car and a good one can be had for £12K from a main dealer with a warranty and a service history that adds up.

Nicki, don't take any crap from garages and make sure you test drive quite a few cars before parting with any money whatsoever, including a deposit as some of the bottom feeders ask for this before offering a test drive. Try to stick to main dealers if you can and if you are a little nervous about dealing with them on your own take a friend with you, preferably a bloke.

As mentioned above one of the regulars at the Essex meet is a Lotus dealer and a nice guy to boot if Loti are in the frame.

[Nicki27]

Mattt said:

I can't believe nobody has mentioned an MX5 yet!

You could buy a decent Elise S1 for that sort of money, or a higher mileage early S2 - if you pop down to the meet as suggested above there will be plenty to look around, and we even have a friendly Lotus dealer who comes along

Thanks for that. I've just been having a look at some of the owners clubs. I'm going to look out for some that I could test drive,even if I don't intend buying that particular one, as I think that no matter how nice a car looks, you can never tell whether it's for you until you drive it.

[Nicki27]

Nicki, don't take any crap from garages and make sure you test drive quite a few cars before parting with any money whatsoever, including a deposit as some of the bottom feeders ask for this before offering a test drive. Try to stick to main dealers if you can and if you are a little nervous about dealing with them on your own take a friend with you, preferably a bloke.

As mentioned above one of the regulars at the Essex meet is a Lotus dealer and a nice guy to boot if Loti are in the frame.
[/quote]

Thanks very much for posting.
I'm very confident dealing with people if it's something I know a lot about, but when I don't I'm always worried about coming across as a complete idiot. I don't know a great deal about cars, just how to change the oil, a tyre etc, but other than that ...nothing! I'm going to ask my brother-in-law to come along with me when I'm looking at cars I like.

[GoldenGT3]

Hi Nicki, you might want to take a look at the Toyota MR2 mk3 a car that is a little Under estimated in my humble opinion, well within your budget.

Edited by GoldenGT3 on Monday 30th July 16:47

[JamieG]

I'm ready to be shot down in flames here but have you not thought about a "hot hatch". Yes, some argue it's not a "proper sportscar" but having owned a previous-shape Civic type-R I can hand-on-heart say I'd buy another if I wanted a QUICK, reliable daily drive for the budget. 12k would get you one from a main dealer or if you wanted something a bit more subtle, a previous-shape Audi S3. If you don't need it as a daily drive, have you thought about a TVR - 12k will get you a sorted Chim or a nice Pre-cat Griff? Just my thoughts.Happy hunting,

[batman69]

Nicki, welcome

MX5 is a great fun car, not expensive to run and reliable. Various Japanese Coupes in your price bracket. Are there any cars you have seen on the road that you like the look of?
Golden rule is always buy on condition and history, if buying from a used car dealer always make a stupid offer (the bids can only go up, never down), threaten to walk away, making for the door always helps saying you are not sure, then see where he will get to. Unless buying a rare car there will always be another one somewhere else, so play hard ball. Dealers will never take a loss, but they would rather bank £100 profit than lose a sale (so do your homework and try to get an idea what he might have paid trade in). August is also a good month to talk to main dealers about px cars they have got coming in September when people are taking delivery of their new 57 plate.

Don't forget buying a new car is great fun but the more impassionate you can be during the purchase the better deal you can get.

[Beefmeister]

Hi Nicky, and welcome to PH!!

I'd definitely advise coming along to the Essex meet, we're a friendly bunch really...

Personally I think you should go for a 2 seater convertible, as you're only young once!

The MX-5 is a great car:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/213226.htm

But maybe they can be a little over priced compared to other stuff out there.

Like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/199479.htm

or this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/202484.htm

Or this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/204793.htm

Or even this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/184463.htm


Personally, if i were a 27 year old singleton, i'd go for either the TT, or the VX220 if you want something a little more hardcore...

Edited by Beefmeister on Wednesday 1st August 09:43

[gorvid]

----------> http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/213201.htm