HELP NEEDED: which car?

[beergibbon]

Hello

I'm pondering whether to sell my civic and get something older and cheaper to run, keeping my Subaru for the weekends.

It's a 2005 54 plate Type R with 43,000 miles and no AC or foglights (there weren't many options!). I reckon it's worth £7.5k.

Now for the fun part...what car should I get for £2.5k max? I don't want anything painfully slow (so no 1.2 litre cars or similar), it shouldn't have super high mileage and most importantly should be reliable.

Thanks

[Robatr0n]

MX5.

[angryS3owner]

If it was me I'd just use the scooby all the time or get a less practical car like a chim etc. to go with it.

[Blues]

angryS3owner said:

a less practical car like a chim

what could possibly be more practical than a Chim?

[angryS3owner]

Blues said:

what could possibly be more practical than a Chim?

An atom for example?

[kiwifraser]

angryS3owner said:

Blues said:

what could possibly be more practical than a Chim?

An atom for example?

Or a motorbike

[VerySideways]

Can't you get an Astra VXR for £2.5k yet? You know, one of those blue ones?

[300bhp/ton]

You can get a lot of car for 2.5k these days.

If you want something similar to the CTR have a look at a MG ZS180, almost as fast with arguably better handling. Cheap as chips to run too.

[beergibbon]

Ok, revised my thinking slightly. Am pondering a 325ti sport as I should be able to pick up a decent one for similar money to my CTR. Does anyone have experience of these (driving that is, not what they look like)?

[Robatr0n]

beergibbon said:

Ok, revised my thinking slightly. Am pondering a 325ti sport as I should be able to pick up a decent one for similar money to my CTR. Does anyone have experience of these (driving that is, not what they look like)?

I don't think they're the best looking cars in the world but the 325Ti doesn't look too bad.

They are pretty free revving and fun to drive but not as fun as the 130i M sport.

It felt pretty quick but then again, I was tooling around in a 998cc Mini at the time which wasn't exactly hugely fast.

Have you considered a 328i Sport?

[VerySideways]

Rob's beat me to it.
328i Sport beats the 325ti in every respect, though you may have to look at a few before finding a decent one.

In case you're wondering the E46 compact still used E36 rear suspension so you don't even gain anything there...

[beergibbon]

VerySideways said:

Rob's beat me to it.
328i Sport beats the 325ti in every respect, though you may have to look at a few before finding a decent one.

In case you're wondering the E46 compact still used E36 rear suspension so you don't even gain anything there...

Thing is I want a car as new as possible and I've spotted a really nice looking 2002 325ti sport with only 45,000 for £6,900. Seems like a good price and a 328i would probably be quite a bit older for that price wouldn't it?

[VerySideways]

I thought we were still talking about £2.5k...

[VerySideways]

I'm sure you could get a decent E46 for £7k, a 325i or 330i (coupé, saloon, or estate).
As discussed, the compact has the old suspension, you'd be MUCH better off with a proper E46.
Example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1000059.htm