Help what car to buy £4k to £5k budget.

[stuart kerr]

Hi All,
I need your help im looking for a new car I have a budget of 4k to 5k. I want somthing fast, at the minute I drive a 2l focus and need somthing more fun. I only do around 4 or 5 thousand miles a year so would not be putting serious miles on the car. Im not shore if I could live with a 2 seater sporsts car as it would be my only car, saying that I now live alone so its usualy only me in the car.
What do you think the best options would be?
Thanks for your help
Stuart

[winshent]

So are you after a hot hatch or a two seater or what?

[stuart kerr]

I think thats half the problem im not shore! most of the year its just me in the car but there are always 3 or 4 ocations a year when I have 3 or 4 pasanagers or some big luggage to carry. Im realy torn between getting somthing like an Elan SE / MR2 Rev3 or somthing more pratical like the Golf v6 4 motion / Alfa 147 or GTV.

Edited by stuart kerr on Saturday 24th July 18:18

[Evo]

Clio 182 Cup, you'd get a nice 05 plate car with low miles for 4-5k budget.

I'm planning on getting one as a third,weekend/trackday toy plus it shouldn't cost a fortune to maintain.

[speedtwelve]

I'd consider a 2-seater, if back seats are required only very infrequently. I have an Alfa 156 as the 'sensible' backup to my 2-seat sportscar, yet this year I think I've had people in the back on perhaps two or three occasions.

Some suggestions:

Forced-induction MX5
Integra Type-R DC2
Civic Type-R EP3
MR2 Turbo
Clio 172/182 as mentioned
RX8
Alfa GTV V6
Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo
Corrado VR6
200SX
TVR 'S'
Lotus Elan M100
Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9
Peugeot 306 GTi
Accord Type-R
TVR V8 Wedge

Edited by speedtwelve on Saturday 24th July 18:31

[Evo]

If age doesn't bother you then an Integra Type R (uk spec) would be a very good choice. I was lucky enough to have one as a company car when they were new and i can honestly say that of all the cars i have driven and that includes alot this is one of the most memorable cars. The handling was just awesome for a fwd car, the vtec engine is a gem and the gearbox was like changing with a winchester rifle. I wonder if they would still feel as tight now?

[MrCippo]

Fiat Panda 100HP, that was my choice.

[Paul v8]

SEAT CUPRA
VECTRA ST200

[judas]

stuart kerr said:

...GTV.

As much as I love the GTV (I'm now on my third ) when it comes to passengers, practical it ain't. So, unless you're talking short trips (or your friends are paraplegics ) don't expect the GTV to be the best car for taxi duties.

[stuart kerr]

Thanks guys some good advice (not the Fiat Panda bloke) ill have a look at all the cars you have surgested!

Edited by stuart kerr on Saturday 24th July 20:49

[winshent]

how about a E46 330i? should be able to get one with less than 100k for that money..

[stuart kerr]

Ill have a look and see if there are any goods one about. ive been looking at e36 m3 evo but reluctant to buy a to high milage one.

Edited by stuart kerr on Saturday 24th July 21:31

[stuart kerr]

Ok ive checked out the cars suggested and have put togther a short list of 7. i would really appreciate your opinions/thoughts on them.

1. Alfa GTV 2.0 jts facelift, year 03-04, 50K miles, around £5k

2. Lotus Elan SE Turbo, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around £4500

3. Mercedes 500SL auto, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around 4k

4. bmw 328ci, YEAR 2000, 50K miles, around £5200

5. Toyota MR2 Turbo, Year 91-93, rev 2 or 3 60-70k miles, around £2500-£3500

6. Mazda RX8, YEAR 03-04, 50K miles, around £5000-£5500

7. Clio cup 182, year 05, 40-50k miles, around £4k-£5

Thanks

[adycav]

stuart kerr said:

Thanks guys some good advice (not the Fiat Panda bloke)

Made me chuckle, that.

Certainly I would be looking at a Leon Cupra/Cupra R or Octavia vRS if you need the room, and an MR2 or MX5 if you don't.

However if you can find a tidy, standard UK Integra Type R for this sort of dosh snap the seller's hand off.

[Fidgits]

stuart kerr said:

2. Lotus Elan SE Turbo, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around £4500

odd question, but have you not considered a Mk3 MR2? you'll get something a decade younger, much more reliable and the same performance for the same price.

Sure, its no where near as pretty, but then i guess it depends on what your really looking for?

[slipstream 1985]

Fidgits said:

stuart kerr said:

2. Lotus Elan SE Turbo, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around £4500

odd question, but have you not considered a Mk3 MR2? you'll get something a decade younger, much more reliable and the same performance for the same price.

Sure, its no where near as pretty, but then i guess it depends on what your really looking for?

i see where your commin from but to me that is a girls car. an elan could be called a girls car but those in the know ie pistonheaders etc will turn to their non car friends and defend an elans "honour" strane how similar cars can have different perspectives but an elan is cool, a mk3 mr2 is not. (yet the mk1 and 2 are cool)

[Fidgits]

slipstream 1985 said:

Fidgits said:

stuart kerr said:

2. Lotus Elan SE Turbo, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around £4500

odd question, but have you not considered a Mk3 MR2? you'll get something a decade younger, much more reliable and the same performance for the same price.

Sure, its no where near as pretty, but then i guess it depends on what your really looking for?

i see where your commin from but to me that is a girls car. an elan could be called a girls car but those in the know ie pistonheaders etc will turn to their non car friends and defend an elans "honour" strane how similar cars can have different perspectives but an elan is cool, a mk3 mr2 is not. (yet the mk1 and 2 are cool)

each to their own

[slipstream 1985]

Fidgits said:

slipstream 1985 said:

Fidgits said:

stuart kerr said:

2. Lotus Elan SE Turbo, year 91-92, 75-80k miles, around £4500

odd question, but have you not considered a Mk3 MR2? you'll get something a decade younger, much more reliable and the same performance for the same price.

Sure, its no where near as pretty, but then i guess it depends on what your really looking for?

i see where your commin from but to me that is a girls car. an elan could be called a girls car but those in the know ie pistonheaders etc will turn to their non car friends and defend an elans "honour" strane how similar cars can have different perspectives but an elan is cool, a mk3 mr2 is not. (yet the mk1 and 2 are cool)

each to their own

of course! on pistonheads the only opinion that is right is your own opinion!

[Tsippy]

Or maybe pick up an mx5 and add a turbo or supercharger? Already handles well but is a bit low on power, FI sorts that out

[stuart kerr]

Keep it clean lads! They are both a bit girly but clasics to and look great.
What do u think to the SL500? Insurance and fuel cost would be a bastared but am only doing around 4K a year and I have loved this car for ages.

Edited by stuart kerr on Sunday 25th July 15:25