Help me decide on a car to buy?

[J35T3R]

I'm new about here and like what's going on so trust in you PH'ers in helping me buy my first owned car in 9 years!!!


Car history, well I started with an old Escort 1.4L (1989) which I had when I was still at school, from there I progressed to an RS turbo rep which was an XR3i underneath, looked the part but it systematically fell apart over the time I owned it.

When I was 19 I bought a mint, standard 1993 Civic VTi which I loved but it ended in tears when it had a small bump into some barriers.....
The only other 2 cars I owned since then was another Civic SR Vtec as a run about for me and the Mrs, and a cracking 1980 white Escort XR3 (not i) MK3 which was a minter with low mileage and FSH. I kept the car for about a year then decided to sell as I had no where to keep her, my last toy if you like. I've had a few bikes over the years and did think about getting another bike but I really need a car over a bike so...

Since then I've been spoiled by having company cars for the best part of 9 years but now that I'm paid off and have a job on my door step I can now pick and choose something that I want to drive....

Got a budget of £3k to play with, its going to do limited mileage so insurance and fuel costs don't really come into it (me and the mrs also have the boring family hatch to do the majority of the driving).

Dunno what to buy but has to be fun, something that is fairly sporty with a bit of poke. Cheap and cheerful. Any ideas? Keep looking at old Fords and Hondas again but maybe there is something else out there to catch my eye...

[killsta]

MX5.

[twazzock]

You really can't go wrong with an MX-5.

[CampDavid]

Ford, fun, sub £3k, weekend car. Computer says Street Ka

Buy an Mx5

[Disco You]

MG F

[davy9449]

Focus ST170
3 series E36 328i coupe
Golf GTi MkIV
?????

[J35T3R]

Never would have considered an MX5, not sure it would float my boat TBH???


Mate had an ST170 recently but not 100% sure on them either.

[PompeyM3]

Have you thought about an MX-5 ?

[J35T3R]

Seems like you can get a pretty decent one for not alot of cash............hmmmmmm?

[AMST09]

Escort RS turbo
Fiesta RS turbo
2.8i Capri (just)

I like fords :P

[Ben Hughes]

MX-5. I've never driven one, but I want one. A lot.

[hornetrider]

MX5. I've owned two. Buy one. Job jobbed.

[Steameh]

Is it more important how fast it is to you, or more important with the overall driving experience?

If it's speed based then something japanese and turbo is probably the answer (Legacy B4 RSK immediately jumps to mind)

[vit4]

MX5


Or sticking to Ford, this is stretching the budget a grand but what looks to be a fairly straight ST220?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1884104.htm

[Corpulent Tosser]

MX5.

Had never really wanted one, but when I decided I needed a toy went for a drive to see what the fuss was about, and why everyone here (not quite everyone) raved about them.

Anyway, one test drive later and I decided to buy one and everyone in the family loves it.

[richinleeds]

What about this i'd be interested myself, but the wife not keen on the age!

[300bhp/ton]

J35T3R said:

I'm new about here and like what's going on so trust in you PH'ers in helping me buy my first owned car in 9 years!!!


Car history, well I started with an old Escort 1.4L (1989) which I had when I was still at school, from there I progressed to an RS turbo rep which was an XR3i underneath, looked the part but it systematically fell apart over the time I owned it.

When I was 19 I bought a mint, standard 1993 Civic VTi which I loved but it ended in tears when it had a small bump into some barriers.....
The only other 2 cars I owned since then was another Civic SR Vtec as a run about for me and the Mrs, and a cracking 1980 white Escort XR3 (not i) MK3 which was a minter with low mileage and FSH. I kept the car for about a year then decided to sell as I had no where to keep her, my last toy if you like. I've had a few bikes over the years and did think about getting another bike but I really need a car over a bike so...

Since then I've been spoiled by having company cars for the best part of 9 years but now that I'm paid off and have a job on my door step I can now pick and choose something that I want to drive....

Got a budget of £3k to play with, its going to do limited mileage so insurance and fuel costs don't really come into it (me and the mrs also have the boring family hatch to do the majority of the driving).

Dunno what to buy but has to be fun, something that is fairly sporty with a bit of poke. Cheap and cheerful. Any ideas? Keep looking at old Fords and Hondas again but maybe there is something else out there to catch my eye...

£3k can buy you a lot. I'm sure far too many people have said MX-5, which is ok if a little obvious.

Here's some maybe leftfield or other vehicles available at this money:

Although obviously knowing what you want from the car would be of help. If it's a weekend toy and you don't mind spending some TLC on it, then it opens up a raft of possibilities. If you need 4 seats/doors and a boot then it may change this a bit.

Ford Technics Turbo 2.8i Capri (1986)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1995793.htm

HBD VX Holden commodore REDUCED!!!! (2001)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1996035.htm

BEAUTIFUL XJS 3.6 AUTOMATIC (1990)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1965942.htm

1996 Jaguar XJS Super charged

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1186248.htm

jeep wrangler blue (1999)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796953.htm


Robin Hood 2b (2005)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2031001.htm

Quantum 2 + 2 Convertible (1996)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1741330.htm

Land Rover Discovery 300 TDI (1997)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2062681.htm

Lotus Excel SE (1990)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2037442.htm


Mazda RX-7 Fd3s Type-r (1995)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2054457.htm

MGTF 1.8 135 (2003/03)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2011627.htm

STUNNING MGBGT (1981/W)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2064105.htm

Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo (1991)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2050354.htm

1987 TRANSA AM GTA (1987)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1998820.htm

Rover SD1 Vitesse V8 (1986)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1900681.htm

Impreza sti-4

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2066195.htm

Triumph TR7 V8 (1977)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1898038.htm

Triumph Spitfire 1500 (1981)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2063630.htm

TVR 350i S2 (1988)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2064634.htm

TVR S2 2.9 (1989)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1810606.htm

Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 1998 (1998)



Fiat 126 Exup (1989)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2064324.htm


1991 E30 2.7 SPORT (Griffin Motorsports) (1991)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1863801.htm

Cadillac Seville (1987)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1568112.htm


Chevrolet Camaro T-Tops Coupe For Sale (1997)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1256013.htm

1980 camaro (1980)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2061994.htm

1993 dodge dakota (1993)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1904066.htm

1984 MUSTANG SVO 2.3 EFI INTERCOOLED TURBO 175 BHP (1984)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2054473.htm


FORD MUSTANG COUPE ANNIVERSARY MODEL (1994)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1795363.htm

ford f100 big block v8 4x4 monster (1968)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1977130.htm

Scimitar 1800TI SS1 Rare Turbo Convertible Sportscar. (1987)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2035592.htm







other cars you might find in price but would need to search for


Celica GT-Four


Ford Thunderbird V8/Supercharged V6


Pontiac Fiero


Ford Bronco


Cadillac STS Seville


Midas Gold


Alfetta


Ginetta


Mini


Porsche


Reliant


MR2



Fiat




HTH

[davy9449]

vit4 said:

MX5


Or sticking to Ford, this is stretching the budget a grand but what looks to be a fairly straight ST220?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1884104.htm

I await being shot here, but actually enjoyed the MkII Mondeo more than the MkIII to drive. i.e. ST200!!!

[RobM77]

An MX5 is a good suggestion, the only problem being that they feel extremely slow; something to do with the rear wheel drive, long wheelbase and low CofG/rollcentre I think. If that's a problem, then other suggestions could be a 200SX, 328i, 306 Gti-6, 106 Gti, or a Clio 172.

[Z28fan]

300bhp/ton said:

1993 dodge dakota (1993)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1904066.htm

1984 MUSTANG SVO 2.3 EFI INTERCOOLED TURBO 175 BHP (1984)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2054473.htm

dude - I like yank metal nearly as much as you do but these??? Gotta go with a fail there