For F**ks Sake! (Choosing next car, can't decide)

[MarkRSi]

Has anyone run into this sort of problem?

I've got to hand by Civic Type-R in just over a months time, so I'm looking for a new motor. Up to £8k or less, RWD, preferably a convertible, reliable and cheapish to run, 8k miles/year, doesn't need to be a quick as my Civic (although power is nice... )

Mk2 MX-5 then? Case closed?

... well last weekend I had a go in a Lexus IS200 as recommended by my old man. OMG I liked it , nice and comfy, but with RWD handling and sublime (if quiet) 6-cylinder exhaust note. Ok you've got to spank it to shift but that suits my driving style. Plus I can spank it without annoying plod. And its got heated seats, air-conditioning, chrome gearknob, Lexus lights as standard etc...

Buts its no MX-5? Well the MX-5s, particular the MK2s I've been looking at seem to be very vunerable to rust. Bearing in mind this going to be used daily in winter and exposed to the elements (no garage, might get a carport with any cash left over tho) and simple fixes repairs aren't sufficient then the poor MX-5 will probably rot away after a few years


So what about an MK3 MR2? Well its got bugger all storage space which since this is going to be my only car it might be problem. Or it might be ok. I could probably borrow my dad '88 red pink 1.1 205 if I need to take 3 passengers, or not. Perhaps a IS200 would be more sensible choice...?

I've got a motorbike as well so surely I can just use that when the weather is fine in Aberdeenshire(ha ha ha ha ha ha), but then I've always wanted to drive in the winter with the roof down But I then I might do it once and get a hardtop

So I start looking at the classifieds for other things. I start looking at Subaru Imprezas, which seem quite cheap, lots of power ... then I remember I want something with RWD and that Subarus seem to be quite expensive when they go wrong... Oh look an white Evo IV! ... Ah bks NO!

What about things like S14s/200SXs? Skylines? Oh look an Skyline R32! (yeah I know its 4WD).... *drool* Then I start thinking - "what if it goes wrong..." (same goes for anything seriously modified, blown MK1 MX-5s etc.). Public transport is a PITA where I commute to and cycling... well its 7.3 miles so maybe its doable... I dunno... (electric bike?)

Perhaps a Supra would be quite nice, would a 3.0 N/A model be quite reliable? But then its got a rear wing and body kit that could be described as 'wikid innit'. Perhaps a nice little japanese convertible would be a safer bet?

So back to looking at MX-5s... oh look an IS200 with FLSH!... etc. etc.

Of course I'm sure there a billion other things people could suggest, 330Ci, Chargers (yes you know who I'm talking about, that said I've always fancied a Corvette...), S2000, 944s, TVRs, older MR2s, Csomething AMG, E36 M3, Boxsters, Z3 2.8...

On the one hand I guess I'm keeping my options open but then its annoying since I can't really focus on a particular model...

[varsas]

For that kind of money, and those requirments I'd be looking at an E46 BMW 330 cabriolet, although I've never driven one so don't know what they are like but seems to tick most of your boxes? Might be worth seeing if you can have a go in one, if you still prefer the IS200 then go for that.

And yes, I have these dilemas all the time, at the moment I can't decide between keeping my nice Land Rover, or selling it and buying an MGB GT, or an XJ8 or a S3 XJ...

[BlueMR2]

Just have a look at which ones you can afford a nice example of, keep some back for insurance and maintenance etc, then have a go of a few and find which you prefer you may find that some are better suited to your build than others etc.

I've always fancied an e36 M3 but they cost too much to buy at the moment together with the M tax on parts.

I fancied something V8 again, as well as an auto to help my left knee, i found a Porsche 928. Nice V8 rumble, plenty of room etc etc. Nice to drive, reasonably practical, i'm quite happy, needs a couple of bits doing, but then its a 25 year old car. You could probably get a later 32v S4 for that price.

[harryowl]

elise or vx220?

[rfn]

£8k will get you a lovely, sorted Mk3 MX-5 2.0 Sport in good condition - and probably one with a hard top (removable), too.

I have one for sale, just like that - weird, huh

[frosted]

Think the is200 would be the best value . Actually I'm starting to think they are past the chav stage which is good because they are good cars . A bit thirsty for the power ( 150bhp I think )

You could probably get an is250 if you go to auction , the se is not as posh as the se l , trust me

The s2000 is a good shout also

[loftylad]

If you're keen on speed, then don't bother with the IS200 Otherwise, what's not to like? Electric everything, smooth, quiet, RWD, and never ever go wrong.

I had an "se" from six months old to 4 years. The fuel consumption (for its bhp) is rubbish. IIRC they are 150bhp and I think I got around 21-24mpg. Don't think about driving it in snow unless you're comfortable driving sideways looking through the driver window!

The standard head unit/speaker system is brilliant. Single slot 6xcd player with god knows how many speakers.

Oh, and when you select reverse gear, they "beep" like when a truck's reversing

[DuncanM]

I had an IS200 for a short while and bloody loved it .

They are quick enough if rev'd too, Nice engine and good quality car.

The looks are almost perfect for a sports saloon imo.

The handling was fun and quite precise, nice steering, good 6-speed gearbox, smooth engine.

Good thing is you can get them with FLSH and the car will essentially feel like a brand new car for its age!

I really bloody liked it and would recommend one to anyone, I'd have another one if the circumstances were right.

And they are quick enough if driven well .

Duncan

[plg]

The IS is a great left field choice - very, very well screwed together cars. You can get service packages from Lexus to 100k for not too much money and their loan cars are epic - you can pretty much pick form the range - a friend had the LS450h as a courtesy car. Great dealers and service by all accounts.

Look around at the the IS300 as well. Likes a drink but very capable, very unstressed engine and very quiet.

[T84]

21MPG for 150BHP, you have to be joking!

I considered one of them, but the I remember the MPG being an issue when I asked.

The 'Sport' seemed pretty good, LSD as standard!

I wouldn't spend £8000 on one though.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Edited by T84 on Tuesday 26th October 23:53

[Ruskie]

IS300? I had an IS200 and loved it soothe next model up would be even better.

[plg]

The IS 300 will do reasonable MPG - 22 round town to 34 on a run I think.

Rare and swift.

We took one over to Italy last year via St Bernard pass and many mountain roads with my tank of an A6... huge fun.

[fluffnik]

There's also the JDM Altezza RS200 with the 210bhp I4 BEAMS motor if you want a little more go...

[marky911]

I've said it before on here, my girlfriend had one. Ridiculous mpg for a 2 litre car. Great cars though. Excellent interior, awesome hifi and the styling still looks quite fresh.

As mentioned, I'd be looking at 330 convertibles if you want a soft top.

[MarkRSi]

Thanks for the replies. Problem is with my budget you can get some very nice cars (as long as you look outside the Aberdeenshire area - I might need to travel some distance to get the car so would like something with a good reputation), so when browsing the classifieds I keep being pulled about by my heart and head, towards the practical and sensible and the fast and ridiculous.

I just seem to end up going in circles :P

TBH I'd don't really need 4 seats (no kids) but at least some boot space (MX-5-sized). On the one hand a quick car is nice but something like the MX-5 appeals since you don't need to be doing silly speed to enjoy. That said I've never driven anything over 2.0l so I'll see if I can test drive a 330 this week.

I get around 25 mpg out my Civic Type-R with plenty of VTEC'ing (yo) once warmed up and the road is clear - surely an IS200 can't be that bad? The IS200 I had a go in was a Y-Reg Sport, 73k miles going for 4k but honestly felt no older than my current '58 16k CTR.

A Mk3 MX-5 is probably a good shout - had a short test drive of a 2.0 a few weeks back and seemed quite good - are these as vunerable to rust as mk2s? Although they're probably too new to say.

What are 10 year old S2000s like? If willing to travel I might be able to get a decent looking one for a little less than 8k.

[MancBen]

Mazda RX8 ?

[carl carlson]

Can't you get a S1 Elise for about 8K these days?

[rfn]

MarkRSi said:

A Mk3 MX-5 is probably a good shout - had a short test drive of a 2.0 a few weeks back and seemed quite good - are these as vunerable to rust as mk2s? Although they're probably too new to say.

I'm not aware of any rust issues, but then the first ones aren't 5 years old yet. Lots on the owners club with 100k miles on with no issues, too.