£3000 to buy a car

[danuneek]

I've just sold my mini and I've got £3000 at the most.

I'm after an enthusiasts car, something I can enjoy driving but at the same time reliable, wont rust, modernish mechanics and is practical.

Insurance can't be too high either, so no RX7's, MR2 Turbo's etc...

It will be my only car.

[anonymous-user]

I will go first with the inevitable MX-5

[Elskeggso]

E46 330i?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2268608.htm

Edited by Elskeggso on Friday 26th November 18:54

[Gizmo!]

JPJPJP said:

I will go first with the inevitable MX-5

Such a terrible, terrible cliché.

But if you don't buy one it's a question of "why not?"

(Answers such as "I need four seats" are admissible").

[djt100]

Last gen celica's are goign for a good price these days, Maybe not the best drivers car in the worls, but repiable and as good as you'll need for driving on real roads.

But all depents on your use really

[robsco]

A lex, as nice as the GTV is, it fails at 2 hurdles here. The insurance is a group 20, and as a practical proposition? Hmmm. You're on the right lines though; why not a mint 156 V6?

Not massively slower than the GTV, same glorious exhaust note, 4 usable seats and a good boot. Oh, and only a group 16.

[plasticpig]

Gizmo! said:

JPJPJP said:

I will go first with the inevitable MX-5

Such a terrible, terrible cliché.

But if you don't buy one it's a question of "why not?"

(Answers such as "I need four seats" are admissible").

Because the OP wants something that doesn't rust. A none rusting two seater roadster would be a Reliant Scimitar Sabre. Galvanized chassis and plastic bodywork. The 1400 if you want to keep insurance down (group 7). Group 12 for the 1800 turbo.

[Jayho]

A lex said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2155928.htm





Next question please.

OP asked for something reliable...

Focus ST170?
Honda Accord Type R?
Honda Civic VTI?
Corolla T Sport?
Some average examples of SEAT Leon Cupra 1.8T 2002 platish could be had for that price, or maybe the Ibiza?

[sebhaque]

I was looking at replacement cars for my Corsa earlier and the Mk4 Golf GTI turbo, while not the fastest car you can get, looked like a nice choice. This was reaffirmed when I drove one recently, lovely car and it handled better than I expected.

I would also suggest a Clio 172/182 although they aren't the pinnacle of reliability. Same goes for the MG ZS 180.

[Ow]

danuneek said:

I've just sold my mini and I've got £3000 at the most.

I'm after an enthusiasts car, something I can enjoy driving but at the same time reliable, wont rust, modernish mechanics and is practical.

Insurance can't be too high either, so no RX7's, MR2 Turbo's etc...

It will be my only car.

Not quite an enthusiasts car, but could fit the bill?



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

[browna]

Mk1 Octavia vrs!

[BlueTwo2]

Have you thought about a MK3 MR2/MR-S? Cheap insurance as they're only around 7.5 secs 0-60 but they're agile and fantastic drivers' cars by all accounts.

[ALawson]

Honda Accord Type-R.

[Jasandjules]

BlueTwo2 said:

Have you thought about a MK3 MR2/MR-S? Cheap insurance as they're only around 7.5 secs 0-60 but they're agile and fantastic drivers' cars by all accounts.

I was thinking more a Mk2 (just a non-turbo version).....

[andye30m3]

For fun the clio 172 or 182 must be hard to beat for £3k

[p4cks]

andye30m3 said:

For fun the clio 172 or 182 must be hard to beat for £3k

This. Especially the 172 Cup which is a fantastic little motor.

[hardcorehobbit]

andye30m3 said:

For fun the clio 172 or 182 must be hard to beat for £3k

Agreed, but you hear so many reliability horror stories. If it wasn't for these, I might consider a Clio RS for my next car.


To the man who suggested Octavia vRS. Good shout. My usual one tbh. Also Focus ST170. You might get a Civic Type S for that, if you can live with the odd looks. Not quite a Type R though.

[andye30m3]

Mine was quite reasonable with regards to reliability, odd little thing but nothing expensive.

2 friends also have them and they also seam quite reliable.

[sparks_E39]

E39 5 Series

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I've just bought a 51 plate Skoda Octavia VRS for £2,500.

It's absolutely wonderful in every way. And I've come to it from selling my beloved Porsche 911, so I'm pretty car critical.

But a month into ownership, I have to say I love it very much. It's (relatively) fast, good on fuel, cheapish to fix and maintain, can do motorway cruiser or bonkers nutter car depending on your mood, is very comfortable and refined on distance work, and has a mega practical load space, especially with the rear seats folded down.

I have concluded that - what's not to like??