What car? It's a fun one!
Discussion
Hi Guys,
So, the Focus is sold! And now the time has come to find something fun. I'm 24 and have a few years ncb, so i'm not so restricted to cheap-to-run cars any more. I do relatively few miles (~8000 pa) so fuel economy is not too big an issue. My requirements are:
- Fun to drive.
- ~30 mpg mixed.
- Reliable (will be only car)
- Not hateful on motorways.
- Not too brutal on insurance. A V6 GTV would cost me £1k for example and i consider this too much.
- Some boot space for weekends away and my climbing gear.
- Some basic modern stuff - airbags, electrics beyond the starter motor would be nice.
- No bigger than the Focus, preferably smaller.
- Coupe / convertible.
Budget is £2.5k - £3.5k depending on the car. Trying to avoid the depreciation hit i took on the Focus.
The obvious answer is of course a mk2 MX5, but are there alternatives?
Cheers,
Simon
So, the Focus is sold! And now the time has come to find something fun. I'm 24 and have a few years ncb, so i'm not so restricted to cheap-to-run cars any more. I do relatively few miles (~8000 pa) so fuel economy is not too big an issue. My requirements are:
- Fun to drive.
- ~30 mpg mixed.
- Reliable (will be only car)
- Not hateful on motorways.
- Not too brutal on insurance. A V6 GTV would cost me £1k for example and i consider this too much.
- Some boot space for weekends away and my climbing gear.
- Some basic modern stuff - airbags, electrics beyond the starter motor would be nice.
- No bigger than the Focus, preferably smaller.
- Coupe / convertible.
Budget is £2.5k - £3.5k depending on the car. Trying to avoid the depreciation hit i took on the Focus.
The obvious answer is of course a mk2 MX5, but are there alternatives?
Cheers,
Simon
Nothing bigger than a focus because I have no need for a bigger car and driveway space is at a premium! And I'd like something smaller and perhaps more nimble as a result. I've been put off by older bmws by a friend who works for them - cheap to fix they are not!
I shall look more closely at the Nissan, are they cheapish to maintain?
The fiat is a good looking car, what's the handling like? Shame it's not rwd...
I'd love a 944s2 but I think it would be ruinously expensive to keep on the road
I shall look more closely at the Nissan, are they cheapish to maintain?
The fiat is a good looking car, what's the handling like? Shame it's not rwd...
I'd love a 944s2 but I think it would be ruinously expensive to keep on the road
Simbu said:
I've been put off by older bmws by a friend who works for them - cheap to fix they are not!
Except they really can be. Get a half decent one and not much should go wrong, and there really is a wealth of cheap parts available for them. There are so many on the road, that drives down cost for common parts. I've also found it a brilliant car to work on at home. Well laid out, well built and a pleasure to do simple service jobs on.Simbu said:
I shall look more closely at the Nissan, are they cheapish to maintain?
No, they're not. They will need work (suspension, often) and frequent oil changes. A turbo failure could spell game over if you're on a limited budget, and they really don't get 30mpg mixed. They're also pretty big, in fact my 328i touring is shorter than the 200SX. Insurance may well also be a killer, they were discovered as a performance bargain around 5 years ago and younger drivers have been wrapping them around lamp-posts with gusto ever since. Do give one a go, they're great cars, but they aren't cheap to run.Simbu said:
The fiat is a good looking car, what's the handling like? Shame it's not rwd...
They reportedly handle very well, regardless of being FWD. Again, 30mpg and insurance will be a challenge, and buy carefully. A cam belt change is no joke on these cars!Simbu said:
I'd love a 944s2 but I think it would be ruinously expensive to keep on the road
I think you're right there!Personally I reckon take a look at Mk3 Mr2's... bear with me!
Good ones at about £3k, cheapish insurance (do try a quote), 900kg and sweet handling, plus many parts from the toyota parts bin so cheap to fix, and inherantly relaible. You can make as much space in one as you want, you just have to pack them right. Above all, they're a hoot to drive.
WeirdNeville said:
lots of useful stuff.
Thanks for the reply I'd sort of written off the mk3 mr2 on the reputation of no boot space, but I really ought to have a proper poke around one. I think given the goal for me is cheapish fun I will probably test drive both the mx5 and mr2, and see which I prefer.
I was pretty much in your position when I bought my MkII MX5. I'd just sold my Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec Ebony edition model and I fancied something a bit more 'fun', saying as I don't have to worry about carting family around. The MkII MX5 is a great choice, it pretty much ticks all your boxes. I've just been communiting between Newcastle and Durham this week and I've been impressed with it on the motorway, it's not as savage and unrefined as I thought it would be, although it's definitely not a super-cruising wafter. It's also been a lot cheaper than the Focus to insure, and returns perhaps a tiny bit less in terms of petrol economy.
The boot is reasonable, and will easily suit a weekend away for two. I've already had mine filled with my walking kit (boots, poles and the rest!). The interior is great and it's a lovely place to sit. I put driving enjoyment before practicality when buying, and I'm glad I did as it's a bloody hoot to drive. I prefer the "boxed in" feeling of having the roof up, with the low seating position and raspy, high revving engine in front of you. The real high point is the handling, as the chassis on the MkII model feels a bit stiffer and more direct than the MkI and the steering feel is incredibly smooth and precise. The I'll be hanging onto this car for a while I think!
The boot is reasonable, and will easily suit a weekend away for two. I've already had mine filled with my walking kit (boots, poles and the rest!). The interior is great and it's a lovely place to sit. I put driving enjoyment before practicality when buying, and I'm glad I did as it's a bloody hoot to drive. I prefer the "boxed in" feeling of having the roof up, with the low seating position and raspy, high revving engine in front of you. The real high point is the handling, as the chassis on the MkII model feels a bit stiffer and more direct than the MkI and the steering feel is incredibly smooth and precise. The I'll be hanging onto this car for a while I think!
MR2 Mk3s are pretty under-rated cars IMO. A lot of people on here slag them off and say they aren't "proper" MR2s, but it was more faithful to the original than the Mk2 ever was. I've driven one and they are good to drive, they handle very well and are very go-karty to drive. Not the fastest things in the world, but 140 bhp in a 975 kg car means it can still get along, they're still good for about 130 mph and 0-60 in the mid 7s range.
I own a BMW 328i and despite being a big car they handle surprisingly well for their size, they sound good when you give them some revs, and are pretty quick.
£3k might get you into a 96-spec JDM Integra Type-R. I had a 98-spec and it was one of the best cars I've ever had. Fantastic handling, great engine, and very rapid acceleration, about on par with the 328i despite only being a 1.8. Revs to 9000 rpm. Don't believe this "lack of torque" thing, totally overstated.
MX5 would be a good choice. Personally for £3k, I'd find a tidy mk1 for £1.5k and spend another £1.5k supercharging it. I had one which was supercharged originally but I binned the supercharger as I had problems (previous owner had badly installed it). However, it certainly was fun. A 1.5k supercharger install should give you about 175 bhp in a car weighing about a ton, so they're pretty quick. Actually, despite what some on here say, I dont think a standard 1.8 is THAT slow either, although they do lack midrange grunt.
Clio 172 Cup - I've owned a 182. They're pretty good fun for a shopping trolley, a 172 Cup gives you some serious pace for such a small, unassuming car.
I own a BMW 328i and despite being a big car they handle surprisingly well for their size, they sound good when you give them some revs, and are pretty quick.
£3k might get you into a 96-spec JDM Integra Type-R. I had a 98-spec and it was one of the best cars I've ever had. Fantastic handling, great engine, and very rapid acceleration, about on par with the 328i despite only being a 1.8. Revs to 9000 rpm. Don't believe this "lack of torque" thing, totally overstated.
MX5 would be a good choice. Personally for £3k, I'd find a tidy mk1 for £1.5k and spend another £1.5k supercharging it. I had one which was supercharged originally but I binned the supercharger as I had problems (previous owner had badly installed it). However, it certainly was fun. A 1.5k supercharger install should give you about 175 bhp in a car weighing about a ton, so they're pretty quick. Actually, despite what some on here say, I dont think a standard 1.8 is THAT slow either, although they do lack midrange grunt.
Clio 172 Cup - I've owned a 182. They're pretty good fun for a shopping trolley, a 172 Cup gives you some serious pace for such a small, unassuming car.
Simbu said:
Nothing bigger than a focus because I have no need for a bigger car and driveway space is at a premium! And I'd like something smaller and perhaps more nimble as a result. I've been put off by older bmws by a friend who works for them - cheap to fix they are not!
I shall look more closely at the Nissan, are they cheapish to maintain?
The fiat is a good looking car, what's the handling like? Shame it's not rwd...
I'd love a 944s2 but I think it would be ruinously expensive to keep on the road
944 would not be remotely ruinous to run if you buy right. I shall look more closely at the Nissan, are they cheapish to maintain?
The fiat is a good looking car, what's the handling like? Shame it's not rwd...
I'd love a 944s2 but I think it would be ruinously expensive to keep on the road
This one has had the right bits done to it...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2309281.htm
Thanks for the replies all! I like the look of the mk2 MR2, if i can find one that's in decent, unmolested nick. This is the challenge. They all seem to be modded in some shape or form (to better and worse degrees).
That said (prepare yourself for some hypocrisy) i wouldn't be adverse to the idea of making some changes to whatever i buy eventually. I understand the mk3 mr2 is fairly easily supercharged, as the same engine is used the Corolla and by Lotus, and both of which can involve superchargers. And of course there's a huge mx5 modding scene.
That 944 is lovely, but i think that itch will have to wait. I'm being swayed by cheap Jap parts and reliability!
An ITR / Prelude would be fantastic fun i'm sure, but when i think about it i need to scratch the impractical convertible itch and whilst i'm young and not responsibility-laiden this seems like the time to do it!
Thanks all
That said (prepare yourself for some hypocrisy) i wouldn't be adverse to the idea of making some changes to whatever i buy eventually. I understand the mk3 mr2 is fairly easily supercharged, as the same engine is used the Corolla and by Lotus, and both of which can involve superchargers. And of course there's a huge mx5 modding scene.
That 944 is lovely, but i think that itch will have to wait. I'm being swayed by cheap Jap parts and reliability!
An ITR / Prelude would be fantastic fun i'm sure, but when i think about it i need to scratch the impractical convertible itch and whilst i'm young and not responsibility-laiden this seems like the time to do it!
Thanks all
I wouldn't overlook the Mk3 MR2 as they are nice little cars. Not as responsive or thrilling as an MX5, but the interior is fantastic and the mid engine/RWD setup is very interesting and gives a feeling of weight balance that feels like it belongs in a much more expensive car. Of course, working on it isn't a breeze like it is on an MX5 but they are a good choice aswell.
ticks all the boxes you've listed and maintainance costs are not as bad as you think.Simbu said:
Hi Guys,
So, the Focus is sold! And now the time has come to find something fun. I'm 24 and have a few years ncb, so i'm not so restricted to cheap-to-run cars any more. I do relatively few miles (~8000 pa) so fuel economy is not too big an issue. My requirements are:
- Fun to drive.
- ~30 mpg mixed.
- Reliable (will be only car)
- Not hateful on motorways.
- Not too brutal on insurance. A V6 GTV would cost me £1k for example and i consider this too much.
- Some boot space for weekends away and my climbing gear.
- Some basic modern stuff - airbags, electrics beyond the starter motor would be nice.
- No bigger than the Focus, preferably smaller.
- Coupe / convertible.
Budget is £2.5k - £3.5k depending on the car. Trying to avoid the depreciation hit i took on the Focus.
The obvious answer is of course a mk2 MX5, but are there alternatives?
Cheers,
Simon
You have a few interesting options under your specs but will have to look around for insurance. If it was me in your situation, I'd be looking for a Honda S2000 but the insurance will cripple you so have not counted this. So, the Focus is sold! And now the time has come to find something fun. I'm 24 and have a few years ncb, so i'm not so restricted to cheap-to-run cars any more. I do relatively few miles (~8000 pa) so fuel economy is not too big an issue. My requirements are:
- Fun to drive.
- ~30 mpg mixed.
- Reliable (will be only car)
- Not hateful on motorways.
- Not too brutal on insurance. A V6 GTV would cost me £1k for example and i consider this too much.
- Some boot space for weekends away and my climbing gear.
- Some basic modern stuff - airbags, electrics beyond the starter motor would be nice.
- No bigger than the Focus, preferably smaller.
- Coupe / convertible.
Budget is £2.5k - £3.5k depending on the car. Trying to avoid the depreciation hit i took on the Focus.
The obvious answer is of course a mk2 MX5, but are there alternatives?
Cheers,
Simon
I have based all choices on convertible RWD.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Lotta car for the money
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Lotta cheap insurance cheap mpg v cool car for the money
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Going to sting on insurance but could not resist.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Will tick all your boxes in spades. Very nice motor. Test drive one.
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