Help me choose! All ideas welcome...

[ringerz]

Hello, I'm looking to pick the brains of fellow PH's on my next car purchase. I've recently moved back to the UK and London, with the Oyster card negating any need for a car I once had..however, the itch to drive is asking to be scratched and as a result I have started putting a little aside in order to make a purchase. I'm looking to budget around £4500 for a year or so time in order to make a purchase - although if I really found something I wanted I could perhaps postpone a little longer.

Problem is, I'm looking for a little inspiration of what I could aspire to own by then to set the ball rolling...this is where I hope you can help me.

My requirements are pretty lax, I fortunate in the sense that I have no practicality considerations to to take into account, my other requirements are:

- Car will be street parked in not the greatest of areas
- Use will only be for blasts, however I expect to do a 200 mile journey in it every 2-3 weeks or so (mostly M-way)
- Quick
- Must be FUN
- Running costs must be reasonable

I have a soft spot for Clio 182's, but wonder if it would be enough fun/interesting to justify using it on a weekend.

If I had a garage I would seriously consider saving for an Elise as it is one of my all time favourites.


That's about it really.

[Animala]

Seriously? this thread has been here for 9 minutes and no ones come in with one yet?

alright, I'll handle this, it begins with an "M" and ends in a "5".

[Boba Fret]

all I'd suggest if it's outside in a 'dodgy' area is something cheap and fun that you won't care if it gets battered!

cue: 90s alfas, Mk3 XR2i 1800, Fiat Coupe,

[rev-erend]

Clio 182 with cup packs .. every time.

Fun, cheap and more fun on top

[Animala]

doogz said:

Animala said:

Seriously? this thread has been here for 9 minutes and no ones come in with one yet?

alright, I'll handle this, it begins with an "M" and ends in a "5".

M5?

Mi-16'd 205?

and one letter inbetween or a few more inbetween if you want to start it with the manufacturers name....

[ringerz]

Mmmmmm....always hankered after an M5 - loved the last V8 one, was a dream car. Only concerns with that are - budget (although by next year who knows how much?) and running costs. I must confess to having driven one mind, but it's certainly on my to-do list.

Fiat Coupe, XR2i - must confess to having never considered these, hard to find good ones?

Clio 182 - this was one of my favourite cars a few years ago. My first car was a Clio 1.2 16v - how I loved it (I was only 21 at the time), and the 182 was it's older brother. Hmmmm...

Cheers for the input thus far chaps!

[Boba Fret]

you can pick up a good, well cared for coupe for anything from £2k

like to see you get an M5 that's even roadworthy for that cash.

[stabbed rat]

ringerz said:

Mmmmmm....always hankered after an M5 - loved the last V8 one, was a dream car. Only concerns with that are - budget (although by next year who knows how much?) and running costs. I must confess to having driven one mind, but it's certainly on my to-do list.

Fiat Coupe, XR2i - must confess to having never considered these, hard to find good ones?

Clio 182 - this was one of my favourite cars a few years ago. My first car was a Clio 1.2 16v - how I loved it (I was only 21 at the time), and the 182 was it's older brother. Hmmmm...

Cheers for the input thus far chaps!

he was taking the piss, they mean an mx5

Tbh as PH as it is to suggest it, it would probably suit your needs. With £4500 you could probably get a forced induction one too. Just.

[ringerz]

Haahahahhahahaha, just cottoned on to that - (hangs head in shame)

All joking aside, a forced induction MX5 would be top of my list, but not sure it I would fancy leaving a rag top in the street. Something to consider though I suppose?

[Animala]

ringerz said:

Haahahahhahahaha, just cottoned on to that - (hangs head in shame)

All joking aside, a forced induction MX5 would be top of my list, but not sure it I would fancy leaving a rag top in the street. Something to consider though I suppose?

Hardtop?

[wackojacko]

Screw 182's ! 172 cups are miles better to drive.

A decent low mileage 172 cup can be had for under £ 3500
then spend the grand on a set of 4 toyo 888's and a trackday

Boosted MX5's are great aslong as the install has been done with no expense spared ...... If it's a cheapo job you'll basicly rebuild it in the long run.

Volvo 850R with an insane re-map

I did see an E34 M5 for 4.5k
the other day and did think twice about it .....( Insurance company are fine with an E36 M3 at 18 but they laughed when I mentioned an M5)

MR2

Celica GT4

[ringerz]

Possibly, then I can't help getting into the realsms of saving a little longer for VX220/Elise (again street park though), hard top early model Boxster? S2000? Think I might be getting carried away there..

[ringerz]

Why are the 172's better to drive? Is this a commonly held view?

[ringerz]

Would something like this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2658441.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2712697.htm

Be madness? Or manageable running costs since only getting a run out once or twice a week?

I'm edging towards "madness" but just look at em...