Fun car for < £3.5k?

Jotun · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:02

Hi Guys,

As the title says really I'm after something fun to drive, I'm looking to spend about £3k, £3.5k is the max i can afford really. I've been looking mostly at Mk 2 MR2s, but I'm not having much luck finding any locally, I have spotted a few but they are the opposite end of the country, and I don't fancy a 600 mile round trip just to look at a car (although with the luck I've had I might have to soon enough!)

I'm soon to turn 21 with 4 years NCD, but insurance is still an issue, so group 17 or less really, as that is about £1k fully comp. Insurance for an imported MR2 is a joke (both turbos and n/as) which is annoying as there are imports fairly local to me for a good price.

I've also had a quick look at Clio 172s although there don't seem to be as many of them in my price range

I'm hoping to go on a few track days and just want something fun and involving to drive, preferably RWD. Also I'm not too keen on the MX-5, so I was wondering if anyone else has some suggestions as I expect there are some cars I have overlooked?

Thanks for your help

Repta · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:08

its not RWD but a 205gti might be worth a look

mattx2 · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:09

mkiv supra n/a or 200sx ?

Richdog · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:09

Ermm... I would suggest a 172 but if you've already discounted them then meh... shame as they are scorching little hatches with oodles of character. Decent economy on them too, I get 35+mpg from my 182 and that's town driving with the odd hoon thrown in.

If money is tight then i'd personally advise against some old turbo heap as you'll just end up paying a shedload on maintaining it. MX-5 also wouldn't really have much oomph to it for the money you're looking at especially as you couldn't afford to Turbo it, and a 172 would eat it for breakfast.

Search for a 172 in decent nick.

Howard · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:12

MX... Oh

Blu-ray · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:19

Would this be fun ? http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...model=CELICA&min_pr=&max_pr=4000&max_mileage=

GT-Four 3d 239 bhp
0 - 60 6.1 s

Imparently Insurance is group 17

Richdog · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:20

Blu-ray said:
What do you define as fun in a car?

I could class a 330i se or 530 as fun .

Did the 172 and MX5/RWD suggestions in his OP not give you a hint?

Blu-ray · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:22

Richdog said:
Did the 172 and MX5/RWD suggestions in his OP not give you a hint?

re-read the post instead of skimming, edited post

mattpc · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:28

Try the 200SX?

commited · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:47

E30 318iS.

These cars are incredibly competent and tbh deserve their silly title of "baby M3". They dont set the world on fire for straight line speed, but the handling balance is unreal. Cheap to buy and run too.

With some very simple mods, they can handle even better and keep up with a 325i to stupid speeds (Mine did a g-meter 7.5s to 60 with a chip & shorter diff). An appreciating classic

Here's a nice one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-BMW-318iS-Original-1-Owner-16v-E30-FSH-318-is-318i_W0QQitemZ280254205416QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280254205416&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318

fonzee · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:55

172/106 gti/306 gti-6/xsara vts/civic vti-s

sorted.

just read up on pistonheads 106gti as SOTW article, very hard to beat them in terms of fun per buck...

Richdog · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:56

172 > 106 GTI!

fonzee · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:57

Richdog said:
172 > 106 GTI!

on a track? nahhh...

Richdog · 10 Aug 2008 at 20:59

The 172 was winning! Plus woman driver anyway tbh.

Blu-ray · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:02

Im sticking by my Toyota Celica GT Four reccomendation

fonzee · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:03

it pulls away in the straights as expected, but it can't lose it in the twisties...

then bring in the fact you can pick up a saxo vts for next to noubt on the 'bay, whilst a decent 172 will be a good grand or two more... they are excellent value for money! especially for track use!

Richdog · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:04

Blu-ray said:
Im sticking by my Toyota Celica GT Four reccomendation

For 3.5k??!?!?!?!?!?!? :eek:

fonzee said:
it pulls away in the straights as expected, but it can't lose it in the twisties...

then bring in the fact you can pick up a saxo vts for next to noubt on the 'bay, whilst a decent 172 will be a good grand or two more... they are excellent value for money! especially for track use!

I see your point... but long-term as an investment I think a 172 wins both from a performance and "creature comfort" perspective. 106/VTS = tin can.

cymatty · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:04

Blu-ray said:
Im sticking by my Toyota Celica GT Four reccomendation

255bhp, as its an import.

Blu-ray · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:07

Richdog said:
For 3.5k??!?!?!?!?!?!?

meh, not brilliant, but looks fun.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...OTA&model=CELICA&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

cymatty said:
255bhp, as its an import.

Even better!

Jotun · 10 Aug 2008 at 21:09

Thanks for the replies guys, I've been trying to get a few prices for insurance from a price comparison site for a ball park figure.

Insurance for a GT-Four is just over £2k

I can't really justify spending more than about £1k or so on insurance.

A supra is group 19 so insurance for that is £2.3k

Which 200sx would I really be looking at? S14 presumably?

Richdog said:
Ermm... I would suggest a 172 but if you've already discounted them then meh... shame as they are scorching little hatches with oodles of character. Decent economy on them too, I get 35+mpg from my 182 and that's town driving with the odd hoon thrown in.

If money is tight then i'd personally advise against some old turbo heap as you'll just end up paying a shedload on maintaining it. MX-5 also wouldn't really have much oomph to it for the money you're looking at especially as you couldn't afford to Turbo it, and a 172 would eat it for breakfast.

Search for a 172 in decent nick.

I haven't discounted them as such, just I wasn't having much luck so didn't continue searching loads of websites other than a browse on autotrader.

Money isn't too tight so economy and maintenance shouldn't be *too* much of an issue hopefully although I think from an insurance point of view I can't afford any modifications either

I'm aware running costs for a sportier car will be more than I currently pay, although I'm only a student so not got tons of money to spare on repair bills!