Quick sub £1500 car?

commited · 28 Aug 2008 at 16:51

Quite like the idea of a clio 16v... Any sites where I can get more info?

Also - what are the Civic 1.8 VTI's like? Normal Honda reliability?

Alex_6n2 · 28 Aug 2008 at 17:23

Defcon5 said:
Do you have a Polo as well?

Used to.

This one: Click

Clarkey · 28 Aug 2008 at 17:25

broona said:
Civic 1.8 Vti/Vtis.

For 1.5k? Nah....

I'd suggest an NA 300zx, reasonably potent and actually reliable, but 3000cc makes it a no-go.

Lopéz · 28 Aug 2008 at 17:44

nicRob said:
Can easily get an S14 or S14a for that,

I have never seen a working manual S14a go for much less than £3000.

Locky · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:02

for that money, i would look at what saab and volvo has to offer IMO.

broona · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:16

Clarkey said:
For 1.5k? Nah....

I'd suggest an NA 300zx, reasonably potent and actually reliable, but 3000cc makes it a no-go.

Why not?

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

broona · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:18

TiZoR said:
for that money, i would look at what saab and volvo has to offer IMO.

Something like this?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...=VOLVO&model=S40&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

Nimzicki · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:18

InvaderGIR said:
Really? I did find some, but they seemed like they'd be ropey and were NA as well...that was going up to £2500.

I could only see GTs for sub £3000.

I did only have a quick look at PH and the cars that were available. I was more interested in what was available for roughly £2500...but I've got till Jan before I buy, so could pick up something rather good by the looks of the way prices are declining for cars.

I didn't look at AT or any other places though, which may have more at better prices.

InvG

Must be looking at the wrong models mate, gen 7 is the current, gen 6 is the twin headlights (i've got one) and gen 5 has the pop up headlights, should be able to get a gen 5 gt-4 under budget, not gonna be the best in reliability stakes though.

GeX · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:22

rover 220 coupe, fiat coupe 16vt or 20vt

commited · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:49

I thought saab 9-3's/900s were pants though?

I wouldn't mind a volvo 850 but they're fairly big engines...

Scottland · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:50

Ok, so it's 30cl to big.
http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/673954.htm

broona · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:52

commited said:
I wouldn't mind a volvo 850 but they're fairly big engines...

S40 T4 then, it's basically the 2.3 litre 5 cylinder from the T5 with a cylinder lopped off to make it a 1.9 4 cylinder, 200bhp standard and good fun for a Volvo.

commited · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:56

Scottland, 2 years too old - insurance company dont cover over 20 year olds

Broona, I detest the standard S40 - is the T4 any different?

broona · 28 Aug 2008 at 18:59

commited said:
Broona, I detest the standard S40 - is the T4 any different?

What do you detest about it?

I've only ever driven my old V plate T4, and never a standard one to compare it to, but I believe that the T4 came with stiffened, lowered suspension and more precise steering than the base models, so should be far nicer to drive than a standard one. Which model have you driven?

Scottland · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:05

commited said:
Scottland, 2 years too old - insurance company dont cover over 20 year olds

Broona, I detest the standard S40 - is the T4 any different?

I didn't notice the 20yr old criteria. Tbh, I just happened to stumble accross it as I had this thread open in another tab.

Dogbreath · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:06

commited said:
Quite like the idea of a clio 16v... Any sites where I can get more info?

Also - what are the Civic 1.8 VTI's like? Normal Honda reliability?

It's basically a better built (and styled IMO) Rover 400 with a great Honda engine. They are quite quick, but mine always felt a little too heavy for the engine, and handling is not particularly special in stock form (though can be improved considerably).

danza · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:09

306 GTI-6, 306 Rallye (good luck finding one), Xsara VTS, Mitsubishi FTO GPX.

commited · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:15

broona said:
What do you detest about it?

I've only ever driven my old V plate T4, and never a standard one to compare it to, but I believe that the T4 came with stiffened, lowered suspension and more precise steering than the base models, so should be far nicer to drive than a standard one. Which model have you driven?

I drove an old, not very memorable 1.8 which was really really well specced..

Is there any difference really between the 1.9 and 2.0 models? Anything to know about them? Can you up the boost for cheap power?

Joe T · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:15

Practical Performance Car's £999 challenge should provide some good inspiration.

InvaderGIR · 28 Aug 2008 at 19:27

Nimzicki said:
Must be looking at the wrong models mate, gen 7 is the current, gen 6 is the twin headlights (i've got one) and gen 5 has the pop up headlights, should be able to get a gen 5 gt-4 under budget, not gonna be the best in reliability stakes though.

Well I browsed through here up to just over £2500 the other night as that'll be about my budget. But you can't get any GT4s for £1500 certainly, can get GT and ST though, although I expect them to be dogs.

Still, doesn't really help the OP and I don't actually know what I want, just browsing ideas well in advance of being able to get.

InvG