Wanted a "involving" car.

robnut · 16 Oct 2008 at 03:20

As of late im finding my modern blandbox more and more boring to drive "Astra sportshatch 1.6 sxi" and im seriously considering getting something more raw for the weekends.

I really aint sure what to aim for, i guess im very bored of fwd too. Ive always had a hankering for some rwd fun but i dont know where to start? my rwd experience is limited to a 2.0l carlton (lol), 518 bmw and a 240bhp e21 3 series.

Can you suggest something that is gonna give me a rewarding drive, doesnt have to be the fastest thing in the world, just something that actually feels like im driving it. I suppose its because i learnt to drive and passed in a 89 astra, then drove a 83 mini so i have a love for the older car.

Sorry for the very long and boring waffle.

Rob.

BigglesPiP · 16 Oct 2008 at 03:39

75 V6 24V.

Yes! 1st serious Alfa recommendation.

Scania · 16 Oct 2008 at 03:49

e30 M3 (everything that 240bhp e21 3 series should have been and then some... )

DrDee · 16 Oct 2008 at 03:49

robnut · 16 Oct 2008 at 04:49

Heh i should have mentioned budget that is £1200 atm but still saving. I do like alfa 75s but finding a good one seems like a lottery. e30 m3 = too much, would love one but too much.

Now mx5, ive been looking at these for AGES, but the softer models without lsd and such put me off. I would like a 1.8is but for my budget they are rough.

ganesh · 16 Oct 2008 at 07:55

i think your requirements and budget scream mx5. You might need to save up a bit more cash. But you should be able to pick up a tidy 1.8 for less than 2k.

jaybee · 16 Oct 2008 at 07:57

Could get a MK1 MR2? Or are they much more dear than that budget?

kennethsross · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:10

jaybee said:
Could get a MK1 MR2? Or are they much more dear than that budget?

You could get a rough one, but doubt you could get a good one.

Vix · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:30

jaybee said:
Could get a MK1 MR2? Or are they much more dear than that budget?

Ooh I just came in to suggest that

For £1200 you can get a solid runner

You only start paying more than that if you want show standard.

ethos · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:31

205 gti?

[TW]Fox · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:39

Vix said:
Ooh I just came in to suggest that

For £1200 you can get a solid runner You only start paying more than that if you want show standard.

That reminds me, last Sunday I saw the mintest Mk1 MR2 I have ever seen. It literally looked brand new. Everything about it was absolutely pristine, there wasn't a spec of dirt on it let alone even a hint of rust, looked literally like it had rolled off the production line right down to the perfectly fitting sideskirts and pristine wheels. It was red and E reg, there cant be many like it, know of it?

Vix · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:40

[TW]Fox;12704562 said:
That reminds me, last Sunday I saw the mintest Mk1 MR2 I have ever seen. It literally looked brand new. Everything about it was absolutely pristine, there wasn't a spec of dirt on it let alone even a hint of rust, looked literally like it had rolled off the production line right down to the perfectly fitting sideskirts and pristine wheels. It was red and E reg, there cant be many like it, know of it?

I know of a couple of minters, where in the country was it?

[TW]Fox · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:45

Plymouth. Had a Mk1MROwnersclub sticker or something. This wasn't just mint, it was taking mint to a whole new level :eek:

Dogbreath · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:47

Foxes Glacier Mint?

Vix · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:48

Ooh probably one of our members then

Sorry OP, got sidetracked, but still recommend the mk1. Come on over for a test drive, Phil will take you out in the track car

Kitchster_uk · 16 Oct 2008 at 08:55

Can echo the mk1mr2 and mx5 as we have both! The '2 has a less thrashy engine and doesn't need to be in the right gear to get decent acceleration and you'd get a decent t-bar for the cash. An mx5 for that dosh will be an early 1.6 but these are still good for 115bhp. Also, you don't NEED the lsd, i have tracked one without and it was still huge fun.

DKong · 16 Oct 2008 at 10:03

Nissan 200sx S14/a, RWD, Stage 1 is around 260bhp so is pretty fun.

ethos · 16 Oct 2008 at 10:08

DKong said:
Nissan 200sx S14/a, RWD, Stage 1 is around 260bhp so is pretty fun.

For £1200?

...and 60bhp from stage 1?

Muffin` · 16 Oct 2008 at 10:18

DrDee said:
Mx5

Fit's the bill perfectly, just, get a good one, suggest joining MX5OC and reading thier buyers guides.

Zirax · 16 Oct 2008 at 11:39

robnut said:
Heh i should have mentioned budget that is £1200 atm but still saving. I do like alfa 75s but finding a good one seems like a lottery. e30 m3 = too much, would love one but too much.

Now mx5, ive been looking at these for AGES, but the softer models without lsd and such put me off. I would like a 1.8is but for my budget they are rough.

Vix said:
Ooh I just came in to suggest that

For £1200 you can get a solid runner You only start paying more than that if you want show standard.

OP you are in the same position I was in a few months ago. I ended up getting a mk1 for £1100 that had some toys. I did look at mx5's and in my experience they were dogs for that money.

Depends if you are after a t-bar or a sunroof model. Either way they are loads of fun with pops and bangs coming from the exhaust and the lovely air filter rush. They also rev to 9k rpm so they are loads of fun.

As Vix has said, good ones can be got for around £1k. There was a two owner white t-bar on ebay a few weeks back with 80k for around that. You will need to look around one for the rust though and ideally speak to someone that knows about them to discover the rust places.

I've had mine a few months now and still have a childish grin every time I turn the key. I will add some pimping pics below, where are you based?