Alternatives to a celica?

BigAndy87

BigAndy87

BigAndy87

Associate
Joined
14 Feb 2011
Posts
550
Location
Scotland
On the hunt for a new car with aim to save and buy, by beginning of the new year.

I quite like coupes so the Celica ticks that box, but looking for any advice on alternatives.

Looking for decent spec, nippy, fun to drive, don't matter for fuel usage if am honest as do less than 5k miles annually.
Doesn't need to be the most practical car as don't have kids and very rarely have more than 1 passenger but would still prefer 4 seats even if the rear are not the most comfortable.

Budget 3.5k at top end but would prefer to spend less.

Only other alternative I can think of is Hyundai coupe.

Cheers
 
A really clean E36 328i? I'd rather have something like that. Porsche 944? :p

Ford Puma, Peugeot 406 V6 (not quite 'fun' though), Toyota MR2, Mk3 Supra... Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo? Those are awesome and you'll get a mega one for about £2-£2.5k.
 
In addition to the above a manual fto gpx is a thoroughly decent little car. Getting on now though and insurance can be bonkers. The autos are a waste of time

If you aren't scared of putting in some labour then a 330ci or 330i if willing to sacrifice coupe, if you don't mind the looks a 325ti for a couple of grand could be a decent car and they're, well nearly a couple? ( the later cars look much better but there commensurately more expensive...to thee point youd be better with a 330)

Oh s14/14a, clean like might be hard to find for the cash though

Sacrifice all hope of reliability and buy a corrado vr6, great cars( queue people saying they're very reliable, neither of mine were but maybe I was unlucky)
 
Last edited:
I do love 944s but bit long in the tooth some are older than me :D

Ill give the e36 a look, my friend has a 316 so would be nice to one up him :)

Never seen a corrado in my life, but I do quite like the look of them I shall look into them also.

I really like dc5 but they sadly are out of my budget maybe the car after next, dc2s look reasonable for the cash will investigate that aswell

Cheers for the input :)
 
Bug One said:
Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo.
Honda Prelude
Nissan S15
Maxda MX-6
Rover Coupe
Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Click to expand...

S15 everytime out of that list... as long as it's the SR20DET and not the non-turbo version! (Spec R is what you want... and it also has an LSD in it :-D). Can be VERY easily tweaked to get fair amount more power from safely if that's what you want. Note: The OEM wheels absolutely suck... you'd have to get aftermarkets.

DC2's might be getting a bit ropey now? (Although they are an excellent choice if you get a good one). You wouldn't need to modify anything as long as it's been looked after.
 
Last edited:
The Fiat Coupe 20vt would be my choice out of all of the ones mentioned on a heart over head basis. You'd need to keep money back for maintenance though.

Meant to have pretty mental midrange go; I was going to get one years ago but circumstances dictated otherwise.
 
Scougar said:
S15 everytime out of that list... as long as it's the SR20DET and not the non-turbo version! (Spec R is what you want... and it also has an LSD in it :-D). Can be VERY easily tweaked to get fair amount more power from safely if that's what you want. Note: The OEM wheels absolutely suck... you'd have to get aftermarkets.

DC2's might be getting a bit ropey now? (Although they are an excellent choice if you get a good one). You wouldn't need to modify anything as long as it's been looked after.
Click to expand...

Doubt you can get a decent S15 for 3.5k though o.O,
I'd go along the prelude route, or if you can live with the boyracer image the Fiat has great potential.
 
breadturbo said:
Doubt you can get a decent S15 for 3.5k though o.O,
I'd go along the prelude route, or if you can live with the boyracer image the Fiat has great potential.
Click to expand...

I thought its pretty much minimum 5-6k. 3.5k will however pick you up a very decent 14, or a middling to good 14a - which would be my choice in this scenario :)
 
Zefan said:
Considered an Integra DC2?
Click to expand...

Great cars, but £3.5k puts you right at the bottom end of the market. Neglected dogs basically.

I'm biased, but the Fiat Coupe 20VT would be near the top of my list, but I'd also be looking at the Alfa GTV. This does assume you can perform at least some of the inevitable ongoing maintenance yourself though, as expense could quickly mount up if you have to use a garage.

If petrol really isn't a concern you could pick up a reasonable RX8, not a true coupe of course but looks like one.

You could also get an older Audi TT in your budget, but again it probably won't be a particularly nice one.
 
Like already mentioned the Fiat Coupe 20VT wouldn't be a bad choice at all, for it's age still a modern looking car and packs a punch a weight above the modern hatchbacks with a satisfying sound to go with it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom