Help spec me something special

Bromhead

Bromhead

Bromhead

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Joined
11 Nov 2012
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Staffordshire
So this is maybe a little different from the usual spec me threads, I'm looking for something that makes you go wow on an amazingly low budget of £1k.

I currently drive a 316i, which has zero issues, but I want a new car. High mileage vehichles don't bother me, as I do all the work with the help of a family member.

To give you an idea of what I've been looking at so far.

The first is a Jeep Grand Cherokee 51 plate. This is already family owned, no issues, automatic with a 4 litre engine. My main concern is with so many gadgets, electric parts breaking down.

The second is a 1985 Porsche 944, 2.5 litre automatic, my alternative to a similarly priced MX5.

Are there any other cars you guys can recommend, I know the two cars are complete opposites. I do a low amount of miles so petrol and anything that will make put a smile on my face.

*Edit - budget can be increased but I prefer cheap motoring :p
 
Completely understand your point of view. It doesn't necessarily need to be an auto and the budget can be increased. The two examples are possible choices within the budget, but hopefully there are more suggestions.

The Jeep for example also has zero issues and is a much nicer drive than the 316i.
 
What is your actual max budget? Will make it much easier to spec for you. For 1k you're very limited, the only ''wow'' you're likely to get is when you see the inevitable repair bills.
 
Haha, this is true Mark. All the jobs carried out the past 2 years have been done by myself meaning it's only the cost of parts. Max budget would probably be double at the 2k mark.

*Edit - I'd even be interested in a project type car.
 
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If you can find one that has been well maintained, and keep it regularly maintained, then a Mitsubishi Galant/Legnum VR-4 is a fairly cheap way of going fast!
 
Depends what you're after, at the moment it's a bit willy nilly. Even for 2k there's better prospects then a big and ugly jeep :p

Above poster mentioned VR4 which is hard to find, the 2.5 V6 seems to have wider availability but you'll have to research into typical issues etc

Another good option might be Honda prelude 2.2 vti, again a lot of car for the money! Also won't need to spend much if anything at all as they have solid reliability
 
Bromhead said:
The second is a 1985 Porsche 944, 2.5 litre automatic, my alternative to a similarly priced MX5.
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Can't see why you would want a 944 with the 2.5ltr engine or auto gearbox, what a waste of a good bodyshell.

Talking about bodyshells, they like to rust, so no doubt any 944 you buy at the bottom end of the market will need another £700 per side to fix the sills.
 
If you want wow for your money you should be able to pick up a ropey old V8 E39 5-series or E38 7-series for around a grand. The wow might also extend to how much it costs to keep it going, although that will be true with anything 'special' that costs a grand. If you can fix it yourself no worries :)
 
MK2 MR2 would be a good bet - check it's not rusting at the sills and arches as that's the only expensive thing that tends to go wrong with them.

Mine was £1000 and all I've had to spend on it in the last year other than consumables is £50 for some welding on the exhaust. You have to drive them hard to get the best out of them, but once you get used to it you'll be surprised how quick even the 2.0 N/A is.
 
RX8 I don't mind issues, but....I've heard bad things :p

The MR2 is actually a really good suggestion I hadn't thought of before so thanks. I'll take a look at some more of those on autotrader.
 
Liampope said:
If you want wow for your money you should be able to pick up a ropey old V8 E39 5-series or E38 7-series for around a grand. The wow might also extend to how much it costs to keep it going, although that will be true with anything 'special' that costs a grand. If you can fix it yourself no worries :)
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I'd (almost expectedly!!) opt for an e38 740i at this budget - with this sort of requirement in mind, a 740i is only something you buy for £1k if you want a large heavy V8 and know what your letting yourself into!

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=162&i=24032

Shed of the week on PH a while back, I've been watching the 740i for some time, it's surprised me what £1k can bag, I'm sorely tempted to swap my 325i touring for one were it not for my two German Shepherds I have to cart around these days! :/

It's an awful lot of car for the money, but, it's borderline a disposable car should something big fail and your not handy with spanners, e38's are not cheap cars to run and especially keep on the road at garage rates, if the fuel tank is split for example - it's a common failure on the e38 - a proper replacement / repair will cost £1k+
 
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