Looking for something quick but cheap

ultralaser

ultralaser

ultralaser

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Joined
7 Sep 2014
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1,169
Hi all,

Long time lurker ;)

I'm looking for a replacement for my first car (I have an 02 Clio :o) now my insurance quotes have dropped to reasonable levels I thought I'd get something fun as I don't like accelerating to 60 in same time it takes the moon to orbit the earth. I only want to spend ~3-4k.

I'd like something that looks reasonably cool, not too worried about MPG (though around the 30 MPG mark would be nice!), I wouldn't be adverse to a convertible. Any ideas guys, sorry I've ruled out the Focus and Mondeo :D as I know you're all fans, below is what I've considered so far.

what I've considered:
Audi A3 - Can't find a decent one in budget
BMW 3 Series - Can't find a decent on in budget.
MG TF - trim was disappointing
Mazda MX-5 - Main contender at the minute
Toyota MR2 - runner up contender at the minute.
 
Quick. Cheap. Reliable. Pick two.

Any 3 series is likely to be ropey in the extreme sadly. From your list I would have to say a MX-5. Thought about a Ford Puma? Make sure it's not being eaten away by tinworm and you'll have fun.
 
MissChief said:
Quick. Cheap. Reliable. Pick two.

Any 3 series is likely to be ropey in the extreme sadly. From your list I would have to say a MX-5. Thought about a Ford Puma? Make sure it's not being eaten away by tinworm and you'll have fun.
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I'd not considered the Puma, I'll take a look thanks :D Yeah I kinda guessed that with the 3 series.

melchy said:
Renaultsport Clio 182
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I did have a look at the 182's, I think I'd prefer to move away from a Clio though, even though I hear the 182's are pretty epic:)
 
Quick & Reliable & Cheap ... they don't usually go together.

Its the definition of Quick, Reliable and Cheap that matters here.

I've got a 2004 Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE that has a 4.4 V8 Petrol engine. compared to what else is in the same bracket, it was cheap to buy, is relatively quick (8 seconds to 60, and 300 bhp) is as reliable in cars in this segment usually are, and is reasonably cheap to run, other than the 18 MPG average.

What are your ongoing running costs going to be?
 
MK2 (or even MK3) MR2 would definitely be my choice - you can pick up a nice example of either for way under your budget.

I'm constantly amazed at just how good my MK2 is, considering I paid £1000 for it. Both myself and the previous owner have used it almost entirely for thrashing around tracks and B roads - it's got 170k on it now, and just keeps going. I recently drove it into a ditch full of water, dragged it out, let it dry out, and after a bit of stalling and spluttering it was fine. A few weeks afterwards I did a full day at Bedford, then a 1000 mile drive down to the south of France, fully loaded at 80-85 it managed 36MPG - drive like a granny with just yourself in the car and you'll easily get over 40. Mechanically, it's never put a foot wrong and even consumables/service items are very cheap: £15 for drop links, £10 for a distributor cap etc.

The T-Bar roof is great in the summer, and the interior, although very dated and rattly, has everything you'd expect (electric heated mirrors, air con, etc) and offers a great driving position. I wouldn't exactly call it fast, but there's definitely enough power to have fun with, and your budget would get you a MK2 turbo if you felt the N/A was lacking.

The one major thing to look out for is rust - on the inside of the wheel arches and the sills. If you go to see one, have a look under the boot carpet to make sure there isn't a gaping hole between the boot and the inner wheel arch.

That's about all I can think of right now, but if you want to know anything else feel free to ask :)
 
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Conanius said:
Quick & Reliable & Cheap ... they don't usually go together.

Its the definition of Quick, Reliable and Cheap that matters here.

I've got a 2004 Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE that has a 4.4 V8 Petrol engine. compared to what else is in the same bracket, it was cheap to buy, is relatively quick (8 seconds to 60, and 300 bhp) is as reliable in cars in this segment usually are, and is reasonably cheap to run, other than the 18 MPG average.

What are your ongoing running costs going to be?
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I'd be happy to double the running cost of what my Clio is cost me this year:
£550 Insurance. (For reference MX5 quote for this year would be £280)
£220 Tires.
£190 MOT.
£135(isn) Tax.
£105 Roadside assistance.

Milage was 38MPG, would accept ~25 city driving ~30ish motorway driving.
 
geekman said:
MK2 (or even MK3) MR2 would definitely be my choice - you can pick up a nice example of either for way under your budget.

I'm constantly amazed at just how good my MK2 is, considering I paid £1000 for it. Both myself and the previous owner have used it almost entirely for thrashing around tracks and B roads - it's got 170k on it now, and just keeps going. I recently drove it into a ditch full of water, dragged it out, let it dry out, and after a bit of stalling and spluttering it was fine. A few weeks afterwards I did a full day at Bedford, then a 1000 mile drive down to the south of France, fully loaded at 80-85 it managed 36MPG - drive like a granny with just yourself in the car and you'll easily get over 40. Mechanically, it's never put a foot wrong and even consumables/service items are very cheap: £15 for drop links, £10 for a distributor cap etc.

The T-Bar roof is great in the summer, and the interior, although very dated and rattly, has everything you'd expect (electric heated mirrors, air con, etc) and offers a great driving position. I wouldn't exactly call it fast, but there's definitely enough power to have fun with, and your budget would get you a MK2 turbo if you felt the N/A was lacking.

The one major thing to look out for is rust - on the inside of the wheel arches and the sills. If you go to see one, have a look under the boot carpet to make sure there isn't a gaping hole between the boot and the inner wheel arch.

That's about all I can think of right now, but if you want to know anything else feel free to ask :)
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I really like the MR2, I was looking at a MK3 one thing that put me off whats a friend said that due to the rear mounted engine it could make your back pretty hot. Which I wasn't too keen on, can't say I experienced that in an MGTF I've been in a few times..... any truth to this?:confused:
 
You can get a good E46 for £3 - £4K, what makes you say that they will all be ropey in the extreme? :confused:

You could get a tidy 330i for that.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...up_to_100000_miles/postcode/bn150he?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../bmw/onesearchad/used,nearlynew,new?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...lynew,new/price-to/4000/radius/1500?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles?logcode=p

Other things that spring to mind include:

Golf R32 (?)
A3 1.8/2.0 TFSI
Mondeo 2.5T (Titanium?)
Octavia VRS
Octavia L&K
Cooper S
Clio 182/197
Civic Type R EP3/FN2
Mazda 3 MPS (?)
MR2
MX5
 
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ultralaser said:
I really like the MR2, I was looking at a MK3 one thing that put me off whats a friend said that due to the rear mounted engine it could make your back pretty hot. Which I wasn't too keen on, can't say I experienced that in an MGTF I've been in a few times..... any truth to this?:confused:
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Not really. The MR2 certainly gets warmer inside than my Jag, but your back never feels massively hotter than the rest of your body. I spent a couple of hours driving it today in 30 degree heat with just the windows down and no air con and I felt fine. Get one with working air con and I can't see it being much of an issue anyway.
 
ultralaser said:
I really like the MR2, I was looking at a MK3 one thing that put me off whats a friend said that due to the rear mounted engine it could make your back pretty hot. Which I wasn't too keen on, can't say I experienced that in an MGTF I've been in a few times..... any truth to this?:confused:
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I had a Mk2 MR2 and can't say that the engine had any effect on how hot my back was - I would say that I found it a bit tight for headroom but that applies with lots of cars for me and it was never that uncomfortable, just something to be aware of. I would point out that the boot is pretty small so you're either packing light or don't carry a passenger and stuff everything in the passenger seat. I enjoyed it until I went for an MOT and found that rust had got it - if it hadn't been for that I'd probably have kept it for another year or two.

Another option you might want to consider is a Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, pretty quick and I found mine to be comfortable and fun except the turning circle at slow speeds makes a barge look nimble. You'd be able to get one for well under budget but I'd suggest you make sure you've got a decent specialist within hailing distance - I don't think they're inherently unreliable but they are getting on a bit now so it's worth being prepared for some bills to come your way.
 
Warm on your back lol

Especially with a mk3, where at any given opportunity the roof should be down.

Great little cars, lacking in power but no worse than the Mazda, yet in the dry it's a much better car to chuck around (IMO)
 
rodenal said:
Warm on your back lol

Especially with a mk3, where at any given opportunity the roof should be down.

Great little cars, lacking in power but no worse than the Mazda, yet in the dry it's a much better car to chuck around (IMO)
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I know it's a pretty pathetic thing to worry about :p

If it was between an MR2 and an MX5, which would be the better choice? My worry is the MR2 is a little lighter on the ground here where as I'd have an array of MX5's to choose from.:confused:
 
I am hugely biased and much prefer the Toyota.

A more balanced view would say they're both much of a muchness. The Mazda is a more "fun" (safe) wet weather car tbh
 
^ I would agree with that, having driven both but also being hugely biased :p

An MX5 is much more progressive to drive, you can get to the limits quite easily and just play around with them. The MR2 on the other hand just grips and grips, then suddenly lets go, and you have to be VERY quick to catch it. I tend to be able to save it on the track where there's loads of space, but on the road you can come a cropper (as I did recently!). That's not to say that they're dangerous or anything - I've done loads of miles in mine with only that one incident which was caused by me taking a stupid line through a corner, but I'd certainly make sure you fit good quality tyres and keep on top of suspension maintenance etc.

With good tyres, in good weather/road surface conditions it is, for me at least, a lot more fun than an MX5. I'm not sure if that's due to the mid engine layout or what, but either way there are few cars under £5k which would be more fun on a twisty B road.
 
Buy a nice example of something 90s and Japanese... Prelude, Soarer, GTO, 200sx, MR2, etc. Or something that isn't Japanese, like a GTV. Or that isn't Japanese or 90s, like a 924/944.

Depends where your sweet spot on the speed/reliability/price triangle lies really.

Regardless, get a coupe :p
 
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I really quite liked the mk3 mr2's that I've driven.

They need more power though, and the 2zz engine swap is not just the previous engine with variable lift. It's a totally different sized block.
 
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