My dilemma! What to get?

richyfingers · 20 May 2006 at 21:08

I’m currently driving a 2000 plate fiesta zetec 1.25 with 40k on the clock, it’s been my first car and provided me with a solid 2 years motoring and much as I love it I really would like to get something a bit more powerful. Providing I can get around 2k for my current car my budget is around 3-4k and I have been looking at the following

1997 Honda Del Sol 1.6 VTI 160bhp

I know I’m going get cries of ‘hairdresser’, but I really quite like this car especially the VTI, 2 seater, leather interior and a 0-60 of 7.7 seconds. From what I’ve read up on them they seem to be great fun to drive and the insurance is reasonable. Have seen these on auto trader for around 2.5k with around 60k on the clock, I’m sure with a bit more searching I could find one with a lower mileage.

2000/1 Fiesta Zetec

Always liked the Zetec s and they seem to have a pretty good rep, and have good experiences with my fiesta so far. Quite a lot of these floating about with 50k on the clock for around 3k+. Good insurance quotes too

1995+ Mazda MX-5 1.8i

Again I’ve always quite liked these and they are lots of them available within my budget, a phase 1 with around 40-50k or a phase 2 with a bit more mileage, what do you think? I know from all the MX-5 owners on here that they are fantastic cars and the 1.8i is the model to get. Reasonable insurance too.

That’s it so far, if anyone has any other suggestion I would be more than happy to hear them. Preferably something small and sporty and bear in mind that in 24 with 2 years NCD.

Thanks in advance,

Rich

[TW]Fox · 20 May 2006 at 21:10

Mondeo ST24's are sporty, quicker than those stuff and small compared to a 7 Series.

Win.

SKILL · 20 May 2006 at 21:13

Another possible car, although older than the others is a mk1 MR2, late 80's, engine is bulletproof, but they do tend to rust a 'bit', however for £2k you'd be looking at a fairly low mileage one that's had all the rust sorted (even 1500 should get you a decent one without trouble). Performance wise it's 0-60 in 7.7, 122bhp and a top speed of around 120, plus fun rwd, mid-engined handling

Pop-up headlights as well, gotta be worth some bonus points

Out of your list i'd definately go for the MX-5 though

saitrix · 20 May 2006 at 21:13

Get a Mk1 MX5 special edition instead of a cheapest mk2. It will be much better condition, and you get pop up headlights.

Loads of fun from them.

Also for the MX5 you can get the 1.6 turbo mk1 which is quick. You should just be able to afford one of them.

On a small side note you could spend a little less on a mk1 MR2 and then modify it some, better handling than the mk2 stock also. Get a nice supercharged version or one of the later standard ones.

richyfingers · 20 May 2006 at 21:26

My mate has a mk1 MR2 and I quite liked it, not to keen on the styling but it pulled well, but then again most things to compared to my current car

It caught fire a couple of months ago while he was driving on the motorway though :eek:

put me off them slightly, but I will definitely bear them in mind. As for the mondy, I know they are decent cars but they just don’t do it for me I’m afraid.

Cheers for the response to far.

Oh just another quick thing, how is the MX-5 during the winter months? I know they must be great for summer driving but how are they in the pishing rain and freezing cold?

saitrix · 20 May 2006 at 21:35

MX5's arnt meant to be that bad. I know quite a few on OcUK use them perfectly fine as main cars. One tip, wait til winter to buy an MX5. You will be able to get a nicer MX5 for your budget then.

Scottland · 20 May 2006 at 21:41

If you're looking at MK1 MX-5's, I personally would go for a Gleneagles.

The wood isn't to everybody's taste though

If you could pick one up with a hardtop included you'd be sorted for winter, although if you intended to get one afterwards you may well have to get it resprayed to match a MK1 colour, or search for one in your colour.

saitrix · 20 May 2006 at 22:01

In my opinion this one looks excellent.

1.6 BBR

richyfingers · 20 May 2006 at 23:43

That is rather tasty, I think I might hold off until closer to winter. You would recommend the 1.6 turbo over the 1.8i?

Scottland · 20 May 2006 at 23:45

richyfingers said:
That is rather tasty, I think I might hold off until closer to winter. You would recommend the 1.6 turbo over the 1.8i?

I'd go for a 1.8. Purely because you'd have more choice and there isn't a massive power increase with the 1.6Turbo anyway.

Mic · 20 May 2006 at 23:49

richyfingers said:
1997 Honda Del Sol 1.6 VTI 160bhp

I know I’m going get cries of ‘hairdresser’, but I really quite like this car especially the VTI, 2 seater, leather interior and a 0-60 of 7.7 seconds. From what I’ve read up on them they seem to be great fun to drive and the insurance is reasonable. Have seen these on auto trader for around 2.5k with around 60k on the clock, I’m sure with a bit more searching I could find one with a lower mileage.

Id say leather is fairly rare and i dont think iv ever seen a VTI go for 2.5k. Iv seen ESI and the like go for that.
Personally i was GOING to get one of these, but ended up with its predecessor. The MK2 CRX. And im damn glad i did. The Del Slo has people call it is a nice car, but its the slowest of the civic VTI/CRX/Del sol trio due to its stiffening(convertible). And really, its just a wanna be challenger to the MX5 crown. If it was rear wheel drive it might have stood a chance.

saitrix · 20 May 2006 at 23:56

Scottland said:
I'd go for a 1.8. Purely because you'd have more choice and there isn't a massive power increase with the 1.6Turbo anyway.

But also you realise the 1.6 turbo was given stronger internals and at stock it runs really low boost ie 5psi. Then with like £300 you can up that to 200bhp then with another £200odd you can get it again slightly higher then that to about 240bhp. Now thats a lot more then the stock 1.8.

Capt Doufos · 21 May 2006 at 11:32

Mx5 winter motoring is no different to any other car winter motoring. Infact I prefer the MX5 because the cabin is smaller and heats up quicker than a saloon! It's snug in there.

Of course if the suns out the roof comes down no matter the temperature. Then it's heaters full blast to try and compensate.

Scania · 21 May 2006 at 11:36

[TW]Fox said:
Mondeo ST24's are sporty, quicker than those stuff and small compared to a 7 Series.

Win.

1, Many cars are small compared to a 7 series.

2, Where did you get "7 Series" from? I've read the o/p 4 times now and don't see any mention of it.

Hardly a comparable car to either a Mondeo or, any of the cars richyfingers is considering. :confused:

Axeboy · 21 May 2006 at 11:37

Puma?

Axeboy · 21 May 2006 at 11:38

R124/LA420 said:
1, Many cars are small compared to a 7 series.

2, Where did you get "7 Series" from? I've read the o/p 4 times now and don't see any mention of it.

Hardly a comparable car to either a Mondeo or, any of the cars richyfingers is considering.

hes just ensuring the car is classed as "small" to fit the OP's requirements

richyfingers · 21 May 2006 at 12:35

Puma is another option I suppose although I’m to keen on them standard, love the FRP but it’s out of my range and the running costs seem a bit high. Take it the 1.7 is the engine to go for?

Scottland · 21 May 2006 at 12:47

richyfingers said:
Puma is another option I suppose although I’m to keen on them standard, love the FRP but it’s out of my range and the running costs seem a bit high. Take it the 1.7 is the engine to go for?

Yeah, the earlier 1.4's are about 90bhp and the later 1.6's are about 98bhp. Whereas the 1.7's are 123bhp.

For you're budget you might just squeeze in a 2000 plate onwards, with the 9spoke alloys. If you get one pre-2000 it'll have the propeller style alloys, although they're supposed to be a little quicker to 60.
When looking at them take notice of the wheel arches for rust, they're quite prone to rust there.

Take a look at the PumaPeole Knowledge Base for any info you need.