New car time?

[ Ry ]

[ Ry ]

[ Ry ]

Associate
Joined
2 Dec 2002
Posts
690
Location
Wales
Hey guys, currently driving a Fiesta Zetec-S. I have been wanting to change for a while but that time will come in the new year when I'm 21 with 3 years N/C bonus. The Fiesta is rattling and knocking on front offside wheel and rear somewhere, no garage or Ford I have been to can find the problem so I'm getting rid, also has some rust about the size of a £2 coin on the rear arch.

I'm after something fun, insurance wise I'm not too fussed, I can insure a 106GTI for £600 currently so should be even better at 21.

When I have cleared my current debt off I will be getting the car, so say £2.5k for the Fiesta plus say another £2.5k.

Will look at anything, diesel, hatch, aslong as it is a fun drive. Not really after MX5's or anything like that, just scream out midlife crisis to me. Cars that do tickle my fancy are...

ClioSports 182 - Love the looks over the P1 172 and later 172's.
106 GTI - Had a quicksilver and that was a good laugh to drive and it's quicker than the ZS.
Mk4 Golf - 1.8T is also reasonable to insure now, so is the V5. Like the look of them but not sure if performance is to match.
V6 406 Coupe - Love these!!! Looks are fantastic and the interior is very very comfortable, how reliable are they and whats the performance like compared to the competition?

IF I could find a good deal on a Corsa VXR then I might even put the 4-5k as a deposit and get a loan out for the rest, but only if it was a good deal after test driving one etc.

Any recomendations or other options I could take? Insurance seems to be on my side, by time of upgrade it will be 21, 3 years NC and 3 points.

TIA
 
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I don't know why you've scratched the Mx5 and other similar 2-seaters off of your list purely as a 'mid-life crisis' thing... With a £5k budget I would reckon on the maximum smile/£ to be with a small, light sports car.

You've listed a range of cars from a very small hatchback 106 to a barge 406 - what do you need the car for?
 
what do you need the car for?
Do you need 4 doors, or do you just need something you like the look off?

2.2 vtec prelude
v8 or twin turbo lexus/toyota soarer

Also don't rule out cars due to insurance concerns till you have plenty of quotes. it can be surprising what insurance you can get.
 
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I'm not ruling out anything, I only need 2 doors and more than 2 seats! I quite often travel with a 3rd or 4th person in my car at weekends traveling to hockey matches. So that rules out MX5's and the like.

I'm really tempted by the 406 Coupe 3.0 V6, any ideas on MPG and other running costs. Insurance for next year would be under £750 on it too which is a big plus for me!

What age prelude or Soarer would I gte for 4-5k?
 
Nissan Skyline R32 GTST ?
Can be had for 8k euros so should be fine with 5-5.5k pounds, that's for a slightly tuned one, can't find any vanilla GTST's, they should be cheaper though around 4.5 k pounds at a guess.


edit: specs if you want:

Motor:
RB25DET 2.5 liter zescilinder 24-kleppen turbo intercooler

Color: Red
Year: 1993


Tyres: Rear Cracking, Front Worn


Specs:

Engine:
Engine changed to RB25
Apexi Turbo (AX53B10)
HKS Induction Kit
Metal Suction Pipe (Airflowless)
Sard Silicone Joiners
Front Mounted Intercooler Kit
Tomei Poncams
Metal Head Gasket
550cc Injectors
Nismo GTR Fuel Pump
2-Layer Radiator
HKS hyper muffler

SUSPENSION / BRAKES / WHEELS / DRIVE
Tein Type HA Coilovers
Drilled Rotors Front and Rear
4 Pot GTR type Callipers and Large Single Pot on Rear
Aftermarket Brake Pads all Round
R33 GTR alloys (9J)
Wheel Spacer Shims (Rear)
Largus Wheel Spacer Kit (Front)
Nismo Clutch
Aftermarket LSD

BODY / EXTERIOR
Ride Sports Aero Kit (Front / Side / Rear)
Flared Front and Rear Fenders
GTR factory alloy bonnet - with duct
Aero mirrors
Boot Spoiler

INTERIOR
Tomei GTR Retech ECU
Blitz Boost Controller
R32 GTR Seat for Passenger
Cluster Bucket Seat for Driver
6 point roll cage with side bars (Through Dash Type)
Cusco Front Tension Rods
Nismo 260km meter
Aftermarket Front Pipe
Omori Oil pressure, water temp, oil temp meters

Observations
Full Detailed Pictures on Request (Please see for more info)
We can Tune Further on Request (Seats, Suspension parts, Meters, Servicing etc)
360PS @ 1 bar according to seller
Power Steering a little heavy
Paint job isn't that great, would be greatly improved by being flattened and polished, rear fender flare is a little lumpy, door checks not painted
Small paintrun and dents on bonnet
Front Fenders have some small dents on flare
Meter senders aren't connected for meters in centre column
Alloys Scraped
No Rear Seats Trim, Hence Grade D
RB25 NA base
Speedo Changed, Total Kms Unknown
Drivers Seat worn and faded
Drivers Side Mirror Cracked
Factory Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working
Push up Dents on Floor from Jacking
Slight Rust Bubbles on O/S/R Fender
Click to expand...


EDIT 2: Upon reading that ignore my advice, total kms unknown doesn't sound good lol, perhaps you can find something better in the UK?
 
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You'd get a nice V6 406 coupe for 5K. You should be able to find an average mileage 210bhp SE variant if you look.

mpg figures vary a lot depending on driving style and journey type. They are not bought to be an economical run-a-bout. Expect low to mid 20's as a rough guide.

Running costs can be high, they are supposed to share a lot of parts with a 406 rep-mobile, but the ones that are not shared can be pricey. the V6 has a big cost when it's Cam belt time. Service intervals are 2years 20K. Some use a fair amount of oil, some don't.

Insurance can also be pricey unless you are of the right age and live in the right area (they are group 17-18 usually)

Come and have a look over here for more info.
 
id deffo go for the smaller option in terms of fun factor. 106gti and 182 are undoubtedly two of the best hot hatches out there. if you dont do many miles then my money would be on them. :)
 
Bumping this one up, looking at VTS's now after reading up on GT3's thread.

Kepe seeing a few for ~2k around T reg with relatively low mileage, anything up with these from experience?
 
If you don't like rattling and knocking from the suspension, don't get a 106 GTi! :p

From that list for £5k, it's got to be a Clio 182 for me.
 
Test drive a VTS/106 GTi then go test drive a 182. If you come away still wanting the VTS or GTi then I'll be absolutely amazed.
 
Defcon5 said:
Can you actually get a 182 for 5k? a 7 yes but not an 8 worth having
Click to expand...


I've not looked into the values, but my cousin bought a pretty much "as new" condition, 2 or 3 year old 182 with about 15k on the clock for less than £7k about 3 or 4 months ago, so I sort of assumed you could get a slightly older, slightly higher mileage 182 for around £5k.

If not, a nice condition 172 would be my choice.
 
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