Possible New Car Time

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:06

So I've had the Astra for 3 years now and its done its job fairly well. Been hell of realible and it needed to be with the job I was in. Which was great.

I am so bored of it though, and after being in my mates ST at the weekend made me realise how boring it is.

So now am wanting something a bit more fun. I do the odd journey to visit the parents down the A9 which is 160miles~. But apart from that it only gets used for the odd blast and picking up a crate from Tescos.

Now I did consider spending a fair whack on a next car, but with the amount I use one. I can't see the point at this point in my life, so am looking at 4-5k maybe going over slightly if I see something nice.

Of course the obvious things here are;

Fiesta ST,
DC2
Clio Sports

What else am I missing, plus what are the problems on the Clios like. My cars all get serviced by family members and could do with it being fairly reliable, but not a massive issue.

GinG · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:12

If it is a bit of a 'weekend' toy, could you up your budget slightly and go for a honda s2000?

Nice revvy engine, quick & soft top

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:23

GinG said:
If it is a bit of a 'weekend' toy, could you up your budget slightly and go for a honda s2000?

Nice revvy engine, quick & soft top

See. S2000 and DC5 where intially high on the next car list.

But this would mean doubling the price, I don't think I could justify it at the moment. The car hardly gets used, about 8k miles a year at most just now and will be I would imagine for the next two years at least.

paradigm · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:27

MX5?

Can get a decent one for 4-5K

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1657668.htm

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:39

I like the MX5's and I know people on here rave about how good they are as a drivers car. But I just couldn't see me driving one, I don't know if its the stigma that puts me off.

Now an older version with FI, I may be interested.

paradigm · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:40

Get an early MK2 and supercharge it yourself.

GinG · 5 Jul 2010 at 10:43

Begbie said:
See. S2000 and DC5 where intially high on the next car list.

But this would mean doubling the price, I don't think I could justify it at the moment. The car hardly gets used, about 8k miles a year at most just now and will be I would imagine for the next two years at least.

Would you not consider getting an older one? Could probabally get a decent one for around 7k?

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:08

GinG said:
Would you not consider getting an older one? Could probabally get a decent one for around 7k?

The older ones at this price range seem to be pretty rare, I think if I was going down the s2000 route I would like to make sure it is a tip top one. Infact I would rather with any car.

Participant · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:15

RX-7?

Alfa GTV?

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:21

Robbie G said:
RX-7?

Alfa GTV?

I love Alfa GTV's the noise alone makes me moist. Running costs are pretty stupid are they not though?

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:26

Robbie G said:
RX-7?

Alfa GTV?

I love Alfa GTV's the noise alone makes me moist. Running costs are pretty stupid are they not though?

Relentless81 · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:43

DC2 is too old, dont be roped into it, its not worth the money IMO. You can get a Prelude for £2k and spend a grand modding it and have a very quick and capable car

Other than that, Civic Type-R, Toyota Corolla T-Sport (Very underrated) Leon Cupra-R, Honda Accord Type-R

paradigm · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:44

Relentless81 said:
Leon Cupra-R

For the budget it would be an early ropey one. They actually appear to be going back up in value slightly.

Relentless81 · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:46

Remove the R then

paradigm · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:47

Relentless81 said:
Remove the R then

But then it becomes a rather generic and dull hatch. Better options out there for the money, like the CTR.

Muffin` · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:51

Try insuring some CTR's with the specialists, what's the price of CTR's north of the border? Can you get an early one for just over 5k?

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 12:55

Muffin` said:
Try insuring some CTR's with the specialists, what's the price of CTR's north of the border? Can you get an early one for just over 5k?

Be suprised if there is any for sale here! There are no clio sports for sale, well on autotrader/piston heads.

I do live very far north though, wouldn't mind travelling for the right car.

Muffin` · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:07

I think you should take some time and try a few things - test drive to find out snotters from minters (I should have done this but I was in a rush and I got a snotter).

182 or CTR would be my suggestion for you but I'd think the CTR would be more practical and comfortable (and expensive unfortunatly). Looking on AT there's loads of CTR's upto 6k (taking in you having a bit more and beating them down, and scotland seems to be cheaper for cars)

Dup · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:07

EP3 Type-R for ~£5k. Excellent fun north of the border, even fully laden with camping gear and two black labs

Running costs are pretty average really. Consumables are cheap enough and tyres are ~£100 a corner. Basic service can be had for £120, major up to about £300.

Try Greenlight, Adian Flux, Chris Knott, Noel Dazely, Sky and A-Plan for insruance. Means picking up the phone but usually well priced.

Begbie · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:16

Type R seems quite a good shout acctually.

I quite fancy a clio, but I'll see what crops up on the Civic side of things too. There also seems to be a lot of unmolsted clios around Edinburgh area within the price range.