Spec me - Up to £3-4k - Keep short term

ScoobyDoo69

ScoobyDoo69

ScoobyDoo69

Soldato
Joined
27 Aug 2003
Posts
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Location
West Midlands
Howdy,

I'm bored and need something to drive for a couple of months that will interest me. Up to £4k won't upset the house savings or the interest made either. But I guess the cheaper the better as the less lost the better should I end up with a turd.

I want something that won't lose much (if any) money over a short term ownership, something which is a bit of fun - other than that don't care if it's FWD, RWD, AWD, 2 seater, coupe, estate, whatever. So long as it's a bit of fun and doesn't lose much money.

List of potentials I have so far:

Subaru of various forms (maybe not as I may want to keep it)
Nissan 200SX
Mitsubishi Galant/Evo
MX-5
306 GTi-6
BMW 3 series coupe with 6 cylinders (E36?)

Basically - I'm open to anything. Preferably no more than 60 miles from Birmingham too.

Suggestions? :D
 
Some interesting suggestions. Can't say I would be interested in an R32 Golf at that price, I get the feeling it would be too tatty for me. Mario has a Cooper S and although I do really like them I don't think they'd be different enough for me for a few months.

Civic or Accord Type R is a good shout, been a while since I've had a go in a VTEC-YO, but I fear Peter might be right about the turbo thing :D

GT4 is a good shout as is MR2 turbo, love both of those actually so will add them to the list of possibles.

I have to say I'm more tempted by something RWD, mainly due to not having owned a RWD before. But would a 200SX be too much too soon?

MX-5 wise, why such an awkward price range? Could I not go MK1 for cheaper thrills? Remember I'm not set on spending £4k, I don't mind buying something a lot cheaper if it means I have fun and get near the money back.

306 Rallye would be cool, I loved my old GTi-6!
 
Well.. I just drove past this (MX-5 1.6 Monaco):

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/mazda-mx5-16i-monaco/1060388250

Without knowing that it had been advertised etc. Apparently he only had the sticker in the window a few minutes!

A good history with the car, starts almost immediately. Couldn't find any rust, all looked rather clean. Drives ok. Gearbox seems a bit stiff, clutch bearing is a bit noisy, potential noisy wheel bearing also. Rip in the roof but no leaks (it was just chucking it down) - MOT only until July 14th, tax is an optional extra.

Anyway what is thing thing actually worth with the hard top? :)
 
I have to admit, it did seem a bit slow, but I've been driving the Pug for however long and not had anything to compare it to.

Sounds like I'll give it a miss.

Impulse buys are not my kinda thing anyway :D
 
EDIT - This was in response to vita.

I don't have to spend £3-4k remember. So if a car isn't worth that then I wouldn't pay that.. I'm just after ideas.

Ideally I'll take some days off work and compile a list to see and try :-)
 
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I don't think I'd buy an M3, more like a 325i or 328i or similar. No need to go M3 to have fun!

Will thanks for the advice on the MX5 - I will pass on that one for now, but will keep in mind your post as I do intend to have a look at some other MX5s.
 
It was an awesome car, but the money I made back from it was much much more than my £3-4k budget, plus the additional savings I have managed to chuck away has been facilitated by me essentially getting rid of my hobby :) I'm actually quite surprised at how much I've saved in such a short time, hence spending a few thousand for a few months fun won't cause any problems.
 
There seems to be a lot of decent cars not far from me.. always said I wouldn't buy a car from Birmingham mind you! Subaru for £1k anyone? :D Seen a few other cars of potential interest around the price I want to spend as well. Octavia VRS, Audi TT, Leon Cupra, the odd Subaru. I have a lot of looking around to do!
 
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Thanks for that. Some more great information.

I tried to go and see the MX-5 on Saturday and had hoped to go today, but the guy was otherwise occupied. But it looks like I'll be getting a chance to finally see it tomorrow evening.

I have in the meanwhile looked at an Impreza Turbo Wagon up for £1k. Fairly clean car bar the rusty arches, 1 year's MOT fresh. Tempted :D
 
So I bought the MX-5 local to me:

10246448_10152080070054249_5814565486976402543_n_zps81dc0cfc.jpg


1 owner, 1.8i, LSD, heated leathers, Enkei wheels, full history, fresh MOT which required some suspension work and a couple of other things to pass. Tiny bit of rust which I think isn't bad, chassis looked fine when I got underneath. Front end has a few stone chips but aside from that all good I think.

Perfect weather to have picked up a convertible. I think I should be able to sell on with minimal or no loss in a few months or however long I keep it for.

Intend to give it a minor service, plugs, oils and filters, but aside from that I intend to drive it :)
 
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It's the 1.8i Arizona - So I believe LSD, leather heated seats, mats, the wheels and a few other things?

It's not pink in the slightest actually, I just have a rubbish phone and the car was sat in some weird shadows. It's very red :)
 
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