Suggestions, please.

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
756
Location
Middleton, Manchester
Hi all

I'm currently working out my finances, and the short story is i'm after a new car...

I currently drive a 1.25 8v fiat punto which i'm hoping to get rid of (at a loss - i just want rid)

Now, i know there will be loads of you that will enter with the "going from 65bhp to 270bhp is stupid" head on you, but i'm fully aware of what i'm getting myself into...

At the moment i've got my heart set on getting a Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)

Which has a purchase price of about £4,000, and i can insure for £1545.

So that's it, my budget is around £6500 including insurance.. anyone got any more suggestions for potentials to look at that i might like.

Bear in mind i've already taken these off the list:

Subaru Imprezas - bit shoddy for my budget, and chavvy / common
Mitsubishi Evos - as above, there's loads of them in Warrington.
Toyota MR2 Turbos - RWD, i'll kill myself in spectacular fashion
Nissan 200sx - RWD, i'll kill myself in spectacular fasion

also bear in mind i'm not after a smooth motorway cruiser etc, i want something that's a laugh, but i also have to do a 4 mile commute to work in it.

So - any ideas ?

Regards
ripzay
 
It may not be of the same level as the cars you mentioned, but what about an MX5? Never driven one myself however all i hear is good things about them, you can have 'fun' ;) and they handle very well, and it won't be too bad for the motorway.
 
i DO appreciate the mx5, brilliant car, but not for me - that's not to say i dont like that setup, frontmid engine rwd is nice, i love the S2000, but they cant be had on my budget :D

nice suggestion though =]
 
mx5 with some FI?
what is wrong in your opinion for the mx5?

supras fall into your category? uk ones are apparently easier to insure.
 
I've just realised you said 'i've got my heart set on getting a Toyota Celica GT-Four'.... i think you have made you decision :)

edit: rx7? granted it may have high mileage
 
main reason i'm thinking gt-four is nostalgia - my dad had one a few years back :)
 
Galant Vr4

2.5 v6 quad cam twin turbo

4x4 with Active Yaw Control

Looks great in my opinion...

Not that many about, quite reliable, cheap to insure..
 
four.jpg


This is the one i'm looking at at the moment - but its 500 miles away! =[ (anyone here live in great yarmouth?) :D
 
Last edited:
Looked at something like the Accord Type R?

Should be reliable, fun, sound great and fits perfectly into your budget.
 
You dismissed the Scoobs because they are to chavvy, yet you like that Celica.... Your opinon I suppose.

I like the RX7 idea though.
 
You dismissed the Scoobs because they are to chavvy, yet you like that Celica.... Your opinon I suppose.

I like the RX7 idea though.

wouldnt the rx7 be pushing the rebuild area at that price range, especially as he has to consider insurance as well?
 
Untitled-2-3.jpg


Instead of just 270, in your budget you'll get anything from 245-300BHP - muhahaha! - but you'll also get traction control and ABS as standard :) It will be relatively efficient, extremely flexible, easy to run, simple to get parts for and barring service consumables should require nothing else. A decent garage can do everything required, as they're easy to work on. You want to look for '91 onwards cars, with the revised interior, from the sounds of things.

Given this time of year you'll have to search around a bit to find a good one in budget but still, doable!

Very easy to drive as well - no grief if you just want to potter around and it's more than happy to just burble along in top. Very high levels of traction on decent tires, also, so no real fear unless you really start getting on it.

Also comes packed with toys - LSD, ABS, power steering, traction control with pedal feedback, 6 way power sports seats with adjustable bolsters, remote centrol locking, vented discs all round, optional electronically adjustable suspension, climate control, air con, immobiliser, alarm, electric mirrors, electric windows, trip computer, multiple gauge readouts.........

Insurance should be cheap and they're exceptionally rewarding to drive, in more ways than one. Will hold it's value well, too.

......and the right cylinder count ;)
 
Last edited:
Just wondering, looking at your choice of cars, have you considered the (rising) fuel costs to run it each week? Will you afford to run and service it? I considered buying another sports car in the near future but I've persuaded myself not too for now considering how much it will cost to fill the tank every week.
 
Just wondering, looking at your choice of cars, have you considered the (rising) fuel costs to run it each week? Will you afford to run and service it? I considered buying another sports car in the near future but I've persuaded myself not too for now considering how much it will cost to fill the tank every week.

he has all of a 4 mile commute, not really going to be a major drain on finances if petrol prices go through the roof :p
 
mm, corvette looks the part!.. but unfortunately i think it fits into the same boat as the 200sx or mr2 - i really dont think RWD would be a good move - it scares the living poop out of me.

In terms of running costs - i'm going to try and make it a weekend only car - i work 4 miles from my home so i could get a push bike for that commute.

the Lotus suggestion - not a fan of the elan and £4k isnt going to get me much of an elise really, though that is what i was looking at before the gt-four.

/me looks at gallants
 
Back
Top Bottom