what car for around 15k?

Tombles

Tombles

Tombles

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10 Jun 2005
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Sorry for another 'what car' thread but i am running in to some money soon so i would like to use some of it to purchase a new car.

I will have around 15k to spend, more or less depending on whats available.

Insurance is an issue, im 22 with 0 NCB so nothing OTT.

Must handle well, doesn't have to be overly fast, something like 0-60 in 7s is more than enough.

I really like the Mini Cooper S as i have owned one before and i love the character and handling of them. As you can see space is not a major issue but not sure a 2 seater would suit me although i did look at the MX-5.

I don't want a large car though, i feel more at home in a smaller car.

Also looked at a 330ci which seem tempting but will cost a lot more to run than a mini (enough to worry about? i'm not sure).

Suggestions would be welcome.

Many thanks :)
 
Honda S2000 might fit what your after. Paying 15k for the others mentioned so far would be over the odds in my opinion except for the Audi.
 
The S2000 insurance is a problem. Quotes coming in around 2k mark whereas 1k for something like the 330ci or Mini Cooper S JCW. Thanks Tim will look at a couple of those suggestions. Not too keen on the Leon or Clio though.
 
Sorry just to clear this up, do not pay 15k for any of my suggestions. They're all available for much much less.

Leaves spare cash for insurance and mods.
 
You can get a decent Pre-facelift DC5 Integra for about £10k, and the Civic Type-R is getting cheaper now too, can get older models for 6/7k. Integras are imports however (DC5s) and may also have sketchy insurance quotes.

It wholly depends on what you're looking for in a car. I wouldn't want to spend too much on a newer car when there are better older cars in my opinion.
 
Having a quick peep on PH the 182's are going quite cheap these days but not overly keen on looks both exterior and interior. Prefer the look of the 197's but don't know what they are like. Are they ment to be as good as the 1*2's?

Forgot to mention my mum uses the car from time to time so something she can fairly easily get in and out of and not bone jarrring (although she was ok with my MCS and sports suspension) :)
 
Try a 3.2 V6 A3 with DSG box (better than manual), try some insurers see what you get. Bare in mind there are huge variables so if one quotes 4k don't think they will all quote close.

One thing I found out earlier was 5 series BMWs are cheap to insure for young drivers, the 3 litre engine in a 3 series however was not cheap/uninsurable for younger drivers. Perhaps try that, although it is a big 5 door you can get some nice interior/options topped with good performance.
 
The 5 series would be too big for me, the 330ci would be about as big as i would like to go really, if that. Also i got a quote for 1k on a 330ci so not too bad.

Will have a look at the A3 thanks :)
 
TBH there is no point spending 15k on a car. You don't seem like you want a specific type of car as you are thinking about a Mini Cooper S and a 330ci which are quite far apart. Why don't you just spend 8-10k instead? For 10k you could get an integra type r, but as said above, it'd be expensive to insure as its import only. Or you could get something like a Mondeo ST which, at the moment, the prices are so ridiculously low that you can pick up an amazing car for not a lot!

TBH if i was going to be spending 15k on a car i'd be thinking along the lines of things like a Nissan 350z or something that is equally special. You seem to be thinkin about spending 15k on a Mini Cooper or a Renault Clio Sport, which are lovely cars, but 15k lovely?
 
Tombles said:
Having a quick peep on PH the 182's are going quite cheap these days but not overly keen on looks both exterior and interior. Prefer the look of the 197's but don't know what they are like. Are they ment to be as good as the 1*2's?

Forgot to mention my mum uses the car from time to time so something she can fairly easily get in and out of and not bone jarrring (although she was ok with my MCS and sports suspension) :)
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The 197 has it's haters saying it's too lardy etc, and the straight line oopmh does suffer due to the weight increase and the high revving nature of the engine.

However, the handling on them is immense, more planted than the previous 1*2s, it's just so flat round the bends it was unreal. Nice 4 pots up front too :) Shocking mpg though, the previous renaultsport clios gave great mpg, these do not.

Newer models have a revised final gear ratio to aid motorway cruising as they were stupidly short before, it's still not great but better.

Not sure if I'd buy one yet, prices still have a way to tumble and the Cup is out soon which could effect things. A nice second hand F1 edition would be good though, nice recaros :)
 
Tombles said:
The 5 series would be too big for me, the 330ci would be about as big as i would like to go really, if that. Also i got a quote for 1k on a 330ci so not too bad.

Will have a look at the A3 thanks :)
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Insurance should be ok for you as you are 22, I just thought I would mention the difference between the two as you mentioned insurance :p
 
I do like the Mini, always have. Love the character about them and the go kart like handling but i didn't even think of the 350z until you just mentioned it. Did a quick quote with bell and it comes out just under 1k fully comp with me as named driver and mum as second driver :eek: surely can't be right?

Might have to have a look at them now :o tad worried about their practicality though.

edit: The A3 insurance was just over 1k so again not bad :)
 
I mean the Mini's aren't my thing, but i still respect them as a machine. For me something like a 350z would stand out from the crowd and be a very special thing to own, much more so than the Mini. TBH if i got a quote for a 350z for under 1k and found a nice example, there'd be nothing to stop me from getting one. Apparently the boot on them isn't that small so i guess that helps with practicality.

I think if you have 15k you should think bigger. ClioSports and Mini S's are ok for someone with a 10k budget. With a 15k budget the cars you should be looking at should be in a higher league, such as 350z's, Mitsubishi Evo's and Imprezas. Obviously with these cars you need to consider running costs too!

p.s. Insurance is a weird and wonderful thing and sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised!
 
Yeah i certainly was surprised with that insurance quote!

What puts me off the 350z is the running costs as you said. The car will be at the higher end of my budget to buy but also with high running costs whereas the mini comes with free servcing for 5yrs or 50k miles and can return a decent mpg and wont eat tyres. But as i said there is something special about the mini i really enjoy but i am open to opinions hence the thread.

I shall research more though thanks :) Will also look at the Audi too as i do like them.
 
hes said 22 yrs old + 0 yrs no claims..so you guys are suggesting group 17-19 cars? :p

tbh i reckon your on the right track with an mx5
 
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bobert50 said:
hes said 22 yrs old + 0 yrs no claims..so you guys are suggesting group 17-19 cars? :p

tbh i reckon your on the right track with an mx5
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:confused: he was getting a very reasonable sub 1k quote on a Nissan 350z....whats the problem?

P.s. you are not on the right track with an mx5 for 15k
 
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