What to buy for £1200 ish?

What to buy for £1200 ish?

Author
Discussion

themuppeteer

Original Poster:

20 posts

209 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
Morning all,

have put this up in the main board but thought i would put it here too as im based in the southwest and hoped my brethren might have some good ideas.

Looking for a different car but not sure what to get so thought i would see what others recommend.

Basically i have £1200ish to spend on something ideally a bit quick but with practicality.

I have been thinking golf gti/civic vti (if i can get one within budget) Almera Gti, etc etc, but I am open to suggestions as i havent really seen anything that has grabbed my imaination. I know its not the greatest of budgets but was hoping to get something i sort of wanted as opposed to just any old thing!

Cheers
Dan

k22wes

596 posts

183 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
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gti6

turbolucie

3,473 posts

188 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
Earlier this year I bought a '94 Civic 1.6 esi. Absolutely loved that car, and way under your budget. Great fun to drive, on a par with my Cooper S I'd say.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

211 months

Stubby Pete

2,488 posts

252 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
Might need a bit more info to make a proper suggestion.

i.e. Main use?
Your age (insurance can be a killer on some)?
Will you track it?
Seats required?

Personally, with that budget for a track car, I bought a good BMW E36 325 coupe which is now stripped out with uprated brakes and adjustable suspension. Very capable as a car in its own right but a real hoot on track and certainly surprises a few people. If looks are your thing though, maybe not!!


minimatt1967

17,199 posts

212 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
306 GTi-6 would be my choice, just makesure the cambelts are done Very Regularly! Civic VTi's for that money will be a 5 door MB6 or the MC2 aerodeck, I've got an Aerodeck it's good fun (now I've fitted the MG ZS180 rear anti roll bar) it's just a bit 'light' in the torque department and a bit short on the gear ratio department making it a less than convincing motorway cruiser. The engine is a belter, revving to over 8k through the gears gives a great feeling of satisfaction.

Edited by minimatt1967 on Wednesday 29th December 20:53

Cardiff_Exile

340 posts

182 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
I'd 2nd the suggestion for an Alfa 146 TI.

I had one a few years back and overall gave me little grief. Nice seats, fun to drive, a bit of poke and a sweet revving engine. I also seem to recall it was quite frugal as well.

iirc the only problem had was a water pump and a clutch cylinder. I think it had the platinum plugs that were a bit pricey (requires 8) and make sure the belt has been changed recently.

Neil

Xenocide

4,286 posts

214 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
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MX5 wink

xkrGiles

2,870 posts

281 months

Wednesday 29th December 2010
quotequote all
Alfa 156 2.5
Alfa 166

If you hunt round you will find some, they wont be great low milers, but they'll get the job done in style & look like a £4k car when tidied up

Alternatives
MX5
205 Gti 1.9
Beemer 5 series as a barge

Have a look through the archive of SOTW

Bomber Denton

8,759 posts

274 months

Friday 31st December 2010
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If it interests you I am probably going to sell my 1993 Corrado 2.0 16V, was looking for around £1500 but may haggle a bit.

Corin

jackthelad1984

838 posts

187 months

Friday 31st December 2010
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drove past a tidy looking bmw 528 touring yesterday for sale in plympton,manual, cream leather, looked tidy, tax and mot, 1200 notes!

k22wes

596 posts

183 months

Friday 31st December 2010
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there is a fairly tidy ibiza cupra 16v in yellow in a garage in ilchester, up for £1299.

DaveShark

414 posts

193 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
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xkrGiles said:
Alfa 156 2.5
Do this.

slimjim

5 posts

165 months

Friday 7th January 2011
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the alfa 2.0 twin cam is a peach and the alfas are cheap as chips - a 147?