Sub £1200 What car - Running costs not an issue?

[Nige_GTI]

Right I know there are a few about, but most people after £1k cars want efficiency, I'm not to bothered by that.

I have to sell this ( http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2432587.htm shameless plug) to get the last bit of a house deposit and wedding costs together, and I will have circa £1k ish left to buy a new car.

Now I do around 12k per annum, however my missus has a Vectra, which I can use for long trips as she only does around 5k.

It has to have more than 2 seats (so not MX5's) and be reletively fun and reliable.

I have so far thought of a 406 3.0 V6 coupe and a Proton Satria GTi (used to have one)

Any other ideas? I don't think a good 205 GTi is in budget.

Thanks

Edited by Nige_GTI on Friday 28th January 15:05

[morgrp]

850 T5?

[freakynessless]

This weeks SOTW?

[anonymous-user]

1994 - 1997 Jaguar XJ12? Last of the Jag V12s and taken out to 6 litres...

Dave

[Mr Roper]

morgrp said:

850 T5?

Was thinking the same...


OP sold but you get the idea

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2296181.htm

[Nige_GTI]

"Sorry for the Double Post"

Good recommendations, funny I was looking at Jags, theres a very nice 4.0 V8 S type and a 3.2 XJ6 for sale near me.

Will a £1k XJS require a lot of work though? I'm not to bothered by petrol costs, but I don't want to have to spend £2k on repairs for the MOT.

Not too keen on the Volvo 850's although the T5 is a cracker

Prelude is a good one, although I would want a manual, and one that hasn't been in the hands of the fast and furious brigade

[300bhp/ton]

Nige_GTI said:

Right I know there are a few about, but most people after £1k cars want efficiency, I'm not to bothered by that.

I have to sell this ( http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2432587.htm shameless plug) to get the last bit of a house deposit and wedding costs together, and I will have circa £1k ish left to buy a new car.

Now I do around 12k per annum, however my missus has a Vectra, which I can use for long trips as she only does around 5k.

It has to have more than 2 seats (so not MX5's) and be reletively fun and reliable.

I have so far thought of a 406 3.0 V6 coupe and a Proton Satria GTi (used to have one)

Any other ideas? I don't think a good 205 GTi is in budget.

Thanks

Edited by Nige_GTI on Friday 28th January 13:52

If you are looking at the Pug check how much it costs to do a cam belt on them, then sit down, have a stiff drink and make sure you only look at ones that don't need doing.

As for your budget, loads of cars.

I like the Prelude idea, but a more practical option would be something like an MG ZS180. Pretty swift, good parts supply, handle well, 5 seats and a boot.

Puma is another good shout, although a lot smaller than either.

Celica 2.0 GT

Or if you feeling daring keep an eye out for a Metro/Rover 100 VVC conversion

And if you want a bit of flare and hauling space (although not such a sharp drive) then consider something like a PT Cruiser.

[BarnatosGhost]

Merc 300/420/500/560SE

Fun in a floaty way.

[300bhp/ton]

dme123 said:

1994 - 1997 Jaguar XJ12? Last of the Jag V12s and taken out to 6 litres...

Dave

Can you get them for this money? Last time I looked they'd picked up quite a bit. Although you are crossing two models.

The XJ12 was re-launched as an XJ40 shape car in 1993 with the 6.0 litre and 4 speed electronic controlled autobox.

In 94 it remained unchanged but lost the glove box due to the passenger airbag.

Both of these had LSD's.

In 95 the x300 was launched. The XJ12 lost the LSD and had traction control instead I believe. Also I think some XJ12's where LWB variants like the Daimler Double Six.


My Dad had a 93 XJ12 and it was beyond superb. Very quick even by today's standards and the smoothest car I've ever been in.

[Nige_GTI]

Have to say the Jags look temptng. Big engine cars are dirt cheap!

I'll be on the look out from tomorrow if mine sells.

The list has grown substantially;
XJ6 / 8
S Type V8
ST24
106 Gti
406 V6
205 Gti if I can find a good'un

Think I'm going to have the buy the one in the best condition for the price!

[W00DY]

I picked up a 309 GTI for a little over £700 last week and it is utterly awesome. Ridiculous amount of fun/car for the money.

[slipstream 1985]

xsara vts

[Nige_GTI]

309 GTis are rare, I'll have a look though

I dont want a car on HP. Nuying house, need as few outgoings as possible for a while

[LeightonBuzzard]

VW Bora/ Passat

[hairykrishna]

Nige_GTI said:

Will a £1k XJS require a lot of work though? I'm not to bothered by petrol costs, but I don't want to have to spend £2k on repairs for the MOT.

Most likely yes. I bought one for a grand and managed to drive it for almost 70 miles before the gearbox exploded. You might be lucky though...

[stewjohnst]

Nige_GTI said:

Prelude is a good one, although I would want a manual, and one that hasn't been in the hands of the fast and furious brigade

Exactly what I went for when needing a stop gap till my company car arrives, waiting on a golf and managed to get a non chavved manual vtec 4th gen 'lude for £1k. If it was april, I'd flog you it.

All its needed so far (touch wood) is an eye on the oil as vtecs do drink a little.

Gets my vote

[2 Wycked]

hora said:

You need reliability if you are doing 12k a year. Sub-1k is a LOTTERY.

Get a C1 or AYGO on HP at a dealer promo rate.

Seriously.

Oh I took a Aygo to southern Germany and back one NY's eve.

Funny lad.

OP, you can probably get a late XJ40 or early X300 Jag for that money. They're reliable and well built by the standard of earlier XJ40s and XJSs.

They still feel special too.

[Road Pest]

Last weeks SOTW?

[jonnydm]

My 528i is currently for sale for that money. As VFM goes, I dont think that you can do much better. Plenty around at that price too.

[FreezerWeasel]

e36 328i?