2nd car options

[A500leroy]

If your tight on budget stay away from german as they are price to repair. Also stay away from anything that gets crashed by young lads (ie hot hatch)

Maybe look towards the Toyota Celica , Smart coupe or Hyundai coupe

[300bhp/ton]

Alphabet said:

I’ve had a mk2 focus as a first car for a year now. My understanding is 1 year NCB isn’t much value but my quotes for cars have still went down a bit. I’m 23 paid 1600 for the focus, renewal i’d probably get it under 1000. My commute to work is 5 miles mostly normal streets then bit of dual carriageway. I’ve got the exhaust welded recently and have done a few times previously, i’m told mechanically everything is fine but it will need a new exhaust catalytic convertor in future as corroded. If I was to buy a new car i’d probably only spending up to £3k, i’m wondering that now with a bit better insurance quotes i’d be able to get anything interesting or more refined than the focus? I’m aware it’d make more sense to just keep it and I probably will, just thinking if anything out there would be an actual change instead of a similar car. I don’t really drive that spirited and would like to try different car formats as time goes on rwd 4wd etc. Would be petrol and after something bit more power and focus rather than fiesta sized.

thoughts:
a3 2.0t quattro or vag equivalents?
Merc clc or c class coupe
1series don’t think any worth looking at in this range
not into vauxhalls
alfa giuletta
volvo c30 though same as focus
Mini ?

Edited by Alphabet on Monday 15th August 16:38

Are you into cars and driving? You list just looks like a lot of boring mostly boring washing machines.

[Silvanus]

300bhp/ton said:

Alphabet said:

I’ve had a mk2 focus as a first car for a year now. My understanding is 1 year NCB isn’t much value but my quotes for cars have still went down a bit. I’m 23 paid 1600 for the focus, renewal i’d probably get it under 1000. My commute to work is 5 miles mostly normal streets then bit of dual carriageway. I’ve got the exhaust welded recently and have done a few times previously, i’m told mechanically everything is fine but it will need a new exhaust catalytic convertor in future as corroded. If I was to buy a new car i’d probably only spending up to £3k, i’m wondering that now with a bit better insurance quotes i’d be able to get anything interesting or more refined than the focus? I’m aware it’d make more sense to just keep it and I probably will, just thinking if anything out there would be an actual change instead of a similar car. I don’t really drive that spirited and would like to try different car formats as time goes on rwd 4wd etc. Would be petrol and after something bit more power and focus rather than fiesta sized.

thoughts:
a3 2.0t quattro or vag equivalents?
Merc clc or c class coupe
1series don’t think any worth looking at in this range
not into vauxhalls
alfa giuletta
volvo c30 though same as focus
Mini ?

Edited by Alphabet on Monday 15th August 16:38

Are you into cars and driving? You list just looks like a lot of boring mostly boring washing machines.

He's already said he isn't a spirited driver. I would guess the brand would be fairly high up the list looking at that list. Let's here your best suggestion

[Silvanus]

Alphabet said:

300bhp/ton said:

Alphabet said:

I’ve had a mk2 focus as a first car for a year now. My understanding is 1 year NCB isn’t much value but my quotes for cars have still went down a bit. I’m 23 paid 1600 for the focus, renewal i’d probably get it under 1000. My commute to work is 5 miles mostly normal streets then bit of dual carriageway. I’ve got the exhaust welded recently and have done a few times previously, i’m told mechanically everything is fine but it will need a new exhaust catalytic convertor in future as corroded. If I was to buy a new car i’d probably only spending up to £3k, i’m wondering that now with a bit better insurance quotes i’d be able to get anything interesting or more refined than the focus? I’m aware it’d make more sense to just keep it and I probably will, just thinking if anything out there would be an actual change instead of a similar car. I don’t really drive that spirited and would like to try different car formats as time goes on rwd 4wd etc. Would be petrol and after something bit more power and focus rather than fiesta sized.

thoughts:
a3 2.0t quattro or vag equivalents?
Merc clc or c class coupe
1series don’t think any worth looking at in this range
not into vauxhalls
alfa giuletta
volvo c30 though same as focus
Mini ?

Edited by Alphabet on Monday 15th August 16:38

Are you into cars and driving? You list just looks like a lot of boring mostly boring washing machines.

I’m into cars although most of my driving is in town, I think i’d feel more comfortable driving further out in something more solid feeling. I’ve never had experience of driving any other car than the focus and my instructors polo

Would I think the newest car, with a decent badge, with a few toys and relatively decent performance (not crazy) ticks a lot of boxes. I had an A3 2.0t quattro some tears back but not sure I'd buy a 3k one, could end up costing a lot. Would you consider any of the far East brands or anything French?

[300bhp/ton]

Silvanus said:

300bhp/ton said:

Alphabet said:

I’ve had a mk2 focus as a first car for a year now. My understanding is 1 year NCB isn’t much value but my quotes for cars have still went down a bit. I’m 23 paid 1600 for the focus, renewal i’d probably get it under 1000. My commute to work is 5 miles mostly normal streets then bit of dual carriageway. I’ve got the exhaust welded recently and have done a few times previously, i’m told mechanically everything is fine but it will need a new exhaust catalytic convertor in future as corroded. If I was to buy a new car i’d probably only spending up to £3k, i’m wondering that now with a bit better insurance quotes i’d be able to get anything interesting or more refined than the focus? I’m aware it’d make more sense to just keep it and I probably will, just thinking if anything out there would be an actual change instead of a similar car. I don’t really drive that spirited and would like to try different car formats as time goes on rwd 4wd etc. Would be petrol and after something bit more power and focus rather than fiesta sized.

thoughts:
a3 2.0t quattro or vag equivalents?
Merc clc or c class coupe
1series don’t think any worth looking at in this range
not into vauxhalls
alfa giuletta
volvo c30 though same as focus
Mini ?

Edited by Alphabet on Monday 15th August 16:38

Are you into cars and driving? You list just looks like a lot of boring mostly boring washing machines.

He's already said he isn't a spirited driver. I would guess the brand would be fairly high up the list looking at that list. Let's here your best suggestion

Well as this is Piston Heads... I can only really suggest what I think would be appealing as a petrol head. If its just a utility then Mums net is probably the better bet.

My suggestion would be more along the lines of doing something like this:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Plenty of 80s/90s/early 2000s cars that could fit a similar bill for a slightly lower entry point.

[DodgyGeezer]

if you don't need a 4 seater try a Crossfire (good looking/supermegafugly depending on taste) quite cheap, mechanically strong, not bad with rust, surprisingly practical for that type of car...

[Silvanus]

300bhp/ton said:

Well as this is Piston Heads... I can only really suggest what I think would be appealing as a petrol head. If its just a utility then Mums net is probably the better bet.

My suggestion would be more along the lines of doing something like this:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Plenty of 80s/90s/early 2000s cars that could fit a similar bill for a slightly lower entry point.

PHer and petrol heads come in all different flavours and we all like different cars for different reasons. The MGB GT you've suggested is about as far from what the OP wants as possible for the money, an MG6 would be far closer to what he's after if you are going to suggest an MG.

[Silvanus]

Alphabet said:

Depends what I suppose, I missed out on a Megane 2.0 GT which looked interesting. I like civics although anything short of type r wouldnt make sense to swap imo.

Have you considered a Mazda 3 2.0 Sport, that budget should get you a pretty decent one. Also, as you are looking at Alfas, have you considered a GT or a Brera. SEAT Leon FR could be a good bet too. Some more unusual options could be a Hyundai Veloster, MINI Packman, VW Eos/Scirocco, MG6 GT or a Subaru Impreza 2.0R 4wd (non turbo).

[captain.scarlet]

Not to sound like a mouthpiece for Japanese cars as I am quite a fan of them and do rave about them on here, but definitely consider them for reliability and good performance. You should be able to get yourself a used Civic within £3,000..

Also consider going Korean. Hyundai were on a good roll from 2012 onwards and it's when their popularity suddenly soared, followed by Kia in the looks department, so perhaps consider an i30 for a hatchback or a Hyundai Coupé from around 2006/7 onwards (as it was and still is a great looking car).

[Silvanus]

captain.scarlet said:

Not to sound like a mouthpiece for Japanese cars as I am quite a fan of them and do rave about them on here, but definitely consider them for reliability and good performance. You should be able to get yourself a used Civic within £3,000..

Also consider going Korean. Hyundai were on a good roll from 2012 onwards and it's when their popularity suddenly soared, followed by Kia in the looks department, so perhaps consider an i30 for a hatchback or a Hyundai Coupé from around 2006/7 onwards (as it was and still is a great looking car).

I think he mentioned he wouldn't go below a type R if he had a Civic. I mentioned Mazda 3 Sport and Hyundai Veloster (as a more modern than the now aging coupesl) Kia Pro'ceed GT would be a good shout but couldn't find and in budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

There are some good reliable options that will be just fine doing long & short journeys.

Mito Cloverleaf, the Mito come with different power outputs so you should find one that's insurance friendly:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

Veloce 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207197...

140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208118...

CLC 200 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a more refined car, then I'd go for the C Coupe or CLC.

[captain.scarlet]

OP, are you sure you're happy to go with diesel?

I'm just harking back to when I used to stop by the live car auctions in search of a bargain for myself.

Just thinking about it, all over again I can see, smell and taste the smoke and air given off by the diesels being brought past the rostrum.

They would still always be snapped up quicker than the petrols, but given many will be high mileage on your budget as another factor to consider, are you sure you want the risk, cost and headache of diesel uncertainty, repairs and maintenance, or would you rule them out altogether? It could make the search a whole lot easier, but as I've mentioned above, a late 2000s Hyundai Coupe could be a good shout (2 litre petrol).

[Belle427]

Do the exhaust on your car and keep it a while longer if it’s otherwise good.
Go for a change in the future if the prices stabilise which they will eventually.
You may be going from frying pan to fire with another car as there is a lot of overpriced junk around at the moment.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLC180 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209240...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210050...

200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...

CLC220cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204184...

CLK320cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205105...

Giulietta Veloce 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209260...