What to buy next... daily but fun
Discussion
In times of need I usually turn to the forum, and you've always done me proud.
OK so I've just sold my Abarth 595 after 6 months because I didn't really "bond" with it. the small heavily turbo'ed engine felt very "soft" low down then all of a sudden POWER. as well as it being a very short but tall car, It didn't really handle as I prefer. I'm looking for a fun daily, looking for ideas.
Parameters:
- A budget of around £4-6k
- probably 5k miles a year
- must be in some way actually interesting, not just a mode of transport.
- modern or classic, but I would prefer it not to depreciate (much) over the next couple of years, preferably go up!
- I'm not afraid of a bit of project / TLC but it needs to be usable from day 1.
Not any of the following:
- Clio 172 / 182 / 197 / 200 (had them all and loved the 182 particularly, fancy moving on now)
- fiesta/focus ST etc (too kid/chav)
- civic type r, not a fan of the shape
- MiTo QV (had one, same issue with the engine response as the abarth)
- not a barge / huge, as I have rather tight parking
OK so I've just sold my Abarth 595 after 6 months because I didn't really "bond" with it. the small heavily turbo'ed engine felt very "soft" low down then all of a sudden POWER. as well as it being a very short but tall car, It didn't really handle as I prefer. I'm looking for a fun daily, looking for ideas.
Parameters:
- A budget of around £4-6k
- probably 5k miles a year
- must be in some way actually interesting, not just a mode of transport.
- modern or classic, but I would prefer it not to depreciate (much) over the next couple of years, preferably go up!
- I'm not afraid of a bit of project / TLC but it needs to be usable from day 1.
Not any of the following:
- Clio 172 / 182 / 197 / 200 (had them all and loved the 182 particularly, fancy moving on now)
- fiesta/focus ST etc (too kid/chav)
- civic type r, not a fan of the shape
- MiTo QV (had one, same issue with the engine response as the abarth)
- not a barge / huge, as I have rather tight parking
Edited by His Lordship on Wednesday 21st April 11:46
If two seats is ok.
Then yes you can pick up the 350z in your budget. They are a great steer and the engine is a peach. However, i don't think its a car that will essentially keep its value. Though, that would never stop me buying a car but as you state its one of your criteria, so has to be considered.
You have written off the Renaultsport Clio's.
Usually for a good well balanced and fun drive Renaultsport is up there and having had several myself, i traded up to the cumbersomely named Megane F1 230 R26. It is certainly rarer than the clio. It does not feel soft low down, the way its geared and the turbo, it isn't a 1/4 mile car, but it certainly moves and feels much quicker than the 230hp suggests. The feel of the thing though is brilliant. It is very much one of the finer driving machines i've had over the years. The seating position is high and takes a little getting used too but its a small price to pay. For this kind of money it becomes hard to think of a better drivers car.
In addition. Prices are steadily rising. There are not too many on the road so you have an element of rarity to it as well. But at the moment you can pick one up in your budget. As they are so rare though, you don't find many for sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-R26/1440...
Another car i would look at is Porsche, the 986 boxster has already been mentioned. But i think i'd look at the something slightly older and in my opinion nicer to look at (though thats subjective). I would look at the Porsche 944. A couple of years back you could pick up an s2 for your kind of money and now they are about double at roughly £10k starting for a nice one. However, you can pick up an 944s for roughly what your budget is. I think it will slowly appreciate and be a nice daily driveable porsche that is becoming more of a classic with each year
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-944-S/154410655...
They aren't the sharpest tool in the box, steering is heavy, watch out for worn bearings in gearboxs/diffs as they like to eat them. Rust is an issue if its not well cared for - but nothing that any other 80's car wouldn't have. I think it is a nice looking thing and a bit different which again makes it that bit rarer.
Just a couple of additional options for you to consider hopefully. Good luck.
Then yes you can pick up the 350z in your budget. They are a great steer and the engine is a peach. However, i don't think its a car that will essentially keep its value. Though, that would never stop me buying a car but as you state its one of your criteria, so has to be considered.
You have written off the Renaultsport Clio's.
Usually for a good well balanced and fun drive Renaultsport is up there and having had several myself, i traded up to the cumbersomely named Megane F1 230 R26. It is certainly rarer than the clio. It does not feel soft low down, the way its geared and the turbo, it isn't a 1/4 mile car, but it certainly moves and feels much quicker than the 230hp suggests. The feel of the thing though is brilliant. It is very much one of the finer driving machines i've had over the years. The seating position is high and takes a little getting used too but its a small price to pay. For this kind of money it becomes hard to think of a better drivers car.
In addition. Prices are steadily rising. There are not too many on the road so you have an element of rarity to it as well. But at the moment you can pick one up in your budget. As they are so rare though, you don't find many for sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-R26/1440...
Another car i would look at is Porsche, the 986 boxster has already been mentioned. But i think i'd look at the something slightly older and in my opinion nicer to look at (though thats subjective). I would look at the Porsche 944. A couple of years back you could pick up an s2 for your kind of money and now they are about double at roughly £10k starting for a nice one. However, you can pick up an 944s for roughly what your budget is. I think it will slowly appreciate and be a nice daily driveable porsche that is becoming more of a classic with each year
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-944-S/154410655...
They aren't the sharpest tool in the box, steering is heavy, watch out for worn bearings in gearboxs/diffs as they like to eat them. Rust is an issue if its not well cared for - but nothing that any other 80's car wouldn't have. I think it is a nice looking thing and a bit different which again makes it that bit rarer.
Just a couple of additional options for you to consider hopefully. Good luck.
I could recommend a VW Scirocco 2.0TSI GT, a very good steer with an excellent engine and classy looks. Mid 2009 onwards has a much nicer steering wheel if that’s important to you (it was to me). Also a Mini Cooper S of some sort, might be able to get an older Coupe or Roadster if they’re your thing, Minis are hard to beat for driving enjoyment at this budget. You can get a Peugeot RCZ at this price too which shares the ‘Prince’ engine with Mini, but these engines need to have been looked after.
stevekoz said:
If two seats is ok.
Then yes you can pick up the 350z in your budget. They are a great steer and the engine is a peach. However, i don't think its a car that will essentially keep its value. Though, that would never stop me buying a car but as you state its one of your criteria, so has to be considered.
You have written off the Renaultsport Clio's.
Usually for a good well balanced and fun drive Renaultsport is up there and having had several myself, i traded up to the cumbersomely named Megane F1 230 R26. It is certainly rarer than the clio. It does not feel soft low down, the way its geared and the turbo, it isn't a 1/4 mile car, but it certainly moves and feels much quicker than the 230hp suggests. The feel of the thing though is brilliant. It is very much one of the finer driving machines i've had over the years. The seating position is high and takes a little getting used too but its a small price to pay. For this kind of money it becomes hard to think of a better drivers car.
In addition. Prices are steadily rising. There are not too many on the road so you have an element of rarity to it as well. But at the moment you can pick one up in your budget. As they are so rare though, you don't find many for sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-R26/1440...
Another car i would look at is Porsche, the 986 boxster has already been mentioned. But i think i'd look at the something slightly older and in my opinion nicer to look at (though thats subjective). I would look at the Porsche 944. A couple of years back you could pick up an s2 for your kind of money and now they are about double at roughly £10k starting for a nice one. However, you can pick up an 944s for roughly what your budget is. I think it will slowly appreciate and be a nice daily driveable porsche that is becoming more of a classic with each year
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-944-S/154410655...
They aren't the sharpest tool in the box, steering is heavy, watch out for worn bearings in gearboxs/diffs as they like to eat them. Rust is an issue if its not well cared for - but nothing that any other 80's car wouldn't have. I think it is a nice looking thing and a bit different which again makes it that bit rarer.
Just a couple of additional options for you to consider hopefully. Good luck.
That Megane looks fantastic, I'm quite keen on it now myself...Then yes you can pick up the 350z in your budget. They are a great steer and the engine is a peach. However, i don't think its a car that will essentially keep its value. Though, that would never stop me buying a car but as you state its one of your criteria, so has to be considered.
You have written off the Renaultsport Clio's.
Usually for a good well balanced and fun drive Renaultsport is up there and having had several myself, i traded up to the cumbersomely named Megane F1 230 R26. It is certainly rarer than the clio. It does not feel soft low down, the way its geared and the turbo, it isn't a 1/4 mile car, but it certainly moves and feels much quicker than the 230hp suggests. The feel of the thing though is brilliant. It is very much one of the finer driving machines i've had over the years. The seating position is high and takes a little getting used too but its a small price to pay. For this kind of money it becomes hard to think of a better drivers car.
In addition. Prices are steadily rising. There are not too many on the road so you have an element of rarity to it as well. But at the moment you can pick one up in your budget. As they are so rare though, you don't find many for sale - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-R26/1440...
Another car i would look at is Porsche, the 986 boxster has already been mentioned. But i think i'd look at the something slightly older and in my opinion nicer to look at (though thats subjective). I would look at the Porsche 944. A couple of years back you could pick up an s2 for your kind of money and now they are about double at roughly £10k starting for a nice one. However, you can pick up an 944s for roughly what your budget is. I think it will slowly appreciate and be a nice daily driveable porsche that is becoming more of a classic with each year
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-944-S/154410655...
They aren't the sharpest tool in the box, steering is heavy, watch out for worn bearings in gearboxs/diffs as they like to eat them. Rust is an issue if its not well cared for - but nothing that any other 80's car wouldn't have. I think it is a nice looking thing and a bit different which again makes it that bit rarer.
Just a couple of additional options for you to consider hopefully. Good luck.
His Lordship said:
In times of need I usually turn to the forum, and you've always done me proud.
OK so I've just sold my Abarth 595 after 6 months because I didn't really "bond" with it. the small heavily turbo'ed engine felt very "soft" low down then all of a sudden POWER. as well as it being a very short but tall car, It didn't really handle as I prefer. I'm looking for a fun daily, looking for ideas.
Parameters:
- A budget of around £4-6k
- probably 5k miles a year
- must be in some way actually interesting, not just a mode of transport.
- modern or classic, but I would prefer it not to depreciate (much) over the next couple of years, preferably go up!
- I'm not afraid of a bit of project / TLC but it needs to be usable from day 1.
Not any of the following:
- Clio 172 / 182 / 197 / 200 (had them all and loved the 182 particularly, fancy moving on now)
- fiesta/focus ST etc (too kid/chav)
- civic type r, not a fan of the shape
- MiTo QV (had one, same issue with the engine response as the abarth)
- not a barge / huge, as I have rather tight parking
208 GTI great handling with a nice amount of go:OK so I've just sold my Abarth 595 after 6 months because I didn't really "bond" with it. the small heavily turbo'ed engine felt very "soft" low down then all of a sudden POWER. as well as it being a very short but tall car, It didn't really handle as I prefer. I'm looking for a fun daily, looking for ideas.
Parameters:
- A budget of around £4-6k
- probably 5k miles a year
- must be in some way actually interesting, not just a mode of transport.
- modern or classic, but I would prefer it not to depreciate (much) over the next couple of years, preferably go up!
- I'm not afraid of a bit of project / TLC but it needs to be usable from day 1.
Not any of the following:
- Clio 172 / 182 / 197 / 200 (had them all and loved the 182 particularly, fancy moving on now)
- fiesta/focus ST etc (too kid/chav)
- civic type r, not a fan of the shape
- MiTo QV (had one, same issue with the engine response as the abarth)
- not a barge / huge, as I have rather tight parking
Edited by His Lordship on Wednesday 21st April 11:46
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
350Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104171...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154415881105?hash=item2...
125i Coupe
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164812153262?hash=item2...
130i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102209...
Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo a nice modern classic that's a good steer
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174716387659?hash=item2...
Megane R26
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144014113338?hash=item2...
Giulietta Cloverleaf a bit of a sleeper & a nice steer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104121...
RCZ GT 200
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103240...
3.2 TT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104151...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103300...
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