What minter for £5k? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Thursday 3rd August 2023

So I'm looking to get a fun weekend car, maximum budget is 5k and for this I'd like an absolute 1st class example of whichever car I decide to buy.

Current thinking is an MK3 MR2, also thought about and MGTF and a MK3 MX5. It doesn't have to be a convertible, the only real criteria is fun to drive and absolutely no rust, fed up of the stuff!!

Any other suggestions?

Thanks my dudes smile

31,809 posts

247 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023

Bmw z3. Find a good one and it can only appreciate. These are brilliant fun little cars and really easy to live with

Defcon5

6,462 posts

218 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023

I’m not up on prices, but what noughties warm/hot hatch?

Lupo GTI/Clio 172/Fiesta ST type thing

Nickp82

3,894 posts

120 months

Thursday 3rd August 2023

Mazda RX-8, you’d have to look at a good few to find one without much rust but they’re out there and great fun to drive.

jamesbilluk

4,142 posts

210 months

Friday 4th August 2023

I’ve thought the Mk1 Audi TT seem great value at the moment.

ChrisH72

3,014 posts

79 months

Friday 4th August 2023

The logical choice for a fun occasional car is a 2 seat roadster but you already know which of those are available.

I had an mr2 which was a great little car. However, I didn't gel with it as much as my Celica t sport. The celica was fantastic and the vvtli engine is a hoot.

Minter for 5k right here.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023080304...

Rustybits

Original Poster

80 posts

73 months

Friday 4th August 2023

Thanks all

Z3 I'm not really interested in, it's a Z4 I have now, and whilst the engine is superb (3.0si) for some reason it just doesn't do it for me.

RX-8 I just don't have cojones to be brave enough.

TT - again something just never clicked for me with these cars.

Celica - this is a great idea, but it would have to be the GT otherwise it just wouldn't feel right!

Small hot hatches - not really my cup of tea, maybe a golf or ep3 type r, but that's as close as I'll go.

Also not sure if any of these is a great option for a 40 something with a beer belly (that I'm trying to shift!) Haha.

I wonder if a more understated saloon or estate might be a better option (ST200, I'm looking at you), it would sure come in useful with the 3 kids and camping gear that we struggle to get in the Qashqai.

Super Josh

385 posts

246 months

Friday 4th August 2023

Don't go for a MK3 MX5 if you don't like rust!!

Sycamore

2,185 posts

145 months

Friday 4th August 2023

I went the other way to you - Smart Roadster - Mk2 MR2 - MGTF 160 - Z4 3.0

The MG was the most fun and was all of £2k's worth. They're not overly loved on here though.
Fun little thing

You can't go too far wrong with any of those segment cars really.

Rustybits said:

I wonder if a more understated saloon or estate might be a better option (ST200, I'm looking at you), it would sure come in useful with the 3 kids and camping gear that we struggle to get in the Qashqai.

You'll be fine! The kids can walk biggrin

The little front storage area was reserved for beer.

Edited by Sycamore on Friday 4th August 14:46

Bannock

9,769 posts

57 months

Friday 4th August 2023

Alfa GTV:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

31,809 posts

247 months

Friday 4th August 2023

Rustybits said:

Thanks all

Z3 I'm not really interested in, it's a Z4 I have now, and whilst the engine is superb (3.0si) for some reason it just doesn't do it for me.

RX-8 I just don't have cojones to be brave enough.

TT - again something just never clicked for me with these cars.

Celica - this is a great idea, but it would have to be the GT otherwise it just wouldn't feel right!

Small hot hatches - not really my cup of tea, maybe a golf or ep3 type r, but that's as close as I'll go.

Also not sure if any of these is a great option for a 40 something with a beer belly (that I'm trying to shift!) Haha.

I wonder if a more understated saloon or estate might be a better option (ST200, I'm looking at you), it would sure come in useful with the 3 kids and camping gear that we struggle to get in the Qashqai.

Smart roadster. No rust and an absolute hoot to drive.

31,809 posts

247 months

Friday 4th August 2023

Bannock said:

Alfa GTV:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

Alga gtv Spider, one with the twin spark engine, lovely to look at, great to drive

Bannock

9,769 posts

57 months

Friday 4th August 2023

biggbn said:

Bannock said:

Alfa GTV:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308030...

Alga gtv Spider, one with the twin spark engine, lovely to look at, great to drive

OP said "doesn't have to be a convertible", but he will not tolerate rust. Thought this particular example met those criteria quite well!

But yes, a Spider with similar rustfreeness would be great.

jamesbilluk

4,142 posts

210 months

Friday 4th August 2023

I can recommend a GTV! Although it does sound good, the Busso is quite a heavy lump, I’ve read the 2.0 TS is a much sweeter handling car due to the lighter engine. So may make more sense if you want something fun to drive. I did originally want a Spider, bit I did want the rear ‘seats’ for occasional use

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 4th August 15:41

bennno

15,125 posts

296 months

Friday 4th August 2023

in the last 18 months I purchased two cars in this price bracket, one was a very good condition, two owner 986 of 99 vintage.

The other, which I sold, then by chance recently repurchased was a E88 BMW 125i MSport Cab.... full md bmw history inc this year, mint, sat nav, six speed gearbox and smooth in line 3L BMW 6..... way more modern car and a lot of car for £5k.

31,809 posts

247 months

Friday 4th August 2023

bennno said:

in the last 18 months I purchased two cars in this price bracket, one was a very good condition, two owner 986 of 99 vintage.

The other, which I sold, then by chance recently repurchased was a E88 BMW 125i MSport Cab.... full md bmw history inc this year, mint, sat nav, six speed gearbox and smooth in line 3L BMW 6..... way more modern car and a lot of car for £5k.

Oh, good shout on the 125!!!

bennno

15,125 posts

296 months

Friday 4th August 2023

biggbn said:

Oh, good shout on the 125!!!

It drives exceptionally well, the mod crew only seem to have wrecked the coupes, theres a 135i but it has a pair of turbos added to the engine which can be troublesome.

Circa 220bhp rwd, manual and a creamy six makes it a decent steer.

Main issue is with abs sensors all round and driveshaft rings built in to driveshafts at the rear. Plus take the runflats off and fit normal tyres for a decent ride.

Personally I think the Bangle styling looks a bit sharper than the models that followed it and its a relatively modern BMW cab that must be at the bottom of its depreciation cycle.....

georgeyboy12345

4,554 posts

62 months