Frugal, Fun, Future Daily? - Page 1 - Car Buying

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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Friday

Seasons greetings. Hoping you all are enjoying the holidays.

I'll try to keep things brief. After the most recent series of repairs to my E36, my good friend/mechanic has told me in a fairly polite way to lock the car in my garage and buy a daily, as he has been the one to do most of the work in the 13 years I've owned it, admittedly which hasn't all been straightforward.

Family needs and home repairs have depleted my budget for achieving this task, and realistically will involve a lot of O/T and calling in debts that I haven't got the time to do.

I need to pull the trigger on a daily within the next few weeks as the mercury drops even further, and with a 2k budget, he swears by a GD Jazz as that is what he uses as a courtesy car for customers.

I have my sights set on an R53, as they still seem pretty numerous at that price, admittedly with a few needing some remedial work done and they are an itch I've wanted to scratch for at least a decade now.

Am I setting myself up for a world of hurt if I follow my heart, or should I heed his advice? A stiff chassis, which they both have is a requirement, as is a punchy engine and a good level of reliability. I don't mind getting my hands dirty with maintenance.

If not one of these two, what else fits the criteria at this budget?

Thanks.

pb8g09

2,930 posts

89 months

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Friday

Clio 197 still in the budget?

I had an R53 4 years ago and they were all rusting away by then. If you really want one, keep an eye out for a rusted tailgate (not the end of the world), 100k milers but still haven’t had the super charger serviced (can do yourself if handy, and may as well fit a updated pulley at the same time), the gloveboxes falling open when you go over a bump- dodgy latches, and be prepared for V8 standards of fuel drinking if you drive everywhere heavy footed- which you will, to hear the whine of the supercharger.

ZX10R NIN

29,792 posts

145 months

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Friday

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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Friday

pb8g09 said:

Clio 197 still in the budget?

I had an R53 4 years ago and they were all rusting away by then. If you really want one, keep an eye out for a rusted tailgate (not the end of the world), 100k milers but still haven'

t had the super charger serviced (can do yourself if handy, and may as well fit a updated pulley at the same time), the gloveboxes falling open when you go over a bump- dodgy latches, and be prepared for V8 standards of fuel drinking if you drive everywhere heavy footed- which you will, to hear the whine of the supercharger.

Thanks. I didn't think of the 197s. They look neat. Hopefully more resistant to rust than the R53 and Jazz as you do raise a major point regarding corrosion, which i would prefer to not have to worry about. The supercharger would probably become the radio if I'm honest. Have good experience with gloveboxes from my E36 so hopefully could find a fix if the issue arises.

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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Friday

ZX10R NIN said:

Thank you. The Mitos definitely intrigue me from this list. What are they like to drive and maintain?

The OH had a Fiesta from this gen with a 1.4 hdi. Immense fun, but ultimately had to go due to a need for more space and not being ULEZ compliant.

Jte3397

45 posts

116 months

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Friday

I've had a 06 R53 for over 4 years and 16k miles. It's a 4th car but does around 3-5k a year including my 300 mile round commute once a week. It's been cheapish to run but my other vehicles set a low bar...I get 32-34 mpg on a run. It's also been very reliable which is partly why I've kept it despite not really needing it, also because it's huge fun.
The only rust on mine is above the windscreen from a bad windscreen replacement I presume. It looks awful which meant I got it cheap and also means it's not worth selling

LT1987

28 posts

66 months

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[news]

Friday

2010 civic, 3 door 1.8 vtec - reliable, and a bit of poke, without breaking the bank

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505102...

Or for a few hundred more… 2012 Mazda 3. Looks good and I believe the 1.6 engine is bombproof?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

MattsCar

1,976 posts

125 months

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Friday

I think a £2k Clio 197 would be very much a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Parts are also not "supermini" prices either.

ZX10R NIN

29,792 posts

145 months

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Friday

J.R.Slider said:

Thank you. The Mitos definitely intrigue me from this list. What are they like to drive and maintain?

The OH had a Fiesta from this gen with a 1.4 hdi. Immense fun, but ultimately had to go due to a need for more space and not being ULEZ compliant.

The Mito is a decent steer the drivetrain is the same as the Abarth 500, they're easy to maintain & add things like Android Auto/CarPlay to.

The 1.6 unit is pretty much bombproof & this chassis is a cracking steer.

ric p

668 posts

289 months

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Friday

J.R.Slider said:

Thank you. The Mitos definitely intrigue me from this list. What are they like to drive and maintain?

The OH had a Fiesta from this gen with a 1.4 hdi. Immense fun, but ultimately had to go due to a need for more space and not being ULEZ compliant.

Definitely rate MiTos. Daughter had a 1.4 Veloce as a first car and went from 68k to 125k miles. Sold to a friend, who now has it on near 150k.

I did all the servicing and fixing, but apart from oil and filters etc, it needed a couple of front springs, wiring for rear tailgate (a known problem) and broken plastic air box. I loved it and fun to drive with nice seats at that price range. Always felt special / different for a cheap car.

Just avoid the twin air ones and go for the 1.4 FIRE or turbo ones.

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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Friday

Jte3397 said:

I've had a 06 R53 for over 4 years and 16k miles. It's a 4th car but does around 3-5k a year including my 300 mile round commute once a week. It's been cheapish to run but my other vehicles set a low bar...I get 32-34 mpg on a run. It's also been very reliable which is partly why I've kept it despite not really needing it, also because it's huge fun.
The only rust on mine is above the windscreen from a bad windscreen replacement I presume. It looks awful which meant I got it cheap and also means it's not worth selling

That is pleasing to hear. I get about 24.5 mpg currently and do roughly 3k per year so that would be a welcome improvement.

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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Friday

LT1987 said:

2010 civic, 3 door 1.8 vtec - reliable, and a bit of poke, without breaking the bank

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505102...

Or for a few hundred more 2012 Mazda 3. Looks good and I believe the 1.6 engine is bombproof?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

Love the colour on the civic.

Is the Mazda anything like a Focus due to the Ford ownership?

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mito is a decent steer the drivetrain is the same as the Abarth 500, they're easy to maintain & add things like Android Auto/CarPlay to.

The 1.6 unit is pretty much bombproof & this chassis is a cracking steer.

Nice. Having seen an Abarth 500 driver giving the car an italian tune up on a local road, I can imagine the Mito must move quite smartly. An Android/Carplay unit would be the first upgrade.

That combination suits me well. Especially if the engine isn’t too thirsty.

ric p said:

Definitely rate MiTos. Daughter had a 1.4 Veloce as a first car and went from 68k to 125k miles. Sold to a friend, who now has it on near 150k.

I did all the servicing and fixing, but apart from oil and filters etc, it needed a couple of front springs, wiring for rear tailgate (a known problem) and broken plastic air box. I loved it and fun to drive with nice seats at that price range. Always felt special / different for a cheap car.

Just avoid the twin air ones and go for the 1.4 FIRE or turbo ones.

Sounds like pretty trouble free motoring with a robust powertrain by the sounds of it. The interior, especially the seats is what I like about them. The leather in a nice bold colour, preferably heated for those cold mornings. But that may be stretching the budget.

ZX10R NIN

29,792 posts

145 months

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Yesterday (11:00)

J.R.Slider said:

LT1987 said:

2010 civic, 3 door 1.8 vtec - reliable, and a bit of poke, without breaking the bank

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505102...

Or for a few hundred more 2012 Mazda 3. Looks good and I believe the 1.6 engine is bombproof?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

Love the colour on the civic.

Is the Mazda anything like a Focus due to the Ford ownership?

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mito is a decent steer the drivetrain is the same as the Abarth 500, they're easy to maintain & add things like Android Auto/CarPlay to.

The 1.6 unit is pretty much bombproof & this chassis is a cracking steer.

Nice. Having seen an Abarth 500 driver giving the car an italian tune up on a local road, I can imagine the Mito must move quite smartly. An Android/Carplay unit would be the first upgrade.

That combination suits me well. Especially if the engine isn t too thirsty.

ric p said:

Definitely rate MiTos. Daughter had a 1.4 Veloce as a first car and went from 68k to 125k miles. Sold to a friend, who now has it on near 150k.

I did all the servicing and fixing, but apart from oil and filters etc, it needed a couple of front springs, wiring for rear tailgate (a known problem) and broken plastic air box. I loved it and fun to drive with nice seats at that price range. Always felt special / different for a cheap car.

Just avoid the twin air ones and go for the 1.4 FIRE or turbo ones.

Sounds like pretty trouble free motoring with a robust powertrain by the sounds of it. The interior, especially the seats is what I like about them. The leather in a nice bold colour, preferably heated for those cold mornings. But that may be stretching the budget.

The Mazda3 was based on the Focus but wasn't as good a steer.

On the Mito adding a double din unit will sort out all your modern connectivity needs, the Mito came in 120/140/155bhp form I think the 140 will be in budget.

A500leroy

7,436 posts

138 months

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Yesterday (11:05)

The answer is an Aygo.

Baked_bean

1,938 posts

212 months

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Yesterday (21:18)

If the E36 is to become your toy/weekend car, I would go for something like an Aygo or Jazz.

I owned an R53 last year and it was ok, but the owners club was full of people having to spend a fortune keeping them running…I would imagine it will be the same experience as the E36 from experience.

InitialDave

14,151 posts

139 months

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Yesterday (21:24)

Sounds like you need a Panda 100HP.

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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12:11

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mazda3 was based on the Focus but wasn't as good a steer.

On the Mito adding a double din unit will sort out all your modern connectivity needs, the Mito came in 120/140/155bhp form I think the 140 will be in budget.

Ok. I thought they were identical. I'd probably favour the Ford for the dynamic advantage.

After looking, the Mitos do hold their value quite well.
Highly doubt I'll find a QV in budget. I guess to preserve the hierarchy with my E36, the 140/155 will be the sensible choice.

Edited by J.R.Slider on Sunday 28th December 12:27

J.R.Slider

Original Poster

84 posts

107 months

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12:27

A500leroy said:

The answer is an Aygo.

Guess they are pretty numerous in my work car park for a reason.

Baked_bean said:

If the E36 is to become your toy/weekend car, I would go for something like an Aygo or Jazz.

I owned an R53 last year and it was ok, but the owners club was full of people having to spend a fortune keeping them running I would imagine it will be the same experience as the E36 from experience.

That I guess is part of my concern. I could never leave any car I drive alone, so the temptation to tinker or iron out any issues could be potentially ruinous if it has a lot of expensive faults.

The dilemma of needing an interesting car to do the mundane stuff. rolleyes

InitialDave said:

Sounds like you need a Panda 100HP.

Now that's a name I haven't heard for a very long time. I think they're nice. Kind of in the same vein as an Ignis Sport.

ZX10R NIN

29,792 posts

145 months

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14:31

Now if you don't mind haggling & maybe going a smidge over there's this nicely spec'd Veloce with the factory bodykit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512178...

You will get a Cloverleaf on budget which has the same 170bhp setup:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...

I'd also take a good look at the GTC Astra especially in 1.6T form as it had the same suspension setup as the VXR except is had passive dampers.