Need a fun car for max £5k

[DaKid]

Hiya,

Looking to replace my old, knackered 525i Auto (don't ask) with something that's fun to drive and not falling to bits (the glovebox falls on the floor when I go over bumps).

Only things I can find thus far that are within budget and are hopefully reliable (don't really wanna get anything over 10 years or 80,000 miles old if I can avoid it), are the 306 GTi-6 and Nissan 200SX.

My driving is almost exclusively to work and back, with occasional trips across the country to see parents, so it doesn't need to be perfect for motorways, just bearable. Ideally it'll be nippy, fun and suited to B-roads (not much town driving involved).

Not so worried about insurance or running costs, but would prefer nothing ridiculous in those areas.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Cheers

[Butuz]

Hmm how much space do you need? Ive got a 200sx and it makes a 5 series look like a lorry i comparison (makes it drive like a lorry too, of course!)

You cant fit 4 adults comfoortably in a 200sx, and the boot is small. So. How practical does it need to be?

Butuz

[Fox]

Citroen Xsara VTS.

Under the skin, its a 306 GTi-6. Same components, same chassis, same everything bar the gearbox, which is a 5 speeder giving marginally better performance but higher consumption at 70ish. Nothing to write home about.

Same 170bhp engine. It has a more modern interior and more toys, but becuase the styling is, well, dull, it also costs considerably less than the 306 - up to HALF the price of the equivilent GTi-6.

I've seen 2001X plate examples for £4k, and £2k gets a nice R plate one.

[Marcos]

Older Impreza? I hear swaps are easy and so are turbos if needs be

[Butuz]

Citroen Xsara VTS.

Under the skin, its a 306 GTi-6. Same components, same chassis, same everything bar the gearbox, which is a 5 speeder giving marginally better performance but higher consumption at 70ish. Nothing to write home about.

Same 170bhp engine. It has a more modern interior and more toys, but becuase the styling is, well, dull, it also costs considerably less than the 306 - up to HALF the price of the equivilent GTi-6.

I've seen 2001X plate examples for £4k, and £2k gets a nice R plate one.

Spot on this time Fox!

Xsara VTS = superb value. They depreciate like "frozen hell", which means you can pick up newish ones, for sod all, and they will dispatch so many posh-ass cars like no tomorrow as theyre light weight and pack 170bhp, Audi TT and Civic Type r's may look at you with that smug look while your sitting at the lights, but they will look at you in a horrified manner when your nudging 70 and still next to them.... quality.

Quite a few of the 200sx guys have Xsara vts's as theyre boaring work cars, because theyre exactly like a 200sx, a wolf in an unnasuming sheeps clothing

Butuz

[jimborae]

I'll be in the same boat come summer when I'll be retiring my Corrado's (G60 & 2lt 16v). I'll have the same sort of budget (5K) but I really don't like the idea of getting a Citroen.

My parents had Citroen's for years & to be honest they're a piece of crap, poorly built, forever going wrong, high parts cost, rubbish quality & bits just litterally fell off. So unless they've radically changed in the last 10 years does anybody have any other suggestions?

[DaKid]

Practicality is not an issue as long as I fit in it comfortably. I'm 6'2" and a ... errr, cuddly chap

The Xsara VTS? I've seen them in Autotrader, but I always assumed they were 206 size, not 306 and hence disregarded them. I don't want anything too small ... am I totally wrong here? If so, then sounds like a potential test drive. How about reliability? I've heard similar things to what jimborae was saying about Citroens ...

Not so keen on the scooby. Would like one, but am quite worried that any turbo would be ranted (cos I sure as hell would have done if it was mine heh).

[Shad]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...00514188521850

Saw one on Friday, real head turner. Think it was a V8 that I saw because it sounded _amazing_

It's a shame you want something new

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00502178287394

Now that really is a bargain - dealer retail for those new is something silly like 5-6 times that price

[DaKid]

Hehe ... both nice cars, but they break either the 10 years or 80,000 miles rules

I'm really stumped to be honest. If I had £10k it'd be so much easier, but £5k is incredibly restrictive

[Shad]

Restrictive? 5 grand??

Loosen your rules and be more realistic then

[CocoPops]

Clio 16v? 1.8, quite pokey.
for 6grand you could get a mk1 172 2.0 172bhp, leather, etc.
CRX?
Prelude?

[weebroonieuk]

sierra cosworth .... cheap bits plenty upgrade options and they are buttons , they may have been leathered by boy racers but there still a half decent car for fun at roundabouts etc and they dont stick out like a sore thumb really

u can pick up same kind car in my sig for around 5 no doubt
220 ft/lb and bhp i think , roomy inside decent sized boot and very relaxed driving , u dont have to wring its neck to make quick progress

although u do have to take alot of stick for owning a fiat , usually from people who either dont drive , havent owned one or have a crap car

its amazing how many people with good cars will compliment them ....

[jimborae]

sierra cosworth .... cheap bits plenty upgrade options and they are buttons , they may have been leathered by boy racers but there still a half decent car for fun at roundabouts etc and they dont stick out like a sore thumb really

u can pick up same kind car in my sig for around 5 no doubt
220 ft/lb and bhp i think , roomy inside decent sized boot and very relaxed driving , u dont have to wring its neck to make quick progress

although u do have to take alot of stick for owning a fiat , usually from people who either dont drive , havent owned one or have a crap car

its amazing how many people with good cars will compliment them ....

Ah but thats because peeps with decent wheels know the true value of Italian motors i.e. they have soul & personality.

[Shad]

CRX?

I'd have suggested that too but didn't because of the milage/age issue...

Buying and restoring my car cost almost exactly 5 grand so.....

Unless you're thinking of a Del Sol? In which case, I will have to shoot you.

Thumbs up for Italian cars btw

[CocoPops]

oh no no no.
I was thinking more along the lines of the last K plated V-Tech cars.

[DaKid]

Fiat Coupe Turbo ... another fine alternative. How you find the reliability?