Currently have a diesel Caravelle as my main transport and I can't stand it any longer! I'll keep the old bus, but was thinking of raiding the shoeboxes under the bed for something cheap and sporty around £3k.
Although I would prefer something small to mid-sized I'll consider all sizes if there's a conspicuous bargain to be had. I hired an old 1.8 Focus Zetec recently and absolutely loved the handling, just need something similarly good to drive, with a bit of shove.
Any suggestions?
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306 XSi.
If you liked the Focus's handling, you will LOVE this.
You might find a GTI-6 for 3k, but not a very nice one. The XSi is a corker though.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
Edited by DP on 08/10/2007 at 09:56
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Yes, that's one for the list! In fact I once had a 405 Mi16 and loved it - it could do with a bit more power with that lovely chassis.
I'm just rifling through all my old editions of Performance Car/Car to check out all the tests and grudge matches between the likely contenders.
R
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I would buy one of these if I had £3k spare. Audi S2:
snipurl.com/1rwiy
;o)
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306 XSi. If you liked the Focus's handling you will LOVE this. You might find a GTI-6 for 3k but not a very nice one. The XSi is a corker though.
It's awfully slow. 0-60 in just 9 seconds. Thats not a performance car, thats a spritely runabout. Don't bother.
What about a Xsara VTS? It's a 306 GTi-6 in a less desireable bodyshell.
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>>It's awfully slow. 0-60 in just 9 seconds
Warp factor 9 after a diesel Caravelle though!
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What about a Xsara VTS? It's a 306 GTi-6 in a less desireable bodyshell.
Together with the 6 speed box??? Quite unusual for this era.
I can vouch for the GTi-6. My dad has one. IIRC he's had it for around 9 years now. He keeps his cars for ages and I guess he'll keep this one a little while longer.
A friend who works for Peugeot in the UK says that even his colleagues would be queuing up to buy it!
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Fiat Coupe , Nissan 200SX (but don't drive it in the wet) or Peugeot 406 Coupe. Ford Cougar too springs to mind. Good luck
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How much performance? Super-car?
Porsche 928 - if you have deep pockets for servicing / repairs and fuel.
The smiles per mile are worth it though!
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Colin-E
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There was an interesting article in the Sunday Times motoring supplement about the Chevvy Camaro as a cheap muscle car. Although a left hooker, the auto 5.7litre V8 is about £4k. They say it is great as a straight line cruiser, but a bit naff in the bends. Can buy as a coupe or open top.
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Keep the suggestions coming - I'm enjoying it immensely and I haven't driven anything yet!
Just to sound a note of caution - although it's only me that really uses the car I quite like the practicality of a hatchback or medium saloon as I need to carry the occasional electronic piano from time to time. I've owned a TVR Griffith and a modified Scooby import, plus a BMW 330D, and sometimes the best long-term fun can be had with a practical 'do everything' compromise kind of hot hatch.
R
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How about an Impreza 5 door? Much less likely to have been thrashed or modified than a saloon. Or a Forester turbo?
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There's an Audi S2 Avant on AT for £2300 in Slough. Probably a money pit, but so much fun!
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I may be biased (i am, very) but if you want performance cheap, reliability,and don't mind a bit of age, theres some Prelude vtec's on ebay, for £3k you could have 3!!!
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I've owned an Impreza Turbo 2000 AWD estate - loved it until it had the documented problems HJ mentions - clutch judder, brake problems etc, cambelt needing changing. At least the engine didn't blow up like my imported STi saloon!
For me, the most important thing is good handling - there's no point in having power without good handling - which is why I enjoyed the Focus so much. Had a Mini Cooper S a few years back and thought that handled beautifully - on good road surfaces - but it was rubbish for motorway journeys.
I like the idea of Japanese reliability if they can handle a bit.
R
Edited by Rumfitt on 08/10/2007 at 14:12
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>>I like the idea of Japanese reliability if they can handle a bit.<<
Preludes handle o.k ;-) especially the 4 wheel-steer models,! and the vtec moment is magic! ;-)))
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Does it have to be a car ?
You said you will be keeping the Caravelle so use that for moving the piano around and get a two or three year old sportsbike. Reduce your carbon footprint, journey times (filtering saves lots of time).
Relatively new and low mileage bike or seven plus year old performance car which, for this budget, will most certainly have it's best miles behind it.
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get a two or three year old sportsbike. Reduce your carbon footprint journey times (filtering saves lots of time).
It would certainly redefine the op's idea of "performance"! :-)
Cheers
DP
--
04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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How about a Primera eGT. 150BHP chain cam engine and good handling, with Japanese reliability. Or an Almera GTi, which has the same engine but an uglier body.
Or a MkIII Mondeo TDCi etc etc..
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Thanks for the additional suggestions.
In fact I have a rather nice Buell motorbike, which makes a change from driving a diesel Caravelle...
The Channel 4 website recommends a Honda Civic 1.6 VTi.
I notice there are some sporty Saabs (HOT Aeros) and Volvos (T5 variations) but I don't know how well they handle the turbo power.
R
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SAAB know turbos pretty well, but a sub-£3k Aero might be a character building experience.
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Volvo T5 does suffer torque steer and you can recon on new front tyres every 10 to 12k max.
SAAB or Volvo both capable of mega-miles but equally capable of emptying your bank account faster than an internet hacker if things go wrong which at sub-£3k is a risk.
Which Buell have you got ? I like the idea just not sold on the rubber band technology. Not highjacking the thread just a question which has popped out of this discussion.
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Mercedes 300 ce 24v (240bhp)
Corrado / Golf VR6
FTO
Prelude vtec
Accord type r
Audi S6 (same running gear as S2 but get a good one for less, rare though)
Granada Cosworth (don't laugh)
Porsche 944
Mazda RX7
Mitsubishi GTO
Nissan 300 zx
Toyota Soarer
Subaru Legacy turbo
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Lots of Japanese exotica being mentioned reminds me of time a very pushy salesman nearly succeeded in getting me to buy a Nissan 200SX. I also remember a Performance Car test of the twin turbo 300 ZX.
At this rate I can see me agreeing to up my budget...
Back to gmac, I have the Buell CityX - a sort of urbanised version of their XB9S sportsbike. I love the quirky looks, and the handling is sharp and fun. It's also practical, with fitted Buell panniers and seat bag. The engine makes a suitably Harleyesque grumble (it's a 'tuned' 983cc lump of Yankee pig-iron).
I'm now sat down with a pile of old car mags with all these kinds of cars tested and reviewed - keep the suggestions coming, I need to buy within the next week or so...
R
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DP was on the right lines but as has been said the 306 XSi is not the one to go for. GTi-6 is the pick of the bunch and you can easily get a good one for less than £3k. Alternatively as has been mentioned the Xsara VTS which is pretty much identical to the GTi6 but with a 5 speed box instead.
How about another 405 Mi16? i know of where there is a pretty top condition one up for sale at the moment.
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easiest way to buy something fast for your budget is go to a few auctions follow something that tickles your fancy and bid to your maxim
or
buy the autotrader hard copy, put your feet up, get yourself a nice cold beer and start of in the sports section,dont dismiss any section though because bargains or mistakes sometimes pop up in the wrong sections,20 years ago i used to make my living nicking bargains from the olde raider (happy memories)
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Another thought would be a 106 GTi/Saxo VTS - not massively fast on paper but due to being lightweight and with excellent suspension they are fantastic little cars and can embaress more exotic machinery. A slight variation on a theme would be a 106 Rallye.
As bellboy suggests have a flick through the trader and see if anything takes your fancy!
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Good old Auto Trader - definitely the book to take to that Desert Island methinks...
I'm hoping to pounce on something this coming weekend - I'll let you all know what I kick the tyres of :-)
At the moment I'm putting handling and practicality above ultimate speed, power or looks. I once had a TVR Griffith that actually had too much power...
What do Back Roomers think of Alfas?
R
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"definitely the book to take to that Desert Island methinks.."
And the luxury ? A mobile phone ?
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What do Back Roomers think of Alfas?
Now where's No Dosh when you need him? ;)
He used to be a moderator on this site and also president of the smallest Alfa fan club on the globe.
Dave, you will remember him well.
IIRC he had the 156JT in a small estate/hatch. He did break down once to our knowledge.
I've not had any experience with them but they have a reputation for sporadic reliability, plus there isn't the huge dealer network in this country.
However, that wouldn't necessarily stop me looking at them.
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Alfa's are great when they're running right but they do need some looking after. If you can get one off an enthusiast owner you should be OK. The V6's are more robust than the Twin sparks.
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If you want to go round corners quickly and are not that worried about straight line (although they're not slow) Puma 1.7's are stupidly good value these days. Terrific fun to punt hard. Ford parts and servicing too.
A sub-£3k Alfa is probably asking for trouble but still good value.
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Agreed - Sister had one and fell off the family feeding chain earlier this year when she bought SWMBO's MINI. Cracking car by any standard. Interior is a bit cardboard and marshmallow but the engine is a gem, the gear change was superb and one of the best braking platforms around. Pumapeople have a website with some cherished examples for sale...
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Ok the results are in...
Decided to throw caution to the wind, break all the golden rules and live in fear of bankruptcy with a...
1999 Saab 9-5 HOT Aero Saloon, auto for £2500.
I must have a peculiar affliction which causes me to do the exact opposite of being cautious and accepting good advice - do any other Backroomers recognise this trait?
I spent the last week testing quite nice Hondas, Nissans, Fords and a Peugeot, but not one of them made me cackle and whoop when on the test drive like with the Saab! I found myself saying "WOW!" repeatedly as I experienced the kick of the Saab's turbo - mind you, that's what happens when you come from a Caravelle...
The price includes tax, new MOT and a recent service, from a fastidious owner. I have a war chest for the expected repairs and increased running costs. It may be a stupid choice but it gave me the best fun in a car I've had in years!
I'll keep you posted :-)
R
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Good on you, if it makes you smile.
Hope it stays that way.
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Good choice. We have a 95 estate. I would get the sump dropped and cleaned which should help avoid the oil sludge problem. Costs around £100 at an independant - look at Saab owners club site for recommended garages. Happy Saabing!
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I've always liked the 9-5s and you get an awful lot of car for your money (and you don't have to have one with astronomical mileage either).
I have heard one of the reasons for massive depreciation is the service and parts costs though......
Chris
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silly as it seems when i was looking to change my car this time i was looking at the GM 900 turbo's but in the end i was sensible and got the Xsara VTR instead.
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Yes, I've read a lot of the owners' reviews and cautionary tales about big ticket repairs...excellent advice about avoiding sludge build-up btw.
The one comforting thing is the fact that the owner was obsessive about caring for the car (he was a Saab nut) and had a friendly independent specialist to keep bills sensible - I think that's the key to running a risky choice like the 9-5 well past its first flush of youth.
I drove three examples and found the manual version very nice but not quite as 'urgent' as the autos - they seem to match the power better with more 'real world' shove.
I have owned several turbo cars, including a Scooby import and the sublime Bimmer 330D and you cannot beat the feeling of forward motion a turbo gives you - it's very addictive.
It was a real head/heart battle and in the end the heart won the day!
R
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