Cars to buy and stuff, advice please!

[ECA]

So yah, my price range is 4-6k ish, ( I'm a nit, sue me ).

I've crossed off the Audi TT due to reliability/cost of maintenance and also the Z3 for performance/handling.

Atm my list is

MX5
RX8
MR2
Celica

What else should I have on my shopping list?


Think nice coupes/roadster type stuff as mentioned above.

 

[Tom]

Nice list, I would also look at an Alfa 156 without any silly gearboxes, the Ford Puma which is a real bargain and has great handling, you could also stretch to an S1 Elise although you're at the bottom end of that, Merc 190 Cosworths can be had for that money, and of course I couldn't fail to mention that TVR S-series are in your budget too

 

[ECA]

I dont think I could respect myself if I bought a puma no matter what

Looked at lotus's but yeah I'm on the dreg end there ( but buying a new car they would be up the top ).


Will deffo checkout the alfa though.

 

[Tom]

Well you could always look for a racing Puma, they're a bit of a dog but quite nice to look at compared to the standard model:

 

[TdC]

zomg that's ugly. get an alfa!

 

[ECA]

>.> The alfas are ok. not high on my list though, the pumas are ok but hmmm ford >.> also the interior you get and seats are a bit fiesta'y.

 

[ECA]

Also really love the S2000 in gun metal and black, but they are a bit pricier.

 

[Sockstuff]

Hyundai Coupe

 

[DaGaffer]

Don't, for the love of God, get a 156. I speak from bitter experience. Anyway, a 156 is just a.n.other saloon, a GTV would be a better buy in comparison to the other cars on your list (but I wouldn't recommend one of those either).

Can you really get an RX-8 for 4-6K? Not that I'd recommend it (second hand and rotary engines don't mix), but I'm quite surprised. Off the rest of your list the Celica would be the easiest to live with, MX-5 the most fun. If you can stretch to an S2000, that would be a good bet; I never bought one simply because I didn't have a garage and convertibles+street+London=trouble.

 

[old.Tohtori]

*nod*

It was good enough for the blues brothers!

 

[Bodhi]

BMW : 328i Sport - Santorine blue individual

This would be my first choice. Cracking handling, reliable as you like and one of the best engines ever made.

Actually scratch that, I'd clearly have one of these

Fiat : Fiat coupe 20vt turbo Red

Also look at

Alfa GTV6
BMW M3 E36 Evo

 

[ECA]

I do love the look and styling on the fiat coupe, prob is they didnt have a big amount of sales so finding one at a decent price w/ low mileage is a toughy compared to other cars.

Also they are a bit notorious reliability wise :/

Also I'm epeening on looks so dont really want a beamer, want something a bit more styled.

 

[Trem]

Shame you couldn't stretch to an Alfa 147 GTA, Samm has the 1.6 147 and it is pure sex to drive, I so dearly want the GTA.

Edit - the 156 GTA is almost in your price range *fap*

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Alfa-Rom...hash=item360060977206&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

 

[DaGaffer]

Shame you couldn't stretch to an Alfa 147 GTA, Samm has the 1.6 147 and it is pure sex to drive, I so dearly want the GTA.

Edit - the 156 GTA is almost in your price range *fap*

2002 Alfa Romeo 156 V6 24V GTA 3.2 on eBay, also, Alfa Romeo, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Aug-08 11:19:06 BST)

They're really not very good. Lovely engine, lovely looks, chassis that's not up to it. Its the same story with most of the V6 FWD Alfas. I've had three Alfas and the only one that I really miss was the first one, a 145 Cloverleaf. It never missed a beat. My GTV and my 156 were both shockers though. Great when they worked, but that wasn't often enough. Despite everything, they still tempt me, but I test drove a Brera V6 and that was pretty disappointing as well; felt a bit better put together but a bit of a pudding. Shame. Maybe the MiTo will be the one to finally turn it around.

 

[Trem]

They're really not very good. Lovely engine, lovely looks, chassis that's not up to it. Its the same story with most of the V6 FWD Alfas. I've had three Alfas and the only one that I really miss was the first one, a 145 Cloverleaf. It never missed a beat. My GTV and my 156 were both shockers though. Great when they worked, but that wasn't often enough. Despite everything, they still tempt me, but I test drove a Brera V6 and that was pretty disappointing as well; felt a bit better put together but a bit of a pudding. Shame. Maybe the MiTo will be the one to finally turn it around.

I have spent quite a bit on our Alfa in the last 6 months but to me thats what Alfas are, some call it unreliability I call it character

The V6 engines are possibly the nicest looking things on this earth though.

I love the 145 as well, my favourite ever car was a 33 1.7 Cloverleaf, I still miss it.