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so, the trusty mondeo is probably going to cost a fair bit to get through its next mot (half the exhaust fell off a few months ago, and its always got more rust than last time) so I'm mooching my options over for a new car.
the only requirements i have are it must be a bit silly (in 5 years I'll probably have a family, so this is probably my last chance to run a silly car before I'm going through a mid-life crisis), and I must be able to get a bike in the back, with only its front wheel removed.
so, aside from a holden v8 ute (which seem to go for ~10k, even at 10 years old) or an avantime, I'm probably looking at a 'lift back' coupe, probably a 2+2 with the back seats down (I don't think there's any chance of fitting something in a 350z or a z4 etc). There are hundreds out there, but i've no idea which ones will fit a bike and which ones won't. I guess a few of you folk have had some experiance of these and might provide some answers/suggestions for different options.
So, what I can think of from the top of my head :
Integra (probably a DC2)
Puma
Porsche 924/944
300ZX
Camaro
tt (probably too small and I don't realy like them)
Corrado
480
There's probably a bunch of others I've not thought of. Max budget would be 5k but would rather spend as little as possible and blow the rest on bikes 😀
Bike will go in the back of an Alfa GT with just the front wheel removed and the back seats folded down.
aah - I'd not realised they were liftbacks (thought the 'boot' was like a saloon rather than a hatch). added to the list - cheers 🙂
Infiniti G35 Coupe.
Very silly indeed, but the back "seats" fold down. Kind of. You'll get a bike in if you try hard enough. And you should get one for just about £5k, if you're lucky.
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Hyundai coupe?
g35 is a traditional coupe from what I can see (so just a small boot lid-the glass stays in place). also I can only find one for sale in the whole of the UK, think it might be a tricky option.
Hyundai coupe fits the bill, but I've always felt a little 'meh' about it. Never been taken by the looks, and they're a bit underpowered (170bhp from a 2.7??)
Integra will take a bike easily with the rear seats folded down, great car to drive too, only problem is that they're all getting on a bit now many have problems with the front arches rotting and the recaros seem to wear quite badly.
TT will take a bike, not sure if it'll take one without removing the rear wheel though as the hatch is fairly small. Build quality is very good, but they're fairly dull to drive (IMO)
Puma is an excellent car, again I don't think you'll get away without removing both wheels. Not the fastest car out there c140bhp with the 1.7 (the only engine worth buying) but superb handling makes up for that, again it's a car that's getting on a bit now and I have seen a few with rusty arches.
I have no experience of the other cars so can't comment on them, but if it were my money it would be headed to the Honda or a RS Clio - I had one of the original 300 UK import 'tegs (number 86 iirc) and have recently picked up a Clio 172, but great fun to drive but I find the clio more fun on a daily basis, doesn't need to be wrung out quite so hard to come alive.
If your thinking Puma, just go for the Fiesta 1.6 instead and which will have more room, be cheaper and drives almost the same. I never got the Puma myself just a Fiesta with a different body on top and a ally gear stick woopee.
Why does the bike have to go in the back? Would a bike rack not be ok, that would open your possibilities to much more fun cars like an MX5 or Lotus Elise.
Not quite a coupe but if it were my money I'd get a Civic Type R. One of the most enjoyable cars I've ever owned. 5k will get you a decent one.
If it has to be a coupe have a look at a Celica VVTI.
I get 2 bikes and 2 people in the back of the 'rado pretty easily, but both wheels need to come off. A mate of mine has a 944, he can get a bike in the back (again, both wheels off), but would struggle to get 2 because of the gearbox being in the back (high boot floor). 5k would get you a mint 'rado or a nice/decent 944 s2. Both brilliant cars. Both lots of fun. The noise of the VR6 on full chat is addictive. You have been warned.
Just re-read my post. Obviously I don't get 2 bikes and 2 people in the back of the 'rado! You know what I mean though.
cheers guys.
I had an MX5 until recently, and strapping the bikes (and surfboard when I want) to a bolted on boot rack was something I pondered. My budget would get a rather nice turbo, I thought, given that I'd 'been there', I'd look at my other options. I don't really want to look at standard 'strap on' boot racks, as they're a massive faff, and fairly likely to result in a bike lying in pieces in the middle of the road (I don't want a roof rack for the same reason). I'd consider a hitch mounted rack as (IMO) they're far better suited to the job - but I'm aware that most sporty things don't come with a hitch mount as an option.
cheers for the info so far - Matt - will a corrado not fit a bike without front wheel with the back seats folded? they look a similar size to a integra etc which is why I thought it'd go?
with the clio 172\civic type r\other hot hatches, I'm a little put off by the fact that I can always have a hot hatch (the whole point of one being that they're a family car, which goes well). they may be 'better' cars than the options I'm looking at but they somehow don't quite tick the box.
Celica is a good shout - both the modern shape (which isn't meant to be the best steer) and the older gt4s etc
H
bike racks a problem on a journey - stopping of for a waz at a service station for a start - hence why I got rid of my 156 for a GT.
+1 for the celica - huge boot
If you have aleady had an MX5 you would certainly find a Puma incredibly dull in comparison!
Personally I would go for the most impratical sports car you can, then you have the smile days but also the days when you realise that a full on sports car isnt always the best. Then when babies come along and you have to get a Mondeo, you can then do it safely knowing that you have been there and done it and can cope for a little while without it.
No worries. The seats don't quite fold flat in the 'rado. TBH i've never bothered trying just taking the front off, I find it easier to just whip off both wheels to avoid damaging the interior of the car. It'd probably go with enough messing around. I almost always need to get 2 bikes in the back which def requires both wheels off.
320 litres boot space in the GT, but it can't take a roof rack in case you ever needed it for a big trip...
Alfa 159 Sportwagen - good compromise of practicality and performance?
I'd be looking at one of these, I think......
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nearly bought one, but wimped out as I didn't think the fuel economy would suit my commute at the time.
Engine tuned to 155bhp, suspension given a going over, wider bodywork to accommodate the suspension changes & fancy alcantara leather seats.
You'd need to take the wheels off to get a bike in.
I'd go for a V6 Hyundai Coupe. You'll pick up a beauty for £5k and the boot is huge with back seats down.
Oooooh, also meant to say. I considered a Ford Cougar for a while.
They depreciated like mad but are decent sized cars, being based on the Mondeo. Plenty of boot space, loads of kit and comes with a decent 2.5 V6.
When I was looking several years ago you could get the top spec model with all the toys & leather seats with the V6 engine for £5k, when at the same time you'd have struggled to get a 1.6 Fiesta Zetec-S for the same money!
Again - fuel consumption rained on my party & I ended up with a diesel Ibiza....
DC2 - Of the cars i have owned it is the only one i miss, it was awesome! Fits two bikes with the seats down. Great to drive and was pretty reliable and reasonable to run.
DC5 - Import only but more power and interiors are much nicer than DC2s. Prices have dropped a fair bit of late but may still be just above £5k budget.
I would have another Integra in a second
Both the TT (new model anyway) and the Puma will take a bike with both wheels off. I have done a weekend at SSMM with one passenger, two bikes and all the kit in the Puma.
And if you don't like the TT, take a drive in one and change your mind - a wonderful car to drive.
TT will take a bike, not sure if it'll take one without removing the rear wheel though as the hatch is fairly small. Build quality is very good, but they're fairly dull to drive (IMO)
I assume you mean the mk1 model then? The current model is a wonder to drive. Mine goes back in 4 weeks 🙁
They depreciated like mad but are decent sized cars, being based on the Mondeo. Plenty of boot space, loads of kit and comes with a decent 2.5 V6.
For the same age, the Vauxhall Calibre had a much nicer V6 option - made the Ford one sound and perform quite disappointingly by comparison.
Calibre
Sorry, but 😆
i briefly considered a cougar, but I've put in 6 years\60,000 miles in a mondeo of the same era, which, despite being absolutely faultless, means i'm bored sick and need a change.
due to an old saint rear end, which is a real faff to get wheels on/off from (essentially the rear mech bolts off when you take the wheel off, and its a royal pain in the arse to get it all back into place when you've only got 2 hands), I'm keen on not getting something thats a lot of faff to get a bike in. I ran the mx5 and the mondeo for 18 months, and found the mx5 only did 7,000 miles in that time (compared to double that in the mondeo) purely because the only times I ever go away are for biking and surfing (I don't have a daily commute, and if I go away with the misses she hates going fast\sideways, kinda defeating the point of the mx5).
I'd love to get something as compromised as possible, but getting the bike in, or on a towbar mount, is a must.
The FRP above is an interesting option, and very well regarded, but I'm not sure I could stomach the 400% premium over a regular puma...
deadlydarcy - Member
Calibre
Sorry, but
Seriously - having driven both V6 cars, the Calibre is the better engine by far. Agreed the Cougar looks better, but the *engine* is better in the Vauxhall.
"Agreed the Cougar looks better, but the *engine* is better in the Vauxhall."
Does it matter when they are both crap to drive?
Obviously I don't get 2 bikes and 2 people in the back of the 'rado! You know what I mean though.
Phew, I was beginning to think I was doing something horribly wrong there. Corrado boots are pretty big, shame the back seats don't fold properly flat though.
Oh, and a well-sorted VR6 will drive really nicely and make an addictive noise, but parts can be expensive and hard to find.
It's Calibr[b]A[/b]...
...isn't it?
Does it matter when they are both crap to drive?
I would rather have an engine that *sounds* like a V6 even if they do both handle like bags of spanners. The Ford always sounded 'thrashy' in comparison (which is odd as Vauxhalls generally sound more thrashy than Fords).
Anyway...only teasing m_f 😛
No worries - I have never owned either but my brother (Cougar) and best mate had them years back - just giving my opinion 🙂
Jeez...I'm teasing you for calling it a Calibre!
I loved my Rado G60... easy get a normal bike in with only one wheel removed - slide passanger seat forward and bend it in. To fit 2plus2 both wheels will need to be off.
I went from this to an Audi S2 Avant... three bikes, three people... 140mph 😈 An Audi coupe S2 is a bit of pain because of how the boot opens and the upright spare wheel.
I'd also like a coupe that can fit my bike inside as I sometimes have to leave it parked on the street when I am at work.
If only... [img] 
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If your thinking Puma, just go for the Fiesta 1.6 instead and which will have more room, be cheaper and drives almost the same. I never got the Puma myself just a Fiesta with a different body on top and a ally gear stick woopee.
As you obviously know little about the Puma you are hardly qualified to make any kind of judgement about it.
The Puma was based on the Fiesta floorpan, but the suspension was extensively tweaked, the top end one had a specially developed Zetec engine by Yamaha, using Nicasyl plasma coated bores. The Racing Puma was entirely hand built by Tickford, with the engine up to 155 bhp from 129. A bloke down the road from me has one putting out 200bhp and has taken it round the Neurburgring. There is a Fiesta which shares the 1.7 Zetec engine, the Zetec S, which has a stainless mesh grill. Yamaha produced 100,000 engines for the Puma, and 60,000 were built with a small run of the Fiesta S. I loved my little Cat, insane fun to drive, very comfortable on long drives, (I'm 6'), just handles really well on twisty A-roads. The rear is a bit tight for getting a bike in, rear seats down and both wheels off, with a rag around the fork dropouts to prevent paint damage. You can pick up good Pumas for relatively little, £1500-2k, and driving one will genuinely put a grin on your face. Honestly, if the money became available again, the first thing I'd do is track down another Puma, and a Racing one this time.
Messiah's probably right, with passenger seat slid forward a bike would get in there with only the front wheel off, esp if you took the seatpost out. 2+2 with both wheels off and space for weekend kit is possible as well. Love my 'rado!
looks like I could get a scrappy dc5 for just over 5k. its a shame they're import only, as you can get a similar age s2000 for pretty much the same cash (suggesting its the import-onlyness keeping the prices up).
anyone tried to fit things into the full-fledged coupes (ie supra, 300zx, camaro)? they'd probably be less nimble than the fwd offerings, but a chunk quicker, and more interesting engines
M-F, pretty sure the teasing was for the Calibre/Calibra error you made.
🙂
Anyway - the Calibra was more Ford Probe era, than Cougar. The Cougar came out in 1998, same year as the Calibra was sacked off. Sure you're not comparing the Calibra to the Probe which was also availale with a 2.5 V6??
The Cougar was based on the Mondeo, so I thought handling was one of it's strong points?? I've driven a Mondeo with the same engine & that was great fun.
Not driven a Calibre or a Calibra to compare though? 😉
Isn't there a Dodge Calibre?
EDIT: No, it's a Caliber...maybe m_f really likes those... 🙂
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m_f yes I am talking about mk1 TT's, I haven't driven the mk2 but have heard that they are a vast improvement, but for the OP's £5k budget he won't be getting a mk2.
hmm, any opinions on the later (e46) 3 series compact? I know the early ones were a bit terrible..
Is a compact going to give you enough boot space?
I can get three adults, one toddler and one push chair in my Puma 8)
It'll be going soon as I've got the itch again however its in great condition mechanically. Just needs the driverside ABS sensor replacing (common Puma fault) but I've not gotten round to it yet (2months ago).
As for its the same as the Fiesta? Mines got a 1.7 engine and its brilliant for £ to 
Stunning little engine. I'm at a loss to what to get next but it'd probably be a TypeR (that I keep thinking of and just avoiding).
My mate had, at one time, several Sierra Cosworths, an Escort Cosworth, a Ferrari, and a Puma on his drive.
He said that he enjoyed driving the Puma.
I'd agree with that. It also feels lower and more squat on the road than what it actually physically is if that makes sense?
I drove over Snake pass late Sat night with mrshora in ours and arriving atthe party she said to Pook 'I feel really sick after that' 😆
s'not much good to me if you can't get a bike with rear wheel on in the boot, though 😛
I think I'd prefer a 'teg to a puma. Similar cars (basically a hot hatch in drag), the integra is closer to the racing puma, but quicker (and according to reviews, better steering). The thing is, either of those is a 5k car, not a 1k car (which is what makes the puma so good).
turns out the 3 series compact only has 170ish bhp, which whilst coming from a silky smooth v6 isn't as good as I'd hoped..
Sure you're not comparing the Calibra to the Probe which was also availale with a 2.5 V6??
I am comparing the Calibre/a to the Cougar as those are the two cars I have driven. I honestly don't know the manufacturing dates though, but my brother and mate did own their cars at the same time and I had assumed they were about the same age.
My brother's solution to this problem was an M3 but that's beyond the budget! Not considering any hot hatches? I find they do the bike transport and other functional things brilliantly whilst also being fun to drive.
How can you consider comparing a 'teg' to a Puma?
Price v insurance alone puts them into different brackets unless 'tegs' are 1k and cheap to insure now
Fiat Coupe...?
Lovely 5cyl sound - still look good, even today
For practicality though - diesel Alfa GT. V6 petrol version if fuel efficiency isn't an issue
how is an m3 good as a bike carrier? e36 m3s are in my budget so if there's something I'm missing let me know 🙂
Sadly the fiat coupe has a tiny boot entrance, so getting bikes in would be a mission (probably a both wheels off job). I love the 20v turbo though, properly quick car..
Hora - I can consider comparing them as they're both affordable to me. obviously everything is a tradoff between price and advantage, but, for me, something like this
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3114191.htm
is worth the grand more than a cheap puma costs. Running costs (other than maybe insurance) are going to be comparible between the two
I see where you are coming from but a decent 'teg' would be three times the price at least. I looked at insurance and it was double mine (although I do live in a dodgy City).
Saying that Pumas and 'Tegs' are starting to get tired and weary.
Look at the E36's 328 stats- that's another option but again you'd need to see evidence of suspension refresh, coolant and brakelines etc.
Personally if I was you I'd look at a 02-04 Civic Type-R with 1-2 owners and a FHSH. You'd pay 3-5.5k. Yes insurance is high but not as old/getting on and although it looks abit in your face it doesn't shout Basildon Chav like a white 'teg' does IMO.
Another choice would be a black 182 Cup IMO.
Mmmmmm, I love the Fiat Coupe - the interior is as special as the exterior. Will get one one day when I have a garage to store it in.
turns out the 3 series compact only has 170ish bhp, which whilst coming from a silky smooth v6 isn't as good as I'd hoped..
Strange, I didn't think any BMW had a V6...
Have we time warped 10 years? Corrado and puma? Im not a new car snob, just saying 🙂
yep. typod that. Still isn't enough from a silky smooth straight 6...
Which seems to be a problem with cars of the ilk. Theres a lot of 6's which don't put that much power out (hyundai coupe, cougar, 325ti, etc) all seem to put out significantly short of 200bhp which is a shame when 4 pots of a similar era are putting out 200bhp and mid-90s jap 6 pots (supra, 300sx etc) see 280bhp without breaking a sweat..
I've got an E36 M3 which has a much gruffer and more aggressive straight 6 than in a 328, but it only gets used in the summer at the weekends so I can't comment much on practicality. I wouldn't recomend one if you're on a budget as there can be some major expense if they go wrong and alot have changed hands a number of times and been neglected by people that can afford to buy the car but can't afford to keep up with the mantainance. They might cost the same as a 5 year Ford Focus, but they cost £40k new so parts prices can be high. The newest E36 is now twelve years old, so there's a good chance that a least the rear arches will have started rusting.
i can afford to run an m3 (I just don't *like* spending money on a car) - but I get the impression that with one, or a 328ci, you'd struggle to get a bike in?
What about an Audi S3, it's not a coupe, but I've always liked the look of them and the interiors are very nice. It might be a bit boring to drive being 4wd and you might get stereotyped as a w*nker thanks to super rep in his A4 with its sparkly lights up your a*se on the motorway.
Another option could be a 2wd Nissan Skyline, something like an R33 or R34 GTS.
I was going to say an S15 Nissan Sylvia, but they're still around £10k, which is the sma eprice they were about 4 years ago when I last looked at them!
I gather the key with M3s is to get the coupe which has folding rear seats as standard rather than the saloon (they're a cost option so secondhand ones rarely have them). His is the current shape, so it's a pretty big car, but all 6'5" of him and his road bike fit in it. Personally I'd get a Civic Type-R but I'm biased!
My 3 series coupe has folding seats and I can get a Zesty in with just the front wheel off
What about an Audi S3,
i have the A3 tdi quattro sport which is pretty much the same drivetrain/chassis without the fuel bills.
great car but you can't fit a bike in with the rear wheel on even with the seats down. I run a towbar rack.
How about a Saab 9.3 Coupe... Viggen or Hot?
If you want to scratch the E36 or Corrado itch you'd better do it now or never. Most will be naturally leggy and if you sometimes drive a fair distance I'd personally buy Japanese.
I KNOW they aren't even slightly fast but what about the old Toyota Celica (with the trusty 1.8 engine)
There is a DC-5 on ebay for £5k. Not mine by the way.
Persoanlly I go TypeR Civic, but if you reckon you'd have a 3 door hatch with a family well fair enough.
If you only have 'one' I don't see why you'd need a MPV etc. Unless of course you buy those mother of all prams or you have fruitious balls like Mastif Fanny' 😆
Amid all of these glowing reviews about the Puma it seems only right to mention that someone is selling one over on the classifieds board: http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ot-fs-ford-puma-17
I really like the look of the Fiat coupe too, I would like to own one at some point. I think my next car will be a Puma, there are some bargain price hot Clios but running and insurance puts me off. Lots of desirable cars listed here.
Gordon Bennett, pumas (1.7) can be had for almost pennies on eBay.. Ohhh tempted!!
Ford running gear, jap engine.. *sucks air through teeth!*
They can be pennies for a reason. The 1.7 engine really (should I put that in huge caps?) needs the correct engine oil and semi-synthetic. Alot of Ford owners down the line/as the cars get older become lax with servicing let alone putting the right stuff in.
the celica isn't that slow (190bhp) and is cheap/great steering, but from what I hear the engine has nothing below a certain rpm (6500 afaik) but due to poorly selected gear ratios you can't keep the revs above that. Its definately on the list though
Keep the Pistonheads style cliches comming:
Itch to scratch
Shortening car names - Integra to Teg, Corrado to Rado...
Don't think I've seen 'it's a good steer' 'or nice place to sit yet'
After all the crap I had pointed at me a few years ago on here for having a Puma (hairdressers' car and all that) now everyone wants one it seems!
I am currently trying to convince a Puma will be enough for our second car needs - she still thinks we should get something with 5 doors and a bigger boot for the occasions we may need the space. 🙁
the celica isn't that slow (190bhp) and is cheap/great steering, but from what I hear the engine has nothing below a certain rpm (6500 afaik) but due to poorly selected gear ratios you can't keep the revs above that. Its definately on the list though
I once had a bit of a *ahem* race with a Celica in my Clio RSi (not even a Williams!) and I beat it all hands up - I assume it was the 140bhp version though.
5lab - Member
the celica isn't that slow (190bhp) and is cheap/great steering, but from what I hear the engine has nothing below a certain rpm (6500 afaik) but due to poorly selected gear ratios you can't keep the revs above that. Its definately on the list though
Mate of mine has got the Corolla T-Sport, which has the same engine as far as I know - the 1.8 with the high lift cams.
It certainly motors if you let it rev, and doesn't seem to mind driving at normal speeds either, although the performance is all at the top end.
Fun car, but quite intrusive on the motorway as it's revving quite high at 70mph. Might be different in the Celica, but I doubt it.
I think if he drives it sensibly he can squeeze 40mpg out of it too.
I was once beaten by a Z3 (M) and I was in a STI Impreza. It was a combination of I didnt want to have a massive accident/jail and he caught me unawares 😆I once had a bit of a *ahem* race with a Celica in my Clio RSi (not even a Williams!) and I beat it all hands up - I assume it was the 140bhp version though.
The good thing about the Puma which also reminds me of the MX5 is the engine has just enough power for the chassis- a really lovely balance.
They both steer very very well as well. Steering feel is key to me.
After all the crap I had pointed at me a few years ago on here for having a Puma (hairdressers' car and all that) now everyone wants one it seems!I am currently trying to convince a Puma will be enough for our second car needs - she still thinks we should get something with 5 doors and a bigger boot for the occasions we may need the space.
It's because no hairdresser would be seen dead in a rusty old ford these days, they've moved onto Tigra convertibles. Seriously alot of Pumas I see are starting to rust on the rear arches and sills and if my experience of Mk5 and 6 Escorts is anything to go by, there is likely to be some major structural rot setting in underneath.
A Mk1 Octavia VRS has a big boot and 5 doors and is probably quite a good car to drive and can be picked up from around £2k these days.
Tigra convertibles? My local hairdresser drives a SLK.
I think 'hairdressers car' is driven by men saying 'it looks ghey' rather than what hairdressers actually drive.
The Tigra convertible comment was meant as tongue in cheek, have you ever seen a man driving one of those?
I think the term hairdressers car was brough to my attention by my dad in about 1986 when we saw a white Escort XR3i convertible with a white roof.