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A friend of mine has come up with the idea of going on a touring/camping/driving holiday this summer - obviously you want a suitable car if you're going to do that, and he already has one - a 1972 Hillman Avenger 1600. (which he has up to now also been using for autotests and navigational scatter rallies).
I wouldn't fancy taking a boring, modern car, and my 2nd car (1990 205 xs) is stage rally prepared, with full cage, seats, harnesses, extinguisher, hard as nails suspension etc, and at 60mph in 5th sits at about 3,000 rpm..............
So, if you had the choice, what would you go for? Nova/205 seems obvious, if a little bit new/conservative, and I wouldn't want to spend very much money on anything. £2k tops.
I'm thinking maybe something that is reasonable money now but will appreciate in value.
Any ideas?
something you could actually kip in, take bikes, won't break down and hold it's value e.g. old Toyota Hiace
Standard answer to 'what ace but definitely not new car' quastion - mk1 RS2000.
edit, probably blows your budget though, duh!
Decent 205s seem to be increasingly in the not-as-cheap-as-they-used-to-be category. Novas still plenty cheap, but good luck finding a good one - beige, low mileage, low spec saloons with one previous (now deceased) owner seems the best bet.
For a proper bargain though, I'd go Japanese - get a Corolla or a Sunny or something of that ilk.
EDIT: Think you edited as I was writing - £2K is a bit more than I thought you had in mind.. depending on whether you want something in tip top condition, either a Porsche 924 (you should be able to get an excellent one for £2K) or a 944 (you might get a reasonably okay one for £2K if you shop around and know what you're doing).
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VW Polo GTi. This vintage…
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Mrs Binners has had one the same as that one for years. She won't get rid of it, as she's very attached. A great car to drive. Like a rocket powered roller-skate. Bloody great fun! And can be had for around your budget. Though they're now hitting that tipping point where the prices are going up.
Sorry for stealth edit! £2k would be absolute limit, hopefully much less than that in reality!
106 rallye's are getting really hard to find at sensible money, most are dogs, and a lot of the 205's for sale under £2k are badly modified for track use, unfinished projects etc.
p.s. eBay scouring is most frustrating as some arsehole has listed a shit load of brake pads (for every car ever made) at £2.5k - nice.
I think the Ford Puma will be a future classic, not that many were made and loads are being scrapped. Lovely little car, quite powerful, great handling and relatively easy to work on. Most of the bits are compatible with a Fiesta so parts are easily obtained.
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You can pick them up pretty cheap too (£200 - £1k).
I actually have one of these as a track car. 😉
something you could actually kip in, take bikes, won't break down and hold it's value
Or how about a Saab 900? Reckon that ticks all avontyrell's (and your) requirements
Yes, puma is lovely, one of the best compromise cars ever.
i.e. combination of price/economy/room/handling/speed/etc.
Absolutely loved mine - took it for 2 weeks in south of france and italy, then children came and I moved to a focus. Complete bag of rubbish compared. Couldn't believe people raved about the handling of the focus!
Last time I looked, you could still find 1-owner versions around what looked reasonably un-ragged.
On the M1 on Sunday I pass a burgundy Ford Zephyr with an older rastafarian gentleman driving it.
I was looking around for the film cameras as it was so classic a scene.
rubber bumper mgb?
+1 Puma. I would have said Racing Puma, but you won't get one for your budget.
The Puma is ugly!
seosamh77 - Member
The Puma is ugly!
In your opinion...
MX5 with a luggage rack?
I agree that it looks a little odd and a little on the feminine side. That one above has the rear suspension lowered - it's an odd gap on an untouched one.
But from behind the wheel, it feels great - small, low and very nippy.
The fact that all four wheels break at the same time (rear ever-so-slightly-first) is no mean feat on a fiesta-based FWD car.
Look out for rust. I only had mine 2 years from new, but the bottom of the doors were going on the inside.
There'll be loads of info on what to look for on old ones online.
It's the MX5 of the hatch world
Why not [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Painted-Vintage-Ice-Cream-Van-Converted-Bedford-Rascal-/171285147455?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item27e163ef3f ]Think outside the box a bit[/url] 😀
Puma's are renowned for rust, and I'm not really [i]that[/i] keen on them.......
The Puma is known for rust on the arches, but it's also quite easy to fix. I don't think they are known for rust elsewhere, unless I seem to have an absolutely amazing 100k one that I got for free 😯
Any 80s hot hatch. Won't go down in value now, but a nice one might be above budget
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=7fa51fc7146706e3b632b48a069e1cdd&width=640&height=480 [/img]
£1990
No thanks, not worried about carrying bikes, and thinking more, lightweight, not huge power, nimble/nippy sort of thing???
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£2250 just over budget but JTS engine so more power/torque and only 42k
http://www.autovillage.co.uk/used-car/alfa-romeo/156/sat_39_82602774
Touring Europe in a 12 year old Alfa? What could possibly go wrong? 😆
core - go and drive a puma before you discount it. Must be easy to find one on a forecourt
Yeah! Alfa 156 or GTV 🙂
Touring Europe in a 12 year old [s]Alfa[/s] 2k car? What could possibly go wrong?
FTFY 😉
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-2-0-TS-Lusso-2001-Genuine-Low-Mileage-/181360980913?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a39f4f3b1 ]Alfa GTV[/url] 2k Offer! 🙂
Practical classic for touring?
W123 spec Merc estate, diesel if you can find one! It'll outlive you.
Touring Europe in a 12 year old Alfa 2k car? What could possibly go wrong?FTFY
yes - when I had my first 156 it caused a bit of trouble - but the guy at the garage said the VW passats were the most troublesome car that the group franchise sold.
roll forward to my last service of my 3rd alfa and they guy was saying how his mate was rebuilding about 2 VW diesel engines a week that had only reached about 50k.
You'd seriously set off around Europe in something over 10 years old that an Italian had wired up? 😯
Avoid the TS engines before about V reg I reckon - my V reg was solid as a rock, but went better...
You'd seriously set off around Europe in something over 10 years old that an Italian had wired up?
was molgrips old passat wired up by an Italian - you know - the one that wouldn't turn off.
You'd seriously set off around Europe in something over 10 years old that an Italian had wired up?
Most Alfa issues are annoying rather than terminal when it comes to the wiring. Random lights on the dash for example and things not working quite as they should.
Early Alfas rusted, but had fabulous engines. Later Alfas were a lot better, still had fabulous engines but suffered from annoyances. Owning one was/is a labour of love and you have to forgive many idiosyncrasies, but I can think of nothing better to tour Europe in.
Celica? Or is that too modern...
Loads for under 2k
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=9bfc8084e16d41da7c579f695e871924&width=1024&height=768 [/img]
[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402101693580/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/2000/radius/1501/page/4/make/toyota/postcode/s450dx/price-from/1000/model/celica/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p ]A celica today![/url]
I recently bought a Renault super cinq Monaco, 1.7lt engine loads of nice interior kit and only cost £1k for a mint 36,000 mile example. The engine is the same as the GTX version so almost as quick as the turbo but without all the issues and the silly prices.
There's one on eBay at the moment at about £850
I like the Alfa GTV. Always had a soft spot for them.
I would be distraught at the idea of spending a holiday driving around in a Vauxhall Nova. In what way would that be more enjoyable than taking your 205? Or am I missing something obvious?
core - Member
p.s. eBay scouring is most frustrating as some arsehole has listed a shit load of brake pads (for every car ever made) at £2.5k - nice.
Did you know you can eliminate search terms as easily as include them by putting a minus in front of the word ie
Peugeot 205xs -brake -pads -anyothersh*tyou don't want to see
oh and obviously filter so you only see vehicles
+1 for a classic Saab 900.
Very practical coupe, huge space inside with the rear seats folded flat. Great drivers cars and awesome for a road trip.
Here's a good one for £1250. Sell it when you get back.
Not that i'm biased or anything 🙄 but what about a VW Corrado, MK2 Scirocco or a MK2 Golf?, for under £2K you should be able to find something that is reliable and on the plus side if anything does go wrong with it then it'll be a cheap repair.
Clio 172? maybe not a future classic but excellent fun.
We bought a mk1 MX5 to tour Europe in. Never did the Euro trip in the end but god we loved that car and would have another in a heartbeat (in fact we did, we had 2 more but then kids came along etc etc).
Other than that though, I'd reccommend Binners suggestion of a 6N2 Polo GTI. After figuring out a child seat friendly replacement for our last MX5 that the wife could use to bimble about in, the Polo came out top of the list. Decent boot (could fit our massive buggy in etc) and for £2k 4 years ago we got one with the optional full heated leather interior etc. Only thing to watch for are pedal boxes and gearboxes but most will have been sorted now and they're such good fun to drive. Ours was lowered on adjustable coilovers etc and was like a go-kart.... I'd have another one of those in a heartbeat too...
Not that i'm biased or anything but what about a VW Corrado, MK2 Scirocco or a MK2 Golf?, for under £2K you should be able to find something that is reliable and on the plus side if anything does go wrong with it then it'll be a cheap repair.
As a Corrado VR6 owner, I'd say that while they're a great car, I wouldn't be counting on cheap repairs, certainly not with the VR6 anyway. Maybe a 2.0 16v or an 8v if you can find one.
Fill yer boots 🙂
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Fuego-1-6-GTS-/331166654231?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d1b121f17
I got driven to the south of France in one of these when I was 12. Was an experience.
Apparently there are only three still taxed in the UK.
Thoughts on Escort xr3i (a solid one) ?
Volvo C70
In fact no wait - I want that one...
Fiat Coupe fits the bill, surprisingly reliable, surprisingly practical, 220bhp, fastest FWD production car for many years after launch, gorgeous Italian styling, amazing interior, bags of character etc. Or what about a Volvo 850 T5, not quite as fast as the Fiat but also has a creamy 5 Cylinder engine, built like a breeze block, a bit more practicality if you get the estate. The police used them for a reason. Hardy ever see either of these on the road any more - becoming rare as hens teeth. Both should be around 2k for a good average example. Both are now on the verge of Classic car status and values should start going up soon.
Blimey, this thread brings back some memories. Renault 5 Monaco was a brilliant car. I remember caining one round the highlands when I was 17. Full leather, very quick - but brown. Good left field choice. I'd have to say +1 for the Puma though. I've had and driven lots of quick little cars over the years but nothing ever put a smile on my face like my Puma. Who cares if it looks a bit girlie when it that much fun.
Worth a cheeky bid on a MK2 RS Turbo? Currently sat at £2k, but can't see it staying there tbh...
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After a bit of thought, for me it would have to be an Audi TT
A lot of the cars mentioned on this thread are already on the up. 10 years ago I had 2 Mk2 Golf GTI, one bought for £600, the other for £150. You can't really find many at that money now.
I think the SAAB c900 boat has sailed too. The one to have is the full fat T16 aero.
And tidy RS Turbos aren't at all cheap to pick up.
I'd suggest the Fiat coupe turbo and the Barchetta as cars where the value will start rising soon.
The way to do it is to buy cars that were desirable new, and buy the one that people promised themselves. The turbo, the GTI etc. Don't buy any cooking models.
Mmmmmmm XR3i... if you can get a nice one for that money... yeah..that's my choice.
Fill yer bootshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Fuego-1-6-GTS-/331166654231?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d1b121f17
I got driven to the south of France in one of these when I was 12. Was an experience.
Apparently there are only three still taxed in the UK.
Ahhh, that brings back memories of my first ever job - between 6th year and uni - worked for the local Renault franchise and sold one of these one lunchtime when no one else was available to talk to the guy - couldn't believe the commission when it came :). Happy days.
not sure what that adds to the thread tho 😉
TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR - Member
Worth a cheeky bid on a MK2 RS Turbo? Currently sat at £2k, but can't see it staying there tbh...
That's a Mk3, surely?
the-muffin-man - Member
Celica? Or is that too modern...
Loads for under 2k
I love my celica, a good post 2003 one is extremely reliable. You can get a 190bhp model for around £2.5k if you look around. Loads for under £2k in 140bhp guise.
I like the fiat coupe idea!
Mk1 MX5 for sure - love mine 🙂
AlexSimon - MemberYes, puma is lovely, one of the best compromise cars ever.
i.e. combination of price/economy/room/handling/speed/etc.Absolutely loved mine - took it for 2 weeks in south of france and italy, then children came and I moved to a focus. Complete bag of rubbish compared. Couldn't believe people raved about the handling of the focus!
Last time I looked, you could still find 1-owner versions around what looked reasonably un-ragged.
Maybe the Focus had the OAP suspension spec or worn bushings or something. I've owned both and the Focus was just as good, maybe even better to my mind they only lose out a bit as they're more refined so lack character in a way. Certainly not worse anyway.
OAP suspension spec
If there was one, you might be right - that's exactly how I would describe it 🙂
Celica +1
Whatever you get make sure to keep it completely original with original parts and do not fit aftermarket stuff even if they are better. It will be worth more in original form in years to come.
Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post mogrim - MemberThat's a Mk3, surely?
MkIV Escort Series II RS Turbo, I love them, wouldn't recommend one for touring Europe in though.
My vote would go to a Puma, such fun things to drive!
my heart whats that Alfa - but my head says that Merc CaptainFlashHeart stated.
momo - Member
Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post mogrim - Member
That's a Mk3, surely?MkIV Escort Series II RS Turb
I stand corrected - knew it wasn't a Mk2 though!
This has future classic written all over it 🙂
Designed by Chris Bangle.
Coachbuilt by Pininfarina (not Fiat).
Fairly rare car even when in production.
5 Cylinder Turbocharged Engine.
Great owners club over at FCCUK for buying advice.
Values now as low as they will ever be.
Perfect as a powerful mile munching car for touring Europe.
Very reliable if looked after properly.
Cheap servicing at knowledgeable, specialist garages.
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I stand corrected - knew it wasn't a Mk2 though!
So did I - shoulda said series 2 😉
Celica? Or is that too modern...
Did they do a GT4 in that new shape? That'd be awesome.
Another vote for MX5 though, so much fun and cheap with it.
I had a Celica GT4 back in the day when Carlos Seinz used to chuck them around the hills and dales.
It was monster quick, 4WD, with a hatch. However it wasn't that big inside but I'd get my Klein Attitude in it with the front wheel off so not too bad I guess..(rear seat flat)
Best thing about it though?
It had Carlos Seinz written down the door sill on it.
Awesomnez.
Can you still get them?
What about a Corolla GTI from the same era?
@bikebouy - aye that was a frikin awesome and underrated car....
there were some imports that had automatic water cooling spray system
a decent BOV and exhaust and it rocked
This thread is dangerous
I'm off to look at this later this evening.
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[url= http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C483882 ]GT4 carlos sainz[/url]
[url= http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C415730 ]modern celica equivalent (well as good as it gets with the modern ones)[/url]
[url= http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C474456 ]an actual rally version![/url]
We have a mk 2.5 MX-5 bought new in 2001 for our honeymoon. Great fun and got to the south of Spain in it.
A while later I wanted a fun hatchback. Tried the Celica which looks good, but drives like an Astra. A real disappointment.
Bought a Mini Cooper, which even in non-super/turbo charged guise was a great car to drive. Needed the Cooper S suspension (but that was a cheap option). The Mini was very different to the MX-5, but equally fun.
Mini gone now, but the MX-5 is for keeping.