NLC - Suggest me a car

[douglasgdmw]

As we have just sold the Evo we are looking for a car around £3000 - £3500 mark as a possible run around.

However it can't be too old as have to take running costs into the equation and I do not want an inter galactic mileage car.

Something that possibly come summer we could sell for minimal loss but also has to be entertaining enough that we would not get bored with it.

Couple of suggestions we have come up with so far are:
Mazda MX-5
Renault Clio 172/182
Alfa 147(probably 2.0)
VW Lupo GTi
Seat Ibiza

Have hankered after a VW Golf Cti (i.e. Mk1 Gti Convertible) but need to find one that has been well looked after with a lot of history to boot.

The ones that will be discounted as we have already had them in the past are: Seat Leon Cupra and Ford Puma.

Cheers
DMW

[douglasgdmw]

Been having a look on Ebay and there is a very cheap Clipper for sale (Item 250606194243).

However I am currently away on business for 5 weeks and was wondering that if my missus likes the car whether anyone from Kilmarnock with a bit of car savvy would be able to have a look.

Cheers
DMW

[Dominic]

Mazda MX-5 : Great fun wee car, should go on forever - look out for rusty sills and wheel arches
Renault Clio 172/182; my experience of a new one was not good; however, an older one with the reliabilty issues ironed out could be a lot of fun. Had a drive in a tired 172 about a year ago; no where near as sharp as mine was; so if you go down this route, get a pampered one that is still in decent order.
Alfa 147(probably 2.0) Hmmm.... not sure, join the AA,... & RAC...
VW Lupo GTi: I think these look like cracking little cars. Have often been tempted myself. This would be high on my list.
Seat Ibiza: Presumably a hot version? Should be fairly decent.

[Shug]

Been having a look on Ebay and there is a very cheap Clipper for sale (Item 250606194243).

However I am currently away on business for 5 weeks and was wondering that if my missus likes the car whether anyone from Kilmarnock with a bit of car savvy would be able to have a look.

Cheers
DMW

Give me a shout if no-one steps up - away myself for a while soon though.

[douglasgdmw]

Been having a look on Ebay and there is a very cheap Clipper for sale (Item 250606194243).

However I am currently away on business for 5 weeks and was wondering that if my missus likes the car whether anyone from Kilmarnock with a bit of car savvy would be able to have a look.

Cheers
DMW

Give me a shout if no-one steps up - away myself for a while soon though.

Shug,

Thanks a lot for that. Will give you a shout if needed as will be asking the seller lots of questions before the actual viewing.

Cheers
George

[Shug]

...like how many cars it started out as?

No reason to think it's dodgy by the way, well, apart from the Killie bit

[j2 lot]

George, Not in a position to personally assist as I am still laid up with a bad back but I have a mate with a garage in Killie who might be able to help. As it is his living it would be at a cost so maybe not what you were looking for but give me a shout if you need details. Keith

[douglasgdmw]

Keith,

Thanks for that as it may be a good option so I do not have to inconvenience Shug, not that I am doubting Shug's mechanical ability

Cheers
George

[Shug]

Keith,

Thanks for that as it may be a good option so I do not have to inconvenience Shug, not that I am doubting Shug's mechanical ability

Cheers
George

You've seen my car, right?

Although to be fair, they tend to be good before I get them... Would always take a pro's opinion over mine though

[graeme]

Mk2 MR2. Bombproof, and lovely handling. £3k easily gets you a late (97-99 revision 4 or 5) clean UK car.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1574479.htm

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1595030.htm

Or for a few quid more, I'd snap this up (rare, should sell on easily and hold value well) : http://pistonheads.com/sales/1566780.htm

[ClarkyBoy]

From your initial list the Lupo GTI would be my top choice, amazing little car to drive, not unlike the original minis, and you can get so much in the way of upgrades for them too,

if your going old school vw, what about a corrado?

[Corranga]

Mk2 MR2. Bombproof, and lovely handling. £3k easily gets you a late (97-99 revision 4 or 5) clean UK car.

What would one of these be like on circuit...?

[graeme]

Mk2 MR2. Bombproof, and lovely handling. £3k easily gets you a late (97-99 revision 4 or 5) clean UK car.

What would one of these be like on circuit...?

Lots of fun. Most fun I've ever had on track in fact. Very predicatable and thus very driftable, even for a talentless spacker like me. Something about them being cheap and bombproof makes them very worrry-free and abusable. I basically enjoyed it because I knew that if it ended up in the wall I wasn't going to spend the next 3 years paying for it. The UK spec N/A with 170bhp is more than enough to not be slow. It might not keep up with a standard Elise round KH, but certainly can on a longer circuit. You certianly need to lift to let Elises pass. Steering is a bit light and slow, but very linear (again, it's rep as a good sports car is deserved). I fitted a tiny 280mm Momo wheel and that made a huge difference (slightly heavier feeling and less bus-like when crossing hands, but the rack is still slow - quicker racks are available, but not worth the money on a budget car). Body roll is fairly minimal considering the weight - probably more noticable if your other car is a Nitroned Elise. Parts are cheap and plentiful. Engines are simple and accessible and bombproof. A new clutch cost £220 fitted. Janspeed, decat and K+N were pointless cash-splashing, but so worth it - what a noise! Apart from being a bit heavy and a slightly slow steering rack, I can't think of any major down sides.

[Corranga]

Cheers graeme. Definitely food for thought there if I decide the Elise isn't going back on track for a while (still not convinced one way or the other) plus my dad is interested in possibly part owning a track car with me so this might be a good option.

Chris

[douglasgdmw]

Folks,

Made my purchase and gone old sylee:

Just bought a Mk 1 Golf Clipper Cabriolet 91 "H" reg in Red with 82K miles on the clock.

It was an Ebay bid subject to a vehicle inspection. The inspection came up with a couple of things that needed rectifying but nothing major. The guy who did the inspection was pretty thorough.

Nearly cocked up on the ebay bid as my hotel network tocken ran out when putting in my last bid - luckily the guy who came to see it did not realise that MK1 Golf's do not come with power steering (as placed on the ad) so ended up walking away. So it was mine for a second chance offer

Sandra is popping down to Wales to get it next Saturday so looks like I will have to wait till May when I get home to see the car.

Will get pictures posted when we pick her up but the Ebay Item is 150427614422 is anyone wants a gander.

Now all I need is to get a good classic ar mechanic in the Central Belt (preferably with Mark 1 Golf experience) to get her perfect

Cheers
DMW