Be very clear on whether you're buying a car to drive or a project... Not compatible.
Also, not to be all responsible but if you're getting something older you might want to give some thought to impact survival, since the kids will be going in it... Surprising how small some cars can be folded with fairly little effort. I'm pretty sure I could punch my mate's mini in half.
I would not carry my kids around in a crappy old sporty car, tbh.
Not enough crash protection.
Oh, just read Northwind's post - what he said.
Honest opinion...
Get a well looked after Saxo VTS. Faster than any golf gti in std form, some well looked after ones around. Last time I looked quite a few for sale, probably because of the recession and insurance for the mainly younger drivers.Really practical and look quite discrete when standard. They handle brilliantly in the corners are a blast to drive and as I said really quick. 0-60 7.5 secs IIRC probably top end speed of 120 i guess.On twisty B roads they'd be faster than any Saab, or even a super car tbh. Think they're an insurance group 13 or 14 though should that be an issue.Also although newish they're be a classic at some stage just like 205 gtis are.
Or I'd go for a classic Saab
Banged out Escort Mk1/mk2....and then do it up over time to the original rally specs
Get a well looked after Saxo VTS.
and don't forget to get one of these too:
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mk1 escorts go for thousands these days. even good 1.1 Xl's
Burbery is optional..
Mint Opel Manta GTE or Irmischer?
i don't understand why image is so important when buying a car... surely it's about other more important factors such as performance, engineering concepts or handling or price, or just fun. This is why lots of people buy cars they just don't understand ..it's all about the image they're project..until they have to explain if it's front wheel drive or rear wheel drive.. or buy new tyres lol.
sorry back from OT
You could just about stretch to a mk2 Audi A4 1.8T of a decent Sierra XR4x4 (great handling car)
Or other options BMW 520i/523.
Maybe a little left field - Volvo T5-R estate!!
Got embarased by a fast saxo recently, in my 330i :-0
Didn't have the torque or reactions to keep up when the crawler lane emerged going cross country.
Looked like proper fun, but I can do better powerslides
yes rear wheel drive is better than front i guess
must be the day for it, 50 year old at work just passed his bike test adn went straight out and bought a brand new:
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In your case, I'd probably look for an old bmw 3 series, 325 or 330 (if you want to go a bit newer)
What about a Suburu or Mitsubishi EVO?
that's another option as mentioned...Astra GTE maybe.
remember the budget though..Mind you there's a lot I guess to be said for a bit of power, luxury and refinement.. something french cars probably lack
can you really get high end BMW's / Audi's for that sort of budget? 😯
M5, e39 series, might be a struggle a that budget though!
Increase your budget and get a Karmann Ghia.
1500-2000 should be your budget for repairs serving on something classic not the car itself, agree with most others that kind of money just going to buy you pain and heartache
FWIW. How about an MX5 or the last MR2 - I had one from new in 2000 and it was a cracking little car and theyre probably near your budget
Somafunk I'll tell you it was a 5 door, but apart from that it was the same as yours. I was suprised by how it understeered on a damp roundabout once, I'm not a fan of front wheel drive for that exact reason.
How about a new Mini? Not classics but there's more than one Cooper S on Autotrader for a bit over £2k
I wasn't gonna disagree with you till you said this:
On twisty B roads they'd be faster than any Saab, or even a super car tbh.
???
Can you tell me exactly which super cars a saxo would be faster than? Ones driven by my dead granny don't count 😀
I'd buy a Ford Puma 1.7 for that money. I've had a lot of faster, more expensive cars over the years, but nothing as much fun. Cheap to buy now, cheap to repair and put a smile on your face at sensible speeds. Room for a booster too. Only problem is, people will assume you are a recently qualified hairdresser. Not that that should worry you.
Puma is a good suggestion, they drive well apparently.
But your budget is low, you are likely to have big bills afterwards.
Just get a nice new bike instead.
My midlife was the Turner.
I'd thought about a puma for a bit- apart from the obvious rot issues on the rear arches I've only heard good things..
Fiesta running gear, the 1.7 engine (was it Yamaha or someone jap maybe?) is supposed to be a wee peach, and can be had fairly cheap- might be enough to lure me away from my main mlc car- a classic mini.
Can anyone advise if you can get a full susser in the back with the seats folded?
Nissan 200sx, old celica, Puma is a good bet though but most seem rotten now.
Ford Pumas MX5's even an effing Saxo!
He said he's having a mid life crisis not a lobotomy! The OP states classic.
He wants something classy.
Ford Pumas MX5's even an effing Saxo!
He said he's having a mid life crisis not a lobotomy! The OP states classic.
He wants something classy.
For £2000, care to suggest anything we might have missed?
mx5
Your budget would certainly buy a tidy Merc E190 - have a look [url= http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=27086 ]here[/url] . As others have said, it's not all about speed. I've owned three 911's. three Clio 182's, various Golf Gti's, Intrgra Type R etc etc over the years. What do I drive ? a Berlingo. I love it. For what it's worth, the object of desire for me at the moment is [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170971943505?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 ]this.[/url]
If I only had 2k to spare I would put my crisis on hold, personally. You can buy plenty of reliable, nippy fun for 2k (Celica GT4 for example) that will be in perfectly usable condition but its not a crisis car. A crisis car is an Esprit V8, or a TVR. I've already started designing/building my crisis car. Might have it finished for my 40s.
N
OP asks for more seats than an MX5.
[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301144908109/sort/default/usedcars/model/3000gt/make/mitsubishi/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/sy25db/page/1?logcode=p ]3000GT[/url] but as previously stated a 2k limit isn't really a midlife crisis and the whole thing doesn't sound like a midlife crisis.
I ran a 1.7 puma for 8 years from 2003 to 2011.
So the kids were 2 and 5 when I bought it. Booster seat, check.
With back seat folded flat my full medium f/s bike went in easy wheels off.
I replaced it with an rx8 that I got rid of after a year.
Mine was a 2001 X with 80k miles when I sold it, and had had a gearbox rebuild and air con failure but otherwise few surprises
I got 700 px for it.
If you want "classic" then there was the racing puma, 500 built.
It was an absolute hoot to drive. Great handling. Front wheel drive yes but lift oversteer very possible!
2k would be plenty to get a really nice one properly sorted.
Yamaha engine btw.
I had my Puma brand new and sold it when my daughter came along. Big mistake. Wish I still had it 13 years later. IMO it'll be a classic in another 10 years even if it isn't considered one now.
Mid Life Crisis Lite TM
BMW 635i
Merc 190e - Cosworth if you can
6-pot 3 series
XR4x4 - had good fun in a cheap ex-police one a few years back
Porsche 944 is intended child carrier to replace MX5 when the time comes, best make sure we get the car before the seat.
So, where is this 2.7 S2, would be my choice as long as it's not red.
Go on, buy one of the old supercars, then we can have a laugh when you document all your expenses on the forum.
Old Alfa 156 would be a good bet - my T reg 2L one was trouble but my V reg one was excellent and like a limpet on the road, it had the sports pack.
They depreciate like crazy so should be able to find one and afford to fix it - I gave my V reg one away to a mtb acquaintance who I know would look after it, then bought my GT which isn't as good but I can get the bike in the back.
If you can't run to £170 for booster seats, I wouldn't consider a 944. My 'mint' S2 needed about a grand a year to keep it going. Sold it when the gearbox started asking for a rebuild, the window winders packed up again and the sunroof fell out on the A36.
And as I've said before, the 944 is a greenhouse on wheels, and very few came with air-conditioning. Consider that before you put your kids in the back on a sunny day.
My ideal car, though, would be a 968 Sport with air-con.
And a 2CV for fun.
OP asks for more seats than an MX5
That's why I suggested a:
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4 doors, 260ish hp 4wd with torsen diffs, kiddy compatible, safe, looks nice, available from about 2k ish.
3.5k service intervals hurt but fun enough to justify.
We have two cars already both with child seats so I really don't want to buy another two seats !
Some great advice on cars thanks
Scirocco sounds fun ! Looks like a 944 sort of !
Although my comment wasn't aimed at coffee king were reading off the same page, I suggested a celica also, love mine. I know a few st205 owners from fan club/groups and I think the service intervals can be relaxed somewhat. Phenomenal car for the money, very capable & they feel very fast. Future collectible.
OP you need a London black cab.
204 GTI - cracking car and the 1.6 is the one to get 😉
