midlife crises car- Cant buy a Porsche suggestions please !

although what you should get is this:

Timewarp MORRIS MINOR. 62,000 miles from new. Tax and MOT Exempt. HISTORY!!

http://bit.ly/X74txV

Have you considered an affair with a colleague and a divorce? It may turn out to be cheaper and less trouble 😀

It’s got to be an e30 325i coupe, surely?

That is good advice, possibly because I managed to buy one in my yoof, and it was the 2nd greatest car I have ever driven.

Have you considered an affair with a colleague and a divorce? It may turn out to be cheaper and less trouble

I like your thinking…but no !

Don’t tell me things like that MrNutt, it wasn’t a small window/small bumper model by any chance was it as i’m still searching for a front valence for mine, i cannot find an original one anywhere in Europe 🙁 – my Mk2 is going for a windows out respray to tidy the exterior bodywork up this year and then it’ll be all done and finished……..thank god!.

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:

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:

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

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C348225

cosmetically damaged escort mk1 for 2650….

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 here . 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 this.

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.

3000GT 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.