Help me get a li'l motor

jenizzle

Hi all you knowledgable motorists

I have a li'l '96 Ibiza that hasn't a hope of passing the NCT in June. It's a great li'l car but it will have to go.

I had my eyes set on a Hyundai Coupe, but after a test drive I realised it's not the maywest. But I don't know what car to get. I was thinking a newer Ibiza but I wanted something a bit more snazzy since I'm only young.

Any ideas folks? I've been looking at all sorts... Mazda MX5, Seat Leon, Ford Focus, Peugeot 206cc, Audi A3...


Budget is 7k tops. I don't really do a lot of cross country driving if that makes a difference, I'd like to be able to overtake in it and I'd also like to be able to install my own radio

Any help is greatly appreciated

mickdw

MX5. Go for it. They are available in all price ranges. Learn how to drive it though. I spoke to 2 (women ) MX5 drivers who both ended up facing the wrong way down the road in the wet when they first got the car. They are nice handling cars though

jenizzle

mickdw wrote: »

MX5. Go for it. They are available in all price ranges. Learn how to drive it though. I spoke to 2 (women ) MX5 drivers who both ended up facing the wrong way down the road in the wet when they first got the car. They are nice handling cars though

Sounds scary yet awesome! Tbh, I hope I'm up to the challenge of a "proper" car. By the looks of it, I'd be looking at getting around a 2000 or so. Really are a pretty lookin car and they seem like it's what I'm after.

The Real B-man

I would say got for the Leon or A3 with the Leon been slighty bigger great cars!

CianRyan

Buy an MX5 Jen!!

I'm gonna get one too. :cool:

EPM

If you're even considering the mx-5 go for it. Just check it out properly and dont buy a jap import auto whatever you do!

j@utis

I'd love a cabrio too!
but mx5 is soft top in this country in this weather... having no garage to keep it, I already imagine myself breaking icicles off inside that soft roof...

CharlieCroker

If you dont need the space and extra practicality of a bigger car then the MX-5 is def the way to go.
Fantastic car and plenty of them out there.

cabrwab

I like everybody's sentiment here of the MX5. It is a drivers car, great fun!
Yeah its a soft top but if you can deal with the fact its probably never going to be folded down go for it.

The leon would edge it for me over the A3. Unless your going high up in the A3 range IMO the leon/golf/A3 feel too similar.
Your buying at the right time if you have the cash. You'll get a decent MX5 id say for 7K at the moment.
3door focus maybe slightly sporty, although your going down the years abit.

If i had the energy id look up carzone for you!

Or you could go and make unkles day!

jenizzle

Looks like the MX5 is the way to go! What major difference should I expect from jumping from a 1.4 to a 1.6 or 1.8 (besides the price to fill up a tank?! :P)?

This one seems like a li'l beaut. Are there any specific issues I should be aware of before getting one of these?

Thanks for the help

bazz26

jenizzle wrote: »

Looks like the MX5 is the way to go! What major difference should I expect from jumping from a 1.4 to a 1.6 or 1.8 (besides the price to fill up a tank?! :P)?

This one seems like a li'l beaut. Are there any specific issues I should be aware of before getting one of these?

Thanks for the help

I'd say the biggest difficulty will be insurance. Soft tops are generally more expensive to insure. Make sure you can afford to insure it before you buy.

jenizzle

I get half price insurance at the mo, which is another reason for going for the less-sensible option

Vegeta

My girlfriend has an mx5 but it has a hard top too so its fine in all weather

Lovely car and I love driving it, be warned though, it may ruin lots of other cars for you. Its a decent handling rear wheel drive car which gives lots of input through the steering. Driving other cars you'll be like "This is horrible, there's no feedback from the steering, I have no clue what the car is doing, it just wants to roll around every corner, let me out"

I'd have one no problem

jenizzle

this may sound a li'l naive... but will a soft top actually leak?:o:confused:

CharlieCroker

very rarely. one that's been properly looked after will withstand a blast from a power hose.
make sure you check the hood properly.
even better, try to find one with a hardtop included, be worth the extra money

jenizzle

had a quick look on carzone and there's very few hardtops there. I have a month or two to search around anyway. Its still so hard to pick one car to get, then getting the time to fit in a visit/drive.

jenizzle

Ok... another question!

BMW Z3... why are they pretty cheap??

Zube

jenizzle wrote: »

BMW Z3... why are they pretty cheap??

Because they are not very good.

jenizzle

Another MX5 question... do the hard tops fold down or do you lift them off? I'm trying to organise a test drive of one tomorrow to get a close look.

Zube

jenizzle wrote: »

Another MX5 question... do the hard tops fold down or do you lift them off? I'm trying to organise a test drive of one tomorrow to get a close look.

The soft top folds down, you (or a couple of your mates) have to lift the hard top off and store it for the two days of nice weather each summer.

pandamoanium

Yeah the hard tops are a bit of a pain in that regard.

One thing though - have you fully thought about getting a coupe? I mean what if you want to bring friends or family out for a spin and can't fit them all in? I know you said you're young so that's one thing I'd be thinking about

Also, without prying in your affairs or anything but have you really thought about if you can afford 7k to spend on a car? Just with the way things are right now job security is an issue for a lot of people atm.

If you're having to take out a loan for it just be sure that worse case scenario you can still make the repayments

You can get lots of decent cars for way less nowdays, lots of bargains to be had!

Zube

pandamoanium wrote: »

One thing though - have you fully thought about getting a coupe? I mean what if you want to bring friends or family out for a spin and can't fit them all in? I know you said you're young so that's one thing I'd be thinking about

Say what? When you're young with no kids is the one time you CAN drive a li'l car like this, until you're an old, grey empty nester or a saddo who's left his family for his secretary.

Also, without prying in your affairs or anything but have you really thought about if you can afford 7k to spend on a car?

Ah, Jaysus, it was bad enough people giving out to MarkN for blowing 50K on a coupé, now we can't even spend 7K because of the recession? Give it a rest!

jenizzle

hehe... thanks Zube!

Well, I test drove an MX5 today and I'm in love. '99, 1.6, 70k for 4,900 with them taking my li'l Ibiza off me. There'll be a new nct on it when I get it. Good deal? The car is in great condition from what I can tell.

CharlieCroker

jenizzle wrote: »

hehe... thanks Zube!

Well, I test drove an MX5 today and I'm in love. '99, 1.6, 70k for 4,900 with them taking my li'l Ibiza off me. There'll be a new nct on it when I get it. Good deal? The car is in great condition from what I can tell.

Happy days, I'm jealous now. Sounds like a good deal to me. What colour is it? is it an import or irish car? Import badged as a Eunos Roadster as opposed to MX-5

jenizzle

thanks! I had the biggest smile on my face driving it. Afaik, its not an import. Its a very dark green with a black leather roof, well looked after as I couldn't see one dent on it. The mechanic brother in law will be inspecting it next wk- is there anything mechanical thats mazda-specific that I should get him to look out for?

mickdw

Thought you might like it alright

CianRyan

You should try the 1.8L version and get it with a cream leather soft top.










And give it to me once you buy it.

CharlieCroker

jenizzle wrote: »

thanks! I had the biggest smile on my face driving it. Afaik, its not an import. Its a very dark green with a black leather roof, well looked after as I couldn't see one dent on it. The mechanic brother in law will be inspecting it next wk- is there anything mechanical thats mazda-specific that I should get him to look out for?

Import will (normally) have a square number plate instead of rectangular one.
Any photo's? is it on carzone?

They're fairly bulletproof to be honest. just normal servicing is needed.
Just check that the roof is free of rips, tears, etc.
Also, check the bolsters on the seats (side of the seat by your thighs) because the car is so low, they take the full brunt when your getting in and out.

Apart from that, and the brother in law gives it the thumbs up, then happy days!!

take a visit to http://www.mx5parts.co.uk

Plenty of little styling bits to make it your own, just don't go too mad on the chrome.

jenizzle

Everyone thinks I mad for getting a two-seater. 95% of the time I drive on my own, the rest its just me and the fella. Just bloody annoying though.

This is the one I was looking at, the pics are useless though.

Eric Cartman

pandamoanium wrote: »

One thing though - have you fully thought about getting a coupe? I mean what if you want to bring friends or family out for a spin and can't fit them all in? I know you said you're young so that's one thing I'd be thinking about

driving a 2-seater commercial 4x4 (or coupe in this case) is fantastic, because you cant take your parents/ lazy messy mates etc... places, let her have her fun

CianRyan

jenizzle wrote: »

Everyone thinks I mad for getting a two-seater. 95% of the time I drive on my own, the rest its just me and the fella. Just bloody annoying though.

This is the one I was looking at, the pics are useless though.

Honestly, you could get a nicer one for that price.
And if you're getting a soft top you should be going for a leather interior.
If the roof does ever leak, then those seats would be in bits, where as leather seats you could simply whipe the water off.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mazda/MX-5/1.8/200905191696685/advert
Its down in cork, but i really think its better bang for the buck.
Whats every one else think?
http://octane.ie/ads/car.php?id=3722
I think this one is beautiful.

It came with the factory fitted Masdaspeed touring kit. This included:

-Mazdaspeed manifold and Exhaust system (both give a bit more horse Power than the standard 1800cc engine)
-Quick shifter
-Limited Slip Differential
-Roll over bar
-Chrome engine cover
-ARC induction kit (the best available for mx5) which releases another few HP

Since i bought the car I have purchased:

-BBS licenced ASA alloys (new from http://www.tirerack.com )
-EIBACH springs and KYB adjustable shocks (new from http://www.mx5parts.co.uk )
-Green Stuff brake pads (new from mx5parts)

That ones in south dublin.
opinions on these cars, anyone else?

L-M

Quick shifter + slip diff + car forum = trouble:P

CianRyan

I was thinking that as i posted. haha

Honestly, between the two cars i posted, i can decide which i'd go for.
I love the first generation, and its hard to come by one that looks that great.
Bt the second generation are great aswell, and it has less miles on it.

I'm so glad, i'm buying one right now, i'd be going mad!!
:pac:

jenizzle

CianRyan wrote: »

I'm so glad, i'm buying one right now, i'd be going mad!!
:pac:

Great use you are

CianRyan

Haha, love to help like. :rolleyes:

Really though, check out the ones i posted.
You'll thank me for it.

woop

my humble opinion but its in the same guise as the mx5 just slightly more updated looks and also a droptop

smart roadster?

one of the notchback ones

servicing will be difficult but theres a dealership in belfast and its only once a year*do a bita shopping*
will take a bit of time to get used to driving but you can stick it in auto till you learn the paddleshifts

they are very good on petrol

jenizzle

woop wrote: »

smart roadster?

way out of my league/price range but thanks!

towel401

With a name like jenizzle you almost have to get a 206cc

actually no, just saw your pic a 206cc wouldn't suit ya at all. go for the mx-5. in black

fryup

i don't whether anyone has mention them yet but..

the mitsubishi colt (04 onwards) is a good but often over looked car in the small car market...they reasonably priced second-hand, up north they're dirt cheap (but don't forget>VRT)

well worth considering

Tony Broke

FTO on adverts that is in excellent condition, guy that owns it is an enthusiasted and has taken incredible care of it.I was very interested in it but cant get insured on it, you being a girl will have no such problem.

Incredible bargain I think.

http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8948

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=87310&cat=all

jenizzle

towel401 wrote: »

With a name like jenizzle you almost have to get a 206cc

actually no, just saw your pic a 206cc wouldn't suit ya at all. go for the mx-5. in black

My pic?! Stalker-tastic! I think the 206cc is just a tad too girly for me!

groupb

jenizzle wrote: »

Everyone thinks I mad for getting a two-seater. 95% of the time I drive on my own, the rest its just me and the fella. Just bloody annoying though.

This is the one I was looking at, the pics are useless though.

You're not mad. You just know a great sports car when you see one.That mx5 in the picture is a soft top. I've had a 92' one for two years and I can't see myself ever selling it. I would'nt bother with a hard top if you have somewhere safe to park. The heaters are great and the soft top tends to be hard wearing.It also means that in about 10 secs you can be driving alfresco. The mx5 is also likely to hold its value far better than most other cars on the market and maintenance is very cheap. If you need parts or accessories mx5 parts.co.uk deliver to your door in days. Look them up to see what toys you could buy for your new car.
Good luck.

groupb

fryup wrote: »

i don't whether anyone has mention them yet but..

the mitsubishi colt (04 onwards) is a good but often over looked car in the small car market...they reasonably priced second-hand, up north they're dirt cheap (but don't forget>VRT)

well worth considering

She was looking at an mx5 and you mention a colt. Maybe she should also look at a scania 143.

jenizzle

groupb wrote: »

You're not mad. You just know a great sports car when you see one.That mx5 in the picture is a soft top. I've had a 92' one for two years and I can't see myself ever selling it. I would'nt bother with a hard top if you have somewhere safe to park. The heaters are great and the soft top tends to be hard wearing.It also means that in about 10 secs you can be driving alfresco. The mx5 is also likely to hold its value far better than most other cars on the market and maintenance is very cheap. If you need parts or accessories mx5 parts.co.uk deliver to your door in days. Look them up to see what toys you could buy for your new car.
Good luck.

Thats another issue of mine, i'm quite worried that someone will rip the roof off!
I guess there's not a lot I can do about that though, except get a hard top

groupb

jenizzle wrote: »

Thats another issue of mine, i'm quite worried that someone will rip the roof off!
I guess there's not a lot I can do about that though, except get a hard top

Thats the one drawback with a soft top , somebody might damage the roof , but then again how likely is that to happen? I would definitly take a chance. There is no better car to enjoy what little sunshine we get here. I had the roof down last Sunday and did about 40 miles. Take a chance. You won't regret it.

towel401

jenizzle wrote: »

My pic?! Stalker-tastic! I think the 206cc is just a tad too girly for me!

I used to be a stalker but old habits die hard. the 206cc is far too girly for you. really you should get a nice dark Corvette if you had the dosh. twould really suit you

CianRyan

jenizzle wrote: »

Thats another issue of mine, i'm quite worried that someone will rip the roof off!
I guess there's not a lot I can do about that though, except get a hard top

One of the cars i posted, comes with a soft top and a hardtop.
Pretty solid for what you want.

jenizzle

So I'm going ahead with this. Only thing is though, I have to organise the NCT. I assume I can't do that without a registration certificate? I don't really fancy driving around for a week or two without the NCT date.

CharlieCroker

good stuff. well wear!!!!
Why dont you get the garage to do the NCT for you?
Are you getting warranty with it?

L-M

Which one are you going ahead with OP?

klaus23

MX5's are wonderful cars, you won't regret it.