Another 'recommend a sporty car for a girl' thread! :)

Glowing

Hi all,

Change of plan from my last thread - I'm now looking for a car for myself (rather than an estate/ute) - and I need help since I've never actually bought a car myself.

I see this as an early 'mid-life crisis' car (before I've the need for a family car with baby seats and buggy space), I've always loved driving, but have been in a '93 golf for the last 10 years. Great car, and very reliable, but it's just so uncomfortable and noisy, and the clutch so heavy for my female knees! So am looking to upgrade to something a lot nippier! (my dream car is an Audi A5 sportsback but unfortunately the budget won't stretch to that!)

My requirements are as follows:

Car which is fun to drive with a good bit of poke!
Minimum 1.4, preferably 1.6.
Hatchback, cabriolet or coupe (would consider a hardtop for the right money)
Quality interior would be nice
3 door would be fine.

I like the look of the Hyundai Coupe, or Megane Cabriolet - that type of shape and size would be ideal. Have been toying with the idea of a TT, but think that might be too much on the flashy side. (I'd say it's great to drive though)

I don't like the Mini cooper, Beetle or anything ultra girlie (yes I also know the Coupe is also known as a hairdressers car )

My budget is about 6,000, i'll up it to 8 or even 9 for the right car.

Looking forward to your suggestions!!! Thanks

Big Nasty

Can't go wrong with an MX-5 really.

Amberjack

I've had 3 Hyundai Coupes and 1 Megane Cabriolet. Love the Hyundais, unfortunately I had nothing but trouble with the Megane (even though it was lovely to drive and only 2 years old) and when I went to trade in, some garages refused to take it. My advice would be to go with Hyundai, much more reliable and easy to trade in/resell.

Glowing

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Can't go wrong with an MX-5 really.

Yes, I had actually thought about this one. Worked with a guy who owned one and couldn't speak highly enough. The only problem I can see with this is the complete lack of back seats (am I right in saying they're not real seats?)

I know most of the coupe/sports cars will have small if non-existent back seats, but I think i'd like the flexibility of having room for 1 or 2 passengers if necessary.

Cheers

Vertakill

MX5 or if you wanted to slightly branch out from your preferences (2.0 litre), an S2000.

Really sporty and bags of fun!




EDIT: It would appear you appreciate practicality - scratch my suggestions!



EDIT: It'd be hard to find a sporty fun car with your engine size constraints but if you look a little beyond that, maybe an Audi TT or an RX8 either.

Glowing

Vertakill wrote: »

MX5 or if you wanted to slightly branch out from your preferences (2.0 litre), an S2000.

Really sporty and bags of fun!




EDIT: It would appear you appreciate practicality - scratch my suggestions!

Oh look at this - so pretty!!!!!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1415234

Scrap the practicality, LOL!

Vertakill

Glowing wrote: »

Oh look at this - so pretty!!!!!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1415234

Scrap the practicality, LOL!

Haha yeah I looked at that exact advert a moment ago and my jaw dropped.

af_thefragile

^Really good price for the S2000
Though its an import so the insurance would be a bit high I think.

What about an M3?


Check this out:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1501525

Its rare, its sporty and brilliant!

kennethk

Glowing wrote: »

Oh look at this - so pretty!!!!!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1415234

Scrap the practicality, LOL!

Lovely S2000, but it's 247 bhp? Imagine keeping petrol in the thing..It's also 11 years old..? Maybe it's abit too sporty?

Vertakill

kennethk wrote: »

Lovely S2000, but it's 247 bhp? Imagine keeping petrol in the thing..It's also 11 years old..? Maybe it's abit too sporty?

It's probably in or around the same MPG as her Golf.

It's 250ish bhp, but it's really light and it's only a 2.0 litre.

Glowing

af_thefragile wrote: »

What about an M3?

OMG

af_thefragile

I was thinking more of something like this:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M3/Evolutio/201025198504011/advert?channel=CARS

Glowing

Not too keen on the Ford Puma tbh .. thanks for the suggestion af_thefragile The M3 is nice (not as nice as the white one though, wow!) but a 3.2 litre engine!!? :O

Getting plenty of food for thought here!!

What are your opinions on something like this btw?
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/Coupe/1.6,-NCT/201020198038237/advert?channel=CARS

frank gooding

The price on that puma is insane.

Lots of hyundai Coupes out there.

Best bet I would say.
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/02/64100502.html

Even has the pink seats how girly is that.

af_thefragile

frank gooding wrote: »

The price on that puma is insane.

Its a Racing Puma. They're pretty rare (only 500 made).
They're like the RS version of the Puma.

Big Nasty

The M3 is a cracker but probably be too extravagant for your liking but an E46 3 Series Coupe should be right up your alley! Check out some of these:
http://www.cbg.ie/SearchResults.aspx
http://www.carzone.ie/search/results?legacy_url=y&searchsource=quick&make_model=BMW&cacheBuster=1281990120960120#nParam=4294946359%2B200590%2B200284%2B200304%2B102548%2B285%2B327%2B68%2B351%2B200483&sortby=Make|0&channel=CARS&currency=EUROS&searchResultsView=THUMBNAIL&maxrows=10&page=1

Bonito

3 series.

TT

TT Cabrio.

Z3.

S2000.

Celica.

alanmc

Glowing wrote: »

I know most of the coupe/sports cars will have small if non-existent back seats, but I think i'd like the flexibility of having room for 1 or 2 passengers if necessary.

I've had a Hyundai Coupe now for 3 years. Absolutely love it. It's the 2.7 V6 . However, my Dad is 5'4" and when he's sitting in the back seat, his head is pressed up against the rear window:eek:. The rear seats are just for show. Of no practical use at all. They're just about bearable for short journeys, but for any decent roadtrips, forget it.

A mate of mine had a Coupe as well, and sadly had to part with it because he was blessed with a bundle of joy but couldn't get a child seat in the back.

At least the MX-5 has the honesty of not having back seats.

Having said that, it's a great drive. Tends to be a bit noisy (road noise) at motorway speeds. And the suspension is a little on the hard side (although I don't know if my car has the same suspension as the 1.6 or 2.0).

Just a caveat emptor type of post I guess.

af_thefragile

What about:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1501596

Its super cool! Especially for a girl...

Glowing

af_thefragile wrote: »

What about:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1501596

Its super cool! Especially for a girl...

LOL I like it - maybe not the left hand drive part, i'd be opening the window everytime I clutch .... :pac:

af_thefragile

There's a RHD too here:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1403338
I prefer the convertible ones but in Ireland you cant seem to have everything!

alanmc

The 1600s were the quickest Karmann-Ghias, capable of 0-60 mph in about 21 seconds and a top speed of around 82 mph.

Where's my cheque book?

af_thefragile

Its not about the speed mate. Its all about driving at 50kmph and looking seriously cool in it... Any faster and people won't get the time to notice your coolness!

alanmc

Any faster and you'd need a football stadium worth of road to stop. Probably has drums on all 4 corners. Hehe.

No, it certainly has the cool factor. I'm just not sure I could live with a 0-60 time of "about" 21 secs.

ArphaRima

Definitely not a Hyundai Coupe. Too predictable.

For your budget a mini cooper is what I'm thinking. But a Honda S2000 is a great choice if you can push it!

Vertakill

alanmc wrote: »

Where's my cheque book?

Hahaha!

af_thefragile wrote: »

There's a RHD too here:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1403338
I prefer the convertible ones but in Ireland you cant seem to have everything!

In all seriousness though.. my god.
The girl is looking for a sporty coupe, not a classic car..!

I'm not aiming to knock Glowing's abilities with a toolkit, but buying a 40+ year old car as a daily driver could prove troublesome!


Bonito's suggestions were on the mark. On the Celica though, it has to be the VVTLi version or none at all.

If it were me, the only ones I can think of that I would choose are (in no particular order) :

Celica (190bhp version) / MX5 / S2000 / RX8 (231bhp version) / TT / 3 series coupe (or an e46 M3 provided it dropped within budget).
If a 1.7 Puma isn't too old/small, you'd find a mint one for half the budget (I wouldn't spend the money the Racing ones are going for though).

All those suggestions are a mixture of prices though. Some are half the budget, some are stretching right to the ends of the budget.

Glowing

fluffer wrote: »

Definitely not a Hyundai Coupe. Too predictable.

For your budget a mini cooper is what I'm thinking. But a Honda S2000 is a great choice if you can push it!

That's interesting! I would have thought the mini cooper was the predictable option I have heard they're great to drive, but I'm much more attracted to the shape of a Coupe than the Mini tbh.

I'm looking forward to test driving a few different options at the weekend. I'm in South Dublin area - any good suggestions for used car garages in South or West of the city? I think I'd prefer the security of a garage over a private sale (but I'll stand corrected if necessary!)

The Honda looks fab, pricy though! I'm still debating the lack of back seats though - I'm thinking crap back seats are better than none at all ....

Edit: Look what I found today - now *this* is a thing of beauty
http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cheapsportscar.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2010-alfa-romeo-2uettottanta-concept-price-list-588x441.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cheapsportscar.info/2010-alfa-romeo-2uettottanta-concept.html&usg=__Q3hYXMOh7fMXIqeFvRoHJ2X_5N8=&h=441&w=588&sz=60&hl=en&start=144&tbnid=-pOIcarUSZ-QqM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=168&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dalfa%2Bromeo%2Bconcept%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D585%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C3663&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=669&vpy=204&dur=1671&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=107&ty=133&ei=c8RpTIvQJpWTjAf5p7nUBA&oei=C8RpTMi1H5e8jAfL17HUBA&esq=10&page=9&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:144&biw=1280&bih=585

af_thefragile

^That Alfa is very pretty...
Pity the production models always end up a far cry from the concepts.

Anyway, if you usually drive along with 2 or more friends, then get a 4 seater coupe. And usually means on the weekends or something like that.
If 90% of the time you're just driving alone by yourself or occasionally with someone besides you, get a 2 seat roadster.

Its not very hard to decide whether you need the back seats or not...
You feel driving with mates will make the journey more enjoyable, get a 4 seater.
You put passengers and excess weight in the same category then get a 2 seat!

You can even get one of these if you stretch your budget a little:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/Z4/Z4-2.5I-/201026198639067/advert?channel=CARS

ArphaRima

Sorry but I might just be a bit unfair on the Hyundai. I reckon a Mini has a bit more pedigree and class than a Hyundai. It is Korean after all . (albeit amongst their best)
Minis are also a little bit rarer on the roads, which is important to me anyway.

I think I'd prefer the security of a garage over a private sale (but I'll stand corrected if necessary!)

I have no problem buying privately as long as they are priced in accordance with the risk. ie 1-2k less than dealer in this price range.
DO your research, and be sure to have the car mechanically inspected checked for outstanding debts, insurance writeoffs etc.

Autotrader do a great writeup on the entire process of buying a car. A highly recommended read.
http://www.autotrader.ie/contentv3/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&keyword=BuyingDetails&tab=2

patrickc

what about a saab 93?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/SE-2.0-T/201032199164197/advert?channel=CARS

maybe a little over in engine size though, but such a nice car to drive and handles so well ..

ArphaRima

Saab 9-3s are beautfiul cars but they arent exactly a girl's car I wouldve thought?

af_thefragile makes a good pro-con argument for a 2-4 seat car.

ps That Alfa is insane. Perhaps a little bit tooo streamlined but gorgeous nonetheless.

Bonito

A girl who likes her cars.... even more so, sexy cars. Lads, please leave the thread now. Just a few minutes alone. :pac:

Go for the celica VVTL-I.

opinion guy

You NEED a corolla:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvCStZwUaBw

kennethk

Vertakill wrote: »

It's probably in or around the same MPG as her Golf.

It's 250ish bhp, but it's really light and it's only a 2.0 litre.

Don't think she would get similar MPG with 250 horses under her right foot!:rolleyes: 2 litre petrol are pigs..Brother had a lexus is200, which would be closer to the S2000, costed him around €90 to fill!..

With €614 (I think) a year, she would need deep pockets

opinion guy

OP what about a more modern golf gti or gtd or something like that?
Fancy audi a3 quattro maybe (very few around thou)

Vertakill

kennethk wrote: »

Don't think she would get similar MPG with 250 horses under her right foot!:rolleyes: 2 litre petrol are pigs..Brother had a lexus is200, which would be closer to the S2000, costed him around €90 to fill!..

With €614 (I think) a year, she would need deep pockets

The only similarities between an IS200 and an S2000 is the engine size and the fact they're RWD - it pretty much stops there!

IS200 is renowned for being bad on petrol. I've a 3.5 litre petrol that is only moderately worse than an IS200, for example.
IS200 does more mid 20's whereas the S2000 will do just shy of 29/30mpg.

The S2000 has one of the best power/weight ratios around - meaning it has a lot of power and it's only pulling around a small bit of weight - meaning not that bad MPG!

kennethk wrote: »

2 litre petrol are pigs..

My dad had a 2.4 litre petrol Toyota Camry for years and the thing averaged about 40mpg!

You need to scrub your brain of the 'anything over 1.8 litre in a petrol is a gas guzzler' mentalty ... and fast!

Glowing

I'm not aiming to knock Glowing's abilities with a toolkit, but buying a 40+ year old car as a daily driver could prove troublesome!

Haha! I've been driving a 17 year old car for 10 years, I AINT going any older :P

If 90% of the time you're just driving alone by yourself or occasionally with someone besides you, get a 2 seat roadster.

Hmm I wish it was as cut and dry as that - I drive alone or with one passenger 99.9% of the time, but for those days when I have to pick up mam and her shopping, or haul my family around, I don't want to have to leave my pet-car behind Though I'm working on a method to justify a 2 seater, lets see what happens after I test drive one!!!!

You can even get one of these if you stretch your budget a little:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/Z4/...t?channel=CARS

This is GORGEOUS!

Autotrader do a great writeup on the entire process of buying a car. A highly recommended read.
http://www.autotrader.ie/contentv3/i...gDetails&tab=2

Very informative, thanks!

what about a saab 93?

I do like these cars! But I'm hesitant to get into the old-car territory again ... they're a classic car for their age though.

OP what about a more modern golf gti or gtd or something like that?

Thought about it but the newer models are renound for having issues - also a golf is hardly a 'mid-life crisis' car, LOL! Thats the car I get when I need baby seats

IS200 is renowned for being bad on petrol. I've a 3.5 litre petrol that is only moderately worse than an IS200, for example.
IS200 does more mid 20's whereas the S2000 will do just shy of 29/30mpg.

Husband told me yesterday I'd only wrap this one around a tree - now there's confidence for you!! :P

langdang

The MINI's are actually a great drive, I know they could have sold them in Ireland as handbags on wheels, but they are a great car for driving. Not the most practical (but hardly a mid-life-crisis car either) and it sounds from your other thread that you may be heading towards the same solution that we have - one smaller "clean" car, one workhorse estate.
Test drive one, see how the drive compares to your other choices. The ONE is 90hp, the Cooper is 115hp, but both are able for 130hp easily enough.

Glowing

langdang wrote: »

The MINI's are actually a great drive, I know they could have sold them in Ireland as handbags on wheels, but they are a great car for driving. Not the most practical (but hardly a mid-life-crisis car either) and it sounds from your other thread that you may be heading towards the same solution that we have - one MINI, one workhorse estate.
Test drive one, see how the drive compares to your other choices. The ONE is 90hp, the Cooper is 115hp, but both are able for 130hp easily enough.

Hi Langdang - yes, that's the plan alright! One car for the muddy bikes, tools and flat-pack furniture and another for the city driving, nipping about - it will also be my main car for weekends.

I had a read of a few Mini Cooper reviews last night, and I'm starting to come around to the idea. The interior looks fab, and I do like the body of the Sports version. I'll definitely look into a test drive ... thanks for your feedback!

langdang

You'd struggle to get a Cooper S for under the 6k (I presume thats what you mean by the Sports version - bonnet vent, bodykit, bigger wheels) The Cooper S is supercharged (the newer turbo'd ones are outside of your budget)and 160ish horsepower. I'd love one myself but not feasible at the moment

thirtythirty

What aboot an MR 2?

djimi

Glowing wrote: »

Oh look at this - so pretty!!!!!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1415234

Scrap the practicality, LOL!

Id find it really hard to look past this tbh. To hell with passengers; thats what they invented taxis for

Seriously tho, if youre looking at spending €7500 on a Hyundai Coupe, seriosuly consider something like an S2000 instead.

Anan1

djimi wrote: »

Seriously tho, if youre looking at spending €7500 on a Hyundai Coupe, seriosuly consider something like an S2000 instead.

OP - Do you drive hard? An S2000 is designed to give of its best in very fast driving, to the detriment of comfort.

MetzgerMeister

Lads, considering Glowing's budget, I don't think an M3 would be in her category since it's €1500 a year to tax.

I think you should go with the VVTLi Toyota Celica. It's not a girly car nor is it a masculine car. It suits all!

Just my €0.02

mjquinno

hard top convertible.
Cheap Tax
cheap to run
Rare
Reliable

The copen

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Daihatsu/Copen/OPEN-TOP/200836189889216/advert?channel=CARS

MetzgerMeister

mjquinno wrote: »

hard top convertible.
Cheap Tax
cheap to run
Rare
Reliable

The copen

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Daihatsu/Copen/OPEN-TOP/200836189889216/advert?channel=CARS

Looks like something Noddy would drive

Glowing

mjquinno wrote: »

hard top convertible.
Cheap Tax
cheap to run
Rare
Reliable

The copen

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Daihatsu/Copen/OPEN-TOP/200836189889216/advert?channel=CARS

Noooooooooooooooo! (I think it's rare for a reason )

mjquinno

lol. true - my GF loves the copen and the nissan figaro for some reason.

jim-mcdee

Vertakill wrote: »

The only similarities between an IS200 and an S2000 is the engine size and the fact they're RWD - it pretty much stops there!

IS200 is renowned for being bad on petrol. I've a 3.5 litre petrol that is only moderately worse than an IS200, for example.
IS200 does more mid 20's whereas the S2000 will do just shy of 29/30mpg.

The S2000 has one of the best power/weight ratios around - meaning it has a lot of power and it's only pulling around a small bit of weight - meaning not that bad MPG!



My dad had a 2.4 litre petrol Toyota Camry for years and the thing averaged about 40mpg!

You need to scrub your brain of the 'anything over 1.8 litre in a petrol is a gas guzzler' mentalty ... and fast!

The S2000 does 28.5MPG on the combined cycle and 20.5MPG around town. That's OK for the power you are getting, but it's not an engine designed for fuel economy! I had a 1.8 Integra R and I got 33MPG on combined cycle so its very believable a heavier car with a similar 2.0 engine does less. And it was heavier than the Integra R! And who said convertables are light? They are usually heavier than normal cars because of reinforcement needed to the body.
There are a lot of false truths sloshing in the cavity of your brain. You need to change your mentality........and fast!

Atomic Pineapple

There is no way you got 33mpg in an Integra Type R, I owned one for over 2 years and never got anywhere near that.

Anan1

In my experience, the only way to get the official figures out of a performance car is not to use the performance.