Nice looking sporty number

Jimmy Bottlehead

Hey.

Currently driving a '04 VW Polo, 1.2. Lovely wee car, got it for €4,700 with only 10k on the clock (one old lady owner, only drove to mass and the shop)

Anyways, it's a cracking wee motor, and the insurance wasn't as awful as I imagined for a 24 year old's first policy - 1600 with AXA.

As much as I love the Polo, I know that it's not what I really want, and I'm looking at the next car already. I'd like something slick looking, with a wee bit of go to her too. I'm not a boy racer or anything like that, but it's nice to have a bit of power when I need to overtake, and the Polo does lack a little.

Also seeing as I'm 24 (will be 25 next year when I plan to trade in with one years NCB to my name) I figure this is the time to buy a car that I love instead of one that's sensible and practical I don't plan to spend huge amounts on insurance but I understand that a more powerful car will ramp that up. No kids or plans to have any, so not much space needed.

Would love to hear some suggestions - 25 year old, one year NCB, full licence for two years, probably a budget of 6k-8k to spend on a sexy, reasonably nippy, reliable car.
If people don't think it's just a stupid idea, what suggestions are out there?

Alanstrainor

MX5 1.8, or even the 1.6, about the best fun you can have for the cash. Being 25 when you're changing, i'd say there'd be no problem with Insurance. But make sure though, as the fact that they are a soft top makes some insurance companies go a bit mad.
Have some rear wheel drive fun!

-Corkie-

octavia vrs

Atomic Pineapple

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1591215

jaffa20

Alanstrainor wrote: »

MX5 1.8, or even the 1.6, about the best fun you can have for the cash. Being 25 when you're changing, i'd say there'd be no problem with Insurance. But make sure though, as the fact that they are a soft top makes some insurance companies go a bit mad.
Have some rear wheel drive fun!

Damn, you got there before me. I probably have the same criteria as you op and got insured on mx5 no problem. Great car to drive! They don't cover any damage to my softop though so i'm just hoping some scumbag doesn't bring a knife to it.

Big Nasty

Have to agree on the MX-5!

Wouldn't be for me at all but you can't beat them for relatively cheap reliable fun. My other suggestion would be a 3er coupe and in your case you would be going for the E46 (98-05 model) and I wouldn't recommend the 4pot so you would be looking at the 2.2 minimum which is going to drive up insurance, tax and running costs.

MetzgerMeister

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Have to agree on the MX-5!

Wouldn't be for me at all but you can't beat them for relatively cheap reliable fun. My other suggestion would be a 3er coupe and in your case you would be going for the E46 (98-05 model) and I wouldn't recommend the 4pot so you would be looking at the 2.2 minimum which is going to drive up insurance, tax and running costs.

Is it not 99-05???

Jimmy Bottlehead

Haha, would you believe, the MX-5 is one car I've never warmed to looks-wise! I was thinking Celica, even a Hyundai Coupe (glad i didn't get it as a first car tho), and so on. Maybe an MX-5 test drive would change my mind though

Big Nasty

einheisserschre wrote: »

Is it not 99-05???

Actually I think you're right, that was off the top of my head.

bazz26

How about something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201037199548962

Jimmy Bottlehead

bazz26 wrote: »

How about something like this:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201037199548962

Nice! But should have said, I'd say a 1.8l is as high as I could go without insurance being mental. Aren't the Alfa's meant to be slightly troublesome?

Big Nasty

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Haha, would you believe, the MX-5 is one car I've never warmed to looks-wise! I was thinking Celica, even a Hyundai Coupe (glad i didn't get it as a first car tho), and so on. Maybe an MX-5 test drive would change my mind though

Hyundai Coupes, while not a bad car, are like arseholes - every one has one, especially the (I think!) '02-'09 model. The Celica is gone awful girly sine the '99 model. Each to their own but I would take an MX-5 any day over either of them.

You're better off telling us what you want, i.e. max / min engine size, hatch / coupe, some favourite marques, etc.

Atomic Pineapple

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Nice! But should have said, I'd say a 1.8l is as high as I could go without insurance being mental. Aren't the Alfa's meant to be slightly troublesome?

Insurance on a 1.9 diesel Alfa GT is likely to be less than on some 1.8 or even 1.6 petrol cars.

Jimmy Bottlehead

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Hyundai Coupes, while not a bad car, are like arseholes - every one has one, especially the (I think!) '02-'09 model. The Celica is gone awful girly sine the '99 model. Each to their own but I would take an MX-5 any day over either of them.

You're better off telling us what you want, i.e. max / min engine size, hatch / coupe, some favourite marques, etc.

I guess I'm currently 1.2, so I'm looking 1.6 - 1.8 petrol. Coupe would make me a happy man... I like the fact that the Coupe is all show with not too much go (easier to insure and lower tax than a 1.8).
Celica suffers from the girly/hairdresser tag too, but honestly I've driven a beaten up, faded, Peugeot Partner van and now the VW Polo which, while funky in electric blue, is still a granny car; any coupe would feel like a Porsche after it!

Obviously love the look of the RX-8 too but that's way outta my league maintainance wise, and also I do a fair few short wee trips (gym, shops, etc) and that's a no-go with short trips Of course if someone told me I was wrong I'd buy one in the morning!!

MCMLXXV

MCMLXXV wrote: »

The Celica is gone awful girly sine the '99 model. Each to their own but I would take an MX-5 any day over either of them.

You reckon a 99 on Celica is girly yet recommend an MX-5 :pac:

L o f*cking L

Vertakill

draffodx wrote: »

Insurance on a 1.9 diesel Alfa GT is likely to be less than on some 1.8 or even 1.6 petrol cars.

What he said!

And those Alfa GT's are beautiful looking and I usually hate Alfa's. That and the fact it's an Alfa diesel rather than an Alfa petrol is also another plus point!

OP, when I was in your situation, I went with a 00' VVTLi Celica. Insurance wasn't too bad!
The MX5 was a possibility for me too but, like you, I was never gone on the look of the car. The shape does nothing for me. And the MX5 is twice as girly as the Celica... (Really depends if you get anything done to the Celica though as I had a TRD kit on mine which didn't look girly!).

Jimmy Bottlehead

How reliable is the Celica?

PaulKK

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Hey.

Currently driving a '04 VW Polo, 1.2. Lovely wee car, got it for €4,700 with only 10k on the clock (one old lady owner, only drove to mass and the shop)

Anyways, it's a cracking wee motor, and the insurance wasn't as awful as I imagined for a 24 year old's first policy - 1600 with AXA.

Man I don't know what Axa have against you, maybe its because as you said its only your first policy, but I'm the same age as you and insured with Axa for 650e fully comp on an 04 BMW 320d.

I have a feeling that 1 year NCB is only going to give you 20% discount on your current rate so you may find even next year may still be a tad pricey.

As mentioned you should explore some diesel options, the engine size is not the only determining factor for risk, I was insured fully comp on a 1.9 TDI passat for 580e on my own policy at 22, so you just need to ask for quotes on a few different cars.

To be honest if I were you, I would keep that Polo for another year or two as you sound happy with it at the moment, save more, and then when you have a bigger NCB and more cash you could buy something pretty flash.

If you bought it with 10K on it it must be an absolute minter, you may as well get some decent mileage out of it as long as it suits your needs.

In 1 or 2 years if you were able to have that budget up around 10K you could buy something pretty sweet with no finance.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

How reliable is the Celica?

Early 140bhp ones can be bad, many of them burn oil like there is no tomorrow. Toyota changed loads of engines in them if they had a full TSH. Plenty of ones about with the original engine, so luck may be needed buying one. The 190bhp ones are fine.

bazz26

This might be worth a look at too:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201037199517302

Mr Benevolent

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Haha, would you believe, the MX-5 is one car I've never warmed to looks-wise! I was thinking Celica, even a Hyundai Coupe (glad i didn't get it as a first car tho), and so on. Maybe an MX-5 test drive would change my mind though

It's not about the looks, it's about the RWD handling with a mildly powerful engine and light body.

Big Nasty

RoverJames wrote: »

You reckon a 99 on Celica is girly yet recommend an MX-5 :pac:

L o f*cking L

RoverJames wrote: »

Early 140bhp ones can be bad, many of them burn oil like there is no tomorrow. Toyota changed loads of engines in them if they had a full TSH. Plenty of ones about with the original engine, so luck may be needed buying one. The 190bhp ones are fine.

They're both girly IMO - but the Mazda is more reliable and more importantly RWD.

Atomic Pineapple

MCMLXXV wrote: »

They're both girly IMO - but the Nissan is more reliable and more importantly RWD.

You mean the Mazda?

Big Nasty

draffodx wrote: »

You mean the Mazda?

Yes, thankyou - edited accordingly!

MetzgerMeister

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Obviously love the look of the RX-8 too but that's way outta my league maintainance wise, and also I do a fair few short wee trips (gym, shops, etc) and that's a no-go with short trips Of course if someone told me I was wrong I'd buy one in the morning!!

You're not too far wrong! However, if you get the 192bhp 5 speed, it will be the lowest insurance-wise.

With regard to the short trip thing, once the car has the upgraded starter motor and a 70Ah battery and the rotors are holding sufficient compression, you will have no problems with flooding or any of the other problems that have been blown way out of proportion by a lot of people.

Jimmy Bottlehead

einheisserschre wrote: »

You're not too far wrong! However, if you get the 192bhp 5 speed, it will be the lowest insurance-wise.

With regard to the short trip thing, once the car has the upgraded starter motor and a 70Ah battery and the rotors are holding sufficient compression, you will have no problems with flooding or any of the other problems that have been blown way out of proportion by a lot of people.

See the more I think about it, the more I fall in love with the RX8... I know it's not exactly economical, or terribly practical, and costs a lot, but I enjoy driving and I'd love a car that I truly look forward to driving... I've a year to do my research and see if I'm willing to put in the time and maintainence and effort into it.

What would be the general consensus on the RX8?

B00MSTICK

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote:

What would be the general consensus on the RX8?

To get the 231...

Ferris

Good looking, power to overtake, 1.8L.

Audi TT?

Wouldn't be my choice but it meets all the criteria.

cabrwab

The RX8 is problematic, but the prolems tend to arise from normal driving.
Its not a normal car/engine.

The car needs to have had the taps opened on them the car needs to have being serviced/looked after properly.
You can do short journeys but you need to make sure the car gets up to temp first before shutting off.

Just want to ask the mx5 is a super car great driver, just curious would the insurance be more expensive due to being a convertible right?

B00MSTICK

cabrwab wrote:

Just want to ask the mx5 is a super car great driver, just curious would the insurance be more expensive due to being a convertible right?

He should hopefully be able to get classic insurance on an MX5 seeing as he's 25ish

MetzgerMeister

cabrwab wrote: »

The RX8 is problematic, but the prolems tend to arise from normal driving.
Its not a normal car/engine.

The car needs to have had the taps opened on them the car needs to have being serviced/looked after properly.
You can do short journeys but you need to make sure the car gets up to temp first before shutting off.

Just want to ask the mx5 is a super car great driver, just curious would the insurance be more expensive due to being a convertible right?

See this is exactly what I'm talking about with regards to things being blown out of proportion. I've had my RX8 for nearly 3 years now. I did have all the problems but once I upgraded the starter and the battery and made sure the compression was good, I could drive it like a "normal" car. These 3 things are the problems and once they're sorted, it's perfect.

Once these things are done, it's just keeping an eye on the oil (which isn't as bad as some make it out to be).

Jimmy Bottlehead

einheisserschre wrote: »

See this is exactly what I'm talking about with regards to things being blown out of proportion. I've had my RX8 for nearly 3 years now. I did have all the problems but once I upgraded the starter and the battery and made sure the compression was good, I could drive it like a "normal" car. These 3 things are the problems and once they're sorted, it's perfect.

Once these things are done, it's just keeping an eye on the oil (which isn't as bad as some make it out to be).

Does it cost much to sort out the starter and battery?

cabrwab

einheisserschre wrote: »

See this is exactly what I'm talking about with regards to things being blown out of proportion. I've had my RX8 for nearly 3 years now. I did have all the problems but once I upgraded the starter and the battery and made sure the compression was good, I could drive it like a "normal" car. These 3 things are the problems and once they're sorted, it's perfect.

Once these things are done, it's just keeping an eye on the oil (which isn't as bad as some make it out to be).

Big fan of the Rx8 btw

Was just actually agreeing with you but the previous owners are the ones who may have done the damage was my point.

Sure id nearly check the oil every second fill myself which is what mazda recommend yeah?

And as the OP has asked how much is the starter upgrade, as the RX8 is on my list to own.

MetzgerMeister

cabrwab wrote: »

Big fan of the Rx8 btw

Was just actually agreeing with you but the previous owners are the ones who may have done the damage was my point.

Sure id nearly check the oil every second fill myself which is what mazda recommend yeah?

And as the OP has asked how much is the starter upgrade, as the RX8 is on my list to own.

Good to hear you're a fan

Mazda have an asking price of €600 plus VAT for the starter. Rip off! There's a company in England who manufacture their own version which is even more beefier than Mazda's one. They're looking for c. €400 for it. You can also get 2nd hand upgraded ones from forums.

The battery can be bought anywhere. Just as long as it's a 70Ah it's fine.

Atomic Pineapple

Also they take mineral oil and use it by design, mineral oil is meant to be cheaper than motor oil so the cost of keeping her topped up might not be as significant as you'd think.

The only real major off putting thing about the Rx8 is the MPG.

MetzgerMeister

draffodx wrote: »

Also they take mineral oil and use it by design, mineral oil is meant to be cheaper than motor oil so the cost of keeping her topped up might not be as significant as you'd think.

The only real major off putting thing about the Rx8 is the MPG.

Mazda first said they would use mineral oil but then reverted back to motor oil (5W30)

Vertakill

B00MSTICK wrote: »

He should hopefully be able to get classic insurance on an MX5 seeing as he's 25ish

Only if the OP keeps the Polo, and stays insured on it, and declares that the Polo is his primary car and also limits his MX5 mileage to around 6-10k a year.

It could be done, but the 'savings' of getting classic insurance compared to the costs of staying insured on the Polo and also not selling it would probably negate it.

Viper_JB

einheisserschre wrote: »

Mazda first said they would use mineral oil but then reverted back to motor oil (5W30)

Just got the oil swapped out on mine yesterday . RX8 is a great car it just requires that you keep it properly maintained, a lot of people who bad mouth it are coming from cars which can drive for years with little to no maintainence.

It's such a great car on the road though op...MX5's are great too though, you should have a test drive in both if you can..actually if you can try and test drive the majority of cars mention here. You never know what you're going to fall in love with untill you're behind the wheel.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Viper_JB wrote: »

Just got the oil swapped out on mine yesterday . RX8 is a great car it just requires that you keep it properly maintained, a lot of people who bad mouth it are coming from cars which can drive for years with little to no maintainence.

It's such a great car on the road though op...MX5's are great too though, you should have a test drive in both if you can..actually if you can try and test drive the majority of cars mention here. You never know what you're going to fall in love with untill you're behind the wheel.

Thanks for that, I'm going to test drive a few motors over the next while, but right now I'm leaning towards the RX-8 if it's financially possible come next year

MetzgerMeister

Viper_JB wrote: »

Just got the oil swapped out on mine yesterday

Did you not do it yourself? How did you get on with the gearbox/diff fluid??

Idbatterim

bmw e46 coupe, end of!

Ferris

Idbatterim wrote: »

bmw e46 coupe, end of!

End of what?

OP wants something special and a max displacement of 1800cc. There is no e46 coupe below 1.9 and that one accelerates like a supertanker. The 2L NG4 unit has 143hp and is a good engine but its not going to keep up with a TT or Rx8 like what have been mentioned.

The 6 cylinder engines are wonderful but the smallest is 2.2L and fuel consumption is going to be 25mpg which is close to Rx8 territory and you still have to pay more tax.

Jimmy Bottlehead

I probably should have said, I'm really not a fan of BMW's or Mercs, or even Saab.

Idbatterim

I would agree that the 318's prior to new 2L NG4 are very underpowered.

Viper_JB

einheisserschre wrote: »

Did you not do it yourself? How did you get on with the gearbox/diff fluid??

(Sorry for hijacking) Yup done it myself ment to say finially managed to get it out lol, tried first on sat but after an hour of trying to get the sump plug out I gave up, ended up buying a breaker bar on the sunday then done the oil on a monday plug came out really really easy with the bar. Still waiting on the fuilds for the gear box + diff fluid - know what to expect now though (oil filter was a bitch to get out though).

Anyways back to topic, glad to hear you're a fan of the rx8 op, sounds like me a year ago, I seen one for sale and realised it might be an option...then reading up on the engine...features of the car and just ended up having to get one in the end (made a few compromises to afford it lol) - it is pretty much the only production rotary engine car you can buy, pretty cheap tax for the hp you're getting too.

Glowing

MX-5! But you'll never find one as nice as mine :P

I just bought a 1.8 version 3 weeks ago and it's fab! I'm the one you'll see driving around with a stupid grin on my face Even had the top down there on Sunday!

MetzgerMeister

Viper_JB wrote: »

Anyways back to topic, glad to hear you're a fan of the rx8 op, sounds like me a year ago, I seen one for sale and realised it might be an option...then reading up on the engine...features of the car and just ended up having to get one in the end (made a few compromises to afford it lol) - it is pretty much the only production rotarty engine car you can buy, pretty cheap tax for the hp you're getting too.

At the moment, yes. As a primarily rotary-powered car yes. In the near future though as Audi have announced plans for (I think) the A1 which is going to have a battery which will be recharged by a rotor!

Audi bought out NSU years ago and this is their first time using a rotary engine for anything.

Atomic Pineapple

Viper_JB wrote: »

it is pretty much the only production rotarty engine car you can buy, pretty cheap tax for the hp you're getting too.

Only second hand in Ireland though :mad:

And in that case you can get the Rx-7 also with even more power for the same tax

MetzgerMeister

draffodx wrote: »

Only second hand in Ireland though :mad:

And in a few years, 2nd hand worldwide.

draffodx wrote: »

And in that case you can get the Rx-7 also with even more power for the same tax

And a lot of them with DIY, badly installed dodgy turbos and incorrect cooling systems which leads to zoom zoom kaboom!

Jimmy Bottlehead

Drove the 230bhp RX-8 today - mind made up!! so the saving begins!