Good sporty car for under 6k?

af_thefragile

Well I've decided I've got to get rid of my Puma sometime soon. Its sorta starting to move from passionate niggles to just plain annoying. Though it'll probably be sometime next year when I'll make the switch so apologies if this is a bit soon. I've just gotta decide if I've got to put a stop at spending money on the Puma trying to "fix" it and start saving up for something better or keep "fixing" it slowly till I finally have a spanking new Puma which I can keep for another 3 or so years before I get a job and can afford to buy a Lotus Elise!

But I am finding it fairly difficult to find a replacement for the Puma. I'ld like something with a bigger more gutsy engine and sporty. Something that'ld feel like a step up from the Puma. I was looking at BMW 3 series or something like that. Don't like MX-5, Celica and Hyundai Coupe.

So can you guys recommend me good and sporty which can last for atleast 2 years hassle free?

Mr Benevolent

Define 'sporty'.

The 3 series is not sporty unless you're looking at a 325i+. Neither is the Hyundai. I take it you're going for something under 2 litres? MX-5 really is your best bet. Have you ever driven one? It has superb handling compared to a 318i or a Puma.

Atomic Pineapple

budget? other needs? restrictions?

Integra Type R DC2 is what you want to be looking at if you can afford one and the insurance

af_thefragile

Well, I said 6000eur...

Sporty as in something that handles tight and has a lot of "feel" if you know what I mean... I don't need something very fast.

I know the MX-5 fits my recommendation perfect but I just don't like its shape very much and I'ld prefer 2 more seats... But yeah, have no restrictions. Just nothing too big and nothing "boring" like a Yaris or Fiesta or generic stuff like that...

The Integra looks good but most of them are modified and imports and all. Insurance people won't like that... I wouldn't touch anything that's been "modified" either...

bazz26

Peugeot 406 Coupe:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201043200016610

Eoin

FTO?

CR 7

Mr2 gt-s?

af_thefragile

Dunno about the Peugeot... Not gonna be my first choice but might be worth a look.

FTO is good but they're all very old and another racer/modifier favorite.

What are BMW 318i's for under 6000eur like??
There're a fair amount of them but most are high mileage... Wouldn't mind a comfy car. Good change from my buttock numbing puma...

MR-2 is an option if I can get the newer model for under my budget. Wouldn't really want anything older than 10yrs...

Cartel Mike

You'd probably might find an 05 Mg ZS with over 60,000 miles on it for 6k. Lovely cars.

Eoin

Fiat coupé?

DMG_49

Honda s2000???

af_thefragile

^I'ld love a s2000 but I don't think I can get it in my budget...

eoin wrote: »

Fiat coupé?

What's their reliability like?
I'ld like something that remains problem free for atleast 2yrs.
Actually come to think of it I might prefer getting a clean 1.7l Puma over the Fiat...

bazz26

Audi TT:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200942195499032

Ardennes1944

focus st?

ION08

Although for some reason you ruled it out, id really be looking at an 01/02 celica in your position, it's a really nice car overall.

I'd imagine the bullet proof 1.8vvti 140bhp engine would be "sporty" enough for your needs - not to mention light years ahead in reliability in comparison to a ford puma

(If the 140 doesn't get your blood pumping enough, you could go for a 190 vvtli)

Nice sporty, low slung driving position yet comfortable and wont rattle your bones (as opposed to a DC2 integra which someone suggested), also the celica looks relatively modern and doesnt have the *cough* "image problems" of an integra.

Lovely interiors and most come with leather.

Fto's are very nice cars, but they stopped producing them in '98 so are quite old at this stage and as they're all jap imports the mileage & servicing may be questionable which could lead to reliability problems

Celica is also very practical, cheap enough to tax and insure and surprisingly economical if driven sensibly.

Overall it's a pretty smart car for the money, hard to beat and covers all angles for what it is.

Good luck

jaffa20

bazz26 wrote: »

Audi TT:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200942195499032

Wow, for that price it's good value if all is working well.

Also, take a test drive in mx5 anyway. It's a great little car and you shouldn't be on here with problems every week like with the puma that's for sure.:D

_Conrad_

af_thefragile wrote: »

Wouldn't really want anything older than 10yrs...

why not? It's maintenance/ care of the car and not age or mileage that determines how long it lasts. If you wanted a car that was actually sporty to drive, in the proper sense, you could do a hell of a lot worse than a 90s MR2 turbo,the revision 3 japanese market ones have 240bhp if i'm remembering this right, and they're an actual mid engined sportscar. The newer mr2 is a limp wristed affair compared to the older ones. I'm not even a hige mr2 fan but i have to give them credit where credit is due due, the first and second generation really to fit them bill for a cheap sporty car, because they're actually designed as sportscars.


I think you need to decide if which characteristics you want more: "pretty"/flash/posh/high performance/a "young" reg plate and pick them, not try to get them all because that's too much compromise for that budget.



If looking for a fairly practical (in terms of seating 4 people, having a boot, and being able to do everyday stuff while being a genuinely fast and sharp handling car) then an E36 ('91-'99) BMW M3 fits the bill, but not if you're restricted by insurance.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1407897



Or how about an actual sportscar, made by a sportscar only manufacturer:

porsche 944
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1076726

Mr Benevolent

OP, posters here are giving sporty suggestions and you're babbling about a 318i, possibly the dullest, least sporty car you can get. I don't care if it has an M Pack or is an M Sport, it's still a Paddy spec lifeless 318i. The ONLY feature it has that distinguishes it from a Passat B5 is that it's RWD.

I might prefer getting a clean 1.7l Puma over the Fiat...

For feck's sake. A 1.7 Fiesta derivative is nothing compared to a Fiat Coupe. If you're serious about getting a sporty car you might want to wait until you can insure one. Come on man, make an effort to buy a proper car, not a bottom of the range BMW. 6k will get you a great car. It'll also get you a 2 litre repmobile. Which are you going to buy?

nothing "boring" like a Yaris or Fiesta or generic stuff like that...

A 318i is boring and generic. Every man, his dog and his dog's groomer has one.

Frankly OP I get the impression you don't have the NCD for a genuinely sporty car. I guess you've been eyeing the premiums for the cars you want and wincing. But you need to be honest with yourself. If you can't afford to tax, insure and run a truly sporty car there's no use paying dubious homage to your wishes by buying a repmobile with a stiffer suspension and a few bits of chrome stuck on.Guess what I drive? An Opel Meriva. Why? Because I'm unemployed and it's my dad's car. But feckit, it's better then wasting my money on trying to look good and getting no performance.

xp90

A D-Turbo chap!

Springs cut clean off bouncing down the road, no smoke no poke!

Ferris

200sx or s15 silvia. Have occasional back seats and are a helluva lot more fun than a 318. I find mine very comfortable.

Kev_ps3

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1529980
Slightly over your budget this one but im sure you could stretch;)

Sofiztikated

At 54,000km, you'd be looking at a clutch in the not too distant future. (I would imagine.)

Also, doesn't say if its a 192 or a 230. More than likely its the 192.

Also, yes its a 1.3 on the log book. (Its not, but anyway.) Tax is 1.8, and insurance is classed as 2.3(or 2.6, depends on the insurer.)

Jimmy Bottlehead

Sofiztikated wrote: »

At 54,000km, you'd be looking at a clutch in the not too distant future. (I would imagine.)

Also, doesn't say if its a 192 or a 230. More than likely its the 192.

Also, yes its a 1.3 on the log book. (Its not, but anyway.) Tax is 1.8, and insurance is classed as 2.3(or 2.6, depends on the insurer.)

Not heard of clutches going that early in the RX-8's?

Also, it IS a 1.3, but as it's a wankel engine it's vastly more powerful than a piston driven 1.3. You're correct at it being taxed as a 1.8 and insured as a 2.3/2.6 though.

thirtythirty

Sofiztikated wrote: »

At 54,000km, you'd be looking at a clutch in the not too distant future. (I would imagine.)

Also, doesn't say if its a 192 or a 230. More than likely its the 192.

Also, yes its a 1.3 on the log book. (Its not, but anyway.) Tax is 1.8, and insurance is classed as 2.3(or 2.6, depends on the insurer.)

Clutch? No. But i'd sure as hell wanna know what oil it's been using for those 54k km. Anything but fully non-synth and you can forget it! Rotor tips would be on the way out.

And log book says 1.3, because it is! Just twin 0.6's. But ye, taxed at 1.8 and insured as between 2 and 2.6 depending on who you go with.

Its the most sports you're gonna get for €6k though!

ION08

ION08 wrote: »

I'd imagine the bullet proof 1.8vvti 140bhp engine would be "sporty" enough for your needs - not to mention light years ahead in reliability in comparison to a ford puma

The 140bhps are far from bullet proof, they go can go through litres of oil a month, wouldn't touch one with a barge pole to be honest.

Sofiztikated

Sorry, my bad, for some reason read the 54,000km as 54,000m.

I put in the (its not, but anyway) for the not so motor savvy, as for all intents and purposes they might as well class it as a 2.3.

Still a great car.

A friend has one, and its only after getting a clutch, and now is getting an engine rebuild as it lost compression somewhere, but I might have a look at that blue one myself, out of curiosity.

thirtythirty

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Sorry, my bad, for some reason read the 54,000km as 54,000m.

I put in the (its not, but anyway) for the not so motor savvy, as for all intents and purposes they might as well class it as a 2.3.

Still a great car.

A friend has one, and its only after getting a clutch, and now is getting an engine rebuild as it lost compression somewhere, but I might have a look at that blue one myself, out of curiosity.

Don't wanna hi-jack the thread so this is the last thing I'll say about it - I have an rx 8 and absolutely love it. I'd highly recommend one. BUT beware of the cheap ones currently flooding carzone and the likes - most of them will be people flogging them before the engine packs in due to poor care, and resulting low compression (like your mate's).

If you do decide to go for a cheap one, just be sure to check the engine's health first!

ottostreet

af_thefragile wrote: »

Dunno about the Peugeot... Not gonna be my first choice but might be worth a look.

FTO is good but they're all very old and another racer/modifier favorite.

What are BMW 318i's for under 6000eur like??
There're a fair amount of them but most are high mileage... Wouldn't mind a comfy car. Good change from my buttock numbing puma...

MR-2 is an option if I can get the newer model for under my budget. Wouldn't really want anything older than 10yrs...

Old...yes. But racer/modifier? It's one of the most difficult cars to insure in the country, so the people who generally have one...REALLY wanted one. If you look on donedeal right now, there is nine FTOs for sale on the 1st page. 8 are as standard, except maybe for alloys. Only one is 'modified' and that has a Veilside kit, which is a very expensive kit for that car!

An FTO would suit ya fine IMO. Quick, without being too fast. Looks a bit 'Puma' like, but less feminine. Is well below your budget, so you can pay the insurance handy. They are reliable.

FTO

What's wrong with that? I'm just disappointed cos I had to sell mine

Confab

Confab wrote: »

OP, posters here are giving sporty suggestions and you're babbling about a 318i, possibly the dullest, least sporty car you can get. I don't care if it has an M Pack or is an M Sport, it's still a Paddy spec lifeless 318i. The ONLY feature it has that distinguishes it from a Passat B5 is that it's RWD.



For feck's sake. A 1.7 Fiesta derivative is nothing compared to a Fiat Coupe. If you're serious about getting a sporty car you might want to wait until you can insure one. Come on man, make an effort to buy a proper car, not a bottom of the range BMW. 6k will get you a great car. It'll also get you a 2 litre repmobile. Which are you going to buy?



A 318i is boring and generic. Every man, his dog and his dog's groomer has one.

Frankly OP I get the impression you don't have the NCD for a genuinely sporty car. I guess you've been eyeing the premiums for the cars you want and wincing. But you need to be honest with yourself. If you can't afford to tax, insure and run a truly sporty car there's no use paying dubious homage to your wishes by buying a repmobile with a stiffer suspension and a few bits of chrome stuck on.Guess what I drive? An Opel Meriva. Why? Because I'm unemployed and it's my dad's car. But feckit, it's better then wasting my money on trying to look good and getting no performance.

A 318ci is not a bad car at all for someone who cannot insure something more powerful. It may not be the most powerful but with nice wheels, leather etc they are a very nice place to be and look very good.

I bought one as I couldn't afford to insure more powerful stuff at the time and I'm very happy driving it for the last three years, there is a hell of a lot of more boring things you could be driving.

Henry Ford III

Keep the Puma and get it fixed up right. Try to avoid kerbs etc.

farna_boy

Seat Leon Cupra?

af_thefragile

Cheers for the recommendations.

I know the MX5 is a brilliant car but I just find it a little girly (I know I drive a puma!) and I'ld prefer 2 more seats as I like to drive around with my mates occasionally...

Bout the FTO, its a good car but its a bit old so its not gonna be my first choice.
The Celica sounds good. I'll consider that on my list.

The Audi TT is brilliant but I don't know if I can get a clean one within my budget.
Same with RX8, its awesome and a car I'ld love to own but I'm not sure if I can afford it.

About the BMW, I know its very common and I myself quite dislike it but its still a nice place to be and the 318ci looks kinda sporty. I do a fair amount of motorway miles and so I like the thought of just cruising back home in a comfy BMW after a long day at college...
I wouldn't be able to afford a M3 right now. A few more years before I can build up my no claims bonus and maybe have to job to afford the high tax. Though then I'ld get a Lotus Elise instead!

I wouldn't mind a hot hatch if I can get a good clean one in my budget.

I like the way the new MR2 looks and like I don't want anything mad sporty. I find my 1.4l Puma enough sporty for me and love the way it handles and feels (if it was just not all broken!!). I just want something that'ld feel like a step-up from the Puma rather than a step-down. Something that's slightly faster and slightly more powerful while at the same time have the handling characteristics and feel that my Puma gives...

Fixing the Puma is an option. As for 6000eur I can surely get my Puma fixed to like new. Only thing is I'ld like to replace the 1.4l engine with the 1.6l Sigma engine they use in Caterhams, would probably need to strengthen and lower the suspension as well. That would probably deem my Puma modified and the insurance people will not like that...
And also after spending 6000eur on a Puma, I'm not sure how much I could get back in return if I decide to sell it... Which is why I'm considering selling it while its still working!

TestTransmission

How much have you budgeted per year for tax,insurance,maintenance?

What's your age, profile , NCD,etc ?

af_thefragile

TestTransmission wrote: »

How much have you budgeted per year for tax,insurance,maintenance?

What's your age, profile , NCD,etc ?

I could do with a 2l car I'ld say for tax. Like I'ld like tax + Insurance to be within 2000-2500eur.

About maintenance, I'm already spending bucket loads on my Puma so I really doubt I'ld be paying as much on another car. My 1.4l engine has been doing only around 30mpg and if I put my foot down, even less. Plus all the little fixes and all that keep turning up for it. So I could easily manage maintaining a 2l car as long as its clean!

I'm 23, full license, next year I should hopefully have my 1yr NCB (4 months to go, fingers crossed!!).

Anan1

A 318Ci is a housewife's car dressed up to appeal to IT nerds. Completely and utterly ballless. If it was a cigarette it'd be a Silk Cut Ultra.

OP - I seem to recall telling you not to buy that Puma in the first place. Would you sell it and buy a properly maintained 1.7? Failing that, i'd be looking at an MX-5, an Alfa GTV or a FIAT Coupé.

johnos1984

Octavia VRS.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1619936

Alf do you mind me asking do you drive your cars hard? If so I wouldn't go buying any 'delicate' cars such as the Fiat (which I love) otherwise you will end up spending a fortune in repairs again. Kerb one of them and you will know how expensive bills can get.

af_thefragile

^I do drive my Puma fairly hard. Or atleast I used to till I hit the kerb and screwed up its wheels... Though now I'm much more careful while driving and don't hit things anymore. You learn through experience!!

Anan1 wrote: »

A 318Ci is a housewife's car dressed up to appeal to IT nerds. Completely and utterly ballless. If it was a cigarette it'd be a Silk Cut Ultra.

OP - I seem to recall telling you not to buy that Puma in the first place. Would you sell it and buy a properly maintained 1.7? Failing that, i'd be looking at an MX-5, an Alfa GTV or a FIAT Coupé.

Well back then the choice was either that Puma or a Panda or Yaris. I don't regret buying the Puma. Its a brilliant car to drive. Also in a way its a brilliant first car as I got it fairly cheap and banged it a few times by hitting kerbs, scraping bumpers of walls and such. If it was a shiny new car, I'ld be very pissed off but as its a broken old puma, it really doesn't matter much.

If I find a properly maintained and clean 1.7l Puma, I'ld very seriously consider selling my Puma for that. Though I'm not sure if high mileage 1.7l engines are reliably as they're VCT so a bit more complicated and therefore more that could go wrong. A clean 1.6l one could do aswell though its not as gutsy as the 1.7l one... From what I've learnt about the Puma, if they don't have a proper full service history, they're not worth buying unless you wanna spend good loads in repairs...

Atomic Pineapple

Would a MK I Focus ST interest you?

junkyarddog

RoverJames wrote: »

The 140bhps are far from bullet proof, they go can go through litres of oil a month, wouldn't touch one with a barge pole to be honest.

Have to agree on the 140 bhp celica,they have an "oil absorbsion problem"
as Toyota calls it:rolleyes:,but I've owned a '01 190bhp VVTLI for the last 2 and a half years and it's been very reliable,using little or no oil between services.
It's just passed 73k and it's still going strong,was thinking of replacing it,but think I'll hold onto it for another while:D
So yes I'd recommend a Celica,just not a 140bhp one.

Fishtits

A 318Ci is a housewife's car dressed up to appeal to IT nerds. Completely and utterly ballless. If it was a cigarette it'd be a Silk Cut Ultra.

OP - I seem to recall telling you not to buy that Puma in the first place. Would you sell it and buy a properly maintained 1.7? Failing that, i'd be looking at an MX-5, an Alfa GTV or a FIAT Coupé.

Firstly, I smoke Silk Cut Ultra and there's nowt wrong wiv 'em.

Secondly, anyone that considers a 318Ci a "Housewifes car" has either:

1) Never driven one; or
2) Doesn't know how to drive one; or
3) Doesn't understand that pleasure can be had at less than 200 BHP.

I've had the pleasure of driving one of these (an '04) on and off recently, as a change from my usual transport (525i). Its a go kart. It won't give you whiplash, it won't do 200 MPH, etc etc but its a fantastic drive. IMHO.

If you can live with it being a two door then go for it. Get a decent one, reasonable mileage/history etc. They're not burdened by excessive electronic issues, mechanicals are proven and reasonably economical to boot. If you get a good one it you may find that you'll have it in ten years time.

I've had an MX5 - sweet but small & noisy, a Coupe Fiat (2.0) fantastic handler but prone to stupid breakdowns. I've driven a Puma, didn't like it TBH... reminded me of an airplane simulator...

The purest handling car of them all IMHO was the original Mini, followed a close second by the Alfasud.

Esel

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Keep the Puma and get it fixed up right. Try to avoid kerbs etc.

Ah here! I'm sure I speak for most regular posters here when I say that the demise of this Puma is the best news in ages.

Zubeneschamali

af_thefragile wrote: »

I got it fairly cheap and banged it a few times by hitting kerbs, scraping bumpers of walls and such.

Make the nasty man stop!

cp9a

If your looking for a sporty car with back seat's buy an mitsubishi evo. It'l stick to the road and u'l have bag's of power.

EPM

cp9a wrote: »

If your looking for a sporty car with back seat's buy an mitsubishi evo. It'l stick to the road and u'l have bag's of power.

I think an Evo is the last thing the OP needs. Think of the carnage then!

johnos1984

OP I really think you need to go back to the drawing board on this.

Unless you are willing to fork out a wad of cash on insurance and tax most of the cars mentioned will be too expensive for you to run even with your 12months NCB. Add in high running cost for some of the cars, an EVO has to be properly serviced every couple of thousand miles for example and you will quickly be broke.

What do you want exactly? A nice handling car, lots of power, style or a nice badge?

Add to that the fact you admit your not the most gentle of drivers.....a few pillars and kerbs have already been connected with in the Puma which is relatively small and low powered and from reading your MPG figures I'd say you have a pretty heavy right foot.

There are too many cars which fall under the category of 'sporty' for us to give you an informed choice. I've already listed an Octavia, you could get a nice MK4 GTI, or if you are willing to import a Fiesta ST but all will have high running costs for you given your budget. As in half you budget will disappear into insurance and tax and a service, if not more

shogunpower

i give you....
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1667119

Zubeneschamali

shogunpower wrote: »

i give you....
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1667119

Nice.

I'd say a Donegal Type-R would be at risk from, erm, unintentional suspension modifications, and I'd have someone look at it on a ramp before buying.

Henry Ford III

esel wrote: »

Ah here! I'm sure I speak for most regular posters here when I say that the demise of this Puma is the best news in ages.

Think more laterally esel.

If Af gets another car we'll be inundated with new thread after new thread on everything from insurance, imaginary repairs, accidents, blablabla..................;)

Zubeneschamali

Henry Ford III wrote: »

If Af gets another car...

Close up pictures of that nice Type R with kerbed alloys, busted rear lights, gouged bumpers and blue paint ground into a skelp on the passenger-side rear 3/4 panel...

shogunpower

well theres loads on donedeal ranging from 4200 to 8000, that was the first one that came up, IT ALSO SAYS NO MODIFICATIONS.so you should get a tidy one for 6k. 212bhp 35-40mpg if driven easy, low maintanance cost(relitevly to power output/liter).handles like a goat cart. what more could ya want op? it suits you to the ground IMO.

Mr Benevolent

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Close up pictures of that nice Type R with kerbed alloys, busted rear lights, gouged bumpers and blue paint ground into a skelp on the passenger-side rear 3/4 panel...

Yup, the idea behind 'buy to bump 'n scratch' never struck me as sensible. Creates all sort of bad habits.

shogunpower wrote: »

well theres loads on donedeal ranging from 4200 to 8000, that was the first one that came up, IT ALSO SAYS NO MODIFICATIONS.so you should get a tidy one for 6k. 212bhp 35-40mpg if driven easy, low maintanance cost(relitevly to power output/liter).handles like a goat cart. what more could ya want op? it suits you to the ground IMO.

He'd never be able to insure it with 1 year's NCB. And goat carts don't handle very well