Cheap sporty runabout

jozi

I might be on the lookout for a daily over the next few weeks, something cheap but decent looking and not to slow.

Was looking at e36 318iS' (missed out on a lovely one :mad: ) and just noticed toyota celica's are pretty cheap as well.

What other nice cars is there for around or under 1500 quid? I know neither above would set any speed records but they aren't the slowest either and look nice/sporty.

Noccy_Mondy

Mg Zr have it on the sporty look front anyway, not so sure about anything else!

davycc

jozi wrote: »

I might be on the lookout for a daily over the next few weeks, something cheap but decent looking and not to slow.

Was looking at e36 318iS' (missed out on a lovely one :mad: ) and just noticed toyota celica's are pretty cheap as well.

What other nice cars is there for around or under 1500 quid? I know neither above would set any speed records but they aren't the slowest either and look nice/sporty.

i was looking at 318is and celicas myself and in the end went for a Suzui Ignis Sport have it a few weeks and delighted with it some amount of fun for the money:D:D

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-ignis-sport/6588992

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/suzuki-ignis-sports-hatchback/6532358

Red Kev

MX-5 . Plenty of them for sale for around that price.

Ferris

Peugeot 106 GTi (no price but generally a good one is 1500quid)

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/gti-106/6577718

A mate had a 106gti and swapped for an e36 318is and never forgave himself.

2k would buy you a Clio 172 which is a proper weapon.

Other than that a Toyota Levin would be about 1500 too.

bazz26

You would pick up a MkI Octavia vRS or MK IV Golf GTi on that budget, not sure if they would be described as fun in the corners but would be quick enough in a straight line.

jozi

Thank all for the suggestions. Looking at them, maybe it's not so much sporty I'm after but more of a comfortable capable cruiser which isnt lacking in poke.

I have the E30 (m52 2.8) for fun/spirited driving. I'd have another E30 but the E36's are cheaper and a better car for day to day stuff (even e46's can be got for less).

bazz26

To get a decent poke E46 of that vintage then you need to be looking at 325i. The 318i/320i were nothing to write home about imo.

What about a E39 5 Series?

jozi

How does the e46 compare with a e36 318iS? Have never driven an iS but I had a m42 in the E30 touring for awhile and I thought it was grand for day to day use.

I've seen lots of e39's within my budget but I'm not sure I'd want one. What are they like, the smaller engined ones that is? I think anything under 2L would be best, which seems small for a big 5 series.

bazz26

The E36 318iS had 141bhp whereas the E46 318i up to the facelift in 2001 only had 118bhp. The E46 is a notably heavier car too. Smallest E39 is 2.0 litre with 150bhp upto 2001.

Ferris

The brother had an e39 with the 2.2 engine in it. Nice car but definetly a cruiser. Could make reasonable progress but needed to be worked hard. i'd imagine the 2L is even worse. In saying all that he sold a '01 model in good nick for 500quid which was a steal.

Sporty cruiser with an engine less than 2L screams turbo to me btw. What about something with the VAG 1.8T engine in it. Passat, A4, A6 etc. I always liked the passats my da had with that engine in it. they were quick, comfortable and reasonably economical.

Volvo or Saab with the 2L turbo engines also could suit.