Sports car, €6000, recommendations

shaneforde

Hi guys, couldn't remember my login details so made a new account. Looking to buy a car / project car. Have a cheap daily already. Was wondering what you would recommend. I'd preferably like something with a small engine and a turbo but will consider anything. Needs to be fast though! I'm talking 0 - 100 in <6 seconds and must corner well. Don't need the car complete until next summer and will be doing all the work myself. The car will only be used every other weekend or so, something to have a bit of fun in. Will be taking it to Mondello park for track days and the like.

Was thinking of buying a mk1 or mk2 mx5 1.6 or 1.8 and turbo charging it, would get between 200 and 250bhp, although after an exhaust, coilovers, lsd, bigger brakes and good tyres it'd cost well over the intended budget. Be cheap to tax and insure though so don't mind going over budget.

Was also looking at 350z's on DoneDeal, gorgeous cars, will defo own one eventually. €1809 road tax is mad though.

Would consider the usual S13/14/15/R32/R33 recommendation also, not many clean cars around for my budget though.

An S2000 would be gorgeous too, bit over budget though.

I was recommended a Jag XK, absolute mad yoke, if you're paying massive road tax, why not go the whole way? Wouldn't feel very confident ringing up my insurance though.

So what would you buy? Or recommend me to buy? Preferably something I can do a bit of work on myself to keep me busy, thanks, Shane

toastedpickles

shaneforde wrote: »

Hi guys, couldn't remember my login details so made a new account. Looking to buy a car / project car. Have a cheap daily already. Was wondering what you would recommend. I'd preferably like something with a small engine and a turbo but will consider anything. Needs to be fast though! I'm talking 0 - 100 in <6 seconds and must corner well. Don't need the car complete until next summer and will be doing all the work myself. The car will only be used every other weekend or so, something to have a bit of fun in. Will be taking it to Mondello park for track days and the like.

Was thinking of buying a mk1 or mk2 mx5 1.6 or 1.8 and turbo charging it, would get between 200 and 250bhp, although after an exhaust, coilovers, lsd, bigger brakes and good tyres it'd cost well over the intended budget. Be cheap to tax and insure though so don't mind going over budget.

Was also looking at 350z's on DoneDeal, gorgeous cars, will defo own one eventually. €1809 road tax is mad though.

Would consider the usual S13/14/15/R32/R33 recommendation also, not many clean cars around for my budget though.

An S2000 would be gorgeous too, bit over budget though.

I was recommended a Jag XK, absolute mad yoke, if you're paying massive road tax, why not go the whole way? Wouldn't feel very confident ringing up my insurance though.

So what would you buy? Or recommend me to buy? Preferably something I can do a bit of work on myself to keep me busy, thanks, Shane

In before someone says vrs tdi :rolleyes:

Would you consider a wrx impreza?

shaneforde

toastedpickles wrote: »

In before someone says vrs tdi :rolleyes:

Would you consider a wrx impreza?

Buddy of mine has a Fabia VRS Diesel, not bad for what it is but looking for something a bit nippier :P

An impreza, oh god yeah, haven't a clue why I didn't think of that one myself, will have a look now. Thanks

lovelyoner

You'd get an Astra OPC, TT or mk5 GTI for within budget. If you were going down the XK route, big tax wise, I'd be looking at CL500..

FreeFallin

I would consider a Mazda RX8. They're unconventional, but I have heard great things in the past from owners and motoring journalists alike.

aerofoiled

FreeFallin wrote: »

I would consider a Mazda RX8. They're unconventional, but I have heard great things in the past from owners and motoring journalists alike.

Good call on this - you could get an RX8 AND an MX5 in your budget with a bit of care.

An XK ain't no sportscar by the way...

JC01

Dc2 type R. One of the best sportscars ever built.

Otherwise probably an sti scooby the wrx are disappointingly slow.

You'd want to add a decent chunk to the budget to look at a half decent silvia/skyline their value has shot up lately along with most jap cars.

6k might buy a half decent e36 m3 but again youve the mental tax bill.

This kinda reads like my list of past and present cars and personally Id still recommend the dc2

Ferris

The rx8 is your only man here imo. Apart from the fuel economy it's cheap to buy, tax and run and with light mods it'd be well able for track work. I had one and an s14 before and while the turbo was great in the nissan the rx8 would leave it for dust.

Id buy an rx8 with a blown engine and rebuild and port it. Remap, lowering springs and decent brake pads and it would be great on a track.

vectra

Mk1 Audi TT 225 ?

Alun

shaneforde wrote: »

Was thinking of buying a mk1 or mk2 mx5 1.6 or 1.8 and turbo charging it, would get between 200 and 250bhp, although after an exhaust, coilovers, lsd, bigger brakes and good tyres it'd cost well over the intended budget. Be cheap to tax and insure though so don't mind going over budget.

I don't think so ... a stock MX-5 maybe, but put a turbo on it and I'd expect the insurance premiums to rocket. Don't even think about not telling the insurance company about it.

Patser

If motor tax is an issue Saab 9-3 aero - 210bhp on 2 litre tax. Not great in Mondello though unless modified.

Are you looking at a road legal car though, because any modified motors really get screwed insurance wise.

Z4? You'd get a 2.5 for 6k now, as a compromise between tax and performance. Fantastic looking yoke too. Alfa GT also a fantastic looking car.

Asmooh

MX5 Turbo you said a sports car so lets first define what a "sports car" is.

A sports car (sportscar) is a small, usually two seater, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling


Now look at the replies above and see who understands the term "sports car".. I have highligted them for you

toastedpickles: wrx impreza
lovelyoner: Astra OPC, TT , mk5 GTI
FreeFallin: Mazda RX8
JC01: Honda integra Dc2 type R <-- You got to be kidding me!
vectra: Audi TT
Patser: Saab 9-3 aero, Z4, Alfa GT



My choice would be, and also in this order.

MX5, Z4, TT, RX8

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Asmooh

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

there is no diesel sports car for 6k (as far as i know)

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Asmooh

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

name one?

Foxhole Norman

There's no diesel Sportscars full stop. Those two words don't go together.

commited

Seems that you're more worried about insurance than anything else. Assuming you're over 25, have you thought about classic insurance (i.e. car over 20 years old).
With that budget you could buy a pre-95 1.6 MX-5, turbo it and have enough left over to pay for tax, insurance and fuel for a few years

A 230bhp RX8 might be worth a shout but I know a few people who owned them and said they didn't feel nearly as quick as they should have. Porsche Boxster S is also worth a look if you don't mind the tax and an e46 330Ci is a fantastic car.

Don't underestimate the cost of running 2 cars, you might be better off just switching to the one car as the cost of another tax/insurance/nct/repairs etc etc can soon outweigh any fuel saving. With this thinking, you may be able to get yourself into an S2000.

JC01

Asmooh wrote: »

MX5 Turbo you said a sports car so lets first define what a "sports car" is.

A sports car (sportscar) is a small, usually two seater, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling


Now look at the replies above and see who understands the term "sports car".. I have highligted them for you

toastedpickles: wrx impreza
lovelyoner: Astra OPC, TT , mk5 GTI
FreeFallin: Mazda RX8
JC01: Honda integra Dc2 type R <-- You got to be kidding me!
vectra: Audi TT
Patser: Saab 9-3 aero, Z4, Alfa GT



My choice would be, and also in this order.

MX5, Z4, TT, RX8

How, in any world is a dc2 not a sportscar? It is the definition of a sports car; lightweight, coupe-body, powerful, bulletproof reliable, incredibly agile, snappy short gears, and most importantly very very fun.

Iv driven plenty of 350+bhp cars that couldn't give you half the lunatic smile a good dc2 can down a quiet twisty road.

Either you've never driven one or you havnt a clue what your talking about.

Asmooh

JC01 wrote:

Either you've never driven one or you havnt a clue what your talking about.

Please tell me where you 'good handling' at any FWD Honda? Only real sports car from Honda 'road legal' are the S2000 and NSX

JC01

Asmooh wrote: »

Please tell me where you 'good handling' at any FWD Honda? Only real sports car from Honda 'road legal' are the S2000 and NSX

Right you havnt driven one then.

The Integra R is fairly well regarded as one of the best handling fwd chassis ever built. Combine that with a perfectly set up lsd mated to a beutiful gearbox and you have a car that can and does out handle some serious machines. I know this because I'v done it. Iv also owned 4 jap awd cars that are legendary for there handling so I do feel like I know what I'm on about here.

Don't put down another car because of ignorance its stupid and doesn't help the OP find what he's looking for at all.

Asmooh

I agree, I haven't drive it, I drove a B18C turbo, K20, F20, D16 turbo in a civic coupe with modified suspension and many other things.

I think I have enough right of speaking

Benefit of not living in Ireland when you are tuning cars, do whatever you want and insurance will still cost you around 30-40 / month

Duke O Smiley

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

There's no diesel Sportscars full stop. Those two words don't go together.

You've obviously never been in a 115 brake Bora, lad

:pac:

JC01

Asmooh wrote: »

I agree, I haven't drive it, I drove a B18C turbo, K20, F20, D16 turbo in a civic coupe with modified suspension and many other things.

I think I have enough right of speaking

Benefit of not living in Ireland when you are tuning cars, do whatever you want and insurance will still cost you around 30-40 / month

A civic coupe is to a dc2 what an mx5 is to an rx7. Completly different cars. Don't attack my comments on a car iv owned two of when you don't know them yourself. And trust me insurance problems never stopped the die-hard car nuts in Ireland either.

I don't mean to come across like a prick it just drives me spare seeing cars put down like that when the poster doesn't know what there talking about, it doesn't help anyone.

tuxy

How does the whole custom turbo thing work for insurance?
Do you just tell them which turbo is installed or do you have to go into detail about how much psi you are running. Do you need proof or the power output or that the work was done to a high standard?

In the case of an mx5 how much could you expect to pay over a non turbo stock motor?

farna_boy

You might get an RX7 for that price although it could be a bit of a stretch.

Alternatives could be a 300zx, an older Evo or my own personal choice a camaro

Asmooh

farna_boy wrote: »

You might get an RX7 for that price although it could be a bit of a stretch.

Alternatives could be a 300zx, an older Evo or my own personal choice a camaro

Camaro in Ireland, Are you sure?

Big Nasty

Asmooh wrote: »

Camaro in Ireland, Are you sure?

There's plenty of Camaros in Ireland. Easily a few thousand classic American cars. Friend of mine used to own that car. Has a Chevelle now.

farna_boy

Asmooh wrote: »

Camaro in Ireland, Are you sure?

Click the link (or the pic), its a 1975 Camaro in Cork for 5000.

Asmooh

farna_boy wrote: »

Click the link (or the pic), its a 1975 Camaro in Cork for 5000.

i know but wont people hate you because they are using much patrol, not nature friendly, people may be even destorying the car because of it.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Big Nasty

Asmooh wrote: »

i know but wont people hate you because they are using much patrol, not nature friendly, people may be even destorying the car because of it.

You know what, the amount of pure sh1te you post is fookin unbelievable.

JohnBoy26

JC01 wrote: »

A civic coupe is to a dc2 what an mx5 is to an rx7. Completly different cars. Don't attack my comments on a car iv owned two of when you don't know them yourself. And trust me insurance problems never stopped the die-hard car nuts in Ireland either.

I don't mean to come across like a prick it just drives me spare seeing cars put down like that when the poster doesn't know what there talking about, it doesn't help anyone.

A civic coupe isn't much different at all underneath compared to a dc2 integra. A dc2 integra has pretty much the same chassis as an eg civic or an ej1/ej2 civic coupe. An ej6/ ej8/em1 civic coupe is on the newer ek chassis but all have similar suspension setups and are very similar mechanically apart from the engine.

I do agree with you though that the integra is most definitely a sports car. It has to be one of the best handling fwd cars out there and the vtec engine is sublime.

tossy

Asmooh wrote: »

Please tell me where you 'good handling' at any FWD Honda? Only real sports car from Honda 'road legal' are the S2000 and NSX

The DC2 is widely regarded as one of the best handling FWD cars ever made, they are not that comon among hairdressers though The more you post here the less of clue i'm convinced you have.

Duke O Smiley

Asmooh wrote: »

i know but wont people hate you because they are using much patrol, not nature friendly, people may be even destorying the car because of it.

This has given me actual chest pains

Tea 1000

Asmooh wrote: »

MX5 Turbo you said a sports car so lets first define what a "sports car" is.

A sports car (sportscar) is a small, usually two seater, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling


Now look at the replies above and see who understands the term "sports car".. I have highligted them for you

toastedpickles: wrx impreza
lovelyoner: Astra OPC, TT , mk5 GTI
FreeFallin: Mazda RX8
JC01: Honda integra Dc2 type R <-- You got to be kidding me!
vectra: Audi TT
Patser: Saab 9-3 aero, Z4, Alfa GT



My choice would be, and also in this order.

MX5, Z4, TT, RX8

A DC2 Type R is far more of a Sports car than an Alfa GT. And I like Alfas!

Tea 1000

Asmooh wrote: »

there is no diesel sports car for 6k (as far as i know)

Fixed.

Tea 1000

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A civic coupe isn't much different at all underneath compared to a dc2 integra. A dc2 integra has pretty much the same chassis as an eg civic or an ej1/ej2 civic coupe. An ej6/ ej8/em1 civic coupe is on the newer ek chassis but all have similar suspension setups and are very similar mechanically apart from the engine.

I do agree with you though that the integra is most definitely a sports car. It has to be one of the best handling fwd cars out there and the vtec engine is sublime.

There's no similarities in how they drive though. The Civic Coupe stock is fairly average, the DC2 Type R is anything but.

CianRyan

Does he realise that the Alfa GT is FWD?
Jesus.

So much dur in such little space.

thecomedian

I wouldn't even bother arguing about the Integra.
Anyone that's into cars knows how good it is.

I'd go for the Audi S3 ahead of a TT. The TT isn't a sports car.
A E36 M3 if you can find a decent one.
The S2000, boxster even the Mx5s are nice even if they are a bit underpowered.

tuxy

thecomedian wrote: »

A E36 M3 if you can find a decent one.
The S2000, boxster even the Mx5s are nice even if they are a bit underpowered.

Wouldn't the s2000 have about the same power to weight ratio as the m3? Hardly underpowered.

Supergurrier

Depends what you want OP

Pure 2+2 coupe etc it's hard to look past the 350z and S2000 at a stretch

Considered a Hot hatch ?

hi_im_fil

S2000 isn't a 2+2 configuration. I'd say s2000 is a good bet. Cheap maintenance, excellent handling and a brilliant engine.

thecomedian

tuxy wrote: »

Wouldn't the s2000 have about the same power to weight ratio as the m3? Hardly underpowered.

I was referring to the MX5 being underpowered.

ba_barabus

OP have you considered a Skoda Superb?

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

vectra

thecomedian wrote: »

I wouldn't even bother arguing about the Integra.
Anyone that's into cars knows how good it is.

I'd go for the Audi S3 ahead of a TT. The TT isn't a sports car.
A E36 M3 if you can find a decent one.
The S2000, boxster even the Mx5s are nice even if they are a bit underpowered.

You are correct.
It is a family saloon :pac:

Asmooh

ba_barabus wrote: »

OP have you considered a Skoda Superb?

Class Compact executive car (2001–present)

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Please tell me a passat that does 0-60 in less than 4,5 second because thats what a Ferrari kinda does.. you says it and I quote "pulls like a ferrari"

MuppetCheck

Asmooh wrote: »

Class Compact executive car (2001–present)






Please tell me a passat that does 0-60 in less than 4,5 second because thats what a Ferrari kinda does.. you says it and I quote "pulls like a ferrari"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sarcasm

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

ba_barabus

Asmooh wrote: »

Please tell me a passat that does 0-60 in less than 4,5 second because thats what a Ferrari kinda does.. you says it and I quote "pulls like a ferrari"

Not quite 4.5 but 5.4 isn't too bad

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/volkswagen/passat/r36-2008/40404/