Help me buy a weekend car please!

James Bond Junior

Ok good men and women of the motors forum, I need your advice. I'm barrelling toward the big 3-0 in a couple of months and I've decided I'm going to buy a weekend car. Call it an early onset middle crisis if one will. I have a lockable garage so dry storage isn't an issue, I have maybe 3k to spend so not a huge amount but should easily get something.
Criteria are petrol, RWD and fun. I'm thinking a e36 coupe/cabrio or even an e46 cabrio but open to other suggestions. I also love the look of the e34. Ideally something that will likely rise in value as the years pass.

What have ye got!?

colm_mcm

MX5

[/THREAD]

James Bond Junior

I've fallen in love.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-e36-convertible-m-sport/14989606

Blazer

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I've fallen in love.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-e36-convertible-m-sport/14989606

Audi TT maybe?

Dartz

Rx8.

A good one is a sublime drive. And it'll do regular car **** to.

A real analogue feeling car.

James Bond Junior

Blazer wrote: »

Audi TT maybe?

TT not a bad idea. Rx8 is a left field choice for me, not a jap fan, but I'd be afraid of big repair bills.

colm_mcm

They're all a bit refined for a weekend car!

James Bond Junior

I just text about the 323i.

Nekarsulm

Honda S2000?

James Bond Junior

Not a hope on my budget of an s2000. Would love one though.

Atlantic Dawn

With the insurance on a 2nd car pain in the hole element would it not be better to go the whole hog and get rid of your during the week car and buy a beast like a LS430, S Class etc instead?

James Bond Junior

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

With the insurance on a 2nd car pain in the hole element would it not be better to go the whole hog and get rid of your during the week car and buy a beast like a LS430, S Class etc instead?

I have a volvo s60 so my lazy cruiser needs are already met. I was thinking a few years ago of buying a 7er and LPGing it. I want something reasonably sporty and a thing I can go out to the shed and just stare at if that makes sense!?

Tigger

colm_mcm wrote: »

MX5

[/THREAD]

i have a mint 00 mx5 1.6
tomorrow is the weekend
i cant think of any car i like better to drive
it isnt the fastest car i have
my mapped 2.3 turbo petrol cx-7 is nearly 300 bhp but what it does is fly along feeling like you arent going fast
the mx5 is an involving fun drive

Tigger

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Honda S2000?

the only choice if you dont like the mx5
faster car but is fst what we want or is a fun drive what we want in a weekend car

James Bond Junior

I drove an mx5 down in Kerry a few years ago and loved it but I think I want something more powerful.

bazz26

BMW Z4:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-z4/15060489

James Bond Junior

bazz26 wrote: »

BMW Z4:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-z4/15060489

Showing as ownership transferred on 08/03/17. I'd say he is a bit of a part time trader. Might have a look anyway.

wally1990

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Showing as ownership transferred on 08/03/17. I'd say he is a bit of a part time trader. Might have a look anyway.

Would love that nice car

InTheTrees

I think a weekend car needs to be older and easier to work on than some of these suggestions so far.

Porsche 944

Uncomplicated. Reliable. And prices are starting to creep upwards. You can probably find one in most price ranges.

goochy

A z4 is a woman's car anda poor Beemer . Surely you should go for late 80s classic ? You don't want a weekend car loosing money and paying high road tax ?

James Bond Junior

goochy wrote: »

A z4 is a woman's car anda poor Beemer . Surely you should go for late 80s classic ? You don't want a weekend car loosing money and paying high road tax ?

I've rang about the 323i. Going to arrange somebody to look at it during the week as I'm out of the country.

Edit: that 323i will be 20 years old next year. A 6cylinder BMW in M sport should only appreciate in my opinion. Probably won't appreciate like an e30 will but I can't see it losing too much once it is minded. I'll probably SORN it and drive during the summer really, thread should really read a summer car.

colm_mcm

Woman's car.... It's not like it's a Micra CC in pink.

James Bond Junior

colm_mcm wrote: »

Woman's car.... It's not like it's a Micra CC in pink.

If my budget was a (good) bit higher it would be a Z4 3.0si coupe hands down. The 323i is owned by a guy whom bought it for the same reasons I want it and has his eye on something new. Says it's totally original, has tonnes of receipts and only a tiny bit of surface rust around a moulding on the passenger door. What would one need to budget to get it waxoiled underneath? Anybody know the car by any chance?

bazz26

goochy wrote: »

A z4 is a woman's car anda poor Beemer . Surely you should go for late 80s classic ? You don't want a weekend car loosing money and paying high road tax ?

Simply nonsense.

Blazer

goochy wrote: »

A z4 is a woman's car anda poor Beemer . Surely you should go for late 80s classic ? You don't want a weekend car loosing money and paying high road tax ?

You've obviously never driven one. They're a great car to drive.
I drive a f10 5 series myself but would love an Audi TT.
Get a Quattro one with 225hp and road tax is still only €600 or so thanks to the 1.8 engine. You can't go wrong with that in my opinion.
The z4 is equally as good but tax is at least €500 more.

James Bond Junior

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I've fallen in love.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-e36-convertible-m-sport/14989606

After half deciding in my head this was the car for me once it was clean I realised it was an auto. Am I wrong for it to be a deal breaker?

James Bond Junior

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I've fallen in love.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-e36-convertible-m-sport/14989606

I'd sooner a Z3 or a Z4.............. do it properly if at all !!!
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-z4-3-0-cabrio-roadster/14609185

InTheTrees

James Bond Junior wrote: »

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I've fallen in love.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-323i-e36-convertible-m-sport/14989606

After half deciding in my head this was the car for me once it was clean I realised it was an auto. Am I wrong for it to be a deal breaker?

Auto? Eugh. It would be for me.

James Bond Junior

InTheTrees wrote: »

Auto? Eugh. It would be for me.

Definitely, a summer/weekend car has to be manual, no questions asked.

James Bond Junior

There is this but I don't like the aftermarket wheels. Manual, less mileage, Irish car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-i/15138955

selectamatic

There's a ridiculously cheap 2006 mx5 posted over in the bangernomics thread that'd be worth a look.

everlast75

selectamatic wrote: »

There's a ridiculously cheap 2006 mx5 posted over in the bangernomics thread that'd be worth a look.

Won't win "salesman of the year" with that advert...

colm_mcm

Thar was suspiciously cheap.

Blazer

James Bond Junior wrote: »

There is this but I don't like the aftermarket wheels. Manual, less mileage, Irish car.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-i/15138955

I'd pick the Z4 over it. You should try and get a spin in one.

James Bond Junior

I'm heading away in the morning for some sun so I'll have to wait until I come back. The z4 is a good idea but I reckon something in the mid to late nineties might be better from a maintenance point of view i.e. Less electrics etc. At what age does classic tax kick in, 25 years or 30 years? Did a search and found two answers.

everlast75

everlast75 wrote: »

Won't win "salesman of the year" with that advert...

Aaaand it's gone

noelf

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I just text about the 323i.

I had one a few years back make sure nikasil/alusil problems were sorted my car was using a lot of oil .. loved it though

James Bond Junior

noelf wrote: »

I had one a few years back make sure nikasil/alusil problems were sorted my car was using a lot of oil .. loved it though

There was a recall on those am I right?

noelf

That's right but the work wasn't done on the one I bought up in Newry .. As you know James E30's are going mad money now .. E36 are still a bit of a bargain and if you can get a good one just maybe it will follow suit..

James Bond Junior

noelf wrote: »

That's right but the work wasn't done on the one I bought up in Newry .. As you know James E30's are going mad money now .. E36 are still a bit of a bargain and if you can get a good one just maybe it will will follow suit..

Don't talk to me about e30's. I had a 100% clean factory red 318is with beige leather fall into my lap in 2011 that I could have bought for €1500 and I said no. Clean e36 323i and 328i are starting to really climb in value in the uk so I think they are a no brainer.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-328i-sport-auto/14854748

Veloce

Is there a max engine size / tax band to be considered?

CountingCrows

Veloce wrote: »

Is there a max engine size / tax band to be considered?

OP has 3k to spend so guessing 2.0ltr, €710 on old CC system, would be the limit.

James Bond Junior

CountingCrows wrote: »

OP has 3k to spend so guessing 2.0ltr, €710 on old CC system, would be the limit.

Limit would 2.5, 3 at a push. I've access to a trade plate if I'm stuck..

Nekarsulm

Pity the limit is 3k, as this would be a lovely little toy.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/fiat-barchetta-left-hand-drive/11854837

But staying Italian, and within budget, how about a Spider?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-spider/14912240

Blazer

Audi TT..not sure if its the 225hp one though, just NCt'ed as well

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-tt-quattro-1-8-turbo-just-passed-nct/14876795

another one that seems very well looked after ..new engine only 30k ago etc.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-tt-coup-eacute-2002-1-8t-225-bhp-114k-miles-fsh-bla/14908430

James Bond Junior

Having talked it through with the missus, it was her idea for me to get something as it happens, I've decided on an e36 Bmw. A 323i ideally or a 328i if one pops up. I think I'll wait for the price of z4's to drop further and pick one up in a few years. Why not start a small collection, dry storage won't be an issue thankfully.

James Bond Junior

Guess who is going to look at something in the morning? Money is sorted, insurance priced, the garage measured to double check it will fit ok, once it's clean I'll hopefully be driving something nice for the summer...

drunkmonkey

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Guess who is going to look at something in the morning? Money is sorted, insurance priced, the garage measured to double check it will fit ok, once it's clean I'll hopefully be driving something nice for the summer...

If it's an e36 I'm guessing it's this one https://www.donedeal.ie/view/15138955
BMW 3 Series I

I've had an e36 and e46 convertible, looking for a weekend one myself but will go for an 88/89 325i msport convertible when a straight one comes up just for the cheap tax.

James Bond Junior

drunkmonkey wrote: »

If it's an e36 I'm guessing it's this one https://www.donedeal.ie/view/15138955
BMW 3 Series I

I've had an e36 and e46 convertible, looking for a weekend one myself but will go for an 88/89 325i msport convertible when a straight one comes up just for the cheap tax.

And first prize is 1 night in termonfeckin, 2nd prize 2 nights! Ya that's the one!

drunkmonkey

Looks like a well minded one and has the hard top as well, sweet car for very little money. Tax is my only gripe with it.

James Bond Junior

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Looks like a well minded one and has the hard top as well, sweet car for very little money. Tax is my only gripe with it.

I have a 2.4 Volvo at 305 a quarter and this is the same so I'll just sorn the volvo for 3 months so it won't really cost me anything extra. Fingers crossed it will be right.