Weekend car suggestions

CIP4

As some of you may know was thinking of changing my A4 but being honest can't bring myself to part with it. So had a mad thought this evening about potentially getting a weekend car. Now there would be a certain amount of logistics I would need to work out as I don't have space at home for a second car but could work something out also not sure how Insurance would work that could make it quite expensive.

I do like the idea a lot having my reliable daily and then have a car for the weekends as a bit of fun but if it breaks down its not the end of the world as I am not dependent on it.

But anyway would be interested to hear recommendations from people. Some requirements I would have

-Must be petrol engined ideally minimum of 200bhp
-Ideally around the 10 year old mark as don't want something that feels really dated
-Budget flexible enough but lets say around the 10K mark

Two cars I spotted from a quick search to get the ball rolling kind of in love with the S5 a bit :pac:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-s5-v8/21548261

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-renault-clio-2-0-sport-cup-197-bhp-only-57k/21515273

bazz26

OP, have you got any insure quotes on that S5? Also are you prepared for the maintenance costs associated with it?

CIP4

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, have you got any insure quotes on that S5? Also are you prepared for the maintenance costs associated with it?

Be grand get the car first worry about them finer details after :pac:

Ah no I know the insurance won’t be cheap max tax is around 2k which I would be ok with. Maintenance probably only do 5k km a year in it and would do some of the work myself so would deal with that cost.

HBC08

CIP4 wrote: »

As some of you may know was thinking of changing my A4 but being honest can't bring myself to part with it. So had a mad thought this evening about potentially getting a weekend car. Now there would be a certain amount of logistics I would need to work out as I don't have space at home for a second car but could work something out also not sure how Insurance would work that could make it quite expensive.

I do like the idea a lot having my reliable daily and then have a car for the weekends as a bit of fun but if it breaks down its not the end of the world as I am not dependent on it.

But anyway would be interested to hear recommendations from people. Some requirements I would have

-Must be petrol engined ideally minimum of 200bhp
-Ideally around the 10 year old mark as don't want something that feels really dated
-Budget flexible enough but lets say around the 10K mark

Two cars I spotted from a quick search to get the ball rolling kind of in love with the S5 a bit :pac:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-s5-v8/21548261

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2009-renault-clio-2-0-sport-cup-197-bhp-only-57k/21515273

That two very different looking cars!
You're committed to getting robbers on tax before you have to deal with any maintenance costs but I'm sure you know this.

vintagevrs

CIP4 wrote: »

Be grand get the car first worry about them finer details after :pac:

Ah no I know the insurance won’t be cheap max tax is around 2k which I would be ok with. Maintenance probably only do 5k km a year in it and would do some of the work myself so would deal with that cost.

On a 2nd car most companies will not recognise your NCB so that S5 would probably cost you 5k a year before you even start it. NCTs, tyres running costs etc etc to drive a big lump of a car at the weekend.... I don't get it. You already have an A4. If you want an S4 or S5 then sell the A4 and get one. Running one as a weekend car will be massive money per mile, better value if it's your daily.

CIP4

vintagevrs wrote: »

On a 2nd car most companies will not recognise your NCB so that S5 would probably cost you 5k a year before you even start it. NCTs, tyres running costs etc etc to drive a big lump of a car at the weekend.... I don't get it. You already have an A4. If you want an S4 or S5 then sell the A4 and get one. Running one as a weekend car will be massive money per mile, better value if it's your daily.

Actually had a similar 5K in my head alright. But I do about 30k km per year not going to drive a v8 S5 that for two reasons firstly it probably does 20mpg so the fuel cost would be huge secondly cars like that are not designed for that kind of going and would prove to be unreliable under them conditions.

I have become very use to the refinement and comfort my A4 offers as well as the reliability I can get into it for a 5 hour trip and know it will get me there. I wouldn’t be prepared to drive a 10 yo performance car like an S5 as a daily driver. Really just looking for something I can have a bit of fun in and after that leave it to one side.

John_Rambo

The Clio Cup!!!! I had one, they're such good fun. We're considering a Fiat 500 Abarth in a couple of years if there's any room in the stable and if Brexit doesn't screw up UK imports.


That's a cracking budget at 10K


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903256267437?make=MAZDA&sort=sponsored&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=ll651dq&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&price-from=7000&model=MX-5&price-to=8500&page=1

Time

I just took a look at done deal for "v8" and V6 with a max price of 15k and found some decent models, like Jaguar XK, Maserati Quatroporte (although i'd be wary of the gearbox in that), M3, 370z (i used to have a 350z and it was a fantastic car) Merc SL 350 etc.. You'd probably pick up a TTS within your budget too.

bazz26

Paying an annual bill of around 5k for insurance and 2k for motor tax on a car only being used 2 days a week seems crazy to me. And that's before you even turn the key. Also do you have somewhere to store this car during the week or during the winter months?

If it were me I'd look at something with lower running costs to begin with such as an Audi TT, S3, etc. Something with lower running costs but will still give you that weekend car smile.

kerten

I know petrol and v8 is fun. But if you are doing 30k per year and spend lots of time in your car, why don't you go for a 6 cylinder larger diesel in next class. 530/535d, A6 3.0tdi quattro, etc.


Better refinement, better performance, fuel cost a little bit higher and you will use it 7 days a week without any hassle of second car.

If you are after lighter stuff to chuck around like the clio you shared, that I understand the need for second car.

Toyotafanboi

Yeah, this is a category where you dont need to spend much to have fun. Buying that S5 would be 'nanas. Unless you're well into a 6 figure salary, €20k ish up front to get a weekend car on the road is mental, IMO anyway.

Get a Mk1 TT or an E36 323i or a Mk2 Toyota MR2, Clio 182 or something like that. You'd buy an ok example of any of those for €2-3k, €600-1k for a years road tax, sfa on maintenance and csm be insured on a classic policy for <€500.

€4k ish and you're comfortably into a decent weekend car, on the road. Any of those cars will feel like it goes like sh1te off a shovel compared to what you're used to and you'll enjoy their character, you wont be too upset if anything happens to them and you wont be afraid to have a crack at DIY maintenance.

Alanstrainor

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, this is a category where you dont need to spend much to have fun. Buying that S5 would be 'nanas. Unless you're well into a 6 figure salary, €20k ish up front to get a weekend car on the road is mental, IMO anyway.

Get a Mk1 TT or an E36 323i or a Mk2 Toyota MR2, Clio 182 or something like that. You'd buy an ok example of any of those for €2-3k, €600-1k for a years road tax, sfa on maintenance and csm be insured on a classic policy for <€500.

€4k ish and you're comfortably into a decent weekend car, on the road. Any of those cars will feel like it goes like sh1te off a shovel compared to what you're used to and you'll enjoy their character, you wont be too upset if anything happens to them and you wont be afraid to have a crack at DIY maintenance.

Completely agree here. The sums just don't add up. i mean, these types of purchases tend to not fully add up in terms of finances, but to bleed 5k per annum (at very least)on a weekend car, that realistically won't be used 52 weekends in a year is madness.

Those options above, or various hot hatches could be massive fun for not too much money. With plenty of potential for modding.

I mean the other side is to replace the daily with something more fun, and use your combined budget for your weekend car + whatever you get for your daily into something more fun. There's got to be plenty of options to fit the bill there.

But just to answer the original post. It's got to be the Clio, all day long.

Wailin

You'll have serious issues getting insurance. I struggled with a suzuki jimny ffs and I'm driving 21 yrs with no claims. Your ncb won't count so you'll be starting fresh, and 90% of insurance companies want at least 1 years ncb before even offering a quote. Don't spend 10k plus on a car before you iron out the "finer (important)" details.

James Bond Junior

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057727020

Have a read of this. No point in buying something if you can't get classic insurance on it. I don't regret for a second buying it, but don't underestimate the price of having a second older car and getting/keeping it right. They are a constant drain of money because there is always something to be spending money on either in preventative maintenance or things breaking by themselves or wear and tear. Do it but be prepared for a constant financial drain and be sure to buy something you WANT and are willing to commit to for the forseeable future.

If you are parking in a safe place and on private property and are only driving it now and again you could put it in someone else's name and drive it using your driving other cars extension so that you don't have to insure it. Likely a more appealing option for the cheap weekend car options though than an expansive one due to the lack of comprehensive insurance.

Many will complain about the suggestion but plenty of people are at it and its not illegal once you don't own the car (and lets face it owning means you are the person named on the VLC).

CIP4

CIP4 wrote: »

.............. 5k km a year in it and would do some of the work myself so would deal with that cost.

There's a lot can go wrong with an S5, I don't think when folk refer to maintenance they're on about an oil change and a set of pads every now and then tbh.

Without space for a second car I'd see the idea as a total non runner tbh.
The s5 taxed and insured would require the guts of €20k too ......... that's a significant wad of cash regardless of how well paid you are

Interslice

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, this is a category where you dont need to spend much to have fun. Buying that S5 would be 'nanas. Unless you're well into a 6 figure salary, €20k ish up front to get a weekend car on the road is mental, IMO anyway.

Get a Mk1 TT or an E36 323i or a Mk2 Toyota MR2, Clio 182 or something like that. You'd buy an ok example of any of those for €2-3k, €600-1k for a years road tax, sfa on maintenance and csm be insured on a classic policy for <€500.

€4k ish and you're comfortably into a decent weekend car, on the road. Any of those cars will feel like it goes like sh1te off a shovel compared to what you're used to and you'll enjoy their character, you wont be too upset if anything happens to them and you wont be afraid to have a crack at DIY maintenance.

Spot on. Id be thinking of an mx-5 or an s2000. Both going up in value if you decide to change in future.

CIP4

Thanks for the suggestions seems fairly unanimous on the S5. I think the likes of that Clio 197 would be more realistic lower running costs less to go wrong.

What are the E92 coupes like as in a 325i, 330i, 335i which os the better option I am thinking they could probably cost as much to maintain as the S5. Mk5 Golf GTI would be another option but difficult to get a clean example.

CIP4

CIP4 wrote: »

....... 325i, 330i............ I am thinking they could probably cost as much to maintain as the S5...................

An s5 is a what, 350 bhp V8 that will provide access challenges to some routine enough maintenance tasks.

I don't think 6 cylinders that are mainstream enough would be an heavy on the pocket. there are plenty folk running 325i that have modest enough / normal incomes and don't regret it

The 335i had wastegate rattle / turbo issues that would be a hit to the pocket alright and the 330i weren't great.

If I'd a petrol A4 as a daily I'd not see the appeal of a 3 series as a weekend car tbh...... unless you were going M3 direction...... but we are back to no where to put it and high tax and insurance again then.

CIP4

CIP4 wrote: »

. Mk5 Golf GTI would be another option but difficult to get a clean example.

If you bought one with good bodywork you could have it mint for less than what it would cost to insure an S5.
But I think a weekend car has to be special and kept indoors.
All these cars are daily drivers !

charcosull

I have a classic mini and VW van for weekend fun. Both classic though so the tax and insurance are very little.
The only regret I have about them is that I do not use them anywhere near as much as I thought I would.
If I was paying full whack on tax and insurance it would be a non runner.

James Bond Junior

charcosull wrote: »

I have a classic mini and VW van for weekend fun. Both classic though so the tax and insurance are very little.
The only regret I have about them is that I do not use them anywhere near as much as I thought I would.
If I was paying full whack on tax and insurance it would be a non runner.

And the little use they do get invokes awful guilt I would guess? I know I get uneasy when I haven't taken mine out of the garage to stretch its legs and warm up the engine every few weeks.

vintagevrs

A 3 series or golf, even in 6pot petrol or gti are not weekend cars, they are still just daily drivers. S2000 and mx5 are great suggestions imo. An e30 318is or mx5 would be my choice. Plenty or parts, easy to fix, cheap to run and stacks of fun.

terrydel

The fun you can have with a car isnt directly related to what you spend on it.
So I'd say spend as little as you can in this case.

Widdensushi

you were looking at alot of money over 3/4 years ownership, surely it makes more sense to spend your total budget on one vehicle, especially seeing as you don't have a place to store it so that would probably lead to more expenses

Dartz

The answer is always RX8

At least, while it's still possible to find one. The herd's gotten thin but the prices are still low.

And nothing is as grin-worthy is stomping it over 9000....

Mine's been reliable. Engine was killed by a broken sparkplug dropping into the chamber - that'd happen to anything. It was otherwise fine when it died.

CIP4

I am not sure what to take from all this you have people saying an S5 is absolutely outrageous and how could I even consider one. Then when I suggest an E92 325i or Golf GTI that won't work as they aren't weekend cars and could be used as daily drivers. I don't think there is any specific box for a car like pretty much any car can be either a weekend car or a daily driver just their cost to run will vary a lot.

For those who say pool the money together and buy an expensive performance newer car. I only really thought of this as a potentially fun alternative the way I see it is insurance, tax and maintenance would be high but then depreciation would be very low making it a quite similar overall cost to just buying a 60K car and losing 10-12K a year on it in depreciation.

CIP4

This is class you see very few of them going around.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-volkswagen-golf-r32/21559463?campaign=8

Squidgy Black

CIP4 wrote: »

I am not sure what to take from all this you have people saying an S5 is absolutely outrageous and how could I even consider one. Then when I suggest an E92 325i or Golf GTI that won't work as they aren't weekend cars and could be used as daily drivers. I don't think there is any specific box for a car like pretty much any car can be either a weekend car or a daily driver just their cost to run will vary a lot.

For those who say pool the money together and buy an expensive performance newer car. I only really thought of this as a potentially fun alternative the way I see it is insurance, tax and maintenance would be high but then depreciation would be very low making it a quite similar overall cost to just buying a 60K car and losing 10-12K a year on it in depreciation.

A 325i or a GTI aren't going to offer you much different from what your current daily does, they're not exactly thrilling to drive, hence the comments saying they're daily drivers. I suppose the question is, are you looking for a weekend car that's fun to drive and thrash around, or are you just looking for a second car as a bit of a change?

Something like an S2000 or an MX5 fills the first box, not mental money to run and insure, and they're fun as hell to drive.

Unless you're getting something on classic tax and insurance, or something like the S2000 or the MX5, it's an awful lot of money for insurance + tax and then running costs for a car that will only be driven a day or two a week. If you're going to pay that kind of money get something that's really fun. But the S5 would just be a poor financial decision and would be hard enough to sell if you decided after a year or so that it was too costly to have.

blindside88

Nice position to be in OP, best of luck with the decision. If you have a A4 I’d probably go for something a little different. These would be my choices


https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lotus/Elise-1-8-K-SERIES-WITH-ENGINE-REPLACEMENT-IN-2018---GRE/201903216120241

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21409149


Or you could go back over 20 years old and get classic insurance to reduce overall costs (this would be my option), still some great choice.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21508559

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21564842

Best of luck what ever you do

terrydel

CIP4 wrote: »

I am not sure what to take from all this you have people saying an S5 is absolutely outrageous and how could I even consider one. Then when I suggest an E92 325i or Golf GTI that won't work as they aren't weekend cars and could be used as daily drivers. I don't think there is any specific box for a car like pretty much any car can be either a weekend car or a daily driver just their cost to run will vary a lot.

For those who say pool the money together and buy an expensive performance newer car. I only really thought of this as a potentially fun alternative the way I see it is insurance, tax and maintenance would be high but then depreciation would be very low making it a quite similar overall cost to just buying a 60K car and losing 10-12K a year on it in depreciation.

I'm glad you are not in charge of my bank account. You are comparing two options, both of which cost a fortune in terms of a 'weekend' car, thru either depreciation or running costs. All this when you have a perfectly good option to buy a cheap, fun, low maintenance weekend car such as an mx5.

CIP4

blindside88 wrote: »

Nice position to be in OP, best of luck with the decision. If you have a A4 I’d probably go for something a little different. These would be my choices


https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Lotus/Elise-1-8-K-SERIES-WITH-ENGINE-REPLACEMENT-IN-2018---GRE/201903216120241

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21409149


Or you could go back over 20 years old and get classic insurance to reduce overall costs (this would be my option), still some great choice.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21508559

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21564842

Best of luck what ever you do

Thanks for the suggestions the lotus and Porsche are both very nice. 350Z would also be nice know a guy in work who has one as a weekend car and loves it.

terrydel wrote: »

I'm glad you are not in charge of my bank account. You are comparing two options, both of which cost a fortune in terms of a 'weekend' car, thru either depreciation or running costs. All this when you have a perfectly good option to buy a cheap, fun, low maintenance weekend car such as an mx5.

I love the way that the fact I don't want an MX5 which would be your preference somehow makes me bad at managing money :pac:

MX5 are actually nice enough but they are only 124bhp and really can't be described as quick. If I was going the small convertible route would probably pick a Z4.

I think overall a Clio 197 might be a good compromise between performance and overall cost of ownership wouldn't really be that interested in anything with less power than that. Plus I have always wanted a Clio 197.

DaveyDave

Something without huge power that you could push to the limit. I think those big Audi's are a but much for a weekend car. Anything S5+ should be daily driven with a big fck off salary. They're just too practical for a weekend car in my opinion. They scream more "I got something fun as a company car" than weekend car to me.

As others have mentioned, something like an MX5, S2000, 350Z, RX8 etc. Gut them, mod them etc. Don't know about cost but you wouldn't necessarily need something new if it's just a weekend car, heated seats and mod cons need not apply. GTI, basic supporting mods, remap etc.

Squidgy Black

Squidgy Black wrote: »

A 325i or a GTI aren't going to offer you much different from what your current daily does, they're not exactly thrilling to drive, hence the comments saying they're daily drivers. I suppose the question is, are you looking for a weekend car that's fun to drive and thrash around, or are you just looking for a second car as a bit of a change?

You obviously haven’t much experience if a Golf GTI if you think they aren’t a great drive, a lot of fun and relish being “thrashed”.

terrydel wrote: »

I'm glad you are not in charge of my bank account. You are comparing two options, both of which cost a fortune in terms of a 'weekend' car, thru either depreciation or running costs. All this when you have a perfectly good option to buy a cheap, fun, low maintenance weekend car such as an mx5.

Most diesels have more power than an mx5 I have no idea why people think they are such a fun car. No power no fun imo, 200bhp absolute minimum.

James Bond Junior

An mx5 lacks in power but your missing the point. Light, rwd and simply unbelievable handling. Also cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to maintain, cheap to modify and most importantly for a weekend car cheap for tax and insurance.

My e36 is only 170 bhp but what makes it enjoyable is the whole experience, maintaining it, minding it, getting it to a standard which is always just one more job away and above all the community of other owners, the meets, going to shows as well as driving it.

On a side note, what age are you? Because I have a feeling you are about 23 and you simply won't get classic insurance until you are 25 at the very minimum.

James Bond Junior

James Bond Junior wrote: »

An mx5 lacks in power but your missing the point. Light, rwd and simply unbelievable handling. Also cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to maintain, cheap to modify and most importantly for a weekend car cheap for tax and insurance.
.

Personally it’s the kick in the back from power than puts a smile on my face or the power pulling out of corners, turbo spoiling and recirc valve whooshing etc.

Interslice

CIP4 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions the lotus and Porsche are both very nice. 350Z would also be nice know a guy in work who has one as a weekend car and loves it.





I love the way that the fact I don't want an MX5 which would be your preference somehow makes me bad at managing money :pac:

MX5 are actually nice enough but they are only 124bhp and really can't be described as quick. If I was going the small convertible route would probably pick a Z4.

I think overall a Clio 197 might be a good compromise between performance and overall cost of ownership wouldn't really be that interested in anything with less power than that. Plus I have always wanted a Clio 197.

The gen2 1.8 is around 140hp, 1000kg and knee high.

They have whole world of affordable options for improvements. More than any other car ive come across. They nippy enough and can be extremely quick when turbocharged to 250hp. Forged engine internals from the factory mean you can just bolt on turbos and superchargers.

Value for money _ https://youtu.be/zSsJqFYfQrU

James Bond Junior

Pearl Fast Strapless wrote: »

Personally it’s the kick in the back from power than puts a smile on my face or the power pulling out of corners, turbo spoiling and recirc valve whooshing etc.

Power isnt > handling. It helps but you need the whole package. A 2.5 or 3.0si Z4 may be a great option if you wanted plenty power but there are none over 20 years old yet so a Z3 2.8i would fit the bill nicely. There is a few nice examples on DD including a lovely 3.0i widebody.

CIP4

James Bond Junior wrote: »

An mx5 lacks in power but your missing the point. Light, rwd and simply unbelievable handling. Also cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap to maintain, cheap to modify and most importantly for a weekend car cheap for tax and insurance.

My e36 is only 170 bhp but what makes it enjoyable is the whole experience, maintaining it, minding it, getting it to a standard which is always just one more job away and above all the community of other owners, the meets, going to shows as well as driving it.

On a side note, what age are you? Because I have a feeling you are about 23 and you simply won't get classic insurance until you are 25 at the very minimum.

No I am a bit older than that alright 25 in this Summer. Just looking could get a second insurance policy not using my NCB discount on a 197 Clio for around 2.2K so I didn't think that was too bad.

Wailin

Where did you get that quote? It's actually not too bad considering.

CIP4

Wailin wrote: »

Where did you get that quote? It's actually not too bad considering.

Just with Aviva you get a good bit of discount for having no penalty points and buying it online. I am renewing my policy with them during the week so will ask them what the craic is with a second car policy.

Wailin

As far as I'm aware they need a minimum of 1 years ncb, they were the first I rang when i bought my second car. Be interesting to see what they say.

Ferris

Dartz wrote: »

The answer is always RX8

I hugely regret selling mine and am contemplating getting another. Great fun, reasonable tax and the most reliable car I ever owned. Fuel consumption is horrific but that shouldn't matter on a weekend car. My brother had an mx5 at the time and the rx8 was of course quicker but also handled better in my view. It was also very comfortable and the rear seats are useful for kids etc.

Other than that its an s2000 but man they're expensive.

Notch000

I have both an mk2 Mx5 & a mk5 GTI Golf, The golf is a sporty fast comfortable hatch, its unattached and modern feeling. Its better then the bulk of modern cars but My mx5 is so so much more fun. 140bhp, RWD & 1000 kg is plenty fast to go hooting around in. It adores being trashed al day long. The golf is a nicer places to be in but a distant second in the fun factors.

Marcusm

CIP4 wrote: »

No I am a bit older than that alright 25 in this Summer. Just looking could get a second insurance policy not using my NCB discount on a 197 Clio for around 2.2K so I didn't think that was too bad.

Not sure why there is negativity. I think you are right to do this to scratch your itch a bit more cheaply and in a different way. I would agree that the S5 would be an expensive weekend car. A Clio 197 or similar 4pot hatch sounds like a nice torquey free revving fun car. I had a hankering for an R32 and testedthem twice. Never really puts smile on my face. I was expecting a massive step up from a GTi and itwasn’t. Don’tforget The other warm/hot hatches. Personally I have a goo for another Mini Cooper S convertible for the summer (only fun with the top down) but I stop myself pulling the trigger.

beauf

I assume we've seen this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4e-Mwalhkg

CIP4

Marcusm wrote: »

Not sure why there is negativity. I think you are right to do this to scratch your itch a bit more cheaply and in a different way. I would agree that the S5 would be an expensive weekend car. A Clio 197 or similar 4pot hatch sounds like a nice torquey free revving fun car. I had a hankering for an R32 and testedthem twice. Never really puts smile on my face. I was expecting a massive step up from a GTi and itwasn’t. Don’tforget The other warm/hot hatches. Personally I have a goo for another Mini Cooper S convertible for the summer (only fun with the top down) but I stop myself pulling the trigger.

Yes not sure myself didn't think I would need to provide 6 months of bank statements and proof of funds to be able to get advice on a weekend car or be accused of being reckless with money.

For me I don't see it as a big deal worst case scenario it doesn't work out and I sell the car and cancel the insurance policy sure a bit of money lost but like its not going to financially ruin me or put me in debt. I would never have a regret for doing something like this life is too short.

Being honest the 197 Clio is a bit of a winner at the minute anyway think it would be quite a realistic choice and great fun. Its whether it would be worth going down the UK road for more choice as VRT is low enough on them.

MarkN

MX-5 shouldn’t be written off on power alone. They’re brilliant fun to drive, 160bhp ish in the newer ones is more than enough, you’re about 2 inches off the ground in them. Not saying it’s the car for the OP but anyone who writes them off as not quick enough is missing the point of the car entirely.

Suggestions of E30s are wonderful, until you check the prices of decent ones.

Boxster would be hard to overlook for me out of the cars mentioned!

John_Rambo

Notch000 wrote: »

I have both an mk2 Mx5 & a mk5 GTI Golf, The golf is a sporty fast comfortable hatch, its unattached and modern feeling. Its better then the bulk of modern cars but My mx5 is so so much more fun. 140bhp, RWD & 1000 kg is plenty fast to go hooting around in. It adores being trashed al day long. The golf is a nicer places to be in but a distant second in the fun factors.

^^ this.

I've had a few Golf GTi's, Ford ST's and other powerful modern hot hatches, they're great, best cars ever, but there's a bit of confusion between power & speed V fun!

We're talking about weekend fun cars. Not powerful daily drivers that stick to the road and certainly not executive saloons!! A MX5 with small tyres, or a Suzuki Cappuccino, Honda Beat, Fiat Abarth, Mini rover or Fiat panda 100bhp that won't get you penalty points but incredible fun to drive. Maybe at a stretch a (expensive for clutches, brake pads, discs etc... ) Porsche Boxter or a well preserved Fiat coupe or a really good early eighties Golf GTi will put a bigger smile on your face than a modern Golf GTi.

Give me an underpowered Clio cup or Peugeot 1.6 Gti for fun. I'll use the 191 Golf Gti for grunty (but fairly predictable) overtaking on my commute.

I presume there are motorists on this forum other than myself, Markn and Notch that get this?

Duke O Smiley

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m6-5-0-v10/21677098



Go all out and buy this

V10 goodness

Henry Ford III

Dartz wrote:

Mine's been reliable. Engine was killed by a broken sparkplug dropping into the chamber - that'd happen to anything. It was otherwise fine when it died.

Doesn't sound too reliable.