30K and a premature mid life crisis :)

jwt

Thinking of jacking in a 02 Mondeo Executive 2.0 petrol for something a bit more sporty.

Looking at around the 30-35K mark new.

So far what has grabbed my attention is the RX8 but a bit pricy, Hyundai Coupe 2.7V6 (maybe even the 2.0L )or a celica 1.8 if dealer can be arm wrestled.And strangely a Merc c class SC

The Alfa Lusso looks lovely from the front but the rear is horrible and I'm tall so can't fit into it.

TBH for sheer bang for buck the Hyundai is looking tempting and I like the new style.

Any thoughts


John

unkel

FIAT Barchetta? At €29.5k it is an absolute steal. Performance is similar to the other cars you mention and you get to let the roof down too, inviting admiring looks that will ease your midlife-crisis-mind :cool:

astec123

Civic Type R just pips the budget at 35k
MR2 again just hits the budget cap
Tigra starts at a mere 23000 so you could go for the top model and have change!
307cc?

ds20prefecture

jwt wrote:

Thinking of jacking in a 02 Mondeo Executive 2.0 petrol for something a bit more sporty.
Looking at around the 30-35K mark new.

New:
Škoda Octavia vRS (or 1.8t 4x4 & chip)
Seat Leon Cupra
Citroën C4 VTS

Used:
2001 Audi A8 4.0
'97 Jag XK8
'73 Porsche 911 T
'77 Porsche 911 Carrera 3
'97 Lamborghini Diablo VT

RicardoSmith

The most special is the Rx8. Heavy on juice I've heard.

bazz26

RicardoSmith wrote:

The most special is the Rx8. Heavy on juice I've heard.

The rotary engine was always a petrol alcoholic I'm afraid.

bazz26

jwt wrote:

Thinking of jacking in a 02 Mondeo Executive 2.0 petrol for something a bit more sporty.

Looking at around the 30-35K mark new.

So far what has grabbed my attention is the RX8 but a bit pricy, Hyundai Coupe 2.7V6 (maybe even the 2.0L )or a celica 1.8 if dealer can be arm wrestled.And strangely a Merc c class SC

The Alfa Lusso looks lovely from the front but the rear is horrible and I'm tall so can't fit into it.

TBH for sheer bang for buck the Hyundai is looking tempting and I like the new style.

Any thoughts


John

I would not bother with the Hyundai Coupe myself, the interior is still typical Hyundai, cheap plastic everywhere, also the 2.7 V6 is not fast or refined and is a bit thirsty, it is the same unit that is in their Sonata and Trajet.

The Celica is a nice car, very quick for a 1.8 litre. You may be able to get a good deal on one as Toyota announced recently that the current model will be the last Celica made. They are no longer going to produce the Celica or MR2 from the end of this year. Shame really.

Does it have to be new?

If not here are a few examples of what you could buy:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=258363

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=225615

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=169452

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=253242

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=219651

And if you want something a bit different:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=234288

fletch

What about a Mondeo Mondeo ST220 3.0 VY
Here's another one....bit over the budget at €37.5k

DublinWriter

If mid-life crises it is then go get yourself a Jap-imported R33/R34 Nissan Skyline and still have change out of 30K.

$lash

If it was my money I'd buy a used 3 Series coupe...

RicardoSmith

If it was me I'd be looking at a 2nd hand BoxsterS, or 911

Cyrus

bmoferrals alfa 156 gta 3.2ltr of alfa loving, do a search for it

Cyrus

here ya go

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=235740

DublinWriter

RicardoSmith wrote:

If it was me I'd be looking at a 2nd hand BoxsterS, or 911

'Boxster' is the Italian for 'too poor to afford a 911'.

weemcd

top gear is good

RicardoSmith

DublinWriter wrote:

'Boxster' is the Italian for 'too poor to afford a 911'.

How original...not. Regurgitated badge snobbery no less. Even that moron Clarksons stupid bias test couldn't beat it, with a car more powerful and 25% more expensive. :rolleyes:

The Boxster S is faster round a circuit and better handling than a standard 911. Its mid engined, and a convertible. A 911 is neither. So its a complete different type of car than a standard 911. So its a "different" experience entirely.

DublinWriter

RicardoSmith wrote:

The Boxster S is faster round a circuit and better handling than a standard 911.

All important factors to consider for those Friday evenings stuck on the M50.

Basically, it's not a 911.

bmoferrall

Cyrus wrote:

bmoferrals alfa 156 gta 3.2ltr of alfa loving, do a search for it

I second that motion
@JWT: you're welcome to take a spin in my car anytime. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ernie Ball

This is what I got when I had my early midlife crisis:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=206284

Mine's a 2001, though, so cost me a bit less.

I don't regret it for a second. And now I'm spending money like a drunken sailor on improvements and mods.

RicardoSmith

DublinWriter wrote:

All important factors to consider for those Friday evenings stuck on the M50.

Basically, it's not a 911.

Yes and commuting in peak traffic is why you buy a Porsche... :rolleyes:

You suggested a Nissan Skyline. How much shopping can you get in that then? MPG, running costs? Why is that even an issue? What point are you trying make other than trying to justify saying a Boxster is a cheaper 911. When its fundamentally a completely different car. Mid engined convertible vs Rear Engined coupe. Its also much cheaper. But then are you suggesting that a new 911 is even an option here. You'd be looking at an 15yr old 911 for this kinda money, how great would that be for commuting?

Anyone I know who has a 911 only use it as a weekend car and have a couple of other cars or bikes as daily drivers. The one guy I know with a Boxster S does use it to commute, but then its only 5 mins across country roads. Of course most of them avoid roads like the M50 as would any keen driver with any sense.

The mondeo is a great handling car. Personally I'd make sure the car I was replacing it was even better to drive. If you looked at the top gear piece, it was obvious that Boxster was extremely well balanced, he could hold it on the drift and slide and just tuck the tail in under power so easy.

All those Mr2's are cracking to drive. From the Mrk1 to the Mrk3. Handling pretty much similar to a Boxster. (Mid engined)

How about an Elise? Theres a Lotus dealership in Dublin now. Or the VX220?

jayok

Forget your Mondeo, Porsche, Toyotas, may as well go straight to the top!
Get yourself a Honda S2000! A convertible, fast, only a 2.0L engine, rare enough to be cool and ultra-reliable. Are 60K new, but you'll get a 2nd hand one for about 30k.

Oh man, I'm drooling just thinking about one. Only problem is it doesn't take a baby seat!

<edit>

Here's some of the stuff said about it

S2000 Stuff

jwt

Sorry for not replying earlier, had posted at lunchtime but the boards gremlins eat it, either that or the gay crossdressing donkeyporn forum has a fairly OT post


Some nice cars listed, the 350z is yummy.

However I am 6'4" so a lot of cars are out due to headroom troubles. For example a Lotus Elise allows me to remove the roof and drive looking out over the windscreen!

I'm kind of definite on buying new, it's not quite the same buying a toy when someone else has defiled it

And just to be totally awkward, I'm not looking at a pocket rocket such as a Civic or Seat. Been there, done that, in a Pug GTI many years ago when both of us a similar approach to life, foot down and go for it

This time I'm looking for a bit of room, comfortable middle aged spread and all that.

The celica, hyundai, alfa spider, rx8, all look superb even when parked, the kind of cars you get a buzz out of polishing, then a bigger buzz on backroads getting it dirty


TBH if I could swing the extra money the RX8 would get the cash.

Damm, I thought some car manufacturer would have a decent coupe or 2+2 for reasonable money (when did 35K become reasonable money).


Thanks


John

Ernie Ball

jwt wrote:

However I am 6'4" so a lot of cars are out due to headroom troubles. For example a Lotus Elise allows me to remove the roof and drive looking out over the windscreen!

For whatever it's worth, I'm 6'2' with a long torso and I have no problems in the MR2 Roadster.

jwt

MR2 looks tasty and rear wheel drive as well.............

When you say you can fit, what sort of clearance do you have..1 finger two, three fingers gap to the roof.

140bhp is a lot out of a 1.8 non turbo'd*, whats the reliability like?

Off to do some research

John

*missus had a rover 95 214si that put out 104bhp from a 1.4, great fun to drive, you could give a some "sports" cars a fright off the lights.

JohnCleary

jwt wrote:

missus had a rover 95 214si that put out 104bhp from a 1.4, great fun to drive, you could give a some "sports" cars a fright off the lights.

Yup, I totally aggree. That along with a de-burred manifold, de-cat and enclosed induction kit with a good cold air feed and your laughing*

*My spec, nippiest 1.4 ive ever driven

unkel

jwt wrote:

I'm kind of definite on buying new

jwt wrote:

And just to be totally awkward, I'm not looking at a pocket rocket such as a Civic or Seat. Been there, done that, in a Pug GTI

So do you not like the Barchetta that imho fits your bill perfectly with loads of money from your budget left to buy you a lengthy warranty or alternatively set aside plenty for maintenance?

Borzoi

jwt wrote:

Hyundai Coupe 2.7V6 (maybe even the 2.0L )or a celica 1.8 if dealer can be arm wrestled.

TBH for sheer bang for buck the Hyundai is looking tempting and I like the new style.

I tried the coupe and at 6'2" I felt very cramped, so at 6"4" I doubt it's the car for you

yellow012

unkel wrote:

So do you not like the Barchetta that imho fits your bill perfectly with loads of money from your budget left to buy you a lengthy warranty or alternatively set aside plenty for maintenance?

I've driven one and it's a lovely car but i'm about 5ft 10" and I found the inside space was claustrophic, i'd imagine anyone over 6ft would find the space very tight. I know JWT discounted hot hatches but whatabout the Golf GTi. Bit more about them than your average hot hatch, there approx €35k new and I have heard nothing but good reports about them?

Ernie Ball

jwt wrote:

MR2 looks tasty and rear wheel drive as well.............

When you say you can fit, what sort of clearance do you have..1 finger two, three fingers gap to the roof.

Maybe 2 1/2 with the hard top on and 1 to 2 with the soft top. But unless you also have a disproportionately long torso, I'll bet it'd be about the same for you. In other words, my torso is probably as long as that of someone 6'4".

140bhp is a lot out of a 1.8 non turbo'd*, whats the reliability like?

General reliability is excellent. There is a non-documented but widely reported problem with older models (that may have been resolved with the new ones) with ceramic precats in the exhaust manifold disintegrating and getting sucked into the engine. Enthusiasts whose cars are out of warranty tend to gut those precats (not the main cat) so as to avoid the problem. I gutted mine last month. It shouldn't be a problem passing the NCT even with the precats out since they are meant to control cold start emissions and don't do much of anything when the engine is warm.

By the way, you can get aftermarket turbos for this car, which will give it an extra 30-40bhp IIRC. You can also chip it, which might get you 10bhp extra.

The car is a joy to drive, a low-slung little rocket sled. However, if carrying a lot of baggage is important to you, this is not the car for you. It has virtually no boot space.

$lash

Why buy new ? .. As soon as the car leaves the showroom you have lost money ...

why not buy a car that cost €60k two years ago and let someone else have taken the depriciation hit and whats more you will be getting a better car for it...

Also have you looked at importing a car from Japan - You could get a MR-2 or S2000 for your budget - If you need more info pm me on this..

unkel

yellow012 wrote:

I've driven one and it's a lovely car but i'm about 5ft 10" and I found the inside space was claustrophic

Ah, thanks for clearing that up!