Fun winter hack for under £1500
#1
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For the last eight months I've been using a V70 D5 as my every day car and I'm pretty well fed up with it. It's been pretty unreliable and isn't exactly the most thrilling car ever created.
My intention is to buy a newer car but I'd like to put that off for a few months yet. I'm sick of the Volvo so thinking of buying a cheap hack for the winter, preferably something a bit more fun.
Do people have any suggestions? It really needs to do mid-30s to the gallon, and I'm more interested in handling than massive speed. Not that you can get massive speed for that money of course! I think I'd prefer non-turbo for simplicity.
I've always fancied a Clio 172 but they're a bit small and I have reliability concerns. The Saxo VTS is another but has the same issues.
A Focus ST170 was another thought but the DMF and IMRC worry me.
Also, if it was decent enough, it might be subject to the odd track day so that's another thought.
So, time to open it up to the floor!
My intention is to buy a newer car but I'd like to put that off for a few months yet. I'm sick of the Volvo so thinking of buying a cheap hack for the winter, preferably something a bit more fun.
Do people have any suggestions? It really needs to do mid-30s to the gallon, and I'm more interested in handling than massive speed. Not that you can get massive speed for that money of course! I think I'd prefer non-turbo for simplicity.
I've always fancied a Clio 172 but they're a bit small and I have reliability concerns. The Saxo VTS is another but has the same issues.
A Focus ST170 was another thought but the DMF and IMRC worry me.
Also, if it was decent enough, it might be subject to the odd track day so that's another thought.
So, time to open it up to the floor!
Last edited by massivewangers; 17-08-2014 at 07:36 PM.
#2
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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If you want the mpg get a hdi 306... ![Big Grin](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Should pick up a good'en for your budget...
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Should pick up a good'en for your budget...
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#8
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Mine had 140k on it and was sweet as a nut they engines can take the miles no probs.
the Clio 172 is also a good shout although I would go for the cup version. I enjoyed my 172 and gave it death every day and never had a problem with it.
the Clio 172 is also a good shout although I would go for the cup version. I enjoyed my 172 and gave it death every day and never had a problem with it.
#11
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What about a corolla t-sport, rev to 9000rpm, supposed to be a civic type-r in disguise!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
#14
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What about a corolla t-sport, rev to 9000rpm, supposed to be a civic type-r in disguise!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
#16
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
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St24, scoob wagon, I've had 2 or 3 rs1800 fiestas as runabouts for around £800-£1500.
RS2000, I've got a vectra edition 100 2.0 turbo, returns 40 on the motorway and has been a great car, done 40k in it and only serviced it and changed the front tyres.
RS2000, I've got a vectra edition 100 2.0 turbo, returns 40 on the motorway and has been a great car, done 40k in it and only serviced it and changed the front tyres.
Last edited by Cos500; 18-08-2014 at 10:08 AM.
#22
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
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Won't be as sharp as a Clio but will be better built IMHO.
#23
Made in Scotland
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E36 325i/328i with an LSD?
Thinking about something similar myself, although with a budget of 2-3k. I'd wanted a clean Classic Impreza, but all the cars I've seen have been rafts of shite under the skin.
Just bought a 328i to break and it's got me thinking that a clean example might be exactly what I'm after. Quick-ish, handle well, slide around easily and pretty well made too.
Cheers,
Grant
Thinking about something similar myself, although with a budget of 2-3k. I'd wanted a clean Classic Impreza, but all the cars I've seen have been rafts of shite under the skin.
Just bought a 328i to break and it's got me thinking that a clean example might be exactly what I'm after. Quick-ish, handle well, slide around easily and pretty well made too.
Cheers,
Grant
#25
Ben
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I'll go one up on the Almera and say a Primera GT, same bomb proof SR20 and supposedly handle rather well, not to mention they went racing with them in BTCC!
#26
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A friend of mine has had a couple of Primera GTs and they do seem pretty tough old things. Another one that must be getting rare though. Always thought the seats let them down a bit though, not the most comfortable of cars.
Another thought I had was that I wouldn't mind the engine/box out of an ST170 for another project, so maybe I should buy one and then break it later
Another thought I had was that I wouldn't mind the engine/box out of an ST170 for another project, so maybe I should buy one and then break it later
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#27
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
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Ive got a Seat Toledo V5 daily hack.
Its basically a A4/Bora chassis, with the Golf 2.3 V5 power plant. Has 170bhp & 225lbft. Its a absolute hoot to drive, and sounds great when pushed. Gives me 38 - 42mpg. Has all the toys, leather, sat nav etc, can get them cheap as chips now.
VW group product, without the price tag
Its basically a A4/Bora chassis, with the Golf 2.3 V5 power plant. Has 170bhp & 225lbft. Its a absolute hoot to drive, and sounds great when pushed. Gives me 38 - 42mpg. Has all the toys, leather, sat nav etc, can get them cheap as chips now.
VW group product, without the price tag
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#28
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What about a corolla t-sport, rev to 9000rpm, supposed to be a civic type-r in disguise!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Cor...item1c4453e384
I used to work on these.The interiors or horrid and look cheap. You only own a Corrolla when your over 50 and have grey hair lol.
#30
Ben
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A friend of mine has had a couple of Primera GTs and they do seem pretty tough old things. Another one that must be getting rare though. Always thought the seats let them down a bit though, not the most comfortable of cars.
Another thought I had was that I wouldn't mind the engine/box out of an ST170 for another project, so maybe I should buy one and then break it later![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
Another thought I had was that I wouldn't mind the engine/box out of an ST170 for another project, so maybe I should buy one and then break it later
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
Haven't sat in one so can't comment on that! I agree with the rarity, I find myself quite often looking to see if there's any for sale.
Must admit, quite shocked about the Ovlov, only ever heard good things about the D5's!
#31
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IS200 fits that bill - not fast, but fuck do they handle well! Comfortable, nice to drive, generally looked after and tidy - mileage isn't a problem so long as regularly serviced, which most are. More or less bomb proof, provided the cam belt has been done around 60-80k (Lexus suggest 100k, but wiser to do it before that). Plenty of examples around for under £1500k - BUT you won't get anywhere near 30mpg
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#33
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Just fancy something a bit more fun for a bit now. I miss steering feel
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#35
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fun winter hack gotta be one of these surely for arse out antics ![Grin](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328I-S...item33939ce767
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328I-S...item33939ce767
#36
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I'd go for a 318 e36, not bad on fuel and slides well in wet/snow
had one last time it snowed and was out every night and come summer time sold it on for a profit
the e46 318 seems to have more punch though I've noticed after driving a few
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#37
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Leon Cupra M1 can be had for under a grand, couple of mods and a map and they go pretty well.... Ive got one as a daily and its been bloody mint for the past 2 years
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#38
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
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IS200 fits that bill - not fast, but fuck do they handle well! Comfortable, nice to drive, generally looked after and tidy - mileage isn't a problem so long as regularly serviced, which most are. More or less bomb proof, provided the cam belt has been done around 60-80k (Lexus suggest 100k, but wiser to do it before that). Plenty of examples around for under £1500k - BUT you won't get anywhere near 30mpg ![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
I would also recommend one of these. I ended up with one as I couldn't think of a better cheap family motor for 1500, but I just wanted domething decent that was unlikely to go wrong, not VAG, and powered by petrol to avoid any expensive diesel problems likely on what you get for 1500. Really depends what kind of car you want tho?
They are not particularly quick but no worse than any other 2l in this size car.
#39
#40
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Proton satria GTI? Can pick them up within your budget and often used as club level rally cars and seem to be reliable when thrashed. Same about the almera GTI and GTI6. I'd go for one of these 3.