On a bit of wim I bought a mk1 tt 225 quattro a few months ago, thouhgt it would be nice to have something fastish to drive while I'm finishing my kit.

I like the TT, don't see it as hairdresser car, its pretty fast nice inside lots of mod cons, its just a bit dull, I'm not getting any real pleasure from taking for a blat, as an every day car it would be nice but as a second car to take out once in a while it just doesn't have any magic. Shame as its in lovely condition, grips like buggery in the wet etc.

So do I keep it or swap it for something more interesting, my kit might be on the road in teh next 6 months so I don't have to get something fast just something I will look forward to drive a few days a month. I could even garage it at my GF's house up north so I have something to tinker with on weekends I'm up there.

So the TT's worth 3k. I've had TVR S1,S3 and an alfa spider before and loved all of those but prices seem to have crept up on those options. MX5's are out I'm too big for one. I could get a MGB and tinker with it, 944 but really need an s or S2 which might be a stretch.

so friday thoughts!

Apply the James may principle - you will always have more fun finding the limits of an average powered, undertyred car than trying to find the limits of high power, over tyred car.

For £3k my money would go on a hot hatch. Clio 197s are just creeping in at about 3.5k at mo.

get it remapped, should take it to 260-270bhp. Will be a lot more enjoyable

The steering is just lacking in any feel so it hard to tell if your near the limit etc, it grips very well and for the b road you'd have to be going too fast to get it to do anything interesting. Did think about modding it but I still don't think it would have the appeal, would need a stainless exhaust, chipped, filters so about £800 spending on it then some suspension mods.

what about an old japanese turbo?
Nissan 200sx, MR2, Skyline etc....

All reasonably cheap with good power, RWD.
Old enough that they'll remind you that you can fall off the road if you're too over the top which adds to having a fun drive!

Forgot to add the other factor, has to be something the missus would like to be seen in so as much as 80 stuff appeals to me she'll be like, wtf!]

I could get away with another tvr s or a mgb gt/roadster, 944. but more modern stuff won't do it

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Originally posted by loggyboy
Apply the James may principle - you will always have more fun finding the limits of an average powered, undertyred car than trying to find the limits of high power, over tyred car.

For £3k my money would go on a hot hatch. Clio 197s are just creeping in at about 3.5k at mo.

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If it's a known, good car, I don't think it's worth the hassle and risk of swapping for the sake of the 6 months it will take you to finish your kit. I've got to drive a 90 BHP 1.6 diesel Ford Focus Estate for at least a year before I can even consider ordering my kit (just bought house, car, wedding etc...). Oh the humanity!

civic type R?

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Originally posted by pekwah1
civic type R?

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It is possible to get a decent mgb gt for that money but be careful! buy the car with the best bodywork you can find because unless you're a good welder bodywork is the expensive bit. If you don't mind a rubber bumper model you can even get a nice example in full working order and have change left over.

You mentioned wanting to be able to tinker too so the mechanicals should pose no problems. Everything is dead simple and mechanical parts are very cheap and very easily sourced with many specialists providing excellent support. They're a hoot to drive as well thanks to narrow tyres and much better to be seen in than some kid's hot hatch

Whatever M3 is in your budget...

If you genuinely want to put a smile on your face (without killing yourself) then you need a RWD fun car - there's lots of stuff to choose from.

If you get a hot hatch (Type R, Clio 197,182 etc) they are fine choices, but you will get bored with them in exactly same manner as the TT.

You couyld stretch to a Porsche Boxster - good handling car.
You could def afford a 944S2 in that price range.
M3 as above...
RX8(?) RX7
MR2 / 240SX / 350Z / Jap Turbo cars (as above) definitely put a smile on your face for the money...

That's where my money would be going if you wanted a smile and still get home from every drive (almost) guaranteed.
Of course, if you want to put a big smile on your face every time, then it's got to be something like this; honda cbr600rr 2009

And do it properly...

Assuming the budget is £3k? No M3s for that sort of cash.

A touch over 3k but you could haggle

Link to s2000

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201406235250251/sort/atcustom/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/honda/price-to/4000/price -from/500/postcode/cm74hd/page/1/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/model/s2000?logcode=p


Or a Boxter

Link

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/porsche/boxster/postcode/cm74hd/radius/1500/sort/default/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/4000 /price-from/500

[Edited on 27/6/14 by INDY BIRD]

Some good options, hot hatch all though a hoot to drive aren't on my list. as said dosen't haven't to be really fast just want to lookforward to opening the garage on a nice day, fire it up with a nice engine note and enjoy a drive to work. Modern cars are good but loose that appeal a bit, did consider a boxster but thought the potential engine bills was a bit worrying.

Maybe I'll go somethign more classis, used to like taking my sister MGB GT for a drive, it was nice with the full webasto roof adn a refurbed interior, or wait till after summer and pick up a bargain. The kit may or may not be on the road depending how much time I get on it over summer.

Did think buying a nice rubber mgb then doing the conversion, electronic ignition type mods, nice simple stuff I could do at teh GF's house to keep me busy. Think I'd quite enjoy taking something basic and making it handle and go a bit better.

[Edited on 27/6/14 by mikeb]

my Merc SLK 230 will be available soon 2001, 53.000 2 owners, fsh, AMG body kit and wheels, full mot, luverly cond.

It's got to be something rear wheel drive in my opinion, and open top if you want something that can bit a little bit more special from time to time.

That limits things somewhat, but mx5's are obvious as are the s2000 and z3.

ETA -forgot about the SLK ^^^^^^ I've been tempted plenty times myself.

[Edited on 27/6/14 by StevieB]

I had a remapped Tt 225 and it was quick but as you say.... Dull.... Very good at getting from a to b...


A seat Cupra r with the same engine and a remap however I have also owned and that was a bloody hoot!!

or you could go mental, im enjoying driving my Alf 156 2.0 JTS and even though its front wheel drive its quite a hoot every morning on the 30 miles of B roads to work and back, you soon get used to the Christmas tree dash :-) 05 plate with 80k on it and full leather aircon etc for less than 800 sir, spent £600 in the last 6 months slowly working through the fault codes and its now been fault free for a week! the first full week since I had it! You don't have to spend a fortune to get a fun car.

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Originally posted /i]
I had a remapped Tt 225 and it was quick but as you say.... Dull.... Very good at getting from a to b...


A seat Cupra r with the same engine and a remap however I have also owned and that was a bloody hoot!!

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