ned
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:00 PM |
|
|
Changing everyday car
Thinking of changing my normal car.
I have a 306 td which is worth prob £2.5-3k. It sits on the drive all week as i commute with my girlfriend and by train to work in london. Thinking of
replacing it with a growing classic that I can run cheaply, that won't really depreciate as is already rock bottom.
So far my ideas are a 205 gti or a mk1 mr2.
The 205 is a bit more practicle. Trying to find a standard one is slightly tricky these days, any other suggestions. The above cars can be had for
around £4-500 mark..
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:06 PM |
|
|
IMHO the 205GTi is very hard to beat
You want to look for a G-J plate 1.9 as this will give you the later and better spec interior, but without the restricting cat converter fitted from
92 onwards. If you look hard enough there are some good examples around.
Go on, you know it's what you want!
Cheers
Nick
|
|
|
David Jenkins
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:08 PM |
|
|
I can confirm that the 205GTi 1.9 litre is a heap of fun - my daughter had one for a while.
Plus points: fast, excellent gearbox, handles well, servicing not too painful.
Minus points: bodywork is VERY thin steel - like pushing aluminium foil. Likely to have been mucked around by boy racers. Risk of being nicked by
joyriders.
I can't comment on the MR2 - I've been in a Mk1 and it was fast, but never driven one. Servicing is VERY expensive, as the engine is so
hard to get at (so may well have been neglected in the past).
David
|
|
|
Kelvin
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:12 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
I can't comment on the MR2 - I've been in a Mk1 and it was fast, but never driven one. Servicing is VERY expensive, as the engine is so
hard to get at (so may well have been neglected in the past).
David
I can, they're blooming marvellous. Servicing is expensive at Toyota, but no more expensive than a 'normal' car else where.
I have a dark blue T-Bar as my fun car and absolutely love it. Any advice you need, just yell.
best of all though, they're not French!
Kelvin
|
|
|
DarrenW
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:12 PM |
|
|
E30 M3 - that would be my ideal choice. Hard to find in good nick (as are any fast cars at that sort of price bracket) but not hard to work on. Engine
has to be mint though.
Failing that the MR2 would be on my list above the GTi. Had a CRX a while ago - again a very good car. Mk1 Golf Gti was great as well (put 16V in
mine, not blistering fast but very torquey - i was trying to work out how to put the 16V VW engine in the se7en but give up in the end).
What about Supra's or Celica's? Depends what your definition of 'classic' is.
|
|
|
bigandy
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:19 PM |
|
|
I drove an Mr2 around for about 2-3 weeks before i took it off the road, ripped the engine/gearbox out and a few other bits, before selling the shell
on. (the bits are destined to end up in my Mojo).
I have to admit it was a really nice car to drive. Dead comfy, plenty of space for me and the G/f plus a couple of bags for a weekend away. I
can't say that it was particularly fast compared to modern road cars, but it was quick enought to be entertaining. Especially on damp
roundabouts! 
The only problem with them is that you will be hard pushed to find a decent original with a fairly low mileage now. most have either sky high
mileage, or are falling to bits. To get a really good example, you will have to fork out for it.
I picked mine up for £280 though, as a bloke had run into the rear side of it and put a massive gouge down the body work. Still mechanically perfect,
just cosmetic damage. It's had 96k on the clock and the engine seems good to me!
Personally, if i had the money, I would go for something a bit more classic, and drop a modern engine in there for reliability.
Cheers
Andy
Dammit! Too many decisions....
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:19 PM |
|
|
don't want to spend a lot of money, want to realise some from the sale of my current car to pay for locost and some other debts..
Not keen on mk1 golfs myself. wouldn't mind a mk2 escort, but finding a runner for that money is not going to happen! i'd also then be too
tempted to stick my vauxhall xe in that and go rallying lol.
xr2's don't do it for me, neither do nova's. celica's are ok, but more expensive, as are newer mr2's. wouldn't
mind an stra gte as i know the engine, but again it's finding a good one.
just been looking at nissan 200sx's but not sure its gonna ever be a classic, just an unknown..
Ned.
[Edited on 1/2/05 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
Kelvin
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:30 PM |
|
|
true, the MK1 MR2 is not that fast now and for the money, it may be a bit tatty round the edges, but the handing is just lovely, and parts are
plentiful.
Plus, and this hasn't been mentioned yet, it's engine is in the correct place and it's rear wheel drive.
plus, when the Locost is built, you've got a nice engine donor for the next one!
kelvin
and it's not French....
[Edited on 1/2/05 by Kelvin]
|
|
|
Hellfire
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 12:47 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
E30 M3 - that would be my ideal choice.
What a pile of SH!TE... worst car on the planet... ever! I've never had a more unreliable car in my life... and that's saying something!!!
But your just being antagonistic aren't you?
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 02:46 PM |
|
|
what do people think of this 205 and how much d'ya recon it's worth? I've spoken to the owner, so know what he's after for it
and might be going to take a look this evening...
Anything to look out for on a 205 1.9?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9859&item=4523640052&rd=1
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 02:46 PM |
|
|
Mk1 MR2 is a fantastic little car, but for £500 you are only going to by yourself a pile of rusty unreliability. You need to at least double that to
get a useable one and double again to get something nice. Anything sporty and Japanese for this money (esp. turbo'd) is best avoided if you
want cheap motoring.
Even a 205GTi for 500 notes is going to be a pretty tatty example, but at least they don't tend to rust (check for cracks around B pillars
though!).
You might be able to get a Audi 80 Coupe for that money, from a time when Audi knew how to screw a car together properly.
|
|
|
DarrenW
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 02:50 PM |
|
|
im certainly not being antagonistic.I didnt know youve had one.
My E36 was fantastic, got it cos i needed a more family orientated motor. Problem with E30's are that theres not many about and some of the less
mechanically minded out there thrash them ti within an inch of their lives and neglect to consider correct servicing / repairs. Maybe you were
unlikely. Unfortunately a truly good one is probably out of most peoples reach.
What was your experience? I mate of mine had a convertible. I tried to warn him away from it without success, it was a lemon so i know its easy to get
stung.
I guess any of the hot hatches etc that eventually will be classics are hard to find in good nick. Prepare to see loads Ned! Be patient.
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 02:57 PM |
|
|
scouring free ads, ebay and autotrader this is the best one i've found (that hasn't already been sold!). There is a 1.6gti for £400 that
looks good, but it's in essex which is even further and I think if i had a 1.6 i'd only hanker for a 1.9 (if they're as good as
veeryone says they are) and te 1.9 wheels look better
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
SeaBass
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 03:29 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
You might be able to get a Audi 80 Coupe for that money, from a time when Audi knew how to screw a car together properly.
I'm a serious audi fan and I have bought three cars for around 750 which have been great fun... Not very fast but good quality cars and lots of
torque from the 5cyl engines... The latest audi toy is a 90 20v Quattro about 170Bhp and remarkably cheap. Another plus point is the parts availabilty
from various companies.
Cheers
|
|
|
donut
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 03:53 PM |
|
|
Neddy
I enquired about insurance on a Nissan 200 sx and they wanted £1400 on 2nd car low milage and i'm 39!!!!
Check insurance too as this may bump up the total cost.
By the way whats a Mk1 MR2 'T' bar like for insurance?
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
|
|
|
Kelvin
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 04:10 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by donut
By the way whats a Mk1 MR2 'T' bar like for insurance?
As a second car with limited mileage, mine is under 200 quid. I'm 31 and the car is garaged with an agreed value.
Insurance wise, there's no difference betwwen the T-Bar and coupe. A purist will go for the coupe as it's lighter due to not having all
the high up strengthening for the T-bar.
kelvin
|
|
|
ChrisJLW
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 04:20 PM |
|
|
Hi Ned
If you want a test drive in a MK1 MR2 drop me a line, I'm only down the road .
Chris
I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway.
But more, much more than this,
I did it side-ah-ways.
|
|
|
Jasper
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 04:41 PM |
|
|
Neddy - had a 1.9GTI and LOVED it, so much fun to drive and handled fantastically. My ex had one tho that was a dog - the gearbox was shagged. You
could even take it on a few track days for a loon about.
Know what you mean about the 1.6, I thought to myself I'll probably only ever have one of these cars, so I want the best one....
|
|
|
marcyboy
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 04:59 PM |
|
|
i'd go for the 1.9 pug if you can find a good one!!
plus you don't wanna be seen in a tarts car do you..however good the engine is.
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 06:08 PM |
|
|
Ned,
The car on Ebay looks reasonable fromt he pics (obviously it would need a close inspection before bidding/buying)
Things to look for incluse...
1. Damp in the boot - this is a common problem caused by water leaking through the tailgate lock aperture. Removing the lock and resealing with some
sealant will cure it.
2. Noticing the glass sliding sunroof - this is sealed with an inflated rubber seal. The seal should deflate when you un-latch the handle using
engine vacuum to remove the air from it. It's worth checking this is still functioning correctly.
3. Rear trailing arm bearings - park the car somewhere level and view it from the rear. The rear wheels whould be absolutely vertical. If they lean
in towards the top, then the bearings are knackered. This is expensive to repair properly although you can get re-con rear axle assembly. At 124k if
they are not gone already they willbe on their way.
4. Spare wheel - sounds silly, but those 1.9 wheels are much sought after and as the spare is underneath the car it's easily nicked (I've
had 2 nicked). Make sure it's there and fit a security bolt that goes through the floor if you get the car.
5. Body cracks - check the sills and above the rear windows for cracks. There will almost certainly be some cracks, but they should only paint as
opposed to structural. This often gives a clue to whether the car has been repaired before.
6. Front susension - the advert mentions that the front shocks and springs are original. These will be very tired by now and will probably need
replacing (not expensive). Also check when driving the car for knocking sounds, indicating that the anti-roll bar drop links need replacing (£36/pair
- 20 min job - huge improvement).
7. Gearbox - the gearbox itself is very good, but the linkages to the gearlever are a bit flimsy, so be sure it feels ok.
8. Engine - the achilles heal on these is idling, which is usually not good. This is often caused by blocked engine breather hoses and in particular
the idle air bypass in the throttle body. A good clean with carb cleaner and a pipe cleaner can work miracles.
Other than that it's all the usual stuff 2nd hand car stuff, which I'm sure you know!.
I was absolutely gutted when I sold my last one to top up my house deposit money Particularly when the little pr1ck it ended up with wrote it off
within 3 weeks
If you drive one you'll want one IMHO
Cheers
Nick
PS - not that I like them or anything....honest
|
|
|
Volvorsport
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 06:16 PM |
|
|
buy a volvo , youll never go back ! , i couldnt part with my 740 turbo , even if it does 18mpg , fun tho when it pisses on r5 turbo
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
|
|
|
Noodle
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 07:43 PM |
|
|
I'd find a decent Sunbeam Lotus. I've never laughed so much when driving.
Not so much forwards as VERY sideways. Mine had Cossie pistons and lumpier cams and cost me £91 a year to insure for 3000 miles.
I remember one journey where I had to hold back the tears when I got out; I was laughing so much!
A local chap has had 2 since new and although he's got a rather exotic car collection, he uses his everyday for work.
Neil
Your sort make me sick
|
|
|
Simon
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 08:12 PM |
|
|
A friend's family and the 205GTI. Hahahaha
1st one, a 1.6. Brand new, just released, had it a couple of months and little sis was driving to see a friend. It was dark, she couldn't quite
see where she was going but found the house, when she drove into friends fathers car!
Repaired eventually and kid bro retruning from another friend drove into a telegraph pole. Written off.
Second was written off by my friend shortly after it was fixed after his old man was pushed into central reservation!
ATB
Simon
PS I won't tell you about the rest of the cars!!
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 1/2/05 at 10:19 PM |
|
|
Thanks nick, just got back from maidenhead , 35 mins! Got a short test drive, but couldn't really have a proper go with teh owner and girlfriend
in the car It idled well, pulled well, body was good and he's gonig to let it run on ebay, so I can have a think abut it. I also know what
his reserve is.
The main things that struck me were:
Heaviness of steering (well, compared to a finger light pas 306!)
gear linkage worked, but generally felt fragile by comparison to my 306
when lifting off the power at low rpm, say below 2.5-3 then putting your foot back on the power, especially at lower rpm it kangaroo'd like
crazy, maybe this was jsut needing to get used to a petrol agani, as my diesel won't kangaroo at all really, at least nowhere near as bad as
this did.
Afraif I didn't read your points before I went nick, but got most of them checked, except boot + bootlid.
On the plus side the engine pulled well, good tyres, recent cambelt, every mot since new, some bills, sunroof mechanism was good, idled well and
couldn't find any rust on it! obviously the owner had cleaned it and been over everything with back to black etc etc.
One last question nick, the front foglights, are they fogs or driving lights? on this car they came on with main beam, but i'd assumed they were
front fogs.
were a few other rattles, but none that sounded serious..
cheers,
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
David Jenkins
|
| posted on 2/2/05 at 08:32 AM |
|
|
The steering on my daughter's 1.9 GTi was light and easy, in spite of the big tyres - sounds like the PAS is 'tired'.
David
|
|
|
