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Which would you choose for a cheap Sunday toy
sonic - 19/1/16 at 10:09 PM

Debating with a mate as you do over cars, 5k to spend on a Sunday summer toy for rides out to the coast etc and keep polished up.

Subaru Impreza WRX
Audi TT 225
Clio 197
Celica ST205 GT4
BMW Z4 3.0
Mini cooper S

wouldn't be used as a daily hack, just a nice drive out and quick enough to have a bit of fun in

Which one would you choose ?

sdh2903 - 19/1/16 at 10:18 PM

Z4. I'd like the option of a drop top for a Sunday blast and I have a soft spot for the 3 litre bmw lump.

perksy - 19/1/16 at 10:20 PM

Hmmm I guess they all have their good and bad points and there's a few others you could have chosen like the Mk 3 MX5 for instance ?

But you did ask, so I'll go for the Z4

Mainly because if its just for a Sunday toy and you can also enjoy the sun

coozer - 19/1/16 at 10:23 PM

I'd go for the Clio out of that list, strip it out and tune the nuts off it!

Sam_68 - 19/1/16 at 10:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
...a Sunday summer toy for rides out to the coast etc


...would have to be the BMW for me.

coyoteboy - 19/1/16 at 10:45 PM

ST205 for me. I've got a 185 though so biased

bi22le - 19/1/16 at 10:55 PM

Z4

jonabonospen - 20/1/16 at 12:22 AM

Get the Clio 182 instead......... PM sent

theduck - 20/1/16 at 12:23 AM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Debating with a mate as you do over cars, 5k to spend on a Sunday summer toy for rides out to the coast etc and keep polished up.

Subaru Impreza WRX
Audi TT 225
Clio 197
Celica ST205 GT4
BMW Z4 3.0
Mini cooper S

wouldn't be used as a daily hack, just a nice drive out and quick enough to have a bit of fun in

Which one would you choose ?


Out of the list I have either owned, or had hands on experience of all but the Celica.

Impreza - I had a near 300hp wrx bugeye. It was amazing in every way. I miss it greatly. Only down side is its thirsty when pushing on.

Audi TT - technically brilliant, but it just felt bland

Clio 197 - Great if you love an engine that revs! Fantastic handling and comfortable ride if you opt for a standard chassis car. Firm ride and even better handling if you go for a cup chassis car.

Z4 - great sound, but not the most encouraging chassis

Mini Cooper S - proper fun at low speeds hot hatch but not the fastest

[Edited on 20/1/16 by theduck]

cliftyhanger - 20/1/16 at 06:45 AM

You haven't been too specific about motivations here!
If you want something "cool" (that rarely equates to something that gives great driving pleasure) the nearest on that list is the Mini or Audi. Unless your definition of cool is attracting spotty yoofs.
For my money I would be getting the Z4. Or a Mini convertible. You really want something you can take the roof off and enjoy the sunshine

jelly head - 20/1/16 at 08:16 AM

Personally i'd steer clear of 4wd if i was looking for a fun car, ok imprezas etc are quick but they're just too competent - not fun enough.

I'd normally go for a hot hatch to rag around but i'm liking the z4 idea.

Ugg10 - 20/1/16 at 08:51 AM

You could also pick up a high mileage Honda s2000 or an early Boxster for than money.

nick205 - 20/1/16 at 09:21 AM

For me it would be the Z4 as I do rather like them - that said, it would be a hard top one as I am not a fan of convertibles one bit (it rains too much in the UK).

nick205 - 20/1/16 at 09:29 AM

The other draw to a Z4 is the chances of getting one that's had a sensible owner and looked after it. The others maybe less so!

AntonUK - 20/1/16 at 11:52 AM

From that list I would go with the bow. But given the option I would consider an mx-5 or boxter too.

coyoteboy - 20/1/16 at 01:51 PM

The Z4 is a bit dull though, even the 3.0 is not particularly fast and is almost impossible to make nippier without vast cost. The ST205 can have a quick boost bump and hit ~300hp no worries.

MikeRJ - 20/1/16 at 03:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
The Z4 is a bit dull though, even the 3.0 is not particularly fast and is almost impossible to make nippier without vast cost. The ST205 can have a quick boost bump and hit ~300hp no worries.


Outright power and speed don't necessarily make something fun to drive through, and even then a standard 3.0 Z4 is hardly slow.

I agree with Ugg, add an S2000 or a Boxster to the list and it's a no-brainer

theduck - 20/1/16 at 04:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jelly head
Personally i'd steer clear of 4wd if i was looking for a fun car, ok imprezas etc are quick but they're just too competent - not fun enough.

I'd normally go for a hot hatch to rag around but i'm liking the z4 idea.


Put ling long tyres on the back and it's a hell of a lot of fun!

dhutch - 20/1/16 at 05:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Subaru Impreza WRX
Audi TT 225
Clio 197
Celica ST205 GT4
BMW Z4 3.0
Mini cooper S

Got a friend who has a JCW supercharged mini, and now has a AudiTT which I think is the 225 (certainly a large engine) and both are/where great cars, but so are all of the others on that list.

That said, I have just bought an E46 330ci as a daily and was very tempted by the Z4 at the time.

Currently retained my E36 compact as my towcar and when I need a bootlid that opens. But three cars long term is maybe silly for one man!


Daniel

ianm67 - 20/1/16 at 06:57 PM

WRX. If you have shares in a fuel company. Thirsty buggers, they like super unleaded too. If not, then the Z4, very competent cars.....

sonic - 20/1/16 at 08:22 PM

Great replies guy's thanks, there are a couple of other things to consider

I have owned 3 WRX and a PPP STI a few years ago all of which i liked and to be honest i didn't think they were that thirsty unless you thrash them all the time, one was a Hawkeye 2.5 and 30 mpg was achievable. these could also be a good investment if kept mint.

If its just a Sunday fun car fuel consumption wouldn't bother me, the other thing is we are both 50 so a boy racer type hot hatch doesn't seem to look right.

S2000, i have had bad experiences with two Hondas so wouldn't go there.

MX 5 the wife had one a few years ago, not fast enough.

Boxster ok but i think they are a bit of a girlie car

Any others we haven't thought about ??

Ugg10 - 20/1/16 at 08:37 PM

only other two I can think of are Nissan 350z or an Alfa Brera (may squeek a high mileage 3.2 or possibly a 147GTA???).

edit - megane renaultsport - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201601130060918?page=5&model=megane&make=renault&zero-to-60=fast&onesearchad=used%2Cnear lynew%2Cnew&price-to=5500&radius=1500&search-target=usedcars&postcode=bn124xf&sort=default&logcode=p


[Edited on 20/1/16 by Ugg10]

Adamirish - 20/1/16 at 09:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic


Boxster ok but i think they are a bit of a girlie car



Drive one. Seriously! I used to think the same before I borrowed a boxster S spyder. They are fantastic cars in their own right. Great neutral handling and a beautiful sounding engine. Very quick point to point too.

S2000's are over rated imho. I've driven 3 or 4 different cars. They aren't very quick unless you vtec(yo) it everywhere. After spending a couple of hours driving one, having to live at 6000rpm+ to make it feel like a sports car got tiring.

Impreza would be a good shout. Buy a good one, keep it good and don't get it looked after at scooby clinic(see ph or scoobynet) and with the way values are going, you will likely make money on it over a couple of years. Also, I had a WRX classic and didn't find it awful on fuel and it was very reliable!

ST205's are getting a bit fragile now. Good cars nonetheless.

You could look at the supercharged jags, a huge amount of bling and bang for your back. Deceptively fast and beautiful to drive.

A friend bought a TVR chimera sub £5k and it was alright(if that's your thing). Could well turn into a money pit though.

Imo, you can't beat a kit as a weekend play thing though!

Nickp - 20/1/16 at 09:47 PM

Z4 3.0 for me, but I am biased

Paid a bit over half your budget for this one, and it's deffo not slow



Simon - 20/1/16 at 10:08 PM

If it's only for odd trip out, you could go for something more classic and buy a decent version of it for your budget - 205GTI, 5GT turbo, Triumph Stag, Rover P6 etc. Might not be quick but definitely interesting/different.

ATB

Simon

MikeRJ - 20/1/16 at 10:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Boxster ok but i think they are a bit of a girlie car


Absolutely no more girlie than the Z4. Also if reliability is paramount, stay well away from BMWs.

[Edited on 20/1/16 by MikeRJ]

Nickp - 21/1/16 at 05:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Boxster ok but i think they are a bit of a girlie car


Absolutely no more girlie than the Z4. Also if reliability is paramount, stay well away from BMWs.

[Edited on 20/1/16 by MikeRJ]


Unreliable? Really? That's not something that springs to my mind when I think BMW. Ones I've had and worked on have seemed well engineered and screwed together

sonic - 21/1/16 at 06:42 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, that looks a nice car Nick.

I think i will go and have a look at one and see what they go like.

Nickp - 21/1/16 at 06:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Thanks for the replies guys, that looks a nice car Nick.

I think i will go and have a look at one and see what they go like.


Where are you? My copy-cat cousin's in Hull's just bought one too

sonic - 21/1/16 at 07:18 PM

Hi Nick

I live just outside Howden, I wouldn't mind a look at it sometime if he or you have 5 mins

Mick

Nickp - 21/1/16 at 07:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Hi Nick

I live just outside Howden, I wouldn't mind a look at it sometime if he or you have 5 mins

Mick


Mine's just getting its brake upgrade but should be back on the road in the next week or so. If you need to see one sooner or if it's just easier to go to Hull then I'll ask my cousin.

sonic - 21/1/16 at 08:18 PM

Hi Nick

No rush, let me know when yours is back and you have 5 mins and i will bob over

cheers
Mick

Nickp - 21/1/16 at 08:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sonic
Hi Nick

No rush, let me know when yours is back and you have 5 mins and i will bob over

cheers
Mick


Will do

dhutch - 22/1/16 at 06:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
Paid a bit over half your budget for this one, and it's deffo not slow
Very nice. Slightly heavier I expect, but I can vouch for the 3l not being slow, book figure for the 330ci is 6.3sec to 60....






Daniel

ettore bugatti - 22/1/16 at 07:14 PM

Another BMW to consider is the 840CI, you wont loose money on that.

Or a Mercedes-Benz 500SL (R129) if it is more about cruising.

I might throw the Jaguar XK8 in here as well.

Certainly not boy racer cars.

sonic - 22/1/16 at 07:38 PM

Looks nice that Daniel, i must admit i have a soft spot for the couple but if i bought a 330 CI i would always wish i had saved my pennies a bit longer and bought the M3

nero1701 - 22/1/16 at 08:05 PM

I had an XKr, fun but predictable

z4 would be fun but would have to be the 3l one

Nickp - 23/1/16 at 11:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
Paid a bit over half your budget for this one, and it's deffo not slow
Very nice. Slightly heavier I expect, but I can vouch for the 3l not being slow, book figure for the 330ci is 6.3sec to 60....



Daniel


Yes that's the good thing about the Z4, apparently BMW went to great lengths to keep the weight down so it wasn't heavier (and slower) than the outgoing Z3. So they're 'only' 1300kg and sub 6secs to 60