Second car suggestions

[Dawson]

Decided that later in the year we're going to buy a fun second car. It'll be used for hooning around in at the weekends, on nice summer days to work (70 miles there and back) and possibly commuting if either me or my girlfriend change jobs.

The criteria:

• Max £8,000 budget (or thereabouts)
• Not insane to insure - will be a new policy, so 0 NCB and i'm only 23 years old
• Reliable - don't want bits falling off or expensive things breaking
• Not too old - 2000 onwards
• Convertible is fine, but not too bothered if it's not
• Probably not front wheel drive - needs to be pretty special if it is
• Great handling - might be used on trackdays
• Practicality isn't important, as long as it has 2 seats and 4 wheels.
• Has to make me smile
• Needs to be kept all year round outside

We've got the Civic as our main car, but something more fun would be nice.

I've got a few ideas, but I wouldn't mind hearing some other suggestions. Any ideas?

[Andrea]

Id say a Smart Roadster (the fiance) has one. The only thing with them is the insurance but his is a brabus so i think the standard roadies are cheaper to insure.

[elfa7]

How about a mini ?. You should be able to get a nice one for £8000 by year end.

[cylon2007]

Westfield/caterham

[pjelsworth]

I would go for a motor cycle, but a close second for that type of money would probably be a Mazda MX5; it meets most of your criteria.

[Mark996]

Lotus Elise would be my choice in that price bracket.......I'd really prefer a Vaux VX220, but they are 10K upwards......

[Dawson]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Originally Posted by Andrea

Id say a Smart Roadster (the fiance) has one. The only thing with them is the insurance but his is a brabus so i think the standard roadies are cheaper to insure.

Never considered one of them at all. Insurance is fine, they look great, but I'm pretty sure the lack of power and automatic gearbox would make it a definate no go for me. I'm not sure how reliable they would, but it'd be economical though. I'll find one to take on a test drive before discounting it.

Originally Posted by elfa7

How about a mini ?. You should be able to get a nice one for £8000 by year end.

I can't stand them. Underpowered (Cooper-S would be too expensive to buy and insure), too many of them on the road, and a bad image associated with them. They don't seem special anymore.

Originally Posted by cylon2007

Westfield/caterham

I like this suggestion, but I don't think it's useable enough for commuting. I don't have a garage either so it'd have to be kept outsde. I don't think I could allow my girlfriend to drive it if I had one either.

Caterham - cheapest 2001 onwards in the country is £14,500. Too expensive.
Westfield - just about affordable. Just not convinced it's the car for the purpose.

Originally Posted by pjelsworth

I would go for a motor cycle, but a close second for that type of money would probably be a Mazda MX5; it meets most of your criteria.

I'm scared of motorbikes. Needs to be useable all year round, including driving over iced up roads on cold winter days. Slowly, but needs to be drivable.

MX5 - That was one of my thoughts. Spot on for insurance and budget, RWD, engine up front, reliable, 2 seats, it has a boot, looks great, safe, trackable, and it's a convertible for the summer.


Any more ideas?

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by Mark996

Lotus Elise would be my choice in that price bracket.......I'd really prefer a Vaux VX220, but they are 10K upwards......

Love them both so much, but running costs rule them both out. Insurance, parts, reliability and that nasty K series engine in the Lotus. Shame, as they're awesome cars.

[Hartside]

Easy - last model Type R

[Mark996]

If you don't mind a left hand drive car, I'll quite happily sell you my Civic for £8500 tomorrow!!!!! I'm moving back to the UK soon, so I'm gonna need to get shot of mine pretty soonish and sharpish at that.....

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by Hartside

Easy - last model Type R

I've done the hot hatch thing and not sure if I want another. If I could convince myself I did, the Civic Type R would be top of the list without doubt.

Originally Posted by Mark996

If you don't mind a left hand drive car, I'll quite happily sell you my Civic for £8500 tomorrow!!!!! I'm moving back to the UK soon, so I'm gonna need to get shot of mine pretty soonish and sharpish at that.....

No thanks.

[l-noel]

Daihatsu Copen will be my choice...

[richardc]

Another vote for an MX5. Never driven one myself, but a friend had one and said it was one of the best drives he has had.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Dawson

Thanks for the replies so far.



Never considered one of them at all. Insurance is fine, they look great, but I'm pretty sure the lack of power and automatic gearbox would make it a definate no go for me. I'm not sure how reliable they would, but it'd be economical though. I'll find one to take on a test drive before discounting it.

There is no such thing as lack of power with them, the power to weight ratio makes up for low bhp, they are like sh** off a shovel. You can also get them remapped.

It is also a semi auto box, which although it is quirky is part of the fun.

As for reliability, as long as you look after it you will be fine. My fiance has had his for 18 months ish and it has done 40k (its his every day car) and touch wood he has never had any problems.

Definatey worth a test drive mate and then you can make your own mind up but we would highly recommend one, there is also a few fantastic forum communities and always meets going on if that is your thing.

If you do test drive one then let us know how you get on.

They are a hell of a lot of fun.

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by Andrea

There is no such thing as lack of power with them, the power to weight ratio makes up for low bhp, they are like sh** off a shovel. You can also get them remapped.

The official 0-62 time is only 11.2s with a top speed of 113mph. Not that fast Andrea! And thats the Brabus 80hp version. Our Civics are faster!

[Andrea]

it feels like ** going a hell of a lot faster tho, i always feel like we are going quicker than if in the civic. the man asked for suggestions and i gave him one, im just trying to point out the good points i think it is a good car.

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by Andrea

it feels like ** going a hell of a lot faster tho, i always feel like we are going quicker than if in the civic. the man asked for suggestions and i gave him one, im just trying to point out the good points i think it is a good car.

I'm not arguing with you! Just quoting some stats! Probably seems faster because the cars small and so close to the ground, I don't doubt its fun!

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

I'm not arguing with you! Just quoting some stats! Probably seems faster because the cars small and so close to the ground, I don't doubt its fun!

i didnt say you were arguing with me. Im just stating why im recommending it.
i think they are much nicer than say an mx5 but that is just my personal opinion. the only way you can tell if you like it is to test drive it and see.

[LNT]

I'd consider the Daihatsu Copen too. There's some used ones here:

http://daihatsu.vip1.m25.co.uk/resul...NewSearch=true

For the fun factor, a Merc SLK style roof and the obvious kudos of not everyone having one, like they do MX5s, you should give one a test drive.

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by l-noel

Daihatsu Copen will be my choice...

Eugh, no. Don't like the look of them (much prefer the Smart Roadster) and I'd look stupid in one.

Originally Posted by richardc

Another vote for an MX5.

Lots of people seem to be suggesting an MX-5. It certainly ranks highly in my eyes.

Originally Posted by Andrea

There is no such thing as lack of power with them, the power to weight ratio makes up for low bhp, they are like sh** off a shovel.

Originally Posted by czechplastik

The official 0-62 time is only 11.2s with a top speed of 113mph. Not that fast Andrea! And thats the Brabus 80hp version. Our Civics are faster!

Yeah, I'm not convinced about it's outright speed, but they look great and are supposed to be great to drive. Worryingly, it might be slower cross country than the Civic, and if that's the case it's a definate no. I'll be sure to test drive on and make up my own mind though.


May as well mention the cars that I'm thinking about, in order of preference:


1. Toyota MR2 1.8 Roadster



Will be able to buy a 2001/2002 with 30k miles for £8000.
1.8, 140bhp, ~40mpg, mid engined/rear wheel drive, 975kg, convertible. Doesn't have a boot. Insurance group 13.



2. Mazda MX-5 1.8



Will be able to buy a 2002 with 40k miles for £8000.
1.8, 143bhp, ~30mpg, front engine/rear wheel drive, 1065kg, convertible & has a boot. Insurance group 13.



3. Honda Civic Type R



Could get a 2002 with 50k miles for £8000.
2.0, 197bhp, ~30mpg, front wheel drive, 1204kg, 5 seats & has a boot. Insurance group 17.



4. Honda Integra Type R



Could get a 1999 with 50k miles for £8000.
1.8, 187bhp, ~35mpg, front wheel drive, 1101kg, 5 seats & has a boot. Insurance group 18.



Out of the 4, I've only test drove the Civic. Loved the engine, loved the handling, felt so much sharper and lighter than the Focus ST, but couldn't be driven as fast in the real world. Mazda is supposed to be a little soft, but quite practical. The MR2 on the other hand is more of a drivers car, but the on-limit handling can be deadly once it lets go. Integra would be great, but I'd be worried about spending that sort of money on a 8 year old car.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm all ears.