Cars - Something Interesting

[sotal]

Not sure if it's the fact that I can't drive at the moment but I've been thinking about changing my car again :!Removed!: I've started a couple of threads before but to be honest I've never been 100% convinced about any cars.

Anyway my circumstances have changed slightly so my requirements have changed so I thought I'd try and get some ideas/opinions.

My work has moved and is now about 8 minutes walk, or about a minute drive away. So my mileage is going to drop greatly :D I also have the landrover as a second car now so I can use that as a run about and we've got a Focus. Up to now I've always had to park on the road but in a few weeks (depending on how long my leg is out of action) I'll have a secure off road parking spot.

So my thought was to go for something that is quite un-economical

I'm selling my motorbike and if I was to get a new(er) car I would be selling the Celica as well. My absolute maximum budget is £8000 but I would prefer to spend around £5000. I need something that can cope with going to a few odd meetings now and again - maybe 1 a month but it must look good and give a good impression, so maybe something a bit flash?? I could also do with reliability - I've come to love reliability with having the Celica and would prefer to not have lots of unexpected and expensive bills. (the landrover always breaks but only costs a couple of quid to fix )

Any ideas??

My initial thoughts are:

Celica GT4 - I do fancy something different though

Celica 190 - Only just for £8000

Ranger Rover V8 - I like 4x4's but it might be a bit slow?

Lotus Elise - I love the looks but the Rover K series worries me

MR2 Turbo - Seem expensive for the age?? Look a little dated (I can cope with that but I need the business look)

Audi A4 Quattro - Bit boring looking but otherwise spot on and looks corporate etc

Supra TT - Again aging a little and expensive for a TT

I'm open to ideas but would like to keep it newer than the Celica, and it must avoid the following makes:

No vauxhalls (except vx220 ) or Peugeots or Citroens or Renaults.

I really fancy something fun and I can see kids appearing in the not too distant future so I might not get the chance again for a while!

[PaulT]

Could get a nice MR2 roadster for £8k

Will have to go if you do get kids :D

Paul.

[daktari]

Celica GT4 - I do fancy something different though

Celica 190 - Only just for £8000

Ranger Rover V8 - I like 4x4's but it might be a bit slow?

Lotus Elise - I love the looks but the Rover K series worries me

MR2 Turbo - Seem expensive for the age?? Look a little dated (I can cope with that but I need the business look)

Audi A4 Quattro - Bit boring looking but otherwise spot on and looks corporate etc

Supra TT - Again aging a little and expensive for a TT

Looking at the list i`d discount the Rangey straight away. Like driving the QE2.

Also the Elise as you pointed out. K Series lump not too good for reliability.

Audi - Good cars but cost a bomb when/if they go wrong.

Celicas. GT-4 The best IMO but if you like tinkering it`d be a nightmare as Adam is finding out. The 190 again IMO is a poor substitute for the 4. (Sorry guys :D )

The Tubby.... Ageing gracefully and i`d love one.

Supra TT. Supercar performance, 5 door shopping trolley price.

Have you considered some of the more exotic imports. Soarer, Aristo etc.

[Carrera_C]

Go for the GT4, I just upgraded from my ST to one and it's great. The exact same comfort that I'm used to, all the buttons where I expect them only now I've got a legion of crazed, hyper, steriod-loaded energizer bunny's under the hood.

Only thing is finding a good one, took me a wee while to find one.

[Leeky]

Have you considered some of the more exotic imports. Soarer, Aristo etc.

Indeed, how about a nice Aristo I know of one thats up for sale and only about half your budget :D

[jay dh]

how about at an audi s2, ive always had a soft spot for them are they have bags of class, style, performance (if you go for 2.6+).

i love the vx220 too but for 8k? you would have to know some people that know some people that rob some people

[sotal]

Don't get me wrong with the next statement as I love the GT4 - but I'm just not sure it has the right image?? Most of the sort of people I have to go for meetings with I need to make a good impression with and most are driving around in Merc's BMW's and Audi TT's and have no idea about what a good car is. I need something which gives them a good impression rather than thinking I'm a boy racer That's where the 190 came in.

This is where I get stuck everytime

I really like the lotus elise and that would fit all my criteria - it would be loads of fun, it looks amazing it's in my budget - but it's got a rover lump :(

The range rover was just one of the ideas in the background - atleast it would be ready for kids! The thing that puts me off the range rover is the amount they rot and fall apart.

I had looked at the import cars - I really liked the import version (RS200?) of the Lexus IS200 but the insurance was such a pain that I gave up looking into that.

I guess the above has helped as you lot have helped me to realise I need to cross the GT4 and MR2 Turbo off the list :( The 190 and the newer MR2 can stay on the list but I'm not convinced.

[Fidgits]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/81208.htm - okay over budget but you might be able to knock him down a touch ;)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/64169.htm

How about something unqiue? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/66043.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/83265.htm

I know you said reliable - but the RV8 is the most reliable, not to mention, best sounding version... ;)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/60748.htm

how about something that is going to be the next classic?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/76035.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/77444.htm ???

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/79820.htm - proper audi!

and.......... (a great find if i do say so myself)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/78120.htm

(bear in mind, white is now cool apparantly!)

[sotal]

Thanks fidgets - there's some good cars in there

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/81208.htm - okay over budget but you might be able to knock him down a touch ;)

very nice - what engine do the vx220's have? Is it the same as the elise?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/64169.htm

bit too old - also doesn't really do much for me

How about something unqiue? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/66043.htm

I like that! Not sure how insurance will work out - It's quite close to being a bike without actually being one

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/83265.htm

that's foul! Too old and looks it as well

I know you said reliable - but the RV8 is the most reliable, not to mention, best sounding version... ;)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/60748.htm

Now that's what I'm talking about - that looks amazing and affordable. I'm guessing when they do break it's mega bucks to fix?

how about something that is going to be the next classic?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/76035.htm

too old

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/77444.htm ???

Nah I couldn't do it

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/79820.htm - proper audi!

again a bit too old

and.......... (a great find if i do say so myself)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/78120.htm

(bear in mind, white is now cool apparantly!)

Now that looks nice although I have never been keen on white - you've been watching TG haven't you

As this conversation goes on I can see myself getting pulled towards the more exoctic cars like the TVR and the Lotus, How reliable are they when I'm only doing a limited number of miles? I could probably get a way with less than 3000 miles a year, and it wouldn't be the end of the world if it wouldn't start in the morning as I could use the landy or walk to work - I just wouldn't want to pay to have it fixed

[Leeky]

As this conversation goes on I can see myself getting pulled towards the more exoctic cars like the TVR and the Lotus, How reliable are they when I'm only doing a limited number of miles? I could probably get a way with less than 3000 miles a year, and it wouldn't be the end of the world if it wouldn't start in the morning as I could use the landy or walk to work - I just wouldn't want to pay to have it fixed

Dont get a Lotus! I speak from experience. The only one to go for is the Toyota Engined later S2 Elises as everything is Japanese.

More trouble than they are worth! Get the TVR if you want british :D Im looking at TVR's myself now The only thing with a TVR is you need to be prepared to do EVERYTHING yourself. As garages will charge the earth. Engine rebuild (regular TVR thing) from a garage - £2-3k.....do it yourself.....Under £100 ;)

[Karma Supra]

I would say supra, soarer, or aristo v300 :D

Supra Twin turbo Rs rock

[Fidgits]

To be honest, the chimera's are pretty reliable.. the only issue is the electrics because the bodys fibreglass..

And if you know where to go, fixing is cheap.. the engine uses Range Rover parts, the brakes ford etc...

I very nearly bought one, but i couldnt have it as a second car, so needed to use it for work, so stuck with the lex...

but go give one a go, ;)

As this conversation goes on I can see myself getting pulled towards the more exoctic cars like the TVR and the Lotus, How reliable are they when I'm only doing a limited number of miles? I could probably get a way with less than 3000 miles a year, and it wouldn't be the end of the world if it wouldn't start in the morning as I could use the landy or walk to work - I just wouldn't want to pay to have it fixed

Dont get a Lotus! I speak from experience. The only one to go for is the Toyota Engined later S2 Elises as everything is Japanese.

More trouble than they are worth! Get the TVR if you want british :D Im looking at TVR's myself now The only thing with a TVR is you need to be prepared to do EVERYTHING yourself. As garages will charge the earth. Engine rebuild (regular TVR thing) from a garage - £2-3k.....do it yourself.....Under £100 ;)

erm..

£3k is for a speed 6 rebuild if the cam fails... and thats from TVR themselves (factory rebuild)..

the RV8 is MUCH cheaper to fix, and doesnt suffer those sort of failures...

[sotal]

fidgets is the rv8 just any chimera with a v8 or is it a specific model??

I like the one on PH but after having a look round I can't find any that look as nice as that one had different lights.

is it a common mod to fit tuscan lights??

[PaulT]

Most of the sort of people I have to go for meetings with I need to make a good impression with and most are driving around in Merc's BMW's and Audi TT's and have no idea about what a good car is. I need something which gives them a good impression rather than thinking I'm a boy racer That's where the 190 came in.

You require a Soarer V8 Air with all the gadgets. Cheap, reliable, a bit thirsty but will look very nice in the car park alongside all those German cars

Paul.

[Lou-Lou]

Could get a nice MR2 roadster for £8k

Will have to go if you do get kids :D

Paul.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! Make them walk everywhere until they are old enough to drive themselves.. sorted

[Fidgits]

fidgets is the rv8 just any chimera with a v8 or is it a specific model??

I like the one on PH but after having a look round I can't find any that look as nice as that one had different lights.

is it a common mod to fit tuscan lights??

sorry - RV8 means 'Rover V8' - the same engine from the SD1, Range Rover etc...

all Chimera's and Griffiths came with that engine - there are a few variants..

4.0, 4.5 & 5.0 - there are also a couple of 4.2's, and i think the griffith had a 4.3 option, but im not 100%

They also did HC models (High Compression) which had a higher output.

The tuscan look is a mod, but its practically a new front end :!Removed!:

[sotal]

hmm - well I wouldnt say no!

That one on PH actually seems a very good price I had a quick look about but there was nothing as nice as that one for that price. Shame its at the other end of the country!

I know a rover v8 specialist so that would be handy if there was any problems. Although after years of working with the V8s he really doesnt rate them! He reckons they are only good for 100k max before they need a rebuild

[Fidgits]

well, with your budget you will be at the bottom end of the Chimera market..

how about:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/81645.htm

Has the Ford 2.9 V6 engine

[Flat Pack]

I'd go for this over an S

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/81361.htm

Don't discount the Elise completely, sure I've said this before but head gasket problems on the K Series are overstated. Its got a very small coolant capacity though, so make sure you keep an eye on it - if it gets low it WILL cook and then blow the gasket.

Insurance on the Grinnall Scorpion might not be as much as you think, they come under the kit car banner and insurance on kit cars is normally pretty cheap :) Bit mad to drive every day though.

[Fidgits]

I think the Wedges are love or hate - but gotta love the RV8 ;)

[sotal]

I'd go for this over an S

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/81361.htm

Don't discount the Elise completely, sure I've said this before but head gasket problems on the K Series are overstated. Its got a very small coolant capacity though, so make sure you keep an eye on it - if it gets low it WILL cook and then blow the gasket.

Insurance on the Grinnall Scorpion might not be as much as you think, they come under the kit car banner and insurance on kit cars is normally pretty cheap :) Bit mad to drive every day though.

Not so keen on that one. It's another one of those which is probably a very good car but it just looks old now!

[Jones~32]

Get someone off here to take you for a spin in a GT4, then you WILL want one :D

[Fidgits]

Get someone off here to take you for a spin in a GT4, then you WILL want one :D

next to a TVR?

doubtful ;)

[Jones~32]

Get someone off here to take you for a spin in a GT4, then you WILL want one :D

next to a TVR?

doubtful ;)

Well not against a TVR no, but there is the reliability aspect ;)

[Leeky]

Dont mean to hijack the thread, but is it just me or are ST025's starting to hit some sort of reliablity barrier? Seems quite a few people are having problems with theirs now