Suggestions for temporary cheap high powered car

zeon999

verityboo wrote: »

There are only 2 tax bands for cars registered before 1st March 2001, the higher one is £215 so not too crazy if you go for an older car

I fancy a change of car so I've been looking through the ads on Ebay and Autotrader lately and there seems to be a lot of cars high spec cars for sale with one of the warning lights on on the dash - airbag or ABS. The adverts state it doesn't matter as it was only advised on the MOT but the MOT changed on the 1st Jan which means a warning light on will now result in an MOT failure (and probably a big bill, the seller hasn't fixed it for a reason)

"Also would like it less than 10 years old."

One of the examples given was a 2.4l Honda Accord type R, great car.
£270.00 for tax though as its 229 g/km making it a band K. And things are only going to get worse in terms of tax on high CO2 cars.

Most of the cars mentioned are the same banding.

It was more the cost of fuel I was thinking to be honest, tax is only once a year after all.

verityboo

zeon999 wrote: »

"Also would like it less than 10 years old."

Would seem a bit daft to limit the choice to less than 10 years old for no reason, particularly as there are advantages to having a slightly older car. When buying a sub- £2K car there are many important factors to look at and consider, the exact age is probably the least of them

zeon999

verityboo wrote: »

Would seem a bit daft to limit the choice to less than 10 years old for no reason, particularly as there are advantages to having a slightly older car. When buying a sub- £2K car there are many important factors to look at and consider, the exact age is probably the least of them

This is very true simply quoting what the OP said, depending what he is looking at making sure its actually registered before the new tax bands will save him some extra money for a start.

I would agree, mileage and condition of the vehicle is far more important, as is insurance costs.

Notmyrealname

I had the same idea as you Jaydee...mid life crisis job with a honking engine and which went like stink. I've always liked the 2005 on Mustangs and could afford to run the 4L as a daily.

So I went to the bank, got a loan and bought....

...a MK4 Mondeo TDCi because its good on fuel.

And I regretted it ever since.

thelawnet

This was mine:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211456686733

Sold it last January for I think £1800, there was some panel damage but nothing else wrong with it, maintained to schedule, looks like he's done the cambelt fixed the dented panel. 100% reliable, You can have a look at a 2.9 auto, they should be slightly cheaper.

almillar

The Alfa is a far better car than the other 2 you mention. Other 2 may have more toys. Alfa 156 is a good shout too. You're in luck, because the type of car you're after - conventional 3 box car, not diesel, not small, not MPV, not 4x4 isn't selling well at all. You could get a top notch E36 (1991-1999) BMW 3-Series, which are beyond your 10 yr limit, or a smaller engined or lower spec E46 (1999-2006). Also consider 5 Series maybe. Good call above on the Galant. Honda Accord, Legend, Citroen XM, Rover/MG 75/ZT are all possibilities too at a guess...

andygb

I would have suggested an ST24 Mondeo (but they are going to be 12 years old), because they are fairly reliable and they are entertaining.
You may even get an early Skoda Octavia VRs for that money.

jaydeeuk1

verityboo wrote: »

Would seem a bit daft to limit the choice to less than 10 years old for no reason,

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Only reason I wanted under 10 years was mainly because I reckon safety systems are better on newer cars, although with a jag there would be a lot of metal between me and whatever I decide to hit.

Wouldn't say the safety of my 2 month old is no reason

Don't think I would get a BMW, nearly everyone in my office has one in identical colours and spec. They're good cars, but as they're so popular, even the more expensive to run ones, that rules it out for me.

I do quite like Hondas, wife hates them all for some reason, and she'll probably end up driving it more than me!

The Rover/mg 75 was something I hadn't thought of. Are the v6 variants still susceptible to HGF?

Wish there was some way I could convince her an alfa GTV 3.0 or fiat coupe 20v 2l turbo was appropriate!

verityboo

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Wouldn't say the safety of my 2 month old is no reason

Wish there was some way I could convince her an alfa GTV 3.0 or fiat coupe 20v 2l turbo was appropriate!

The Alfa GTV was introduced in 1995 so the design of its basic structure & crash safety dates back to that time, even if you buy a 2005 one.

I can appreciate you valuing safely but if that is the case you need to look at when the car design was first introduced, not simply when a particular car was first registered

Indout96

I've always liked the 2005 on Mustangs and could afford to run the 4L as a daily.

Wont get them for 2K though but they are great although driving on the left stuck behind a bus / lorry you cant see round becomes very annoying. I had a Camaro for 5 years

Back to OP (ignore the 5 door bit and have some fun)
Celica 190 - you would be amazed how fast they are in real life conditions and you will be able to pick up a reasonable one for £2k nowadays, get the lift bolts changed and you should not need to pay anything else out until xmas.