Suggestions for fun daily driver

iolanthe07

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

With 14 years experience of running one, I'm going to disagree.


I did just have all three radiators replaced (it's an S so has the extra centre radiator, which is the one that had failed) and both air conditioning condensers at the same time, but it's 18 years old now so I don't find that totally unreasonable. Cost me £1100, so it's going to be an expensive year this year - normal servicing and maintenance bills average about £1000/year.



I don't like front engined cars with all that weight over the steering wheels, which is why I wouldn't have an MX-5. My other car is a Hillman Imp.

I borrowed my son's Boxster for a fortnight this summer (in California), and although it was much quicker than my MX5, I honestly don't think it handled so well. I was really looking forward to driving it, but was quite disappointed, tbh.

motorguy

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

With 14 years experience of running one, I'm going to disagree.


I did just have all three radiators replaced (it's an S so has the extra centre radiator, which is the one that had failed) and both air conditioning condensers at the same time, but it's 18 years old now so I don't find that totally unreasonable. Cost me £1100, so it's going to be an expensive year this year - normal servicing and maintenance bills average about £1000/year.



I don't like front engined cars with all that weight over the steering wheels, which is why I wouldn't have an MX-5. My other car is a Hillman Imp.

And you know your car inside out no doubt and have maintained it well. Buying one cold for say, £7K could be a risk, particularly if you dont know them - which the O/P doesnt.

I ran one for around a year and managed to sell it for £100 more than i paid for it. It only cost me a set of tyres and a rear number plate light in that year and TBH changing the tyres were a personal choice not a necessity.

BUT - it was just a weekend car for us, and i was conscious it could have thrown up a big bill at some point.

If the O/P is not that in to cars, then an MX5 would be a good starting point rather than chancing an older Porsche.

Arklight

I don't want to sound pushy or anything but the Almera I linked to still hasn't gone under offer. I think if people have the kindness to look for amazing Almera deals and post them on the internet then other people could have the good grace to at least take them up.

I shall be checking that and other Almera listings daily now.

martinthebandit

Arklight wrote: »

I don't want to sound pushy or anything but the Almera I linked to still hasn't gone under offer. I think if people have the kindness to look for amazing Almera deals and post them on the internet then other people could have the good grace to at least take them up.

I shall be checking that and other Almera listings daily now.

I wonder why you think the OP would be interested in a 14 year old banger?

It's a mystery to me

Richard53

martinthebandit wrote: »

Mazda MX5 would be my choice for fun and quirky but doubt you'll get one at the and price you want.

+1


Fun to drive, bomb-proof reliability, cheap to maintain and fix. If mine hadn't died of rust it would now be my daily driver. They are available from anything upwards of £800 so they are affordable as long as you aren't precious about having the latest registration number.

James2k

The most fun cars ive had are probably my RX8 and S5, S5 has 470bhp, rx8 had ~200 but the handling was better hands down. and you can get them cheap!

Just dont buy a rusty one because they get chopped by random polos at the lights.

bertiewhite

Well thanks for your input everybody, I've spent most of last week and this weekend visiting various dealers and also checking the classifieds. I almost went for a mini but plumped for a Mazda dealer serviced 8 yr old mx5 with 44k on the clock for quite a bit less than my budget in the end.

martinthebandit

bertiewhite wrote: »

Well thanks for your input everybody, I've spent most of last week and this weekend visiting various dealers and also checking the classifieds. I almost went for a mini but plumped for a Mazda dealer serviced 8 yr old mx5 with 44k on the clock for quite a bit less than my budget in the end.

Good choice, enjoy

Richard53

bertiewhite wrote: »

Well thanks for your input everybody, I've spent most of last week and this weekend visiting various dealers and also checking the classifieds. I almost went for a mini but plumped for a Mazda dealer serviced 8 yr old mx5 with 44k on the clock for quite a bit less than my budget in the end.

You will enjoy it, I'm sure. Just keep an eye on the underside and sills, and tackle any corrosion before it gets bad. Third generation (NC) are better than the second (NB), however.

gord115

James2k wrote: »

The most fun cars ive had are probably my RX8 and S5, S5 has 470bhp, rx8 had ~200 but the handling was better hands down. and you can get them cheap!

Just dont buy a rusty one because they get chopped by random polos at the lights.

S5 doesn't have 470 bhp! Even RS5 doesn't.

Is this DM and his fantasies again?:rotfl: