£5k budget what car?

rgzcampbell · 7 Oct 2006 at 21:35

Hi guys,

My current car is a 2001 1.25 fiesta freestyle with FSH and 42k on the clock. I've owned it for 18 months now and fancy a change. I'm currently looking around for a replacement but I'm having trouble deciding on a specific car, so I'm looking for some suggestions.

I'm almost 25 (Nov) with 2yrs no claims and live in a good postcode so insurance shouldn't be too bad. (currently £460 fully comp).

so I've been looking down the sensible route of a 1.8/2.0 focus but wanted you guys input on alternatives particulary on the not so sensible cars!

so 5k to play and nothing too old say 98 onwards

[TW]Fox · 7 Oct 2006 at 21:38

Mk3 Mondeo on an 02 plate. Job done!

tblocksom · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:01

Octavia vRS on a 51 plate?

Nazbit · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:11

[TW]Fox said:
Mk3 Mondeo on an 02 plate. Job done!

I can see im not needed here

Trickle · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:16

Request for not so sensible alternatives to a Focus?

Nissan 200sx. Late 99 or even 00 possibly.

timbob · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:44

Shall we have a "recommend our own cars" thread?

In which case, a 106 GTi would serve nicely....

As for the not-so-sensible recommendations:

Mitsubishi FTO/GTO
Toyota MR2
Scooby/Evo
BMW 328i (or similar)

There's lots of pretty capable, pretty fast cars out there for £5k or so.

Fantom · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:45

106 GTi.....

edit: too late

Adz · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:49

What do you want from a car?

Handling
Manoeuvrability
Straight line speed
Economy
Image or lack thereof (Focus/Mondeo etc)
Practicality - interior + boot space?

For £5k of my own money factoring in insurance and running costs I'd probably buy a petrol (probably V6) Mk3 Mondeo or maybe a very late Omega MV6 but that's me and my requirements might be totally different to yours

.

daz · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:58

Seat Leon is probably worth a look.

Trickle · 7 Oct 2006 at 22:58

timbob said:
Shall we have a "recommend our own cars" thread?

Bit silly to recommend something you didnt rate yourself. I often deliberately avoid mentioning my own car.

As to your suggestions, bar the beemer they are rubbish as for 2 of them they wont fall into the age restriction and the 3rd he'll likely balk at the insurance... as did I when I was looking at this type of car on exactly the same budget 2 years ago.

timbob · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:42

Trickle said:
Bit silly to recommend something you didnt rate yourself. I often deliberately avoid mentioning my own car.

As to your suggestions, bar the beemer they are rubbish as for 2 of them they wont fall into the age restriction and the 3rd he'll likely balk at the insurance... as did I when I was looking at this type of car on exactly the same budget 2 years ago.

FTO - My GF's just bought a 97 plate FTO, fantastic car. Only a year out, and insurance shouldn't be too bad at 25. FTOs are very expensive to insure though.

MR2 - Again, I've seen R, S and T plate rev3 MR2s about for sensible money. When I was looking at changing cars and trying out lots of options, I could insure modded MR2s and 200SXs for under £800 fully comp - at 22 years old.

Scooby/Evo - Plenty around for the age and price. Again, insurance won't be too expensive at 25. Insurers seem to think a 25 year old with only a couple of years experience is less of a risk than a 23 year old with 5 years experience for some reason - so the OP should be ok on the insurance front.

rgzcampbell · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:43

Adz said:
What do you want from a car?

Handling
Manoeuvrability
Straight line speed
Economy
Image or lack thereof (Focus/Mondeo etc)
Practicality - interior + boot space?
QUOTE]

What do I want from a car? To be honest I'm not too sure, coming from a 1.25 fiesta more or less everything will be a massive difference. I guess I'm looking for a decent upgrade - faster, same handling etc but not stupidly fast i.e kicking the **** out of the insurance.

I do ~ 8k miles a year so economy is not overly important, practicality - if the car fits me and one other person in it thats enough. Finally image, not overly bothered but I'm not ready for the pipe and slippers yet.

[TW]Fox · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:43

timbob said:
FTO - My GF's just bought a 97 plate FTO, fantastic car. Only a year out, and insurance shouldn't be too bad at 25. FTOs are very expensive to insure though.

Exceptionally rare on anything other than a 95M plate.

Adz · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:45

Sounds like a 2.0l Focus would be a good suggestion. You could also look at an Astra SRI. Both relatively mundane cars therefore cheap insurance but decent handling, strong engines and good running costs

.

rgzcampbell · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:53

There is a few Seat Leon 20V T cupra's in my price range what's the general consensus?

Adz · 7 Oct 2006 at 23:55

rgzcampbell said:
There is a few Seat Leon 20V T cupra's in my price range what's the general consensus?

Basically a Golf. Decent engine, reliable but the handling is a little numb. Big upgrade from a 1.25 Fiesta though!

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2006 at 00:21

rgzcampbell said:
There is a few Seat Leon 20V T cupra's in my price range what's the general consensus?

If you want a reasonably quick VAG-hatch, it's the one to go for.

Trojan · 8 Oct 2006 at 09:06

rgzcampbell said:
What do I want from a car? To be honest I'm not too sure, coming from a 1.25 fiesta more or less everything will be a massive difference. I guess I'm looking for a decent upgrade - faster, same handling etc but not stupidly fast i.e kicking the **** out of the insurance.

I do ~ 8k miles a year so economy is not overly important, practicality - if the car fits me and one other person in it thats enough. Finally image, not overly bothered but I'm not ready for the pipe and slippers yet.

A Clio 172 sounds like it ticks all the right boxes - quick, great handling, and reasonable insurance (IG16). At £5k, you'll get the choice of a 2000/2001 phase 1:

or a 2001/2002 phase 2:

davidstone28 · 8 Oct 2006 at 11:59

timbob said:
Scooby/Evo - Plenty around for the age and price. Again, insurance won't be too expensive at 25.

You have got to be kidding? Whats your idea of not too expensive? £1500?

JAMAL · 8 Oct 2006 at 12:03

Deffo a 106 gti, lots of fun.