Well, being out of work is creeping on and on and to be honest, benefits are a waste of time (something to do with my redundancy package being "useable income" and so my benefit entitlement is reduced - *****!)

So, I had to sell my car so that I don't have a loan any more and am looking for something to keep me going for 6 months or so till I get a job sorted, and my finances back in order....

I have a max of £2000 to spend, and am unsure what to get. I want something that is a fair bit of car for the money (don't fancy a 1.0 fiesta as I want some comfort & drivability ) I also want something that will sell quickly when I come to sell it 6-8 months down the line without much of the dreaded depreciation....

My ideas were something sporty along the lines of a Mk2 Golf GTI or an E30 325i, or should I go for the more sensible Vectra/mondeo/BMW 520i sort of thing???

What's the best car I should be looking for????? Cos I am stumped, but need a car

Cheers
Mike

 

205 Mi16 - can pick up a very nice one like mine for £2k.

 

PS mines not for sale, but there are a couple for sale on 205gtidrivers.com

 

May I suggest an Alfa 155?.......All of them well speced and stand out from the crowd..A V6 can be had for 2.5 K, youll get a 2.0 Twin Spark within your budget.Not with silly mileage either.......

At your price bracket you wont lose to much in value after 6 months/year

Buying new a different matter!

 

I recently bought a '95 Vauxhall Omega 2.5v6 GLS for £2,000. Big, RWD, comfy, handles well for a big car you'd be surprised, hot hatch performance (0-60 in 8secs), great on long journeys, cheap for parts since vauxhall have slashed their prices. 25/30mpg is the only downside but I don't do great mileage so doesn't bother me. Mine's in very good condition, 91,000 miles, ex-network Q car, full history etc. A lot of car for the money imo.

 

How about a 106 Rallye? granted you don't get the toys but it'll keep its money and be great fun to drive as long as you don't do too many motorway miles.

 

The mk2 Golf is a good idea. Parts are cheap and there are plenty of cars to choose from!

I personally prefer the 8v over the 16v, thanks to the torque lower down.

The 8v has the advantage of not having as many running issues, cheaper insurance and being quite good on fuel! My fiancee managed over 40mpg with the car, but I was only getting 28-32mpg!!!

 

Listen to DW - he's knows what he's talking about!!!

205 GTi - you'll never have as much fun without taking your clothes off

 

I'm with Jawa: 205 rool!

Or save yourself some REAL cash and buy my dear old Golf GTi in General Sales section. I've had more expensive nights out.

 

Took my Mi out recently for a long B road blast and it was just unreal - haven't had that much fun in a car for years

 

I bought John Banks pug 406 3.0v6 for that money and its brilliant! 73k miles 0-100mph in 19s, pulls in 5th judder free from 900rpm (!!!), has all the toys, cruise, electric everything, heated seats, computers, etc and is generally a joy to drive. Having driven my scooby for the first time in ages this morning I can say that the pug would left for dust over the twisties but interestingly IMHO the pug would totally demolish a standard classic shaped scooby when over 100mph!! (and from a rolling start wouldn't be far of the pace in the first place!)

 

Mike16v

how about a Saab 900/9000 Turbo?
Leather, gadgets and as much as 200bhp for about your budget.
Cheers
Brett

 

Forget the 205 thats FWD and built like a tin can also not what you want if you would like comfort , I'd have a 200sx, E30 325 or an AE86...

 

Astra GTE 16v.Come with 155bhp as standard. Crackthe 100mph in under 20 seconds with 135mph available so not too slow these days.
Get a really nice one for £1200 - easy to sell on with "that engine"! Plenty of tuning bits available plus they make a decent motorway cruiser (unlike some hot hatches) as well as a B-road blaster.

 

Yeah, if you go for the Golf, as andy said the 8 valve is preferable for most situations, I have had both and prefer the 8 valve. Still fairly quick even these days if running right with a few basic mods, watch for rust though.

 

Cheers for all the help.....

Golf 8v is the favourite just now.... Someone suggested a Cavalier Turbo or an Astra GSI to me yesterday........ Astra's seem to be quite hard to find (well, the quick verions anyway!) and the Cavalier just makes me think of duff 4x4 systems..........

If I could find a *good* Cav Turbo it could be tempting.......

 

Fiesta RS1800?

 

back of the trader find some thing to do up cost less for a better car 2 examples 1) W-reg Corsa sport 1.6 16valve MY2000 27k miles on the clock £1500 black needed a bonnet £30 and a front wing £15 then spraying up a total of another £100 sell on for approx £4500 good profit in 6 months time.
2) 02-2002 Astra 1.6 8valve 15k on the clock needed roof skin which was supplied guy wanted £1695 but would take £1500

good luck

Darren