Ive got a budget of around a grand to get a car. I want something people my age (21) dont usually have, with good performance, reliability, not battered, and decent mpg. Insurance shouldnt be too much of a problem (as long as its not daft) coz confused.com RULES!!!

Some suggestions ive considered already include:

Honda Prelude 2.0
Peugeot 405 MI 16v
Mazda 323F 1.5
BMW 316i SE
Vauxhall Calibra 2.0
Vauxhall Astra GSI
Toyota MR2 mk1

p.s. please dont suggest a 205 or 309, theyre all battered and i dont like the look of them.

 

FORD CAPRI.

 

Hillman pImp

 

toyota starlet gt turbo

 

Well said that man

 

Merc 190E 2.5 16?

 

There's a nice BMW2002 Touring (Rally Spec) on eBay at the moment - if I had the cash...

 

My buddy has a mint MR2 MK1 i was really impressed with it when he took me out in it although you might be pushed to get a really good one for a grand. he currently pays only 190 quid fully comp because its a cherished car or something along those lines.

 

Hi

If you want something reliable (well as reliable as 1k will give you) i would go for the 323. I had one quite a few years ago and they're great cars and look nice aswell.

Just my opinion but i think you'd enjoy more than most of the others (pretty low ride with sleak looks)

Good post mate, had me thinking for quite a while

 

FORD CRAPI!

 

Toyota MR2 sounds good..........

PM me if you want one as it had to make way for the Scooby and I have one in my garage with MOT / Insurance / Tax all for less than a grand !!

Midlife.....

 

uno turbo or r5 gtt . cheap and quick or toyota starlet turbo?

 

Charade GTti, grp 11 insurance, 7.5 seconds to sixty standard, gets 30+mpg even with a heavy right foot.

On my third one, love the little blighters!

I had one as my first car when I passed at 21, I upgraded the brakes and suspension/poly bushes, did stage one mods, hybrid turbo and chipped it to run 1bar boost.

Was easily as fast(in a straightline) as my mates Jap Import WRX and handled like a go cart, with 205 style lift off oversteer

Last year at Trax running stage one mods it did the timed 0-60 sprint in 6.6 seconds, faster than the Focus RS's and Civic Type-R's that ran that day.

My current one has the above mods, plus a Gripper LSD and is just about to have programmable management, larger injectors, bigger throttlebody, fuel pressure regulator fitted, then mapped up to 1.5 bar, forged internals as standard, YEAH BABY!

Also worth considering the Swift 1300 GTi, Corolla 1600 GTi or Mazda 323 1800 GTi. A grand will buy you a nice example of any of these and none of them are slow.

 

All good food for thought... nice idea the MR2 mk1... need some convincing to get a car THAT old tho! Anyway, keep them coming!!! much appreciated

 

Almera GTi? Has to be better built than a Vauxhall....
Civic VTi would also get my vote

 

With a £1000 limit Buying a MK1 MR2 leaves about £250 spare ..LOL!! Mine's got 76 K on the clock, full MOT, Tax, Insurance

I'll mail a few pics if you like

Shaun

 

just tried to send pics here but Freeserve not happy


tomos@tomlad.freeserve.co.uk

 

confused.com said that they would be happy to insure me on my sti 4 (i'm 22, 4 years no claims, had the scoob for 2 years)for 4500!
I was a bit confused to say the least, as Greenlight, tesco's and elephant will insure me for around 1200!!!

 

Bloody hell!!! dunno why that is! I tried looking for scooby insurance on confused.com (just out of curiosity) and I got £1700 I think. Im 21 with 2 years no claims, ive only ever driven a Fiat Panda, Citroen AX and my dad's freelander. I think youre doing it wrong mate!

 

What's everyone's opinion on a metro gti? theyre dirt cheap, low miles, not a usual boy racer's choice, but they go like stink (my mate's mum had one).

 

They're actually pretty nippy.. Even more so with the 1.8 VVC engine

 

ive decided i cant get a decent enough car for £1000, i really want a Honda Prelude. So (dont laugh) im planning on looking at a hyundai accent advertised locally, S reg, 49,000 miles, 1.3, £1095. Reckon i could sell that at a profit and get something worthwhile.