HFS's Cars

[Philly]

I have a friend with one of the older 9-3s. It's about as quick as my GTI in a straight line and now handles pretty well thanks to a new anti-roll bar. That and it is quite the luxury car inside.

However, the 2.0T in that car might not give you what you're looking for in terms of insurance and fuel mileage. And I don't know how much it'll run you price-wise.

Do you have an example post code so those of us in the States can poke around Autotrader.co.uk to see what we can find? Doesn't have to be yours but something that'll get us in...

 

[Jondot]

Do you have an example post code so those of us in the States can poke around Autotrader.co.uk to see what we can find? Doesn't have to be yours but something that'll get us in...

Yep yep. Try LS8 4HD (it's the first thing that came up for an Avenue in Leeds).

 

[homeforsummer]

This red Saab 900 S caught my attention, a little more than 130K on the clock, for only £750. It looks like its in pretty damn-good shape, and given how reliable (in general) that they are, that screams "good deal" to me. A shame the gas mileage won't be HUGE (it'd do what, maybe 25 MPG US? So, 30 MPG UK?), but I'll be damned if it isn't a good stripped down and otherwise "normal" car.

That does look like a nice car, and they're so damn cheap too. We've had a couple of the older 9-3s in the family (same shape as that 900) and one of the new ones. Economy isn't much more than 30mpg UK as you said, though it does improve on motorways. However, we've had a number of reliability issues with them, so the older 900 was down on my list as it's a bit more characterful but also being an oldie it doesn't need expensive dealer servicing if it goes wrong!

This has got to be a good one. A Honda Civic Del Sol

Now you're talking - perseverance pays off! I almost included the Del Sol in my shortlist, I've been a fan of them since the original Gran Turismo when one was used in a licence test! I like the shape of them and they're supposed to be much better built than the Civics of the same period.

Also, they come within my budget! Well, the ESi models do. Ideally, if I got any Honda, I'd want one of the twin cam VTEC models (it'd be a shame to get a Honda and then not get one of the proper VTEC ones) and it's very rarely that the VTi models come in under budget. There are plenty of ESi models (single cam VTEC with 123bhp) so the only issue really is that it'd be more of a poseurs machine than a genuinely quick car.

Though @YSSMAN, even the ESi would be quicker than my current car, we're still talking 9 seconds ish to 60 versus 14 seconds for my Fiesta!

The Del Sol is probably more usable than something like the MX5 too, as the boot is pretty big as long as you don't choose the electric roof version.

If I found a VTi in my price range in good condition, I'd bite the seller's arm off.

 

[Bones Brigade]

that wouldnt be a good way to try and buy the car...

 

[Slick6]

My vote has to go to the 4th Gen Preludes. I had a 1992 Si for a first car and I wish I still had it. They are very fun to drive if you get a five speed. Mine had an H23 (non-Vtec), which had about 160HP. The car had 225,000 miles and was still very reliable. I loved the interior, actually the most comfortable car I've ever sat in. In my opinion it is one of the best body styles Honda has ever designed bar the S-2000. Alot of the other cars mentioned are suitable as well. But I can tell you if you decide on a Prelude, you're guaranteed to be happy. 👍

 

[homeforsummer]

that wouldnt be a good way to try and buy the car...

My vote has to go to the 4th Gen Preludes. I had a 1992 Si for a first car and I wish I still had it. They are very fun to drive if you get a five speed. Mine had an H23 (non-Vtec), which had about 160HP. The car had 225,000 miles and was still very reliable. I loved the interior, actually the most comfortable car I've ever sat in. In my opinion it is one of the best body styles Honda has ever designed bar the S-2000. Alot of the other cars mentioned are suitable as well. But I can tell you if you decide on a Prelude, you're guaranteed to be happy. 👍

Thanks for the input 👍 The Preludes are both pretty tempting, the 4th gen certainly looks miles better than the later one, and the later one is a bargain considering you can get it under my budget when it was pretty expensive in it's class brand new.

 

[homeforsummer]

*Bump*

Been thinking a bit more. Thought I'd add a few out from left field:

Hyundai Coupe F2

I know the Coupe has been mentioned earlier in this thread, but this model in particular is one that interests me. It has somewhere around 140bhp (so it'd be a nice performance boost over my current car) and it's supposed to handle pretty well (I've got loads of magazine road tests of these things. The Carsurvey reports are encouraging - they appear to be fairly reliable things. The second hand examples I've seen seem to be in good condition too. Equipment is good, leather seats, aircon etc.

Anyone got any experience of driving them? I quite like the look of them, even in the blue above (wouldn't have picked it if I didn't like it, I guess).

Renault Megane Coupe 16v

I mentioned this very briefly in my OP, but I've looked around at a few more on the net and they're amazingly cheap for what you get. I've always liked them - as a young teen there was a Megane in my family and I always wanted it to be a Coupe 16v! Engine is from the legendary Clio Williams. The ones that haven't been snapped up by chavs seem to be in remarkable condition.

So again, anyone driven one of these? I seem to remember Scaff mentioning he had one at one point, but he doesn't appear around these parts much.

 

[Sniffs]

looks like you've got a couple good choices, there. I kinda prefered the Meg in GT2 when I did drive it. hope it works as well RL. (I'll take a Laguna, personally)

 

[Famine]

*Bump*

Been thinking a bit more.

About the MX-5, right?

Thought I'd add a few out from left field:

Bugger. Instead of looking at underwhelming coupes, why not go for a good one?

Like...

Mazda MX-3 1.8i V6?

 

[Leonidae]

^+1.

 

[Joey D]

+2

I would look at the MX-3.

 

[homeforsummer]

MX-3 is another consideration actually, I'd forgotten about it! The V6 is certainly tempting. Famine, you may be able to assist actually:

How many MPG around town/motorways/average (this is the important one - much as I don't do many miles ideally I don't want anything that averages lower than about 35mpg)? What are servicing costs like? And what are your general driving impressions, grip, fun, comfort, ride etc?

I'll have a looky at what insurance would set me back too.

 

[Famine]

MX-3 is another consideration actually, I'd forgotten about it! The V6 is certainly tempting. Famine, you may be able to assist actually:

How many MPG around town/motorways/average (this is the important one - much as I don't do many miles ideally I don't want anything that averages lower than about 35mpg)? What are servicing costs like? And what are your general driving impressions, grip, fun, comfort, ride etc?

I'll have a looky at what insurance would set me back too.

MPG: 38 extra-urban, 30 urban, 34 combined. Better on Shell, crap on Tesco Ullage.

Servicing costs are pretty average, except for cambelt changes (seriously, if you want to see fright in the eyes of a Mazda technician, tell him you'd like a cambelt change on an MX-3). £700 for that, so get one 12 years old that's just had its second one done.

Grip, fun, comfort, ride... I've had mine 5 years. Take a guess

People over 5'11" won't thank you for a back seat ride, but you and a front seat passenger will be sorted. Grip & fun are between the Mk1 MX-5 and the MX-6 (worse than the former, better than the latter), and ride is similar (better than the former, worse then the latter).

 

[homeforsummer]

Cheers Famine. So what's the MX6 like then too? I'd forgotten about that and they're pretty nice looking things too, and dirt cheap.

I'll have a looky at what insurance would set me back too.

Answer: £317. Not half bad, about average of everything I'm looking at.

Damn, the MX3 is looking pretty tempting... this one looks lovely. Only 64k miles too.

 

[Famine]

The MX-6 V6 is the Ford Probe V6. The only difference is what you prefer to look at... MX-3 handles better, but isn't quite as top-endy.

That's MX-3 is nice, but awkward. It's just about 12 years old, and has covered just about 60,000 miles. Which means it either needs or has just had a cambelt change. £1,500 having had it = good. £1,500 having not had it = £2,200...

(by the way, my previous car to the MX-3 V6 was... a 1.3 Fiesta LX (Mk3) )

 

[homeforsummer]

The MX-6 V6 is the Ford Probe V6. The only difference is what you prefer to look at... MX-3 handles better, but isn't quite as top-endy.

I definitely prefer the MX6 to the Probe (though the Probe doesn't look to bad in a 90s American car sort of a way, the name still bothers me), it's a very sleek looking thing.

That's MX-3 is nice, but awkward. It's just about 12 years old, and has covered just about 60,000 miles. Which means it either needs or has just had a cambelt change. £1,500 having had it = good. £1,500 having not had it = £2,200...

Yeah... I noticed that it was bang on the 12 years you mentioned. Not a problem for me personally though I guess, as I wouldn't be buying for a good few more months! But it's something to look out for I guess.

(by the way, my previous car to the MX-3 V6 was... a 1.3 Fiesta LX (Mk3) )

Hah. Natural progression perhaps?...

 

[Famine]

I hope so - .AMG had an MX-3 V6 before his SL55AMG. Before his 996 Porsche Carrera 4.

 

[Roo]

I definitely prefer the MX6 to the Probe (though the Probe doesn't look to bad in a 90s American car sort of a way, the name still bothers me), it's a very sleek looking thing.

My mum had one for a while (a Probe). It broke down a lot. I had to drive it to work for a couple of weeks when my cars were being fixed; it was amusing for about 5 minutes, and then it was just mediocre in every single way. If you like stupidly named, unreliable coupes with a bad ride and plough-on understeer, especially in the wet, then by one. Otherwise, avoid.

 

[homeforsummer]

I don't intend to get a Probe - the MX6 was the sleek car I was referring to (hence the Probe comments were in brackets).

 

[Famine]

My mum had one for a while (a Probe). It broke down a lot. I had to drive it to work for a couple of weeks when my cars were being fixed; it was amusing for about 5 minutes, and then it was just mediocre in every single way. If you like stupidly named, unreliable coupes with a bad ride and plough-on understeer, especially in the wet, then by one. Otherwise, avoid.

It was either a 2.0 (Mazda 626 in a frock), or the V6 and what broke was the wiring loom

With decent tyres on, the V6 is a great laugh. It has Mazda's passive rear-steering Twin Trapezoidal Link (like the MX-6 and MX-3) too, so taking two bites at a corner is way more fun that doing it first time.

Plus they cost absolutely cack all now. Woeful for the new money, but worth every penny of a grand.

 

[niky]

If it's got the 2.0, pass on the MX6. It had decent grunt, but it was a completely gutless motor over 5000 rpm. I've had that motor in the 626 and had some... errh... interesting times with it... loves oil. Hates heat...

Even the last iteration of that 2.0, with 140 hp (which we have in our current Mazda), is a relative turd. Good for passing torque and fuel economy, but not much else unless you plan to spend a ton of jack (like I have) "improving" it. Still loves oil. Still hates heat.

I'd go for the MX3. Did you guys get any Mazdas with the BPT there? That was a pretty nifty motor.

 

[Famine]

The Mazda 323 GT got the BPT. Of course, that was the 323 that preceded, and was the basis for, the MX-3 rather than the 323 most people in the UK know (the Lantis).

 

[homeforsummer]

If it's got the 2.0, pass on the MX6

The MX6 in the UK has a 2.5 V6, as far as I'm aware. Appears to have similar performance but worse economy than the MX3's 1.8 V6 (which you'd expect, really).

Of course, that was the 323 that preceded, and was the basis for, the MX-3 rather than the 323 most people in the UK know (the Lantis).

Do you mean the 3dr hatchback one (around the same time as the pop-up headlight one) as opposed to the pretty 5dr (below) that shares the MX3's V6?

I have a soft spot for 323s actually, but I'm not considering them to replace mine, there are too many other things taking my fancy.

 

[Famine]

That 323 got the BPT (1.8 turbo). The next 323 is the one the MX-3 is based on, and the next one is the Lantis you've pictured.

No car shares the MX-3's 1.8 V6 - though a 2.0 variant turned up in the 323 ZXi (along with the Xedos 6, a 2.3 in the Xedos 9, and 2.5 in the MX-6/Probe).

 

[Sniffs]

how the bloody hell did the UK get stuck with the Ford Probe? revenge going the wrong way over the Capri we got sent from Australia? or maybe for sending us Merkurs.

(probe was intended to replace mustang...every car guy in existance beat the snot out of Ford for it!)

I've never seen the Lantis base 323 around here (which also happens to be a personal first gen GT fave of mine), and I don't think we get the Familia based 323. to me, the 323's looked like Camry's (or, later, Mondeo/Contour/Mystique) that shrunk in the wash.

 

[homeforsummer]

No car shares the MX-3's 1.8 V6 - though a 2.0 variant turned up in the 323 ZXi (along with the Xedos 6, a 2.3 in the Xedos 9, and 2.5 in the MX-6/Probe).

Ah, reet. Thanks for the correction 👍 Mazda do like their small-capacity V6s though don't they! I forgot the Xedos 6 and 9 existed too, the 6 was a tidy looking thing.

 

[Famine]

how the bloody hell did the UK get stuck with the Ford Probe?

I liked the Ford Probe. It was never great value new, but as a used car now it's brilliant. The only differences between it and the MX-6 are the Ford wiring loom and the looks - which I prefer to the ungainly quasi-MX-5-Mk1 snout and incongruous boot.

Ah, reet. Thanks for the correction 👍 Mazda do like their small-capacity V6s though don't they! I forgot the Xedos 6 and 9 existed too, the 6 was a tidy looking thing.

To be fair, the MX-3 V6 is only the smallest capacity V6 available on the world market. Mitsubishi did a 1.6 V6 in some Japan-only vehicle (the 2.0 derivative of which pops up in the FTO).

Mind you, Ferrari made a 2 litre V8.

 

[homeforsummer]

I bet that 1.6 V6 isn't exactly over-endowed with torque. What's the MX-3 like for torque? I'm not overly fussed, though my Fiesta is actually pretty good as far as low down torque goes and I tend to use it to my advantage getting the 45mpg+ average fuel economy I've been getting for the last 6 months or more.

As for lots of cylinders in small capacities, the world of motorcycles still has that sewn up. Such as the 60s Honda RC149, 125cc and 5 cylinders

 

[Famine]

Thanks to some jiggery - and indeed pokery - known as Variable Resonance Intake System, the V6 has almost all of its torque across most of the rev range. It's only about 115lbft (give or take), but it's available from 2.5krpm up to 6.5krpm.

You can set off in 3rd easily and in 4th by accident. I rarely even use 1st... And it's quite a party piece that you can roll up to 10mph in whatever gear you choose, then slot it into 5th, and it'll still pull. So torque isn't a worry, really

 

[forza2.0]

Do you want a mondeo ST for a grand?