Roojai

I'm looking to get a reasonably quick car that is not too obvious from it's appearance (so no MR2, no scoob etc). I will spend around 4K.
Top of my list is an S14 200sx but I keep thinking that I have not considered all my options. What is the V6 mondeo like? The st220 is new isn't it so no chance for my budget. How about the pug 306gti6, another car that falls into my budget. old M3??

Basically I need a car that is fun to drive and reliable. I will be doing some motorway miles so it must be a fairly good cruiser but also good in the twisties (I'm greedy I know).

Roojai

just to chuck another option into the bag - toyota soarer. Any good. Thirsty perhaps. any of them manual??

PG

I drive a Mondeo V6.
Great car. I have an estate (mobile kennel) and TBH it is as good a car as I have had. Quick, plenty torque, not too thirsty and can be bought for good money. Very unasuming and good fun when you have the boy racer in your boot in his fast car and you sink the foot without changing down and pull away in your estate car
What about the ST24 ?

MarkCSC

Have a look here for info on the Soarer

http://www.toyotaimportsforum.co.uk/soarer/index.htm

Also what about a 190 2.5 16v Mercedes Cosworth? Probably better bet than an E30 M3 as an everyday car.

Dave T-S

I've spent the last month hunting around for a GTI6 for a track day car project, and you'll only get a doggy one with around 100k miles on for £4k. It will probably be tired and want a lot of work.

I eventually got a 99T 306 Rallye (tidy and unmolested, but short tax/MOT)for £4650.

Ringpeas

How about a civic VTi ?

Very understated and as quick as the 306.

hail-hail

I have an ST24 and am more than happy with it. I changed from an STi3 so felt sluggish to start with. Now I am more used to it it seems reasonably fast. The engine is very torquey and pulls in all gears at most speeds. Engine note is quite nice aswell. I paid 6.5k for a 99 V plate with FFSH and 40k miles. A high miler should be in your price range. From what i have read the engine is bulletproof and runs for ever if serviced correctly.

Have a look at Ford mondeo Forum for more info.

ScoobyJawa

GTi-6 is a cracking bit of kit

BrettC

How about a Saab 9000 Aero?
You could get a nice one for your budget.
225bhp in Recaro'd leather luxury. effortless mile muncher on the motorways and the Aero doesn't handle badly (for a big heavy car) in the twisties.
good(ish) mpg, OK, not the cheapest car to service and maintain but you get what you pay for I suppose.

Just as an example check this out.
http://www.saabclub.co.uk/adverts/1077631809.html

philcrombie

Great idea! - the more people that buy these, the less mine will shed value.... I went from an Mr2 turbo to the big Aero - and it bl**dy shifts. Boost is restricted a little in 1st and 2nd, but once in 3rd its a hoot. 1/4 mile is 14.8 0-60 6.7 if you can get any traction.
I'd spend 400 fitting a set of konis though - handling ok, but unlikely to be as sharp as an ST220
Just make sure you get a manual.. Pick one decent ones up for 3.5-4k , but they are like rocking horse doo doo.

BrettC

I agree with Phil about the Koni kit.
Check out Abbott racing if you start going down the modding route. 300bhp isnt out of the question and for not a lot of outlay.

My old 9000CS 2.3T (not aero) was up to 265bhp with a whopping 320 lf/lb of torque.
I sold this car for £1500! it did have 200,000 miles though.
I have just bought another for the best part of £2000. If you found something like this it would also leave you a little 'play' money.
cheers
brett

MiGi

Mate if you are after a car that is fun fun fun to drive get the peugeot, i am baist cos I'm the lucky owner of a 106 rallye (similar in most respects apart from size) the gti6 is so much more fun to drive than any on the list. When u first drive it u will hate the high driving position and the gear change but give the thing a chance and it will grow on you, they are bloody brilliant. very few cars can be thrown at corners like these things.....you got to have ***** to do it cos they do bite (oversteer in a fwd car is very very possible). Not going to comment on reliablity etc but on the drive they are one of the best FWD cars u can buy!!! The rallye will easily out handle my sti 6 although the sti wins with its grip and power. Drive one HARD (and I mean nail it) and u will see.......

Dave T-S

Tread carefully with the GTI6 - I ran one for three years......these cars are heavy on their front end - be prepared to have to replace wishbone bushes and balljoints, track rod ends, anti roll bar drop links, rear beam bushes as they knock most of these to pieces in a very short time. If you test drive one and the car wanders under power, cornering or braking this is probably the cause. Any driveline shunt and it is probably engine mounts.

Cam belt change is critical on these cars too at no more than every 45,000 miles to be safe, and change tensioner plus water pump at the same time - water pumps can sieze, then cam belt gets thrown off, kaboom engine......

logiclee

Another vote here for the Mondeo.

I ran a V6 for a year and the handling and steering feel are first class. The V6 Duratech is smooth with more than enough torque from very low rpm.

Economy is suprising for a big car, I used to average around 30mpg and a couple of times saw over 40mpg on gentle run outs to the coast.

Servicing and parts are the usual Ford affair. A mate at work bought mine and he's run it for the past two years, for the 3 years we have owned it between us it's had servicing, tyres and brake pads. Other than that nothing has broken or gone wrong.

Cheers
Lee

Recaro

I've got a GTi-6 at the mo and agree with Dave-t-s. Great car but for £4K you aint going to get a good Gti-6. It will likely be a high mileage or a poor example

what would scooby do

Another vote for a stealthy saab turbo I run one as a second car to the scoob..