dr_mat 0 Posted April 11, 2005 Have to agree. If you want cheapness *and* Corrado-style performance/fun then you're really looking at something pretty old, and you're not likely to get any kind of reliability. I mean an old MGB or something would fit the bill in all but the reliability stakes. Perhaps an ageing MX5 even would drop into your budget Jim.. Totally different, but a great drive too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted April 11, 2005 I'm not expecting another Corrado for the same kind of money.. I know, for what you get, the Corrado is a pretty unique beast. I just fancied a change again. I can't help it.. its just the way it seems to go after a year or so of ownership. I'm happy to forfeit performance for a bit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted April 11, 2005 I'd vote for the SX200 (s14a) too. They're discreet, reliable, quick and well equipped. Fiat Coupe - Probably more troublesome than a Corrado and those Bangle slashes are looking decidely dated now. Any MK4 except R32 & V6 4Motion - Boring & common. Any MK3 except Highline - Boring & common. A3 - I think the S3 is the only one worth bothering with. Coupe S2 - Very rewarding if you have the funds to maintain it. At the end of the day, given your budget and the fact you want cheap running costs and insurance, you might have to go Japanese mate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lippy 0 Posted April 11, 2005 not VAG but.......... 406 coupe? diesels are still ££ but the 2.0 and 3.0 V6 would do the job? diablo red, can nearly mistake the pininfarina styling for something else! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g60_Pete 0 Posted April 11, 2005 /me defends the fiat coupe lovely styling, and the comment on the fwd you cant really moan seeing as the rado is fwd (much better handling i know but meh) maybe a ford cougar? i know the v6 you can slap from fwd to AWD :D sounds cool to me! specially in that blue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted April 11, 2005 and the comment on the fwd you cant really moan seeing as the rado is fwd I'm sorry but that doesn't mean anything. The Ford Fiesta and Integra Type R are both FWD. One of them is arguably the best handling FWD car ever made, and one of them isn't. A common platform does not mean common handling. Looking through motoring archives, you'll find the Corrado scores better on Handling than the FIAT does. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g60_Pete 0 Posted April 11, 2005 well ok i get that too i just love the styling on it :D, and that 5 cylinder engine sounds mean. i have seen a few examples of its awful handling, i was just trying to (badly) point out the ammount of power put through the wheels on a 20v turbo sint much diff from some of the modded vr's, i just dont know what the point was now.. so er.. you win Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted April 11, 2005 LOL....it's not a competition dude.....just trying to make my point too :wink: Agreed, the 20V unit does sound very nice and 220bhp isn't enough to totally overwhelm the front wheels unless you drive like an idiot round the corners. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g60_Pete 0 Posted April 11, 2005 oh aye, i've seen some dutch meet and boy howdy does those things roar with a bit of induction, and a nice exahust doesnt hurt either. and you'll never find a car that has the absolute zero coolness of the active spoiler man i still watch it go up and down :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dinkus 10 Posted April 11, 2005 Well I'm not planning on keeping my Mk3 dog for all that long, so I've been thinking about what nice car I might get instead. If we disregard the 'not going to get insured until hell freezes over' side of things, my short would be... 1. Leon Cupra R 2. Bora V5 (some subtle mods and they look nice and they go alright as well) And err that's it. I'd like another C, but I don't want to deal with the hassle of replacing crap all the time and I kinda scared myself a bit too much. Having said that, you can now get Mk1 Elises for around £13k... ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted April 11, 2005 Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm probably gonna start hunting for a MK3 or MK4 of some sort. Some of the 'performance' options sound tempting, but I sold the Corrado because i'm looking to save some money. MK4 TDI of some sort is very appealing, and definately in my price range.. Will keep you all up to date on what I do though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-rado 0 Posted April 11, 2005 You have maihail :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted April 11, 2005 Heh.. thanks mate ;) Yeah.. getting more and more uninterested in the MK3 VR the more I hear about em. I'd just love to drive one and see how I feel about it, but deffo thinking more along the lines of a MK4 TDI now anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
'Rado 0 Posted April 11, 2005 Well its great to see alot of tainted facts about the Fiat Coupe abounding on the forum..... Firstly i sold my Missus Corrado G60 on Saturday as i bought her one of the terribly unreliable Fiat Coupe's a couple of months back :roll: ... Firstly the £1000+ cambelt change is a load of Harry Rolocks now - Fiat Specialists will do the job in approx 3-4 hours and thats including doing the water pump and auxilary belt without removing the engine for approx £350 - far less than the cost of doing the chains on a VR6 say but no one criticises VW for using chains and tensioners made of butter :roll: :!: As for unreliablity - sure Fiat have a bit of a reputation for some terrible build quality and quite rightly so - but the COupe was assembled by Pinifarina and id like to think it was screwed together a bit better than the average Fiat. Her car has no rattles whatsoever - everything works as it should and the car feels really solid and thats from me who wouldn't touch another Fiat with a barge pole as i hate everything else they make/have made in the last decade. As for terrible handling - what a load of crap - for sure it doesnt have the agility of the Corrado but its pretty damn good with a very quick steering rack and very pointy front end - coupled with a set of Eibachs and some decent rubber they are great fun... For sure they are not to everyones taste but i think they look great - not many on the road and in my mind far better value than the Corrado in current market conditions. Performance is stonking on the 20VT and for £35 you can get a custom chip to take you to 260-270bhp and beyond 8) . So my summary is a great car and great value at the moment - go in with your eyes wide open and get some advice from the Fiat Coupe forum and your onto a winner - and thats from someone that has been into VW for over 14 years and has driven both Corrado and Fiat Coupe - something that alot of people with opinions in this thread havent no doubt :?: :!: Pete. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-rado 0 Posted April 11, 2005 CLICKY! Nout wrong with this kiddy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K-rado 0 Posted April 11, 2005 and just incase you miss that one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 68631&rd=1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaiosG60 PWR 0 Posted April 11, 2005 That Alfa's very nice. :-) Good prices too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majik 0 Posted April 11, 2005 I would personally get a Tdi (150)engine fitted into a rado if economy was a problem. I wouldn't say modern cars are more reliable, MK4 have had a number of recalls and niggly electrical problems and they have to be plugged in to diagnostic for most electrical sensors. How about a Nissan Sx touring, made up to year 2000 and well equipped too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted April 11, 2005 Jim, if you're seriously thinking of a MK3 VR, you might as well check out 200SX s14A too. Similar insurance, and mpg would be better. Faster + loads of kit in the Touring. Rear wheel drive.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corradophil 3 Posted April 11, 2005 How about a Leon Cupra. 1.8T 180 BHP. 6 speed box. Climate control. The cheapest ones are going for around £5000, and you end up with a similar spec car to a Mk4 Golf anniversery, but also get the nicer (IMO) Audi dashboard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samm_cvr6 0 Posted April 11, 2005 A rev3 mr2 Turbo is seriously rapid although most have fallen into chav/boy racer characters hands but there are some really nice late ones around. Alternativley, you could just get a £250 disposable diesel off ebay? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dinkus 10 Posted April 11, 2005 See I don't like the Fiat Coupés cos I think they're friggin ugly, but that's just my opinion :) On the Coupé theme tho, I've always liked the 406 Coupé as someone else said. The Alfa 156 2.5 V6 jobbies are damned nice too.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samm_cvr6 0 Posted April 11, 2005 well, I defo think the 406 coup looks better than the Fiat. good to hear some honest opinions on this one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris VR6nos 0 Posted April 12, 2005 but you defo don't want a VR6???? Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 2 Posted April 12, 2005 No.. definately enough of Corrado ownership for now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites