craigowl 0 Posted May 29, 2005 After driving for 35 years I can tell you that the car that fits the bill for everything one might want has yet to be built. In 1972, I remember we had a short list comprising Triumph GT6, Land Rover (cost £1200 then), Opel Manta (£1389), and Toyota Corolla Coupe which got a great review in "Motor" - a first for Japanese cars. At the time, we had just bought a house (£4750) and had acquired a Reliant van to keep other costs down. We did a 1000 mile camping tour of the Highlands in it with no regrets, tho' the vehicle is mostly a joke now. Since I retired 3 years ago, I have flitted from "sensible" notions of VW/Seat/Skoda with PS130 1.9TDI engine, Honda Jazz and Honda Civic, to less sensible desires for VR6 Corrado (succumbed to that temptation), VR6 Golf, PS150 Golf 4 TDI and Golf 5 2.0 TDI GT. You have to seriously consider your priorities in life when buying a car, but human beings are emotional creatures and the heart will often rule the head. It is a sign of true freedom in a great country that many of us can consider the choice of model for our next car to be the next great dilemma in our lives. Enjoy and be grateful. Here endeth the lesson. :wink: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Louie Lungbubble 0 Posted May 29, 2005 Amen to that, but my biggest dilemma right now is what boxys to put on. Simpsons, or George?? :turn-l: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craigowl 0 Posted May 29, 2005 my biggest dilemma right now is what boxys to put on. Simpsons, or George?? I trust you weren't sitting at the pc of a Sunday morning with your dangly bits out Louie Lungbubble :shock: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobbywhacker 0 Posted May 29, 2005 eurgh.... test drove a westy, scared the life out of me -- no thanks. Did a track day in a 172 cup, absolute hoot! Altho a bit manic maybe. I'm thinkin of saving now and going for a E46 M3, or a TVR Tuscan... hmmm or maybe I should save for that deposit and move out of my folks house lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 29, 2005 I had until fairly recently a Lotus Twin Cam powered Westfield that was pushing out about 175BHP, it was a pussycat compared to the Grinnall Scorpion that I had before - that used to spin in its own length - taught me a lot about car control Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigbluec 0 Posted May 29, 2005 JT You can't be trusted to own another C! all you do is phone me up to fix it or moan then sell it!! I think the best thing for your abilities as a mechanic would be a 2cv :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 0 Posted May 29, 2005 :lol: glad to hear your still alive, and yeah your probably right .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 29, 2005 Josh, good G60's are getting increasingly hard to find, unless you are very lucky you would be better off searching for a good sound car and budget for work to be done to get it into the shape that you want. I bought a great base car last year but it still frightens me to think about how much I've spent on it since - car now stands me at far more than its market value Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 0 Posted May 29, 2005 andy, i do hear what you are saying but you never know what is out there, i'm not supprised your g60 o's you so much reading your sig sounds like a lovely car, i looked at westfield yesterday it was a 91 with 2 litre kicking out 170bhp and had only done 400 miles was lovely but just a bit too raw for my only car, but i really wanted it.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 29, 2005 Buy it and buy a banger for when its wet - you have access to some fantastic roads - shame not to maximise the opportunity of enjoying them Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 0 Posted May 29, 2005 don't i would love too, but i have to do 800 miles sometimes in a week and i can't risk running a banger for that and can't use the westy for it instead, well i could but after a 12 hour day which half of that can be diving i would just be too tired to get in it and enjoy it, i am really struggling tho as what to buy........ hence seeing if someone has a nice g60 that they are thinking of selling as this ticks all the right boxes.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe M 0 Posted May 30, 2005 I know you said your not keen on BMW's but for all round performance and value for money I think an E36 M3 Evo is hard to beat right now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz2004 0 Posted May 30, 2005 Toyota Corolla Coupe which got a great review in "Motor" - a first for Japanese cars. Does anyone have a pic of this car? Im really after one for my old man he had one in the 70s and always goes on about its subtle style and excellent drivability. E30 M3 Evo if your looking for handling E36 M3 evo if your looking for pace. others perhaps TT? Evo 6? Sti? Audi Quattro Ur? 16VG60 syncro mrk 2? Corrado storm, Clio sport 172, Williams Clio? Williams Renault 5? Brabus E190, 106 gti? Fto? fiat coupe 20VTurbo. Lancia Delta Integrale, skyline turbo, escort cossie, to mention a few. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gradeAfailure 0 Posted May 30, 2005 Errrrr, I think if you look on p1, JT said his real-world budget was around £5k tops, so that rules out most of those! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g60_Pete 0 Posted May 30, 2005 but not the fto, damn thats a great looking car! not slow either. though for similar money im sure you can pickup a scruffy gt0/3000gt (BEEFCAKE) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted May 30, 2005 Octavia vRS all the way - fast, good looking, well built and easily tunable, seen a few 51 plate cars with full histories for less than 5k Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZippyVR6 0 Posted May 30, 2005 Pug 306 GTI-6 Fantastic little car. Nails most things in its price range, about 5 k will pick you up a goodun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted May 31, 2005 S14A 200SX!!! Talk to Scott on here- he's gone from a C VR6 to an SX. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted May 31, 2005 eurgh.... test drove a westy, scared the life out of me -- They're not scary, they're brilliant fun! Fun getting in and out of the thing aswell! The speed with which you can go onto and exit a roundabout in a Westy is insane! If you think a Corrado can corner, it's nothing next to one of these bad boys! For £5K, it's got to be a Corrado VR (a good one), Fiat Coupe 20V T or Nissan 200SX S14. Having been through all this myself, there just isn't anything else out there of the same money that's half as good. Corrado for looks, refinement and either of the other 2 for speed....although a charger on the VR will soon take it into the boosted S14 and 20VT territory. Mate at work has a 280bhp S14 and tbh it doesn't feel any quicker than my standard VR.... it's a little punchier in the midrange but that initial car length or two pull away is easily clawed back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 0 Posted May 31, 2005 thanks for all your input guys but i decided what to buy, a lovely 97 golf highline in mauve with the matching leather f/s/h 64000 miles a/c e/w heated leather etc lowered 30mm on h&rs, fk 17's and reiger bumpers front and rear proffesionally fitted, it's in lovely condition and i'm very happy with her will post some pics up tom. cheers guys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil K 0 Posted May 31, 2005 ooow! sounds nice! look forward to your pics 8) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites