1997 E36 BMW 328i Cabrio Auto. Red like a Ferrari not a Batmobile. Private Plate
I know there are probably a few threads like this, but, as I'm crap with the search function I've started this one.
As i'm trying to clean up my finances my Focus ST is going (i think) and with what I owe on the drip I will clear a few quid. I'm looking
for options for a cheap fun tintop for around 2k, although i would stretch a little for a goodun.
Requirements:
-Has to have 4 seats, but I can cope with 2 doors, ideally not a supermini
-Reasonably quick/fun
-Not astronomical to insure
-MPG not a major issue, i cope with low 20's with the Foci
Cars I've had in the past that wouldnt consider again to discount:
-pug 206/306gti
-clio 182
-saxo VTS/106 GTI
Stuff ive been looking at: (again all comments welcome)
-E39 5 series
-E46 3 series (330i/330d)
-Skoda octavia VRS
-Focus ST170
-Mondeo ST220
So LCB massive, any suggestions?
THIS ONE. (Shameless plug, although technically it fits ALL of your criteria and is less than half the price of your limit)
1997 E36 BMW 328i Cabrio Auto. Red like a
Ferrari not a Batmobile. Private Plate
Does that include delivery to glasgow
To be honest I've always fancied an e36 328 but they all seem very tired and suffer with the dreaded tin worm
If I had some trade plates, yes I could deliver it 
It's not mint this one but really is a very tidy example. I've seen a fair few E36's which were abused and modded to within an inch of
their life, and this definitely isn't one of them.
Mind you, if you've got £2k to spend, in all honesty, you can do much better than the red thunder!
If you don't mind the mpg then I'd say an RX8 is what you're after. They are a lot of car for the money and quite fun to drive. Very
revvy and tbh the issues they have are all well documented online, most things are DIY . Just get a compression test done before you buy one. If they
test ok then you won't have any major issues.
They are so well finished inside, you will find it hard to believe you can pick up a really nice 2005 example for under £2k and have change to pay
your insurance.
4 seats rear opening doors.
The leather interior is the one to go for, looks great and is hard wearing.
I can't recommend one highly enough, Was my daily drive for a year until last month when I just couldn't afford to run one every day so I
have a VW bor(ing)a tdi for everyday and my dad bought the Rex off me so I can still drive it when I want..... Win win and freed up some funds to
build my 7 
My a6 2.7t quattro is still for sale, 1700 now it has a compete set of brakes Inc refurbed callipers. It's 250bhp and still gets 22mpg.
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
My a6 2.7t quattro is still for sale, 1700 now it has a compete set of brakes Inc refurbed callipers. It's 250bhp and still gets 22mpg.
Get a proper fun car, a Celica GT4 (ST205). You might find it hard to get for 2K but not impossible.
Fiat Coupe 20VT. Quicker than anything on your list (including the ST220), surprisingly good on fuel (30mpg from mine on my daily commute) and very practical for a coupe.
XJR
quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
-E39 5 series
-Mondeo ST220
Its a little off the budget but at the very bottom of the market, with patience and luck for about 3k you could pick a clio 197. It is a great car, not too similar to the 182 to be samey, but if you enjoyed that, which I hooe you did, you will certainly love the newer version.
quote:
Originally posted by PSpirineShameless plug, although technically it fits ALL of your criteria and is less than half the price of your limit...
quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
My a6 2.7t quattro is still for sale, 1700 now it has a compete set of brakes Inc refurbed callipers. It's 250bhp and still gets 22mpg.
Any more info, pics or a link?
Any preference for diesel or petrol?
Meganes 225 are about to get into that price range.
Although you might want the one with Cup chassis, 230bhp spec engine and LSD which end you up at the wrong end of 6 grand, great if you fancy a bit of
man logics
A E36 328i might be an better starting point if you like to spice up your car yourselves (engine tuning, suspension). A E46 non-M has limited tuning
possibilities compared to an E36.
Having said that, I quite like my E46 323i.
Surely, not the fastest E46 but that straight six makes the driving experiences so sweet and effortless, but still returns 34mpg. They aren't
bombproof, but the issues are well-known as are their fixes.
A Volvo S60 T5, Lexus IS200 and an Alfa 156 v6 are very desirable saloons, worth a look.