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philibusmo

By philibusmo
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philibusmo Rank: Renault 16

philibusmo

Posted
Posted

I am getting the car boredom itch. This has caused me to spend some time on eBay, Gumtree and auto-trader looking at the available dross and I have decided I need something speedy, let me know if you have any better suggestions than I can come up with.

 

I have only two stipulations, firstly no Heather Mills specials and must be within the shiter budget, although I'm not going to impose a specific limit.

 

1. Alfa Romeo 156 V6

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-ALFA-ROMEO-156-2-5-V6-RED-/121266617044?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c3c0dbad4

 

Power: 183BHP

Engine: 2.5 V6

0-60: 7.3 seconds

Top Speed: 143mph

Drivetrain: FF

Pros: Superb handling, driving position and glorious engine.

Cons: I've had a 2.0 before, suspension bushes made of cheese, expensive cam belt changes.

 

2. Mitsubishi FTO GPX - MIVEC

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-MITSUBISHI-FTO-BLACK-PETROL-MANUAL-IMPORT-COUPE-2014-MOT-TAX-/261392123034?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cdc2f449a

 

Power: 197BHP

Engine: 2.0 V6

0-60: 7.1MPH

Top Speed: 120MPH

Drivetrain: FF

Pros: Good looks, tidy handling, unusual engine.

Cons: Not so fast in a straight line, impractical, many are chaved and ruined.

 

3. MG ZS 180

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-MG-ZS-180-2-5-V6-long-MOT-only-67000-miles-two-tone-half-leather-/131113591168?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1e86faa180

 

Power: 174BHP

Engine: 2.5 V6

0-60: 7.3 Seconds

Top Speed: 139MPH

Drivetrain: FF

Pros: Looks great - in my opionion, best handling of the MG Rover range, plentiful and cheap.

Cons: Cam belt is expensive, two head gaskets mean double the fun.

 

4. Toyota Supra Turbo

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-TOYOTA-SUPRA-TURBO-MANUAL-WHITE-/201033833978?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2ece8cddfa

 

Power: 234BHP

Engine: 3.0 Straight 6 Turbo

0-60: 6.7 Seconds

Top Speed: Many MPH

Drivetrain: FR

Pros: Oldest car of these 4, pop up head lamps, I bought one in Gran Turismo back in about 1999 and it was great.

Cons: Rust, a large proportion seem to be fairly knackered, only a small proportion are manuals.

 

Right, so what other cars may you suggest? The more obscure or humdrum looking the better.

philibusmo Rank: Renault 16

philibusmo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have considered the XJR but getting a manual in budget is not possible. The 928 is similar in that regard, but more likely, maybe a 944 would be a more likely option.

catsinthewelder Rank: Lancia Gamma

catsinthewelder

Posted
Posted

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-LOTUS-ECLAT-WHITE-/181311159134?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a36fcbb5e

 

$_57.JPG

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-E28-BMW-535-I-BLACK-REGRETFUL-SALE-NEEDS-A-LITTLE-TLC-HAS-MOT-NO-TAX-/151225931803?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2335c4981b

 

$_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-MONDEO-ST-24V6-133000-MILES-ALL-OLD-MOTS-/171235967123?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27de758093

 

$(KGrHqFHJCEFJK6WnQy,BSUG+W7lkw~~60_12.J

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VAUXHALL-VECTRA-GSI-3-2-V6-SILVER-cant-px-swap-/171238780147?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27dea06cf3

 

$_12.JPG

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-JAGUAR-SOVEREIGN-V12-AUTO-RED-FOR-LIGHT-RESTORATION-not-XJS-or-XJ8-/261393868988?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cdc49e8bc

vulgalour Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

vulgalour

Posted
Posted

Nissan Primera GT.  Sneaky, sneaky, Charlie**

3185_17_p7190019-b.jpg

 

Vauxhall Calibra.  These things look amazing, always have.

3680463.jpg

 

Ford Cougar.  Been described to me as 'not as appalling as you might expect', which I assume is the briefing here.

Ford_____Cougar_1998_Purple.JPG

 

Vauxhall Tigra.  These also look fantastic.  Vauxhall were producing some ace looking cars around this time.  I wouldn't mind giving one a go some day if I need a modern* car.

tigra_1.jpg

 

 

With it's two litre engine, this is going to be a veritable powerhouse of a thing, you'll probably have to fit an ironing board spoiler to the boot and ground effects on the bumpers just to keep it under control so I have no idea why you're looking for anything else.  You can clearly see from the low ride height and lightweight windows that it's designed with the track in mind but it has four doors so is very practical too.

20140204-04.jpg

 

 

**you've seen Charlie the Unicorn right?  No?  Just me then.

  • Wilko220 and catsinthewelder
  • Like 2
overrun Rank: Renault 16

overrun

Posted
Posted

^ I have been to Candy Mountain...

 

As for the car, mk2 MR2 Turbo. Fit an MBC and go chasing plastic rocket Power Rangers.

filthyjohn Rank: Austin Maxi

filthyjohn

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I'll never not recommend volvo turbos. I got a £300 940 turbo, added a £20 boost controller, whacked it from 3.5 to 14psi, hey presto 140mph for £320.

 

As said though, with a touch more to spend, mk2 MR2s are insanity. Stupidly quick standard and about as tunable as any car ever made.

  • garethj and fotorabia
  • Like 2
jmsguzzi Rank: Citroen Ami

jmsguzzi

Posted
Posted

I have considered the XJR but getting a manual in budget is not possible. The 928 is similar in that regard, but more likely, maybe a 944 would be a more likely option.

 I don't think you can get a manual XJR.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-VAUXHALL-SENATOR-3-0i-24V-MANUAL-TAX-MOT-RARE-OLD-SCHOOL-FLYING-MACHINE-/161210748542?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2588e8ce7e

$_12.JPG

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Legend-Saloon-V6-/191023421183?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c79e216ff

$_57.JPG

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-MG-ZT-V6-190BHP-BRITISH-RACING-GREEN-/261394620817?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cdc556191

$_57.JPG

Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
Posted

20140204-04.jpg

 

 

What I like about this turbo nutter bastard machine is that it is poised on a launch ramp ready to surge forward with unstoppable rust power.  That, or putting it on a slope is the only way to get it to move.  Either way: World of Win. 

Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
Posted

I am biased, but from the above I would choose the Eclat for love (but also heartache/ nadger ache), and the 156 for practical zappage.  The front suspension is not quite as frangible as is widely maintained, but, yeah, you do have to renew the bushes more often than you would wish.  The car feels even quicker than the book figures indicate.  I would describe the handling as good, but not quite stunning, especially as the V6 engine adds weight at the front.    My one (a V6 Sportwagon) is a tad understeery, but that might be because it is shaggered innit, although I hope not.    They tend to do nom noms on the front tyres.  

 

An Eclat is not blistering fast* but is soooooo handly, and more practical than you might think when working, but also sadly prone to being broken.   Rust only tends to be an issue with the door bars, as water gets inside the doors and rots the bars.  Then the doors fall off on roundabouts.  The hidden roll bar and chassis tend not to rust.  

 

 

 

 

 * Well, the paint on the fibreglass may be blistering fast.

  • catsinthewelder and fotorabia
  • Like 2
Asimo Rank: Talbot Matra Rancho

Asimo

Posted
Posted

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201305086660573/sort/default/usedcars/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/rx8/radius/1500/make/mazda/postcode/hr14ud/colour/orange?logcode=p

 

Mazda RX8. 231 hp

 

Hundreds to choose from, all manual, from scrap money upwards. Very entertaining.

Once you have had a wankel you'll never be satisfied by reciprocating.....

  • catsinthewelder
  • Like 1
gordonbennet Rank: Renault 16

gordonbennet

Posted
Posted

200+hp driving the wrong wheels? = wheelspin, torque steer, understeer = frustration.

 

Suggest MB C320, or if budget allows C32 AMG...couldn't tell you the figures but a C32 pushes out 354 easy hp,  C55 territory.

skattrd Rank: Lancia Gamma

skattrd

Posted
Posted

Saab Turbo - loads of option, the 2.3 can produce silly hp

Lancia Thema Turbo - my last one was producing 220bhp and cost £600. Good luck finding one though.

Volvo T5 - or if you're feeling brave a twin turbo S80 T6 (not available in manual)

Subaru legacy twin turbo or Imppreza turbo ... These can be had for about a grand.

Fiat Coupe 20VT - Tipo platform (same as an Alfa 156) so handling is gr9 and 5-pot turbo engine is also pretty good.

Rover coupe turbo - mmmm torque steer

Toyota MR2. - proper sports car driving position, handle very well (if you have decent tyres on). Not the fastest, but fast enough, well, unless you get a turbo. Cheap as chips.

 

Personally I think I'd go for the Fiat Coupe.

dollywobbler Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

dollywobbler

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Posted

Don't rule out a 928 just because of the gearbox. Both the 928s I've driven were Badermatic, and both were still huge fun. It's a Mercedes-Benz gearbox IIRC, and they're rather good at them. The throttle pedal seems to have about a metre of travel, and doesn't do much for 90% of its travel. It's the last bit that's most fun. Then the scenery gets suitably blurry.

 

My choice would be Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, though a Rover 600 Ti would probably be cheaper and more discreet.

HereHareHere Rank: Austin Maxi

HereHareHere

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^ I was just about to post that very motah! Plenty around £600-900. After 2001 you got an extra 16bhp.  

Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
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A Fiat Coupe 20 V Turbo is DA NUTZ, but how to find one that has not been monged to death by Barry the Chav?  Such was the grotesque fate that befell the one that I had between 1997 (bought new) and 2002, when I unwisely sold it.    Forgive me, P58 GWL, I knew not what I did.   Acest car in the history of Ace.   Front tyre life approx ten minutes, but WGAF? 

 

 

Alfa GTV V6?  Attracting slight scenage taxation these days, mayhap.    On the up? 

Volksy Rank: Renault 16

Volksy

Posted
Posted

IIRC the GTV V6's arn't much faster than the 2.0 Twinspark, and are crapper handlers due to the additional weight over the nose.

Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
Posted

200+hp driving the wrong wheels? = wheelspin, torque steer, understeer = frustration.

 

Suggest MB C320, or if budget allows C32 AMG...couldn't tell you the figures but a C32 pushes out 354 easy hp,  C55 territory.

 

 

Strangely, with the Fiat Coupe, 220 BHP (from memory) through the front wheels worked well, with not much spin or torque steer.  My father thought it one of the best cars he had ever driven, and he said that after a lifetime in the car industry.  

  • gordonbennet
  • Like 1
Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
Posted

PS:  Fiat Coupe Turbo Bonus PHAKT is that they sound like Thunderbird One.  

Guest Breadvan72

Guest Breadvan72

Posted
Posted

IIRC the GTV V6's arn't much faster than the 2.0 Twinspark, and are crapper handlers due to the additional weight over the nose.

 

 

Fair point re the handling, but V6 a dollop faster as the 2 litre version is underpowered for the weight, from my recollection of trying both.  Although the GTV is built on the same platform as the Fiat Coupe, the Fiat has much more usable rear seats and a better boot than the Alfa.  The Fiat makes a practical long range GT, if you are not averse to buying a bit of pez.  I used to take my Coupe skiing, with skis on the roof, and had some snowchaintastic crazy times in the French Alps.

gadgetgricey Rank: Renault 16

gadgetgricey

Posted
Posted

Another recommendation for the Saab 9-5. Aero's are really cheap, and have "normally" been looked after with proper oil changes. Other engines can get sludging issues on the sump pick up which causes engine to go bang.

Currently have an Aero 9-5 with 240,000 on the clock and still goes like shit off a shoval. (only paid £350 for it as a spares car, but refuses to die)

 

Even cheaper option is to get a standard 9-5 and then pay to get it remapped. (plenty of bods available on the Saab forums) I think it gives the standard 2.0 about an extra 70bhp.

 

Cheers

 

- Dave -

brickwall Rank: Lancia Gamma

brickwall

Posted
Posted

From experience, a Jag XJ can be picked up cheap and they can hit a governed 150 no problem. Y'see it's a classy posh car with a supercar underneath.

 

I drove to Austria from Germany in one and it just eats the road and handles like a fine filly.

320touring Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

320touring

Posted
Posted

I reckon you're all going about this the wrong way..

 

We should be looking to find out which breakdown service has the most powerful transporter:-)

 

 

That said I am tempted by OMGXJR but similar money could see a Skoda Octavia estate 1.8t 4x4 with a bigger turbo and other bits giving over 400bhp in a countryvetwagon

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