£3,000 Cool Car Choices

I like the look of that later-model soarer, but I also liked the last-model 300zx for looks. Don't know about age though (or price)...

Hello Big Toby D, My son Jason, is a car fanatic and the evo 10 is one of the most desirable and upgradeable cars on the road.

He says the EVO 10,, I will get you a pic, 310 HP, 3400 lbs, it is in the $30-35 usd range,

closes thing to a racer for the dosh. check in here and see... 3si.org

These are nice:



I've even seen good looking girls drive them, too.

Buying an old sporty car for 3 grand is a bit of a minefield. Whatever you buy you will need to spend some money on new bits and little repairs. This means that you are safer spending 2.5 on the purchase and keeping 500 quid back to spend on it. Trouble is you always see something for the full 3g and end up fixing any faults at your own expense. I am in the same situation looking for a new trackday van at the minute.

I had a few Celicas in the past and they were good cars. My favorite was the 1991 model with pop up headlights. The later ones from 1994 to 1998 ish were a bit more powerful 170 bhp up from 150ish. They were UK models and would be well within your budget. All the 3 I had were totally reliable, cheap to insure and surprisingly practical as everyday transport. We bought a new one in 2001 for the mrs it was the latest angular shape and TBH was a bit of a disapointment. Nothing actually wrong with it but it felt like it had been built down to a price and was a bit flimsier than the 1997 model I had before. These fall into your budget but make sure you get the 190bhp model as some, ours, were only 140bhp. She liked it though, til she got pregnant and couldnt get in it.

I bought a new Lexus IS200 when they came out thinking it would be similar to the Toyota Altezza. It wasnt If you can find one for your budget the Altezza would great fun, 210bhp rally car. Same bodyshell as the Lexus but nothing else is shared.

My only experience with imports was an 1991 MR2 Turbo. The car was ok but Japanese imports tend to sit around a few years before they are brought over, no secondhand market in Japan, what this means is that all the rubbers perish. No problem you say 'I can get new windscreen wipers at Halfords'. Trouble is the window rubbers start letting in water. This was a particular problem on the MR2 as it had two glass panels forming a targa roof. New rubbers are a fortune, main dealer only. Also there are lots of rubber gaiters under the car covering ball joints and things. These perish and let grit into the things they should be protecting. Which then need replacement. Also at MOT time they fail on perished gaiters. I hate tinkering with cars and sold the MR2 to an unsuspecting punter.

If you go for an import there is an auction at Tilbury Dock most weeks. Take someone with mechanical knowledge with you if you go.

Your budget will get you a Porsche 944 or 928 which should be reliable as long as it has been looked after. Parts are big money but there are aftermarket specialists about. You may get a BMW 850 or 840 for same money but again big engine = big running costs + expensive parts.

My advice would be the Nissan 200sx or 300sx or that 350 thing. I know a bike mechanic who has had loads of these and may even have one you could try / buy (he did before X mas). He is a bit of an enthusiast and would be a good guy for you to talk to in any case. Especially as you are a mechanical halfwit He could tell you what to look for and what to avoid, what goes wrong and what it costs to put right.

He is also an excellent bike mechanic and does all of my bikes after the warranty has expired. He is our age and very knowledgable. He was a decent racer a few years ago and won the Supermono championship on a bastardized TRX850. Call Tagg Racing 01233 820601 ask for Paul. His place is out in the wilds near Tenterden. If you need to go there pm me and I will take you as not easy to find.

Toby, you should talk to Lobster, last time I saw him (December) he had a Mitsubishi 3000GT Turbo (I think) for sale....no idea what he wanted for it but cant hurt to ask. At least you'd fit in the damn thing, I'd suggest a rice rocket but most at that price are little hatchbacks so a bit small for one so tall.

All that jap stuff is for rubber people who don't shave yet !

You want a bit of leftfield class you do. I give you the Saab 9-5 Aero or a 9-3 Aero.

The HOT (High Output Turbo) versions have c.230-250 bhp. Plenty on Autotrader and Egay.

Too Funny, we could really make some dosh if we had free trade,

those are rare here, esp the older ones as you are speaking of,

hell i would never drive jap if i had a choice.

Can we ditch the Saab talk and talk about some rear wheel drive german cars.... Like BMW M3s...

I know that you will never fit in one

BTD is not around Joe, he was over on land of the giants website earlier doing a deal to transport 4 tonne of skunk in his anus.

About now he shoud he boarding the Spindrift on its charter flight to Brobdingnag.

I am in love

Toby, buy it. There is nothing in you price range going to be better than that.

Not only that, it will be quite classy when you pull up next to George Michael's Range Rover on some foggy night on Hampstead Heath

Nice. Shame about the number plate, but I'm amazed what you can get for that kind of money!

Smurf, let joe say.... Luke goes around picking fights, it is cos he drinks and he is bored, he is really a nice guy and I like the both of you..

more than likely he does not really care where you are from.. it is more a mental malfunction he has, (as do I),

you have seen me do the same thing as him so boys will be boys, nothing new under the sun, don't let him get to you,

he will move on to someone new to gouge and then it's over, no problem.

All good fun, Joe, don't know what you're on about - Noone's 'getting' to anyone else...