Well, I'd say you've missed a good alternative, but others may disagree.
I think you should at least consider a Fiat Coupe. FWD so you don't have to worry about the twitchiness of something like a 200SX (which can be lethal in the wet if you're not experienced), but at the same time still handles very well.
I think it's more powerful and faster than any of your alternatives in 20VT form, and it's in a whole other world to any of them looks wise.
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I don't see the Z3 as an option at £4k, before we get to the turgid nature of a vehicle that's more badge than car.
I agree with Bazzabear that the 200SX can be an handful and the Fiat's not bad, but the cambelt is a massive job on these - allow £600-£800. The Hyundai coupe 2 litre SE might do just as well.
Of the Japanese brigade, the Prelude is a great car, but must have the 2.2 V-Tech engine and be the previous shape for £4k. You can afford a Subaru Impreza turbo, but probably not to run it.
Overall, the MX5 is the one to go for. A textbook introduction to the world of RWD cars, reliable, great fun and you'll get most of your money back. Imports are expensive to insure, so go for a UK late mark 1 in as good condition as you can find. There are plenty about so don't be afraid to drive a couple and haggle like a monster. A world of enjoyment awaits.
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Something a bit different? Mitsubishi FTO
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Maz has some interesting points.
I don't see the Z3 as an option at £4k, before we get to the turgid nature of a vehicle that's more badge than car.
Dead right. I didn't want to be the first to say it though, saince you get labelled as a BMW-basher :D
I agree with Bazzabear that the 200SX can be an handful and the Fiat's not bad, but the cambelt is a massive job on these - allow £600-£800. The Hyundai coupe 2 litre SE might do just as well.
This is where careful buying comes in. You'll want to put some research into buying a good, well looked after example anyway, and one of the criteria should be that it's just had a belts and tensioners change (with receipts), or at least that it's priced accordingly for you to get that done yourself.
I'm not so sure about the Hyundai. It's a very good and capable car, but within the original remit it's rather under-powered. Even the 2.7 V6 only develops 165bhp.
Of the Japanese brigade, the Prelude is a great car, but must have the 2.2 V-Tech engine and be the previous shape for £4k.
I'd say that's a bonus, that's the best engine, and the previous shape is far more pleasing to the eye than the current one.
Overall, the MX5 is the one to go for. A textbook introduction to the world of RWD cars, reliable, great fun and you'll get most of your money back. Imports are expensive to insure, so go for a UK late mark 1 in as good condition as you can find. There are plenty about so don't be afraid to drive a couple and haggle like a monster. A world of enjoyment awaits.
Again, all true. The MX5 is a very good car. Depends on your needs though. Cloth-top is always a worry unless you've got secure parking and it's a definite 2 seater, where others you have mentioned can seat 4 when needed. MX5 is again, like the Hyundai, underpowered compared to the other cars suggested, but it's certainly not lacking in fun factor.
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Must agree with BazzaBear. My parents have run an mx-5 since new from '95. Never missed a beat and still looks and drives superbly. A perfect 'fun' sports car. Plenty around so you can afford to be choosy, and cheaper than some of the alternatives mentioned (with the saving you could buy a hard top for the winter). Fiat Coupe? Not unless you want the £1,000+, engine out cam belt change (which a lot of owners don't bother with before selling on).
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let me be the last to let you down....
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"Not unless you want the £1,000+, engine out cam belt change (which a lot of owners don't bother with before selling on)."
It can be done without removing the engine but it's still tricky and costly.
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At the very minimum it has to be 'lifted to one side'. As you say, tricky and costly!
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let me be the last to let you down....
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Low mileage original mk 3 golf gti 16v..Difficult to find but well within your budget.I had one for 4 years and the novelty never wore off.
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At the very minimum it has to be 'lifted to one side'. As you say, tricky and costly! -- let me be the last to let you down....
Once again, as long as you factor that into your decision, it's no problem. You'd have to be a fool to pay over £1k for it, it'd involve going to a FIAT main dealer, which you'd want to avoid in the first place. If you do buy a car which is in need of the cambelt service then you can get the whole service done for around £650 if you find a decent specialist. Not cheap perhaps, but not quote £1k+ for just the belts, and it's something you're likely to need to do once during your ownership experience. Fades into irrelevance compared to overall buying / fueling / insuring costs, people are just too short-sighted to realise it.
To balance that out, you're getting yourself one of the best looking cars on the road, with 220bhp as standard, for a ridiculously small amount of money.
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not unless you want to pay £1000 plus>>
Not true,unless you take it to Fiat,who still insist on doing it the hard way.I`ve just had mine done at a specialist for £400. Not too bad,considering it only needs doing every five years or so.
Agree with Bazzabear,i`ts an excellent car for the money and so often overlooked.Normaly aspirated tend to be more trouble-free and give quite urgent performance.Just make sure you get a well looked after example.
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I did think about the Fiat Coupe briefly - unfortunately I really don't like the looks. I'm not sure that I trust the Fiat reliability as it gets older either.
Thanks for all of your comments - they have been very helpful.
I did think of another alternative, which is the 97-01 Honda Integra Type-R. However, it's a little outside the price range and I'm worried that cheap ones might have been thrashed to death.
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