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May 18, 2018 14:36:33 GMT
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Sorry for this type of question, I don't think anyone on forums likes them and I think I'm asking too much, but thought I'd seek your knowledge before I give up.
I currently use a 2008 Saab 9-5 1.9 TiD as a daily for my commute, 46 miles a day, roughly 3 miles stop-start traffic, 2 miles flowing town driving, the rest M20.
Is there a car that is; Preferably retro but not an absolute must Fun/'sporty' Has a bit of go to it (i.e. Decent size engine and performance) Not dull Generally reliable by reputation/not known for massive bills Petrol Likely to achieve 35 mpg or greater on my commute Can pick up a tidy example for around £5k or less ?
No real rules on age of car, I've happily dailied 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s cars so will consider most. I'd rather avoid 90s/00s warm shopping hatches as been there, done that, and fancy something a bit more interesting I can fall in love with, but newer stuff in general I'll consider as long as it fits the criteria.
At the moment I'm going through an 80s/90s phase. Currently own and drive a Saab 9000 turbo and Mk1 MX5 for example, and was looking to pull the trigger on a Mk3 Supra or FI MX5 until the 9-5 threw a straw that finally broke my back.
Ummm, thank you in advance. If I end up buying the suggestion I'll buy the suggester a drink at RR 😉 extra incentive.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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misteralz
Posted a lot
I may drive a Volkswagen, but I'm scene tax exempt!
Posts: 2,338
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May 18, 2018 14:47:19 GMT
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Until you said no '90s hatches I'd have said 306 S16, or a cabriolet. You might be lucky and get a good mk2 Golf GTI for that money, too.
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May 18, 2018 15:28:45 GMT
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Porsche 944 ( I'll sell you one)
Preferably retro but not an absolute must -CHECK
Fun/'sporty'-CHECK Has a bit of go to it (i.e. Decent size engine and performance) CHECK Not dull CHECK Generally reliable by reputation/not known for massive bills CHECK Petrol CHECK Likely to achieve 35 mpg or greater on my commute MMMMMMM 25-30?? Can pick up a tidy example for around £5k or less CHECK
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May 18, 2018 17:00:05 GMT
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The third-generation (fox) Mustang was produced by Ford from 1978 until 1993, so you you have a choice of 70's, 80's, or 90's retro daily... Available as either a notchback, hatchback, or convertible for less than £5000 for a good one. Get one with a 2.3, they're not too thirsty, would get you 30 something mpg. Parts availabilty is good. I've had, 4, 5, or maybe 6 of them, I can't remember. They're quite good to drive, almost drive like a mk2 Escort, and they're not even much bigger. Great fun car. Downside? For the most part they're left hand drive, you can find right hand drive ones, but they're rare, and whats the point, you soon get used to sitting on the wrong side of the car.
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May 18, 2018 17:03:00 GMT
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Any sort of Alfa Romeo .
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,082
Club RR Member Number: 146
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May 18, 2018 18:21:45 GMT
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Something has to give on that list. Fun/Sporty, retro (pre-2000), petrol, 35mpg is a rare combination and I'm really struggling to think of anything that comes close. As soon as you put the retro in, the average mpg falls to 30mpg at best. As soon as you put fun/sporty in, that average fuel economy falls even further usually.
I reckon you need to find out what's more important; fuel economy or entertainment. Figure that one out and you're sorted.
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May 18, 2018 20:38:53 GMT
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E36 318is coupe would return the mpg you want, some early ones have lsd's as well.
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May 18, 2018 21:14:58 GMT
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Dumping the criteria (pre 2003) in the Pistonheads ads throws up the following candidates: Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Audi TT Audi A3 1.8T BMW 330i E46 BMW Z4 Fiat Punto GT Honda Civic Type-R Mazda Mx-5 MGF VVC Mini Cooper S Renault Clio 1x2 Toyota Mr2 mk2 and 3 Toyota Celica GT4 or VVTI Vauxhall Calibra V6 VW Corrado/ Golf VR6 VW Golf MK4 GTI turbo
But I recon a mid eighties/ early nineties rep mobile is what could work for you. Something Japanese with a 16V 2.0l will give you the go, fuel economy and reliability you need.
Honda Accord generation 3 or 4, Toyota Carina GTSi or Nissan Primera (e)GT/ SRI might be the ticket if you can find one. They probably need a set of wheels and new springs and shocks to really make them nice to drive and turn into a head turner.
Other oddballs could be a Saab 900 Turbo or a Volvo 400 series with the 1.7 turbo engine (very rare these days and not that solidly build).
I don't think you can get that mpg with an early Impreza Turbo?
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Click picture for more
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May 18, 2018 21:23:12 GMT
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My first thought was a classic Mini or ADO16. Fits most of the criteria.
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60six
Posted a lot
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Posts: 1,658
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May 18, 2018 21:59:01 GMT
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Most fun I had was in a Datsun 120Y AFII (I think that was the full name) - Economical, really revvy and surprisingly agile.
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Some 9000's, a 900, an RX8 & a beetle
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g40jon
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,569
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May 18, 2018 22:10:15 GMT
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E36 318is coupe would return the mpg you want, some early ones have lsd's as well. I was about to suggest the same. I have one, it's a pleasure to drive, nippy rather than fast and rather good on fuel. I am currently averaging 39 mpg out of mine, although most of that is down to being sat at 50 mpg on my work commute. Even driven in a spirited fashion it'll still achieve 35mpg+ I love mine to bits and you can find them with a lot of kit on them which makes them almost as good as a modern car in terms of creature comforts. Find one without rot and it's a really reliable drive. Well worth converting from a ual mass to single mass fly, makes for a fun rev happy car!
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wodge
Part of things
Posts: 455
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May 18, 2018 22:28:53 GMT
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You don’t mention seating requirements but you do mention an MX5 so I’m guessing two seats maybe a goer
Two spring to mind MR2 - even the turbos are surprisingly frugal. Audi TT MK1 - duller drive but I don’t think you’d ever lose cash on one you buy now.
Or for a quarter of your budget I can sell you a 406 Coupé 2.2 HDI remapped to 180BHP :wink
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wodge
Part of things
Posts: 455
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May 18, 2018 22:30:11 GMT
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Oh and Honda CRX
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May 19, 2018 15:23:31 GMT
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The 944 still tops it for me, but what about a "mint" 328is? They're bound to be the next thing to start increasing rapidly in price and they're a real nice car to drive! Still modern enough to be comfortable and easy to live with but is stepping onto the cult car ladder soon I think.....
..... Nah get a 944!
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May 19, 2018 15:50:34 GMT
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VW Golf Mk 1 or 2. May even get reasonable GTi for your budget. Early GTi drivers reckon 40mpg is achievable with normal running but it'll return less than 35mpg if you're lead footed.
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May 21, 2018 11:33:35 GMT
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I'm really struggling to think of anything that comes close. Agreed. It's a very tall ask and I couldn't think of much that would be a certainty to tick all the boxes. You don't know if you don't ask. I do like the suggestions though, somewhat surprised by some of the MPG figures but if it's achievable it's good for me. There's nothing that really makes me want to rush out ad buy one but certainly ones Id like to consider. 306 - I do actually really like the 306 and when my commute was longer and A road based I really considered a D-Turbo. Doesn't float my boat enough though. Mk2 Golf GTi - Yes, like them. Classic 'hot' hatch and had thoroughly looked into replacing the 9-5 with a PD130 converted Mk2, but I don't have the facilities or time at the moment. If a GTi could get mid-30mpg I'd definitely consider. Porsche 944 - Again yes, like them a lot and have been casting an eye over them for a few years, in fact a couple of months ago there was one locally I considered, BUT 25-30mpg is too low for it to make sense in this situation unfortunately, and lowering my mpg expectations that much would open other options I'd need to consider. Fox-body - very out of the box, I'm unsure about them though, and not sure I could happily own a LHD yank without a V8. Alfa Romeo - the difficulty with going older here is reliability and rust. As nice as the 156 is it's too modern for what I want. Would love to relive my past with a 155 V6 but it doesn't achieve the MPG. I had considered a few 75s but don't know much about them. E36 318is - good suggestion. Have long flirted with the idea of a 328, would be a shame not to have the 6 pot but needs must and a decent option I'll look at. P10 Primera - outside contender. I like them. Becoz touring car. Saab 900 Turbo - I'd love one, but decent ones are getting pricey and I'm not convinced they'd meet 35mpg with any regularity on my commute. Mini (and other older cars) - second thoughts, and having run them before, I think I'd rather something 80's + for 18k miles a year. CRX - Nice but not sure I'd want to spend what they're commanding for a decent one. Audi TT - Really doesn't do it for me, although a sure fire future classic. MR2 Turbo - I'm really interested here. I was considering one (and a Celica GT4) as a replacement for the MX5 so if it could also fit in to daily duties it'd be right up my street. If anyone has first hand experience of their vices and virtues I'd be interested to hear. Impreza - Won't get the mpg Volvo - Heard too many down sides about their reliability and they don't do enough for me. TL:DR Will look into the MR2 Turbo, MK2 Golf, E36 and P10. I am considering making the MX5 my daily (has been for the past two weeks temporarily) but fancy a change and a more GT orientated car with a bit more go. It also sits at just under 4000rpm @ 70mph
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Last Edit: May 21, 2018 14:33:53 GMT by oli8925
Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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May 21, 2018 11:53:59 GMT
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Cant help with the MR2 Turbo, but I did have a very early MK2 Rev1 MR2 16v, it was nippy but a bit pants on fuel (had it before the E36 318is) and I did experience the Rev1's snap over steer at low speed, where I ended parked on some grass after doing a 270 spin. My Mrs was following me, hence the reason I sold it as she refused to get in it again lol.
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May 21, 2018 15:42:57 GMT
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I am skeptical about achieving 35mpg average from an MR2 Turbo I have to say, but if it can manage it it would be ideal other than the questionable stupidity of using it throughout the winter months. It would also have to be a Rev3+ in order to benefit from the improvements as the Mrs would occasionally use it.
Other questions: Would 35mpg be too much to expect from an E36 328i / E46 330i? What about a 20v Turbo Mk2 Golf?
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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May 21, 2018 17:27:13 GMT
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The mr2 weighs about the same as a e36 coupe, but mine didn't seem as good on fuel as the e36.
I have had a Octavia VRS with that engine and a guy at work has had one for 10 years, you can get upto 40mpg from them. I have a mk2 golf 1.8t but can't comment as I have never driven it lol.
I could get upto 39.9mpg in my mk5 golf gti, but it was a boring run the one time I achieved it. 35mpg would be possible.
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Last Edit: May 21, 2018 17:29:54 GMT by joem83
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mrluke
Part of things
Posts: 237
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May 21, 2018 17:49:08 GMT
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My e46 330 struggles to hit 30mpg cant see you maintaining 35mpg real world.
I would go Mk2 Mr2, keep it NA and you should get a very tidy car Rev 3+ that will hit your 35mpg.
Having a quick look the Mk2s are getting a bit thin on the ground, there's a lot of Mk3s going for £3k-£4k, would be a worth a look.
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