Names Simon - classified petrolhead. Essay follows!
Got linked to here from Pistonheads where I am a prolific timewaster.
Good looking forum, had a little read around.
Heres the deal - come the New year when all the holiday madness is over, I think I'm going to be after a new car.
Current motor is a 99 Peugeot 306 GTi-6, my first 'performance' car.
Dont scoff - its flipping ace, a very tidy example, and with 167bhp, 7500rpm limit and 6 cogs its a scream down a winding, yumpy back road.
Problem is, its a bit too sensible perhaps. I used my head a bit too much when I bought it, going for a modernish hatchback (albeit a quick one thats expensive to run).
Although I've only 1 car, I only do about 5 or 6k miles a year - through the week I dont have to commute, or use the car for carrying kids or anything like that. Its just my most expensive toy, for tinkering, polishing, and pleasure driving, long runs on a weekend, and the occasional long trip to see family, down to Le-Mans etc, you'll understand me.
Been looking at all sorts - MX5s (fun, cheap, reliable, sloooow) 944's (amazing to drive, bankruptcy imminent), 205 Gti's (perhaps not that different to what I've got?) etc.
Something with character, excellent handling, reasonable running costs, decent turn of speed, but 0-60 aint the most important thing.
A good club/internet/parts/advice scene is useful too!
Older, simple, sturdy cars, that are not weighed down with useless crap, easy to maintain, that are good to drive due to lightweight, not being overassisted, feelsome controls...
So, I've come across the 318is - done a little research. Its the right size, nice and lightweight, not massive power but the engine is supposed to be a good one?
Found a couple in the classifieds, looks to be lots on average ones around £1500, then I saw this which sold for ~ £2300. This would be right on budget for me - Expect to raise ~2700 from the Pug, so a little left over for the cost of changing.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C28409
I have to say - its a lovely looking motor! Is that price indicative of what I would pay for an apparently very tidy example like that? Great spec too, Dark colour, X-spoke wheels, Very period looking check trim. I really do love it!
What do these cars drive like then? Nice and composed down a yumpy B-road? (my habitat of choice).
Looking forward to reading more on the forum over the next few days.
).
[img]http://
