alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Hi all, been really trying not to have to resort to this but I'm running out of ideas. I'm looking for a new car and have so far only really been looking at S14(a) 200sx's. I'd be dead happy to find a good one of these and have it but I'm finding they're quite thin on the ground - I've only found 1 for sale in the whole of Scotland and the owner hasn't replied to me in a week about it now - and the next nearest I've found is Manchester. I'm definetely up for travelling for one but the fact is that there aren't very many out there exciting me/ in decent condition.
I started looking at Sierra Cossies last night. Assuming insurance wouldn't be too bad (I was 1300 FC on an SX) I'd be interested in one of these - going by pistonheads at least though, there aren't very many out there though. Other than that I can't think of anything else to look at - I had a pipedream of getting an M3 Evo but the insurance blew that out the water, not interested in other E36s.
Basically I'm looking for something quick, not mental to insure and fun - I only really drive to and from work which is only about 8miles either way and don't do a lot of mileage at the weekend. RWD is preferred but the onus is on it being quick and fun. Anyone thinking of anything I'm not?
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
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I know it's the same old answer on here but you looked at E46 330s? I've had a few now and for the price there isnt anything better imo. Fast enough, comfy and look the part.
I had around £4k to spend last month and out of all the cars i stuck with bm and got a 330 clubsport, havnt regretted it at all and insurance isnt too bad.
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flybikeslee
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Registered: 2nd Jan 07
Location: Liverpool
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early s2000?
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
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S2000 and EK9s were also on my list, all depends if you want a coupe, hatchback or whatever really.
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flybikeslee
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Registered: 2nd Jan 07
Location: Liverpool
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Honda-S2000-Gleaming-Red-/110955748308?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19d57a5bd4#ht_993wt_1397
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-HONDA-S2000-SILVER-44K-MILES-MOT-TAX-AP1-S2K-AP2-UKDM-UK-/130768569517?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1e726a04ad
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Nismo
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Registered: 12th Sep 02
User status: Offline
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S2000
330 M Sport (dont under estimate them)
RX7 (blown one for 2K, rebuild for 2.5k)
Evo 4 (blown + rebuild for under 5k)
Other than that,
DC2 ITR (at a push)
Clio 172/182 cups
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SetH
Member
Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Offline
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BMW 540i
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Chris F
Show Staff
Organiser: East Anglia
Premium Member
Registered: 26th Dec 05
Location: Newmarket Drives: Escort Van 1.8
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Never knew s2000s were that cheap
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alan-g-w
Member
Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Didn't realise half decent S2000s were within the price range, might look a bit more into them. Also a shout with the 330s - what are we talking 0-60 wise? Only reservation I would maybe have with them is the lack of tunability, or am I wrong to think that?
A DC2 was actually my first thought for a car but the temptation of a turbo and RWD helped sway me towards the Nissan.
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flybikeslee
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Registered: 2nd Jan 07
Location: Liverpool
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they're all preface which do have weaknesses over the facelifts...but do some reading, can't see then losing much more than what they are!
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SetH
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Registered: 15th Jul 01
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I think a manual 330i does 0-60 in 6.9
Auto probably more like 7.3-7.5 although the 0-60 was the last thing on my mind when I bought one 
They are not very tuneable really unless you go the SC route. Then you have a its not economically viable so get an M3 arguement. Drive a manual and an auto and see what you think. Superbly balanced chassis and very comfortable and solid, auto is ace for minimal effort wafting around.
Honda's cost a fortune to tune properly. If tuning is your thing then some forced induction and Jap sounds your best bet so keep looking for that 200SX ?
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harrisp
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Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
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I can only echo what Seth has said, I love mine and really don't know what I could replace it with without spending a lot more. They handle well for a fairly big car and most have a decent spec. Not the fastest cars around but not slow by any means but if tuning is what you are after then I would give them a miss, atleast go and test drive one, I hated the auto though.
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gez bay
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Registered: 14th Feb 08
Location: South Wales drives: Vxr
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182 Trophy
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by SetH
I think a manual 330i does 0-60 in 6.9
Auto probably more like 7.3-7.5 although the 0-60 was the last thing on my mind when I bought one
They are not very tuneable really unless you go the SC route. Then you have a its not economically viable so get an M3 arguement. Drive a manual and an auto and see what you think. Superbly balanced chassis and very comfortable and solid, auto is ace for minimal effort wafting around.
Honda's cost a fortune to tune properly. If tuning is your thing then some forced induction and Jap sounds your best bet so keep looking for that 200SX ?
Define tune properly Seth? With a bit of thought, they aren't that expensive to tune. Just stay away from brand names You could buy an ek9, sell the engine and gearbox for 1000+ (more if selling parts separately) buy a b18c4 with s9b gearbox for half that cost, then go the turbo route. You can get an ek9 for as little as 3,000 on the forum, so 350bhp for 4k is very possible if you look in the right places.
[Edited on 05-10-2012 by Eck]
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j10E W
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Registered: 30th Sep 04
Location: maidstone
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330 all day long with out a doubt,
great vfm now days
nothing else comes close for the money imo
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Nismo
Member
Registered: 12th Sep 02
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by j10E W
330 all day long with out a doubt,
great vfm now days
nothing else comes close for the money imo
I feel I'm in a position to make a judgement on this.
Sold S2000.... Bought 330 M Sport.... 6 months.... Sold 33 M Sport... 2 weeks... Bought S2000.
 i would say an S2000 comes close, out of all the cars listed its the better choice for 4K. 
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
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You're for it now mate.
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BarnshaW
Member
Registered: 25th Oct 06
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for 4k you could get a wrx impreza and a remap and have 250 odd bhp 4wd
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alan-g-w
Member
Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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A 330's tempting but I don't think it's the sort of thing I'm after. A WRX is a bit of a shout, I'd have thought insurance would be an issue though.
I said to my mate that I had been browsing a few S2000s - he's told me that they're insurance group 20 though, same as the M3 Evo I was quoted 6.5k on - might phone and ask to make sure but it's put me off them.
Saw a clean looking lightly modded S14 that I've made enquiries about, X reg on 51k in emerald green (not my preferred colour for reasons the Scots will get lol) with a couple of nice bits on it. Looks a nice base
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SetH
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Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Offline
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That S14 sounds like a good shout, could always wrap it also?
how come insurance is so steep for you?
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
User status: Offline
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Alot of people say S2ks are very expensive to insure. If you're really after a E36 M3 then surely you could try and find the cheapest quote and go for it, they're great cars!
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Nismo
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Registered: 12th Sep 02
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Yeah S2's are through the roof for some reason at the mo.
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alan-g-w
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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Seth, not sure why it was so high, was with Flux. As said, I'm looking at quotes of £1300 FC for an S14 which I thought was fairly reasonable. I've got my heart set on one but I'm still not really finding one that's making me want to travel for it
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SetH
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Registered: 15th Jul 01
User status: Offline
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Is it your postcode? 6.5k on an M3, jesus wept.
Keep looking for an S14, will be worth the wait
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alan-g-w
Member
Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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I don't know mate, was a one off quote and was enough to put me off!
I think you're right about waiting, I reckon that's just what I'm going to do. Thanks to everyone for suggestions and stuff, whereas I'm still going for the same car this has still been interesting
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