Hey Veeky Forums, looking for a cheap fun car for around ~2000 euros. I live in The Netherlands so no USDM cars.
Currently driving a Seat Córdoba (VW Polo sedan) with the 1.6 SR (101hp) engine but I don't really like it. It's quite boring and I don't like the gearbox and handling of it.
So looking for something with good handling and a good gearbox, don't really care about performance. Already have a motorcycle for that.
Any suggestions?
How handling and gearboxes feel is personal, especially if you're not looking for performance. And €2000 will buy you a lot of cars.
Fiat Punto
You already have a bike for fun. Get a comfortable ride.
B6 Audi S4, nice and cheap to maintain.
this post is so burger
Well in the Seat you don't get much feel when shifting gears, it isn't really precise. Had the same when when I drove a Citroën Saxo. But the rest of the car I quite liked. I also enjoyed riding a Nissan Micra 1.3, good gearbox and quite a lively engine but a lot of body roll when tackling corners hard.
My dad has a Nissan Almera 1.5 '01, handles quite well but the engine is really blend, even if you rev the shit out of it it still feels like it doesn't want to go.
Whats car culture like in the Netherlands?
What would an average car meet look like?
I know it's unrelated to your question but I'm always curious about car culture around the world.
Read a (dutch) review of it but it seems that also with this car the gearbox isn't really precise.
Well you don't have a lot of car culture in The Netherlands, gas and taxes are quite expensive. Especially if you have a heavier car or fast car.
But most car meets consists of Germanic cars (Volkswagen AG & BMW) since it's our neighbour country.
lel
>nice
>cheap
>audi
Are you stupid?
I was in the exact position as you and ended up with an MK1 1.8 Focus. In my opinion it handles really well, the gearbox feels way better than the gearbox of a buddies mk3 ibiza and it's been extremely reliable since I've got it.
But if I would be in the exact position right now I would instead search a bit longer and maybe invest another thousand to find a clean manual Prelude. Got a chance to drive one and I'll be definetly getting a BB1 or a 5. Gen with VTEC next year.
shitboxes everywhere, driving something nice or cool is expensive
Forgot to mention that I'm from Germany and for 3k or even 2k if you're lucky and search around a bit longer you're able to find a decently clean Lude over here.
I will look into the Focus, seems like a fine choice.
A prelude look also good but is a bit to heavy and thus expensive with monthly taxes.
Also there is a Nissan Sunny 1.4 for sale nearby, looks quite ugly but it is has really low miles and it is dirt cheap. If it has the handling of the Almera and the lively engine of the Micra of also would be quite happy.
Hmmm my parents have a 2000 Ford Focus wagon, and I really like the gearbox in it, the gear changes go nicely 'chuck' 'chuck'. I think the Fiesta has the same engine/gearbox config, so you could look for that.
I've also driven a 2005 Opel Astra that had quite crisp shifting.
>Are you referring to the shifting feel, or the gear spacing?
Rectification; meant to say the hatchback Focus, not the Fiesta
The shifting feel, in the Seat it just feels so mushy.
I do like the chuck chuck feeling, but it is not necessary. The Nissan Micra/Almera also didn't have the chuck chuck shifting but nevertheless It felt much more precise than the Seat.
That astra had nice clear shifts, but without the chuck. With the ford you have to give it a little more force before it clicks into place.
>Also, it could be just worn shifter bushings that give you sloppy shifting. No one enjoyed a worn out rubber after all
I think I will shop around for a Ford Focus, it gets a lot of raving reviews for handling. And for 2000 euros they seem to be in good shape.
Thank for the help.
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Those look like fun, but also expensive to maintain (except the Pug).
Don't really want that. Rather spend the money on my motorcycle.
Dutchfag here.
Get a BB3 Prelude, you won't regret it.
Ford mondeo
This
Just don`t get a common rail diesel.
>So looking for something with good handling and a good gearbox, don't really care about performance.
>these two still not recommended
jesus fuck, cheapo enthusiast cars aren't the murrican only thing, they do exist in yurop and are just as cheap, why do you keep recommending unfun shitboxes, when these fun shitboxes exist?
the only thing is that they are significantly more rare, though they are still popular enough to not be worried about parts availability
>no Twingo
I doubt he`ll find a mr2 anywhere near decent condition for 2k though.
>fucking 175hp
>1.6
>over 310k km
[worried laughter]
>I doubt he`ll find a mr2 anywhere near decent condition for 2k though.
that is true, both the miata and mr2 are a bit more expensive, but it's genuinely worth it to save a little bit more for something far greater than a fucking fiat coupe