Gambit
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I'd buy a TT. They drive well and look well and have tuning capability if you want to take it a wee bit further. Others are a bit meh
£3k Audi TT / Clio 16v / Mazda MX-5
- Thread starter Lappintyre
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Lappintyre
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OP
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- #27
I know it's already been said but another warning for anyone looking at mk3 MX5s, they rust. Badly!
Myself and a friend both have 2.0 5 speed mk3s which we bought for some track days. Mine has already had welding around the sills and jacking points, and still needs plenty more. My friend has spent the past few weeks in his garage patching his arches and sills. Any protection on the car at the factory stops a few inches from the sills and arches. They also come fitted with the lovely carpeted arch liners that water loves to live in. The boot lid and bonnet are aluminium but also corrode. Subframes and other suspension parts also suffer.
On the other handthey are good going wee things, and just about kitted out enough to be reasonably comfortable as some come with heated leather seats and air con. I went for the 5 speed as I found the longer gearing suited me better. I've just put a 2.5" system and racing manifold on mine and had it mapped. It's now sitting just under 170bhp and 150lb ft.
View attachment 268860
View attachment 268861
That really looks the part!
Lappintyre
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- #28
Think if it was a 100% solid 16v & in blue it would have been a no brainier, but the red one just wasn’t adding up..
But you’re a VW fanboy
.Ideally need to drive the MX5 & TT but I hate wasting anyone’s time just to find out if its for me or not..
roverspeed
RMS Regular
TT if you want grunt, mx5 if you want something that can dance down a b road.
Lappintyre
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- #30
Do TT’s suffer from rust much?
I don’t think I’m local to you but if you’re ever up Belfast direction you’re welcome to come take a run out in mine.
Not really, the reds do suffer from lacquer peel though.
DaddyCC
RMS Regular
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Galvanised body so shouldn't really be an issue. Dash pods are the main common problem but can be sorted out ok. Definitely some bang for buck at that dosh.
What about Mk6 Fiesta ST? Not particularly quick in a straight line (150bhp) but they are an absolute hoot to drive. Just chuck it into a corner and you'll know exactly what it's doing and come out the other side without worry. I went from an Integra to one and it gave me confidence straight from the word go. I was so impressed I bought another one a couple of years later. Example and with full heated leather.
Lappintyre
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- #35
Was actually looking at these during the week, couple of decent looking ones on gumtree local, but I’m not sure if they would do it for me.
Saying that, I did love the Focus ST I had, but don’t think £3k would pick up a good one
TT is a great buy! bought mine for 2k. mapped it to 285hp stuck some decent tyres on it. Wee car went like F**K. Was pretty roomy to even for me at 6ft3. They look really well in red
That looks really smart in red with those wheels
Had a clio valve in Naples years ago, was a total ballache lol sounded great when it ran but had real bother with engines etc and they are only older now again so you would need to pay strong money for a good one. I'd be looking at a ph1 172 instead like this
Complete bargain, think it's a member on here
Complete bargain, think it's a member on here
Lappintyre
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- Thread Starter
- #38
Shannonsir
RMS Regular
I had a Naples 16v and absolutely loved it , noise , handling, awesome seats and so full of character...and they aren't slow, it easily sat with stock ep3s all day long. Really capable and surprising wee things. Had 2 in my time and one of the few cars I've owned that I would love another but as stated, older now and probably mostly rotten, plus prices have hit the roof for good examples.
Lappintyre
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- #41
So the question... is it madness to go get a loan to buy something with all this Corona going on.. 
could be out of work (or worse) in a couple of months for all anyone knows
could be out of work (or worse) in a couple of months for all anyone knows
Shannonsir
RMS Regular
Keep er' lit. The show must go on. It's the very mass hysteria and crazy behaviour that are heightening the effects of this "pandemic". Perhaps never a better time to use the term "YOLO" 
. Though good 16v clios are fetching £5k+ ... You'd need to really want one to pay that.
. Though good 16v clios are fetching £5k+ ... You'd need to really want one to pay that.Lappintyre
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- #47
YOLO keeps repeating in my head! 
StevenMc29
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Send me some details of this when you get a chance, cheers.
j44nty
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Valver
It’s raw
It’s raw
So the question... is it madness to go get a loan to buy something with all this Corona going on..
£3k would buy a lot of toilet roll.