you have 3k to spend on a toy, what would you buy?

[simonp]

It nowhere stipulates that it has to be a car...

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/VIERA+Flat+Screen+TV/Smart+VIERA+Plasma+TV/TX-P55VT65B/Overview/12263808/index.html

[Poverty]

So started off with mx5, clio cup and civic type-r on the shortlist.

Now its between the type-R and a few 172 cups.

The honda is modded to a claimed 250hp, some good mods on it if what the owner says is true. Its currently bidding at 3200.

Then the two 172 cups.

One is owned by a car garage as a promo car, caged, lowered, stripped and buckets for 1900. Cambelt done 6k ago by the prev owner but no proof as previous owner did it themself apparently. No warranty from the garage either.

The other cup has 95k miles, similiar to the car above but the cambelt was done at 90k and before that at 40k. It looks a very clean example, 2 year RAC warranty and MOT for a year.Price is 2k.

Now I want the car as a reliable run around and cheap track toy, emphasis on fun more so than power but power is always good.

Not sure which car to buy TBH. Only thing in my head is that the type-r is a more manly run around.

I think heart says type-r, head says the second unmolested cup.

[MAT ED30]

Had them all pov what are the mods on the type r the Clio is more chuck able the type r just sounds nuts on VTec with an induction kit and exhaust. I ended up buying 2 as I missed the noise    the Clio well I have had them all I think about 6 or more even have a phase 1 in the grg  if its track fun the weight is lower on the Clio and stripped of everything they are quick little things. I worked for Honda for 10 years ish and they are a great car

[Poverty]

Hahah not helping me decide here!

honda civic type r 2003

107000 miles

service history

11 months mot

road tax runs out end of the month but i can tax if possible

remote central locking with alarm

electric windows and mirrors

just had 2 new tyres

will be serviced and a new clutch being fitted before being sold

now for the good bits

this car has been my pride and joy always looked after regarless of cost and ran on best quality oils

the car is running 247bhp anyone who knows about these cars will know that due to the lightness of them they are real fun to drive and very fast

the car has had the following mods all done to highest standard

toda 4-2-1 custom manifold with decat costs over £1000 alone

2.5 inch stainless steel custom b pipe with spoon N1 back box not too loud £500

aem larger air in take £250

ported rbc inlet manifold £400

uprated cam tensioner pullys

hondata k pro custom ecu £1000

launch control

rev limiter removed revs to 9500rpm

v tec lowered to 4500rpm

solid engine mounts

jdm anti roll bar

light weight wheels comes with the standard type r wheels also

the car has a custom remap all set up by tdi north a specialist in tuning hondas the car is a real dream to drive.

who ever purchases this car will not be disappointed

the car is allways looked after warmed up and cooled down before and after use

gets serviced every 5000 miles

i will be really sad to see this car go but i need a five door car due to family expanding

any viewing welcome and any questions feel free to ask

no test pilots or tyre kickers

test drive is welcome providing theres valid insurance

[MightyMullet]

Id go with the type r and that one sounds a bit of a beast, especially tuned by tdi north who seem to specialise in these cars. And with it stripped out they are crazy light, and i genuinly dont think there is ANY front wheel drive that can out handle this or any 4 banger that sounds better. Theyre crazy around the corners, no drama/understeer/oversteer just get around them with crazy pace!
The clios make a good noise, are light (not to much less than a ep3 though) fun little cars but the looks  theyre a far to cute looking, and cutes not a good look.

Easy choice in my eyes

Vtec YO!

[jhtrophy]

The Clio with proof of Cambelt done and warranty if fun is what you want, on track they are fantastic, as for the manly comment I will resist to comment as its too easy

[Janner_Sy]

3 grand for a toy.

Get yourself on pistonheads or racedandrallied.com and look for some ready built trackcars ready to compete.  Theres loads of kit for les than 3k available.

Some o;d school RWD fun http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorsport/track-day-cars/road-legal/bmw-3-series-328i-sport-1995/1285096

If you add maybe another £500 i reckon you could get this beauty of a car.  Id bet you wont get more fun than this for that money  http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/peugeot/106/peugeot-106-1-6-16v-track-rally-car-road-legal/1254868

Bloody goes some thorugh the corners

Tehn when you want more power get yourself some throttle bodies and say hello to about 240hp/ton!!!

[MAT ED30]

Yeah the Honda sounds good that ecu is great it might want a diff if I was you as they struggle when it's wet 

[Nickyboy]

Alfa GTV in 3.0L v6 form. Old school WRX, mid to late 90s.

[Raffe]

I would forget the Civc Type-R and start looking at the Integra's, having owned both cars there really is no comparison with the Civic being a very watered down Type-R, a very dull chassis and poor steering feel.

The biggest problem with the Integra will be rust, particularly for a uk car as they are really suffering and it gets expensive quickly.

If you do nothing more than a test drive you'll see where I am coming from, if I could get half the driving experience into my GTi my Integra had I would be a very happy boy, awesome cars.

[MAT ED30]

Should have bought a mk5  the teg is slower if you go jap spec you get a LSD driven loads and worked around em at the Honda dealer I worked for

[Deacon]

Bit leftfield but stripped out Suzuki Swift Sport - closest modern car to a 205gti I've driven - lift off oversteer on demand and engine seems pretty bombproof.

[GrayMK5GTI]

Excellent spec On the type-R 

Some seriously expensive parts  107k is nothing for those K20 engines, I've heard of supercharged ones being fine with more mileage on than that.

As others have said, teg is a purer drive but you will be hard pushed to find a  good one for your budget 

EP3 it is then 

[Raffe]

Should have bought a mk5  the teg is slower if you go jap spec you get a LSD driven loads and worked around em at the Honda dealer I worked for

All Integra Type-R's come with an LSD

[MAT ED30]

Yeah my mate put his jap import  into a wall just after he had rebuilt his engine  young driver and tech at work spent weeks doing the rebuild after it started smoking and needed new piston rings so rebuilt all the whole mtr,ended up stripping it and selling everything off even the shell poor car. They have held money well