I think my daily driver is on its way to the big scrap yard in the sky...the oil filler cap is popping off itself! I'm not mechanically minded but that build up pressure sounds like it's more than likely going to be terminal, and it gave me an excuse to start looking for something else anyway!

 

I've been looking online and shortlisted a few decent examples but they vary greatly by type as I haven't been shopping for a car for a couple of years.

 

Any thoughts on these cars in general if you have previously owned any?

 

1990 Lotus Ellan M100 Turbo

 

2003 MG TF 1.6

 

2003 Fiesta Zetec 1.

 

2000 Lexus IS 200 SE

 

2002 Vectra LS

lotus as a daily are you mad?

 

Mg - kettle

 

fiesta - okay, box! How many miles a day do you do?

 

Lexus nice, but thirsty and slow and expensive for parts

 

Vectra - boring but economical (assuming its a diesel)/comfy/quiet) great for the miles!

whats your budget?

Hi buddy,

 

From your quoted options I would say.......

 

Lotus - too old; don't bother for a daily driver.

 

MG - it's a Rover; obsolete and probably almost as unreliable as the Lotus!

 

Vectra - that model series was widely regarded by many as crap. I've never owned one and never would; but some others on here have; and can give you a more experienced point of view.

 

So that leaves the Lexus and Fiesta. Lexus is ultra reliable and a nice car. That series Fiesta is also good; a girl I work with has a 2006 model. It's her second one and she drives 80 miles a day in it; I've been in it a few times and, for a small car, I have to say it's alright!

 

So what are your requirements? Do you need a bigger or smaller car; do you favour "big car" comfort/style/image over small/functional/economical? As I see it, they are the only decent choices from your suggestions.......

 

Good luck!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Yeah, the Vectra takes a lot of stick. I've had one for 5 years and it's never missed a beat, it is a 2.5v6 GSi Saloon with a top speed of 149 and 0-60 of 7.6s (book speeds) which while not super fast is still pretty quick. It also has a full Recaro interior including electric seats. On a long run it gives me 34-36 mpg and only drops to around 28 if you boot it. I've changed all the oem bushes to powerflex poly ones and with the Koni adjustable front suspension it really sticks to the road. Stopping is provided by 330mm 4pot AP racing brakes, which stop you quicker than the speedo can register! All in all it's been the best car I've ever owned.

What a very mixed list!

 

My money would go on the Lexus IS

Cheers guys, I know its a real mixed bag I picked!!

 

I dont do many miles, prob 8-10k per year, the zed is used for weekends and the occasional work trip when the weather is right and the budget is around the £3k mark.

 

I suppose the problem is that I want a bit of everything, the sensible side of me says it should be something reliable since its meant to be a daily driver but at the same time I couldn't live with something that will be boring to drive, the Lotus came into play because there is a repaired cat D going for pennies and I've been an admirer for some time, the Fiesta because its probably the most sensible choice and I remember being in one a few years ago and it stuck to the road like a gokart, the others just caught my eye because there were decent ones at reasonable money but I have no experience of any of them.

 

The one I'm ditching is a Mrk2 xr2 so I've never really had a reliable daily driver, just juggle between the zed and the xr2

get a lpg converted car, as most money goes into petrol

get a lpg converted car, as most money goes into petrol

 

Well there is a Mitsubishi 3000GT with LPG conversion on AT just now within budget :)

how much is it? ive got a GTO, same amount of maintenance as the zed, parts expensive too as well as higher insurance e.t.c.

£2450, L reg, Manual...that's about all it says and it don't have a pic

Bargepole and 'don't touch' are the words that spring to mind regarding the 3000GTO. They are mega barstewards to work on (worse than the Zed) and the parts, if you can get them are pricey, even secondhand. Also the same as the Zed, most garages just shake their heads when you pull up in one. Lexus and Fiesta sound a great choice to me, but they are at both ends of the quality range ? For simplicity and ease / cost of parts, it's got to be the Ford, and thus leaving more money to keep the Zed on the road.:wink:

youd get a very decent honda accord for that sort of money, can't beat the reliability of honda's, i've had LOTS of honda's and currently on my 2nd 03+ Accord, great cars to drive, not sure you'd find a newer one for your budget but if it's going to be in regular use then i'd reccomend even an older one providing it has been well maintained i doubt you'd have any issues with it

I agree i had a 55plate accord and it never skipped a beat fantastic cars

I think my daily driver is on its way to the big scrap yard in the sky...the oil filler cap is popping off itself! I'm not mechanically minded but that build up pressure sounds like it's more than likely going to be terminal, and it gave me an excuse to start looking for something else anyway!

 

I've been looking online and shortlisted a few decent examples but they vary greatly by type as I haven't been shopping for a car for a couple of years.

 

Any thoughts on these cars in general if you have previously owned any?

 

1990 Lotus Ellan M100 Turbo

 

2003 MG TF 1.6

 

2003 Fiesta Zetec 1.

 

2000 Lexus IS 200 SE

 

2002 Vectra LS

 

how about a honda 1.6 Delsol vti??? mine is for sale fun to drive good on fuel quick if you let the vtec cut in & a hard top convertable(electric) £1600:cool3:

I know i'm biased but i'd go for an mg but not the MGF, more like the Rover 75/MG ZT.

 

Real bargain of a car, good on diesel (with a bulletproof BMW engine), look nice, good interiors and very easy to get parts for both new and second hand.

 

http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/Cars-/9801/i.html?_nkw=mg%20zt&_catref=1&_dmpt=Automobiles_UK&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=0&_udhi=3%2C000

My money would be on the lexus any day of the week