gargoil Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 (edited) Looking for a very cheap car in the £750-£1800 range to teach my girlfriend to drive in. She's not starting from scratch as she did lessons a few years ago but gave up and has had a go of a 300Bhp Fiat Coupe on base boost on a private industrial estate and got on ok. Insurance is too much for her to get added onto either the coupe or my Alfa so am looking for a wee cheap hatchback. Was originally thinking Ford Ka but thought for the same price could get a Rover 200. Got some insurance quotes and was sub £250 for all models of the Rover 200 including the 143Bhp 1.8 200Vi (0-60mph 7.5secs,0-100mph 22secs, not bad). There is two for sale near me with less than 80k on the clock in my price range. Just wondering if these cars will blow up or be dogs or are they pretty good. I know of the old k-series head gasket problem but will probably have the car for a wee while after her test. Or am I being stupid and should buy a 1l version or a 1.3 Ford to teach her? Edited July 28, 2006 by gargoil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossjohnc Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 You love reliability don't you! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />I'd go for the latter, but then I'm sensible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 if the worst came to it and it was in an accident i'd much rather be in the ford. A basic fiesta or polo might be a better bet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 200Vi's are pretty rapid. What about insurance on the BRM edition style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 The BRMs are starting at about £2k for a decent one. Quite like the Vi as it just looks like the non sporty model. ECU and breathing mods from the MGZR160(same vvc engine) can see a good power increase to 160Bhp but thats getting ahead of myself!! style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LINCOLNSHIRESLUPOGTI Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 I like the BRM. Full mulberry red leather, nice wheels and actually very good handling. Fast as well.Interior (apart from leather) is pretty cack and the reliability is questionable (in fact you know it will break) but the K series angine is actually quite good apart from head gasket issues. They are lightweight and pretty rapid to be fair.Spray the orange grill silver and you have a tidy cheap car IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridLupo Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 PUT THE MONEY DOWN AND BACK AWAY FROM THE ROVER. If you know about the head gasket problems why even entertain the idea of buying one. Once the head gasket is gone its a waste of time replacing it as it will go again in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 (edited) Any other suggestions, basically want it to be a bit of fun for not a lot of money for after test!! Edited July 28, 2006 by gargoil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 106 or MKII Golf if you can find one.I wouldn't advise buying the Rover though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdotdash Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 I wouldn’t want a Rover as m 1st car, especially as most people have them as their last car style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="^_^" border="0" alt="happy.gif" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 (edited) We've had a head gasket go on a rover 45 K series 1.6. Repaired for 500quid if I remember right. Skimmed the head and its been fine since. The main probem having the head gasket changed is its a engine out job more or less. The head is bolted on with bolts that go right through the block to have a sandwich effectimo, if a 1.8 vi is cheap to buy and insure, id get one style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> Edited July 28, 2006 by syphon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 I just really want to make it look like this.......honestly!!! border="0" class="linked-image" /> border="0" alt="" />TURD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMon Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 If you buy it you CANNOT come on here and moan if the head gasket blows. style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" /> style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> I think they're OK, but I suppose it's buyer beware? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiminy Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 106 or MKII Golf if you can find one.I wouldn't advise buying the Rover though.i just sold a very tidy mk2 16v for £1500 but i would not advise someone to buy one as a cheap car to run plus they have a head gasket issue as well.if you want a cheap car dont buy a performance car, the two are mutally exclusive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMon Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 if you want a cheap car dont buy a performance car, the two are mutally exclusive.Good point.Unless you're lucky and find a cheap one that's been cherished and not ragged round by a baseball capped scrote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargoil Posted July 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 More thinking of getting the 220 turbo diesel rover 200 now and chipping it which would give me a good 135Bhp! Bits would be cheap as chips and easy to come by! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.