With the shortage of Preludes VTEC 5spds...

Probably a stupid suggestion, but if you consider a hatch, and you definitely want a NA engine, then what about a civic VTi? They are pretty quick (160BHP, 0-60 ~7.3 secs) when you're in the mood to rev (produced at 7600rpm :-), and economical when you aren't (the 1.6vti 3- door will manage over 40mpg with normal tootlings, although it drops when you use it in the VTEc-zone).

They are practical, pretty nice to drive, dead reliable and the missus'd be happy. Also there are plenty about for under 2k, younger and lower mileage than the same price prelude.

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I like Civics sorts of, especially the Coupe's, but they always seem a little bit like the new Nova.

That never happened to the Prelude. it never seemed to get the same image, even the Civic and Integra Type-R models have more than a little Neddyness about them (although a new Civic Type R would be a welcome gift).

I guess I might need to look at either a 2.3, or consider a VTEC Auto.

But it would cost a fortune in repairs :) I still reckon you want a s**te old TD (405 or Mondeo or summet) to commute with. Take the pain and wait till you're in a better financial position, or maybe your circumstances improve for some good reason, then get summet really cool :) A nice Ghia mondeo or Exec 405 TD, leather, aircon, nice and comfy, go forever, 60mph probly getable on a run, in comfort.

YKIMS.

Well now you're just been pedantic :) Clearly meant probly get 60mpg on a run :)

Aye yea, them too.

It'll *probably* get to 60mph on a run?? With correct use of the loud pedal I can get double that from my old diseasel :-)

And probably still doing over 30mpg :-)

But yeah, it does make sense. Xantia Exclusive might be worth a shot if one exists around your price range. They've got electric seats as well, which is always good.

Peter

In addition to my other post, it appears A6 2.5TDI saloons are gettable for under £2.5k. Generally with around 150-170k on the clock, but I wouldn't view this as a problem at all. Just make sure the cambelt's been done (£400+ job to get it done properly), and have a good look at the front anti-roll bar bushes as mine failed the MOT on them at around 120k. Not a major biggie, and not too bad to do yourself, other than that very bulletproof, and I get 38-40mpg cained everywhere. Your commute could well average at nearly 50mpg. The 115bhp ones are cheaper and I haven't driven them, so don't know if they'd feel underpowered or not, probably not too much, but they're all chippable anyway!

Peter

Had an XM before - lovely when it went. Not lovely when it needed fixed.

Xantia = girls version of XM.

Glad I did it - wouldn't do it again.

I'm with you on this - they're built to withstand nuclear impact. 'My' passat only has 19500 on the clock so far - in 11 months - but it's a quality bit of kit. I know it's not the same thing, but - well it is :-)

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2k is the upper limit, and she wants me in smaller, hence me looking at Coupes and 2 seaters. Otherwise a Saab 9000 would be outside now. Even though it is smaller than a 900, it is bigger inside, cheaper to run, but still to big for SWMBO.

I know, crazier than a pail of snakes isn't it?

Douglas

Peter, whens your cam belt due for renewel? if its soon fancy meeting up and doing them together? I need mine done soon and wouldnt mind learning how to do em, should be easy with 2 of us,

Ronny

A 9000 is smaller than a 900... ?

Indeed it would be, if it were true. But it's not.

9000 Hatchback - 476cm long and 177cm wide. 900 Hatchback - 464cm long and 171cm wide

That's the newer cavalier based 900 tho, the older classic shape one is even smaller that the newer one, chassis wise. It does have a superficially long length tho due to those long bumpers, but it's still not as long as a 9000 even with those included.

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By the time you take off the big sticky out lip bumpers, then put the engine transverse instead of inline, then tighten all the space arround the engine and trans, you save about 9" to a foot I think.

Looks like you are right. the one site I found lists the old 900 as Weight Length Height Wheelbase Gauge, width of track (front/back)

1 300kg 4750mm 1440mm 2530mm 1420mm/1 430mm

But that might be the facelifted ones with aero fronts, and back, not big lips like the pre-87 like mine.

That lists the older (84) 900 as 186.6" or 473.964 cm, and 168cm wide. and here is a link to The Saab Network technical site.

So I guess you were right. Yes side by side, the 900 looks bigger, but feels smaller to drive being that little bit narrower.

Still, if I can convince her it is smaller, I still win. She quite liked the 9000CDE LPT I had a s courtesy while mine was in for some minor work.

But I think that must just be gained inside, looking at your other post.

D'oh!

Douglas

Ooh, ooh, my prelude 2.3i (4ws) is up for grabs - It's a '93(K), in metallic green. It's just gone over 100k. I'm second owner. Previous owner had it up to ~90K and it has full Honda service history to that point. Servicing done at local indy since then. I'm sticking it in for it's MOT this week.

The car is located in lancs, a few miles north of Burnley.

Some pictures at:

(they're biggish images)

Mail me with what price you are after, and I might just have to nip over next weekend for a looksee.

I think I might have to think a about a 2.3. It is a manual isn't it. If it's just topped 10k, it has had the belt done by the indy, hasn't it.