Fancy going topless for £1500?

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy it than getting out on the open road in your very own convertible sports car. If the idea of the roof down and the wind in your hair sounds appealing this blog might just be for you.

I have chosen two great little sports cars; the infamous mk1 Mazda mx5 and the British built MGF, both of which can be yours for less than £1500.

The Mazda Mx5.

The mk1 mx5 is the undisputed daddy of the sports car world. The lightweight perky little two seater does almost everything a sports car should. The minute you slide into the cabin, it feels “right”, is perhaps the only way to describe it, everything in the cabin is where you expect it to be. Avoid the 1.6 and go straight for the 1.8 which delivers the kind of performance you expect; the gear changes are quick and precise, enabling you to get the best out that 4 cylinder engine. The Mx5 is superbly balanced and has more than ample amounts of grip in the corners, enabling you to push it through the tightest bends at high speeds and not fear for your life. It also has one big ace up its sleeve, it’s phenomenally reliable. These cars go on forever so don’t be afraid to buy one with high mileage as long as it’s been looked after it will continue to be a fun summers toy for many years to come. In fact a friend of mine has an mx5 covered over on his drive for ten months of the year, including throughout the harsh winter, and has been doing so for the past six years, yet every summer it never fails to fire up on the first turn of the key.

What to look out for?

Mechanically these cars should be fine, although check that the car has not been thrashed every day of its life; a tired gearbox and clutch will indicate if this is the case. Unfortunately the biggest killer of any old mx5 is rust so check the front and rear wings for obvious signs that rust has set in and if it’s too bad simply walk away. There are plenty on the used market so be picky and find a good one. Also check the condition of the canvas hood, they generally last well but over time they will need replacing and it’s at least a 250 pound job, so factor this in when buying. It is also worth remembering these are sports cars, so you never quite know if an over enthusiastic driver has put the car on the wrong side of a hedge in its time, so check carefully for signs of dodgy accident repairs. There are a few grey imports of the MX5 under the name “Eunos”, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, in fact there often cheaper than the one with Mazda badges on, just make sure it has all the relevant paperwork with it.

And now for the MGF

I have mentioned previously on Autohouse that I have owned one of these before, it was only the crippling insurance costs that forced me to sell, ultimately down to my age. I have always had a bit of a soft spot for the MGF since I drove one when I was 16 on a private road and subsequently ended up buying one. I personally think it looks better than the MX5, but of course that is only my opinion and there will be many that disagree. There is a definite sense of “old school” engineering when you drive it; the clutch is fairly heavy, as is the gear change and you can hear the engine rasp and fizz as you drive, partly due to the fact you sit right in front of the engine. It handles well on twisty roads, partly due to its mid- engine layout, although it isn’t as razor sharp as an mx5. If you go for the VVC, which is the one you want, in terms of straight line speed it is faster than the mx5 and also it revs to a fantastic 7000 rpm.

What to look out for?

There is a golden rule when buying any MGF, check the “head gasket” has been done. The rover K series engine is nicknamed “the kettle” by many motor traders as they’re always on the boil. Always ask for full documented evidence that this has been changed to the later updated gaskets and the head skimmed because otherwise it could cost you at least £750 to sort out. It’s vital that the water levels are checked regularly to avoid the gasket going again, other than that it is generally a reliable car. Check that all the electrics work and the condition of the roof is good, especially the back plastic window. It would definitely be advisable if you can get one with a full service history to do so as unfortunately the MG does not have the bullet-proof reliability of the Japanese Mazda, but if you find a good one it will provide loads of fun on a summer’s day for very little money.

The alternatives

Although they may not be true sports cars, they still are a perfect way to get the sun on the top of your head.

Alfa Romeo spider




A very good looking Italian convertible, if you can stretch to the v6, definitively go for it. Although for this budget the more modest 2.0 seems more likely. Check for regular servicing and cambelt changes.

Saab 900 convertible.

Whether it’s the classic shape or the new GM designed shape, both are very good looking and reliable. Super quick in turbo form and there is space for two in the back.

BMW 3 series convertible





A good late 90’s 3 series convertible can now be yours for £1500. It seats four, the straight six engine is silky smooth and it looks good.

Audi cabriolet



A good mid 90’s cabriolet, fantastic German build quality, imposing looks and strong engines, all for a little over a £1000.

Fiat Barchetta

A very pretty, handmade Italian two-seater. Not one for real hard drivers as its front wheel drive and underneath it’s basically a Fiat Punto. Only comes in left hand drive.



The three cars you never thought you could afford.

In this instalment I will show you how you can have absolute luxury for the same price as a brand new Fiat Panda. Don’t believe me? Then read on.

So you’re thinking of buying a new car and the list of criteria is as follows, four doors, comfortable, safe, economical and something that will look good on the drive. You have a modest budget of twelve grand, what do you do? Rush out and buy a brand new Ford Fiesta or a Skoda, or just maybe if you think a little outside of the box and are prepared to buy second hand you could be behind the wheel of some of the most desirable and luxurious cars ever made.

The Mercedes S class.

Believe it or not this car retailed anywhere between fifty and one hundred and fifty thousand pounds when it was new, but thankfully depreciation wasn’t kind to the German bruiser and really good examples can easily be picked up for ten grand. When it was launched it was praised all over the world as being the best luxury car on the market, a title it held throughout its production life and something its successor has continued to uphold. So instead of running around in your 1.2 litre super mini you could be wafting along in absolute luxury in one of the most refined, comfortable and technically advanced cars money can buy.

So which one should you buy?

Well if you’re sensible, you will be wanting the excellent diesel model. The S320 cdi delivers effortless performance and thankfully it will return 34 mpg on a combined cycle (perhaps not as frightening as you might of thought). However, the story does change with the petrol models, all of which are brilliant, but as is often the case with the pursuit of perfection something has to suffer, and in this case its economy. The glorious s500 v8 will only return about 21 mpg and it has been know to dip into single figures in heavy traffic.



So what is the solution?

I know there are a few people out there who just don’t like diesel engines and that in their eyes a large petrol engine is the pinnacle of refinement, yet many can’t afford the eye watering running costs, so what is the solution? For anyone who is in this situation I have three words for you “liquid- petroleum- gas” or LPG for short. It will cost you two grand for a good conversion but after that you have the benefit of paying just 72p a litre. So an S500 will return the equivalent of 36 mpg (combined), actually making it cheaper to run than the diesel. It is worth noting that an LPG car, if registered with the DVLA, is Congestion Charge exempt, something in its self that could save you a small fortune if you drive into the capital each day.  You can always buy a car that has already been converted to LPG, however you never quite know the quality of the kit that has been installed and often these tend to be high mileage as people like to recuperate there initial cost of the conversion by doing more miles. Therefore if you do less than say five thousand miles per annum a conversion is not worth the initial outlay.

What to look out for?

The S class is a very complex car so check absolutely everything electrical works.

Check the air suspension system, as this is very costly to replace.

There are literally hundreds for sale so don’t rush into buying one, hold out and find a very well looked after one with a full service history.

The Jaguar XJ

You only have to say the word Jaguar and the word luxury springs to mind. The XJ is no exception. Stepping into one you immediately smell the wood and the leather, arguably there is no other big saloon car that oozes as much style and grace as the big cat. Yet unbelievably all of this can be yours for as little as 6 thousand pounds, that’s half the cost a new ford fiesta. For this section I am going to focus on two variations of the model, the XJ6 and the XJR. They may sound and even look similar but they are two completely different animals that could be all yours.

The XJ6.

This is perhaps the most sensible large executive saloon you can buy. It’s modest 

3 litre V6 engine packs 240 bhp, yet will return 27 mpg combined, get a good LPG conversion and you could see the benefits of the equivalent of 40+ mpg, which makes this one seriously cheap car to run. Reliability is also up there with best of the German competition. Unlike Jags of yesteryear, this one retains its traditional looks and feel, but its lightweight aluminium body makes it good fun on twisty roads and gives the feeling that this big car is actually much smaller. You get something special when you purchase a Jaguar, unlike its Germanic rivals the big Jag delivers a unique and charming package that no other car manufacturer can match.

The XJR

The addition of an “R” badge changes everything on any Jaguar, and the XJ is no exception. The XJR is a completely different beast to that of other models in the range. It uses a 4.2 litre supercharged v8 that develops a whiplash inducing 400 bhp and will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 5.2 seconds and on to a limited top speed 155 mph.

When buying it is vital to get one with a full and rigorous service history. There are many out there so it shouldn’t be too hard. New this car was sixty-four thousand pounds, but now many can be had for fewer than 11 grand. It will return about 19 mpg, so it’s not brilliant but if you really can’t stomach the fuel bills REMEMBER the sheer brilliance of LPG, thus meaning you can have a 400 bhp luxury saloon that will outrun a Porsche 911 but still return the equivalent of 30+ mpg. In my opinion there is no better looking large saloon car than a black XJR.

It’s also worth noting that the XJ is also available with an excellent 2.7 litre diesel engine that delivers bags of torque and delivers very good economy for a car of its size. However the reason I have somewhat left it out when mentioning the Jaguar is that it tends to demand a slightly higher used price than its petrol equivalents, although it can still be purchased for under 12 grand. If diesel is your thing and you want a Jag, then this is definitely the one to go for.

Bentley Turbo R

Now if someone said you could buy a Bentley for the same price as a new Ford Fiesta you would probably think they were a little bit mad, but in actual fact it’s entirely true. You really can be wafting along in one of the most exclusive and luxurious cars on

the planet for less than twelve thousand pounds.


I am not going to sugar coat it, whichever way you look at it running one of these beasts is never going to be cheap. It’s got a 6.8 litre V8 so “yes” fuel economy is pretty eye watering. This really is a car for someone who doesn’t cover a huge amount of miles but still loves the thought of owning something very special indeed. Servicing costs are also astronomical if you take it to a main dealer; find a good local specialist who will look after and it usually makes running one a bit more palatable. There is only one way to buy a second hand Bentley; buy the very best you can afford and make sure it has a full and extensive service history, and pray to God nothing major goes wrong or you will be looking at BIG bills.

However, it’s far from all doom and gloom; you will still be sitting behind the wheel of something that in the early 90’s cost over one-hundred thousand pounds, everywhere you go admiring glances will be made and I guarantee every time you drive it you will get out with a smile on your face and be feeling like a millionaire. Apart from its running costs the rest of Bentley ownership is actually rather reasonable, these cars qualify for classic car insurance, so if you only do a few thousand miles a year insurance will be cheap. Also these cars have just about finished with depreciation, all ninety thousand pounds of it, and if you look after it and keep it for three years you could even see the car appreciate, something no other car on this list can boast. 

Also many owners of older Bentley’s do what I like to call, owning a “Bentley on a budget”. If you buy a good one of these and you have a spare Saturday afternoon once a month, you could actually see this car making you money. Think about what the majority of wedding cars are, I guarantee that 70 per- cent are Rolls Royce or Bentley’s, so you could potentially earn up to £300 for just a few hours work in your spare time, which could either be money that is put back into the car or spent on yourself. These cars can make you money through weddings, school proms and other functions. This is something almost no other car for just ten grand can do. So there you have it, if you’re prepared to make a few sacrifices you really can be driving around in a Bentley on a minimal budget.

You really can have all three of three of these large executive saloons for a lot less than the price of a new Ford fiesta. Yes servicing and maintenance may well cost you a bit more than that of a new super mini, but my theory is this: buy a large Jag, Mercedes, Audi, BMW or Bentley for anything between six and 11 thousand pounds, and you have left over money in the bank that will more than pay for any nasty repair bills that “might” occur and if you look closely when buying and you get a good one with low mileage and a full service history there is no reason why these over engineered saloons will give you any trouble whatsoever. In many cases, buying one of these instead of a brand new car could actually be a wise choice. You can buy a 2007 jaguar XJ6 for a little over 7,500 pounds, spend two thousand on an LPG conversion, that will leave you with 2,500 pounds in your pocket to do with as you wish compared to if you had bought a new Ford Fiesta for twelve thousand. I suggest load up the car with friends and family and cruise down in absolute comfort to the south of France for a week and have a holiday on what you have saved, or if that’s just not your thing, with the change book two weeks in the Caribbean. While you sunbathe on the beach with a cocktail you can be happy in the knowledge that you’re the envy of the neighbours.

Buying your first car

After some positive feedback from my first blog, I have written this one, it’s a little longer, but hopefully you will not get too bored when reading it.

So the "L" plates have been ripped up, and the pink full UK licence has arrived in the post, its now time to buy your first car. Now I know this topic has probably been covered countless times, but hopefully I will provide you with a useful and entertaining insight in what is arguably the most exciting yet somewhat daunting task many young people face. I am going to explore the complete "ins- and outs" of motoring and the types of cars that are available to younger drivers, some of which you may be surprised at.

In my own experience there is one golden rule to buying your first car. PLEASE check the cost of insurance before purchasing any vehicle; avoid my mistake of rushing out and buying a sports car for a thousand pounds (MGF 1.8 VVC) at 17, only to find out the cheapest insurance quote I could get was 7 THOUSAND POUNDS. Needless to say the car had to go and I learned a painful lesson. Remember that it isn’t buying the car these days that’s the financial headache, there’s plenty of lovely big German executive saloons and 4x4's to be had for a little over a grand, but when it comes to running it every day and insuring it, your wallet will be very heavily hit. But that’s not to say a 1 litre Corsa or Peugeot is always your cheapest way to get on the road.

So let's take a budget of £2500 to £3000, to buy and insure a car and see what you can get. I shall break it up into categories to make it as simple as possible. For each category there will be a small number of cars and a few need to know details about them, just to keep things simple.

The small hatchbacks. Usually between insurance groups 1-5.

 i.e. The Cars everybody else has and usually the ones your parents approve of.

Vauxhall corsa. (Model B and C)

Well I have one myself so I know a fair bit about these cars. The corsa is cheap to buy and run, (anything from 40 to 60 mpg), and generally pretty cheap to insure, the engines are strong and provide ample power , my own 1.2 16 v has taken me all over Europe, including a 750 mile non stop stint from Birmingham to Hamburg with four people and luggage. However the handling is not by any means "razor sharp" but overall I would describe the corsa as adequate in every department. Avoid the 1.0 3 cylinder as there is a general consensus that it’s pretty dreadful. An insurance quote for an 18 year old male, living in a low risk area, will vary from £1400 - £2000. (Courtesy of confused.com). This may sound a fair bit, however what ever way you look at it insurance for young drivers will never be cheap.

Peugeot 206.

The Peugeot is one of Britain’s best selling cars and has long been a favourite of first time drivers, there cheap to buy and run and they have the major benefit of those sleek French curves, thus meaning your mates aren’t going to laugh when you turn up at their house with it. A good 206 can be picked up for a thousand pounds, although it sits in a slightly higher insurance group than the corsa, a mid-range 1.4 Verve sits in group 5. If you go for a diesel the mpg is a very impressive 65.7. Now the words French car and reliability aren’t generally put together, and the 206 has suffered its fair share of niggles along its lifetime. Despite being an immensely popular car in the Auto Express Driver Power 2005 satisfaction and reliability survey, the car came 98th out of 100,

The electrics have been known to fail, causing warning lights to be displayed on the dash and the central locking has been known to fail, and sticking clutches have also been reported. (Check all of this before handing over your hard earned money). The little Pug is let down also by one major factor, its driving position is truly awful, on a trip from London to Birmingham the 206 gave me chronic back ache and the steering wheel sits too low, also it is worth noting the interior space is somewhat limited. Other than the issues mentioned above, a properly looked after 206 should give you many miles of trouble free motoring, just don’t rush into buying one, over half a million were sold in the UK so there’s plenty on the used market.. A typical insurance quote for a 206 will vary from £1600 to £2100 for a 1.4, (using the same details as aforementioned).

The Renault Clio ( 1998- 2005)

The Clio has a lot going for it, its cheap to buy and a really good looking little car. It’s a popular with boy racers so avoid ones with after market alloy wheels or lowered suspension as there likely to have been driven within an inch of their lives. The 1.2 8v is a little slow of the line but once it picks up speed its just fine. The 1.5 dci diesel is a gem and again will return 65 mpg. Just the same as the Peugeot, when buying a Clio check the electrics, the front windows have been known to fail and a good service history is a must when buying one of these. Special editions of the Clio come with sport trim and desirable features such as I pod connectivity on later models. Insurance is mid way between the 206 and the corsa, with an average quote of 1900 pounds from confused.com.

List of possible other alternatives-

Fiat punto, Ford fiesta, VW polo, Skoda Fabia (don’t be put off by the Skoda name, they really are good cars), Citroen saxo, VW lupo.

Now I could drone on all day about small hatchbacks you could buy, there are literally hundreds out there, but my aim of this blog was to also give you an insight into cars, you might not first think of, when considering your first car. So where shall we start?

Land Rover Series/ Defender.

No I haven’t gone mad; I really am suggesting that an 18/ 19 year old get behind the wheel of one of these utilitarian beasts. In cities yes a hatchback is perhaps the better option, but when it comes to country folk they have this ace up there sleeve. Insurance company and parents alike know that these old land rovers are slow, so therefore they tend to take this into account when giving you an insurance quote and because of its modest performance parents, despite initial shock often approve. An 18 year old male on a series 3 land rover fully comprehensive was just 1200 pounds for the year, this is far cheaper than anything else mentioned above. Also the major advantage of buying a series Land Rover is, if you keep the car until you are 21 the insurance drops to under 300 pounds and any pre 1972 will be road fun licence (tax) exempt. Something you can use to offset the high running costs of 25 mpg. They do however in general cost more to buy than your standard hatchback, but on the plus side depreciation is very low, and in some cases it might even appreciate. There also about the toughest thing out there, so if you are unfortunate enough to have a “bump”, you’re very likely to be in a much safer place sitting behind the wheel of a Defender. Land Rovers come in either short wheel base (swb) or long wheel base (lwb), the latter is more practical for carting mates and big objects around and the former is more practical for parking and is ever so slightly more economical. It’s also worth noting that Land Rover spares are plentiful as at some point you will need to purchase them. When purchasing an old Land rover, always have a good look round with your eyes “wide open”. Rust is the biggest killer on any land rover chassis and bulkhead so check these very carefully. It’s also not really a candidate for anyone that does long distances, there not exactly comfortable, and they are noisy and many leak water in when they rain. Despite these flaws many old Land Rovers hold a special place in their owner’s hearts.

The VW beetle (Original)

The VW beetle really is a “marmite” car; you either love it or hate it. If you’re one of the former then this section is for you. Insurers regard them highly and as a result insurance is just about as cheap as it will get, around £1100. There are hundreds of them for sale, but prices vary massively, from £750 for a tatty early 1970’s that needs work to 6k plus for a real show winner. A solid one can be had for around £1800- £2000. Reliability isn’t exactly that of a modern car, but on the other hand parts are cheap and it is very easy to work on. The Beetle has a very vibrant scene so when it does inevitably break down there is help and advice on any number of online forums and specialist magazines. Check for worn engines and more importantly rust; the 1970’s cars in particular are renowned for corrosion. Owning and running a classic beetle is completely different to having a modern car, sure it may be slow and noisy, but you will gain admiring glances and waves wherever you go.

The MINI (Original)

I really could not complete this list without mentioning the original mini. There’s a lot to say about it but I will keep it short.

Perhaps most importantly at the age of 18, the original mini is a very cool car and it will gain you respect from your mates and passers by. It is very cheap to insure and to run. You sit so low to the ground that even a trip to the shops feels like you’re in a grand prix. There are literally thousands of small modifications that can be bought to improve the “usability” of one day to day (many will not affect your insurance premium). However like all the classics I have mentioned they suffer from rust, so please check the bodywork and underside for serious corrosion.

Other classics to consider.

Morris minor, Mgb gt (surprisingly cheap to insure),

Also remember if you buy a modern hatchback for £1200 and run it for 2 years, you might be lucky to get £750 back, on a classic car if you look after you might even see your car appreciate, and also remember all of the classic I have mentioned are available as “Tax exempt”, thus meaning you will save minimum of £120 a year.

So there you have it, a list of “run of the mill” first time drivers cars compared with the less ordinary, whatever car you choose, remember to look it over thoroughly and if you have no mechanical experience take someone with you who does, or pay out a little bit and get a proper AA or RAC inspection, it could save you a fortune in the long run.

Any comments or criticism welcome.

Matthew Brown

My first ever blog...

Please before reading this bear in mind this is my very first blog and that I am doing this for a genuine love of all things Automotive. In places it may be sketchy but I hope overall my passion for cars will shine through and you will enjoy reading my reviews just as much as I enjoy writing them.

So for my very first review where should i start... something mundane like the new ford focus, or go exotic with the new 911 gt3.... well actually its neither of those things. I thought with it being my first ever blog I would write about my favourite car, and to me the most exciting car of 2011.... The KING of 4x4's The 2011 4.4 litre Range Rover.

Love it or hate its big bruiser looks, you can't help but be impressed by it. It has the status only  few other car manafacturers can match. This latest edition in its 40 year history could not be any more different to the original. Gone are the utititarian interiors and replaced with what can only be described as sheer luxury, that would not be out of place on a Rolls Royce. 2011 sees the introduction of the new 4.4 litre "super diesel". Cleverly blending an increase in power (15 %) over the outgoing 3.6 tdv8, but ultimately and perhaps more importantly in these £1.37p a litre days achieving better mpg (30.1 on a combined cycle).

Perhaps the best way to sum up the new Range Rover's good and bad points is to break it into sections.

Techinal achievements/ whats it like to drive:

The mighty new v8 twin turbo diesel is now mated to an all new eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Motorway cruising is seemingly effortless, with an 80 mph blast down the motorway, the mighty oil burner was barely touching 1500 rpm. Its also worth mentioning that the new engine meets the new Euro 5 regulations and CO2 g/km figure is reduced to 253g. Its twin turbos also help aid fuel economy, on light pulling away and sensible driving just one turbo is doing the work, its only when the driver is feeling its time to outrun the chav behind in his corsa that the twin turbos engage. Also to aid this shall we say "spirited" driving Land rover have fitted a "sport" setting to the gearbox and paddles behind the steering wheel to give the driver the choice of manual gear selection. And lets not forget the Range Rover's biggest ace up its sleeve, not only can it thunder down an Autobahn at  130 mph in absolute comfort, it can also out perform almost anything when the road eventually runs out and things start to get muddy. although arguably not many shiny new 70 thousand pound range rovers these days ever touch grass let alone navigate there way to a top of a mountain (something the range rover is very much capable of  doing). The Range Rover is perhaps in my mind the only "multi-purpose" luxury car that exists today, think of one other car that will cart a family around in safety, hammer down the motorway in luxury, and navigate almost any off road trial, yet still not look out of place outside a Chelsea restaurant on a Saturday night.

So what's not so good?

Well for one, without sounding like i'm stating the obvious but it really is a big car. I had the pleasure of being a passenger in one around London on New Years Eve in very heavy traffic and to be perfectly honest it was a nightmare to manoeuver and we could not find a single parking space that it would fit in. This car really does not belong in the city. Get it out on the open road or on a muddy field and enjoy it. Also, and this may only be just me, but I found the access to the rear seats acceptable at best, it's certainly not an easy machine to climb in and out of the back, as compared to that of a large German saloon. Reliability has also been something that has plagued many Range Rover owners since its launch in the 1970's, although the quality is far superior to that of the "classic" and the later p38 models, it's still not up there with the bulletproof feel of a Land Cruiser. However, despite these very small drawbacks, the Range Rover is still the undisputed "Daddy" of the 4x4 world, its luxury, its presence, and its price are all out of this world, but if you're one of the few who can afford to buy and run one, you will never regret it.

Enjoy these videos.

Any feedback or criticism is welcome.

                                Matthew Brown

  All images from Google search.