I've reached a bit of a dilema, after some advice from a friend at work I threw together a photochop of the astra, here's the results:



They reckon i should get some 17" or 18" alloys for it, then keep it subtle on the outside, maybe colour code the bumpers and slam it, then do the works on the interior. Somewhere down the line I could throw a red-top under the bonnet.

Another option is the one I've been going for ever since I decided I wanted something quicker, An EG Civic Coupe LSi 1.5 Vtec, like this:


I could go JDM style, or keep it fairly subtle like this one:


Finally, never thought I'd even consider this, but go for something (coupe or saloon) with an adequate engine already, but with the option of fitting something much better under the bonnet when I can afford it, like this Rover 216 coupe from the for sale section:

I'm sure I could sqeeze a B18 under the hood?

Let me know what you think.

Im voting for the Rover if theres the posibility of throwing in the same engine Tony 2 dicks has got in his because thats rapid!

That coupe seems damn cheap too

That rover has a Honda engine in it already doesnt it?

Nice cars, the wooden dash complements the rest of the car perfectly. My Nan had one, well built, reliable and not bad looking. The civic will be similar reliability, slightly better looks (IMO) but the potential to make it look really nice.

Personally i would buy the civic.

Givic EG i say. Altho all 3 options are good.GSI looks on the astra wud be subtle and mint. Civic would be super,as for the rover, do something with the "wood effect" bits on the dash (spray it,burn it, it dont matter but IMO its rotten) The K series engines are good,wud it not be better to just get a 220?What wud be the difference in insurance?VTEC all the way tho mate

18 s on the astra, buy mine

When you consider your options i would strongly suggest getting the most powerfull car you can afford and insure.

Its all very well replacing the engine further down the line but it costs allot and getting the correct ECU settings and all the electronics talking to one another can be a nightmare sometimes.

Why spend x amount on a car and then £1,000 to upgrade the engine, simply buy somit powerfull to start with.

Think carefully but there are so many people buy a car and then spend hundreds, even thousands getting a few extra BHP from the engine and over stressing the engine also.

Ever considered a MK2 Escort ????

the rover as its cheaper than the civic but has a honda engine.

well iam unable yo add a vote to your poll so i thought id just put up my opinion here. i think that the civic is the best option as long as the price aint to much higher than the rover as the civics look mint. i also think that hondas build quality is good.

If I sell the Astra I can afford about £1k on the car, and I'm looking up to group 14 insurance (15 at a push). The rover and the civic are both group 14, if I got either of these I'd fit a B18 when I could afford to insure it as I know these engines tune well and last forever.

That red civic was going for £900 so was ideal, but I need to sell the Astra first. Could do with some more opinions peeps, keep 'em coming.

Thanks for all the replies so far

Need more reliability and luxury than that mate, it's gonna be a daily driver, i'd need it for work and i do about 300 miles a week. Thanks for the suggestion though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4574083806,

What about an astra gsi, or calibra redtop the cali is group 14 and has 150 bhp out the box. or go newer than mine and go eco-tec which has 136 bhp. but has better bodywork and there are loads of mods out there for it.

Cor7a, you havin a giraffe? No way thats worth £4k lol, and not really to my taste. Daz, I like the look of the calibra's but I've always felt a bit claustrophobic when I've been in them, the cabin seems far too small for the size of the car. I'm 6'2" and have long legs so need the room, thanks for the suggestion though. I'd have an Astra GSi and do it up rally style, if they didn't cost so much in the first place!

altho that civic is nice it seems like the less u bid the less u get. Meaning if it goes for 2 grand all the carbon stuff comes off! No ones bid on it and i can see why,

Anyway, trying to think what u can get for 1k. Old MR2? Rover 218 (old shape) I havent seen many civics under 1k,especially ones with good engines. Maybe an E30 318/20 or E36 at a push

200sx s13. niiiiiice. can get one under £1000

Good point, im with daz on this one

or poss corolla gti-6 ??

Doh, just looked up the S13, it's group 16 ins. Woulda been great if I could afford it. Corolla gti's probs a little too old mate, I'm not really into the boxy cars unless your talking about 4x4s. Thanks for the suggestions though mate.