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hey, this is my first post and i need some help. I currently own a mk3 golf which has been a great motor however i would like to pass this onto my brother for christmas as his first car.I really do not have any idea what to think of buying as a replacement as my golf has been my pride and joy and its always impeccibly clean. However this has had its downsides, im too scared to give the car a good thrashing as im worried something will go bang so im interested in something that i can buy as a toy car. I dont cover many miles as i either cycle to work or take the bus as its its only a few miles each way. I want something cheap, kinda powerful, rwd and not bad on the insurance as im only 21!ive been considering a sierra, granada v6 as i think these are Rwd and can  be picked up for pennies so if something does go wrong i jus send it away to the scrappers. Any ideas???!!!!

Can't go wrong with an old BMW,and there are probably more of them about than old fords,and they'll last longer/drive better/look better......

There are tonnes of options for you, but what is your budget?

As you have said any of the Ford options are good, although you may find that they are becoming fewer and further between, especially for something serviceable.  I looked for a Sierra estate a while back and was amazed how much they are now fetching.

Of course there is also BMW.  Possibly cheaper and more of a selection (ironically) than the Ford.  The only down side is your age, and insurance.  Because this is the popular option for a certain sector of society, they tend to be quite spendy to keep on the road.

Personal favourite, a Porsche 924 / 944.  These things are built like tanks, cheap to repair and insure (even at 21) and are great fun to boot.  The only down side is you may end up on the slippery slope of Porsche ownership!!!  

Left field choice would be something like an Alfa 75.  I love these cars, and I don't know why.  Again though, getting fewer and further between, and expensive to repair if it goes wrong.

A cheap Jag?  One of the old 2.9 XJ series with a manual box.  Vauxhall Carlton or Omega?  Rarer and getting to be a bit of a classic, possibly and Opel Manta.  Something a little errrr... safer - Volvo 360 Turbo.

How about a something like a Lotus seven replica?  It will be a kit car or one of the more budget replicas (in other words don't expect to find a Caterham or Westfield), but these are as toy as you are going to get.

The issue you are going to find is that you will be looking at something which will be approaching classic status a lot of the time.  Unfortunately, we are now a front wheel drive society, so your options are getting fewer and further between, unless you want to spend big bucks.

Hit Ebay and have some fun.  Best of luck.

Cheers for the help TegTypeR.

My maximum budget would be £1000 but the less i can spend the better.I can see what you mean about the old fords! i found a sierra 1.8 saloon with an apparent 60k-ish on the clock and the poor guy wanted £800 even if the previous owner was 104!I quite like the idea of a totally disposable car.

I would love an old bmw 3 or 5 series although i fear the police upon seeing me drive past would have a wet dream followed by lots of blue lights in my mirror, so a stealth factor here is needed. I do like alfas however the 75 i cant help feeling would fall apart after some spirited driving.

 my prevous car to my 12 year old golf was a 2005 citroen c2 which must of been made by a drunk frenchman, after only 20,000 miles i knew the moody salesmen at citroen pretty well."oh its him again" kinda thing. I was shocked at how things fell off or broke just for fun.

My dad in the past has owned three omegas and he swore by them and i quite fancy one in white with xenons and a high vis jacket....Although this could be childish.Apparantly the 2.5td is a great motor however these seem pretty rare. I have heard the 2.0i is a bit tempermental in reliability stakes, although i cant see why it wouldnt be powerful enough for some fun rear drive antics on the beach. A carlton or an old volvo now thats interesting, cheers for the help.

 some strong brews and late nights on ebay are sure to follow.....

 Another left field choice...

 MK1 Toyota MR2, you should be able to pick one for around £1k, though it might need some work ie rust spots but importantly the mechanicals should be pretty good.

Reliable, pretty nippy and reasonably economical (ins group 16 if I remember right and around 30-35mpg). Oh and a lot of fun to drive.

If you don't like cars going bang on you then avoid the V6 Granada - I had 2 engine seize on me. There is a silly little shaft that drives the oil pump and is fine as long as your 78 years old and keep below 2000rpm. As soon as you give it some it rounds off and in seconds the engine is naffed. Mind you once its fixed it runs for years no problem.

How about a Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4 wheel drive? over 200bhp I think and now easily under 2k to buy. A lot of fun trust me. 

 I'd agree on the Volvo, but then I'm biased... I already have a Volvo estate; only cost £3k and had 172k on it, with FVSH... only problem is that it's an FWD

For £1k you can easily get a RWD 940 saloon or estate, for the money the saloon will be cheaper; just had a quick look on fleabay and found a couple... only problem is I've found one for £2495 that I like the look of... doh!

Cheers for all the replies people! What about a rover 800?or are they front drive? :(

Sorry, they're a front driver.  I know what you mean though, they're peanuts to buy.

I know someone who's got a 2.0 Carlton for sale at the mo if you are interested.  Without tax but has MOT for about the £450 mark!

Of course, this whole thread is based on the assumption that just because a car is RWD, it handles well. The truth is that half the cars mentioned here would be outhandled by a £200 FWD mark one Mondeo.

Very true. 

However...... I can't speak for phildub, but what I can say from personal experience that whilst the overall handling may not be as good, it's the going sideways that is fun!

Remember there is a whole sport that has grown up from going sideways in rear drivers.

In real terms though, how many £200 cars are really going to handle properly anyway.  Unless you are lucky they are bound to be either have baggy shocks, buggered springs or some sort of bent component.

Cheep rwd fun has to be Nissan. 200sx esp the turbo one is a hoot and desposable. If its a good one then might be worth hanging on to one but get a crap pair of boots on the rear and start watching the hedge rows!!!