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Rollo
23rd November 2009, 23:01
No doubt we've seen Top Gear's challenges to buy a car for £1000 etc etc etc. Does this work in the real world?

This then is the challenge... who can find the best car in the world for £1000?

At today's market rates:

£1000
€1110
US$1660
A$1797
C$1753
¥147805

Let's see who can find the best car in the world for a thousand squid.

Brown, Jon Brow
24th November 2009, 00:32
Jon Brown was the first to arrive at our pre-arranged meeting point :p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200947346495104/sort/priceasc/usedcars/make/alfa_romeo/price-to/1000/radius/1501/page/2/postcode/pr30tf?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fp ostcode%2Fpr30tf%2Fradius%2F1501%2Fmake%2Falfa_rom eo%2Fprice-to%2F1000%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc%2Fpage%2F2&anchor=advert200947346495104&logcode=p

http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1025290130&width=266&height=200

2000 ALFA ROMEO 156 2.0 Twin Spark

£850

Dave B
24th November 2009, 09:07
I win! I've found a Clio Sport with a 9 litre engine :p

RENAULT Clio 1.4 Sport

2000 Reg, Hatchback

£950
Private Seller
85,000 miles Transmission 9.0L

Diesel[/*:m:h941n9pt]
Miles, PAS, CL, E/w, s/roof, front fogs, sports seats, 14 alloys, MOTd May 2010, first class driver. £950. 07955 xxxxxx or. anytime[/*:m:h941n9pt]327 miles

MrJan
24th November 2009, 09:59
Sticking to what I know:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200944344900463/sort/priceasc/usedcars/make/toyota/model/mr2/price-to/1000/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/page/3/postcode/ex28tb?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fp ostcode%2Fex28tb%2Fradius%2F1500%2Fmake%2Ftoyota%2 Fmodel%2Fmr2%2Fprice-to%2F1000%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc%2Fquicksearch%2Ftrue%2 Fpage%2F3&anchor=advert200944344900463&logcode=p

MR2 Rev3 N/A Import. Looks tidy enough and has the uprated engine and suspension (plus cosmetic differences). Not properly checked the spec but looks tidy enough and is stock so room to play with.

Alternatively,

http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/ads.html?page=show_ad&adid=615&catid=5

Rev2 Zircon blue but with the Rev 3 engine and gearbox (got an extra 20bhp). Owned by an owner's club member so you know it's been looked after, plus it's a T-bar and UK model so fairly sought after.

Mark
24th November 2009, 12:14
You will be asked to complete a series of challenges.... :D

Dave B
24th November 2009, 12:26
We've started playing the Top Gear Drinking Game (TGDG). SImple rules: take a swig of your drink every time:


Clarkson says "in the world", "some say" or "on that bombshell".[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
May is referred to as "Captain Slow"[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
A production runner hands them a challenge[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
They meet up in a car park for said challenge[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
Somebody "accidentally" crashes into another presenter's car[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
A car is deliberately wrecked (bonus point for Morris Marinas)[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
An attractive woman is strategically placed in the background of studio shots[/*:m:3ase5o0h]
The star in a reasonably priced car suddenly leans forward when his/her lap time is about to be revealed[/*:m:3ase5o0h]Try it sometime. You'll be on the floor by 9:15 :beer:

Brown, Jon Brow
24th November 2009, 12:31
Even though we cannot be sure that my car works (being an Alfa) I really think i've got the best one so far.

Dave B
24th November 2009, 12:52
So what's the first challenge then?

Brown, Jon Brow
24th November 2009, 13:07
1) Reliability challenge - drive from London to Liverpool. (minus one point for every breakdown, plus one points for achieving fuel economy of more than 30mpg)

2) You must get your other forum members killed whilst driving through the proud city of Liverpool by writing slogans on each others car.

3) Modify your car with any money left from your original budget for a race.

4) The race.

MrJan
24th November 2009, 13:43
I've got this licked. MR2 can just about manage 30mpg but won't break down because it's Japanese (unlike the Alfa and Clio which are Italian and French, meaning that they will breakdown about 10 times). Then I'll just daub something about the Sun being right on one of the others car. And I won't need to spend any money on modifying because my car looks quicker and will obviously win.

What's my prize? :D :bounce:

Daniel
24th November 2009, 14:31
I've got this licked. MR2 can just about manage 30mpg but won't break down because it's Japanese (unlike the Alfa and Clio which are Italian and French, meaning that they will breakdown about 10 times). Then I'll just daub something about the Sun being right on one of the others car. And I won't need to spend any money on modifying because my car looks quicker and will obviously win.

What's my prize? :D :bounce:
If I was to enter I'd buy a Mk1 Legacy Turbo like Carolines bulletproof, quick and not too bad considering everything for economy.

MrJan
24th November 2009, 15:18
If I was to enter I'd buy a Mk1 Legacy Turbo like Carolines bulletproof, quick and not too bad considering everything for economy.

Yeah but when I spray paint 'Sod the 96'* on the side you won't make it to the finish.



*Not my own opinion BTW.

Dave B
24th November 2009, 15:23
I've drawn a giant Sun newspaper logo on John Brown's Alfa but some scousers have nicked my car so I'm off to source a replacement.

Daniel
24th November 2009, 15:32
Yeah but when I spray paint 'Sod the 96'* on the side you won't make it to the finish.



*Not my own opinion BTW.
I'm confused :mark: Sod the 96? :mark:

Dave B
24th November 2009, 16:01
I'm confused :mark: Sod the 96? :mark:
The 96 who died at Hillsborough (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_Disaster), blamed by a certain tabloid for their own demise.

Daniel
24th November 2009, 16:06
The 96 who died at Hillsborough (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_Disaster), blamed by a certain tabloid for their own demise.
Ah!

The things you miss out on in Australia :p

Mark
24th November 2009, 16:25
I didn't know what "the 96" was, but being Liverpool I guessed what it might be.

MrJan
24th November 2009, 16:35
Might just be being a football fan then, there was quite a big campaign for Justice for the '96. I'm sure Rollo can give some proper detail.

Daniel
24th November 2009, 16:42
Might just be being a football fan then, there was quite a big campaign for Justice for the '96. I'm sure Rollo can give some proper detail.
Back on topic! :p

It would be nice if there was some sort of off road race, the Subaru would be well equipped for that. Just hope it's not a race on the track though, the Mr2 would probably kill it.

harvick#1
24th November 2009, 17:00
We've started playing the Top Gear Drinking Game (TGDG). SImple rules: take a swig of your drink every time:


Clarkson says "in the world", "some say" or "on that bombshell".[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
May is referred to as "Captain Slow"[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
A production runner hands them a challenge[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
They meet up in a car park for said challenge[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
Somebody "accidentally" crashes into another presenter's car[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
A car is deliberately wrecked (bonus point for Morris Marinas)[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
An attractive woman is strategically placed in the background of studio shots[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]
The star in a reasonably priced car suddenly leans forward when his/her lap time is about to be revealed[/*:m:2k2s1j0b]Try it sometime. You'll be on the floor by 9:15 :beer:

:laugh: :up: I'm all for that drinking game :D

MrJan
24th November 2009, 17:01
Not relevant Daniel, you don't buy a car for under a grand and expect it to go winning off road races :p : You'd have been better off pitching some kind of 'how much shopping can you get in' challenge. Although I reckon my genius packing skills could run you close :D

Daniel
24th November 2009, 17:08
Not relevant Daniel, you don't buy a car for under a grand and expect it to go winning off road races :p : You'd have been better off pitching some kind of 'how much shopping can you get in' challenge. Although I reckon my genius packing skills could run you close :D
Do you not remember the Bimmer vs Jag vs Starion challenge? ;)

MrJan
24th November 2009, 17:41
Do you not remember the Bimmer vs Jag vs Starion challenge? ;)

You cannot use Top Gear as a source for logic :p : I still reckon I'd win, mid-engined is always the best way.

Brown, Jon Brow
24th November 2009, 18:21
I might come last in all the challenges but I will have the most enjoyable time losing. Afterall, thats part of the joy of owning an Alfa

Rollo
24th November 2009, 20:25
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/carsales/6766973.jpg
1989 HOLDEN COMMODORE VN EXECUTIVE
Price - $900
Interior Colour - Grey
Kilometres - 152,580
Engine - V6 cylinder Unleaded Multi-point injected 3.8L (3791cc)

All of this sounds brill' until you get to:
Road Worthy Certificate - No

Hmm, the car's not roadworthy. Then we need to make it so! How hard can it be? :D

Daniel
24th November 2009, 20:28
http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/carsales/6766973.jpg
1989 HOLDEN COMMODORE VN EXECUTIVE
Price - $900
Interior Colour - Grey
Kilometres - 152,580
Engine - V6 cylinder Unleaded Multi-point injected 3.8L (3791cc)

All of this sounds brill' until you get to:
Road Worthy Certificate - No

Hmm, the car's not roadworthy. Then we need to make it so! How hard can it be? :D
Is there an award for nastiest and most horrible car? If so you'd win hands down.

Rollo
24th November 2009, 20:37
I'd certainly win Mr Yeo's 'how much shopping can you get in' challenge. Besides, they're not that nasty. They're just like the Vauxhall Carlton which won European Car of the Year in 1986, only bigger... and nastier... and more horrible... ok, you've sort of made a point here, but they still not that nasty.

Daniel
24th November 2009, 20:38
I'd certainly win Mr Yeo's 'how much shopping can you get in' challenge. Besides, they're not that nasty. They're just like the Vauxhall Carlton which won European Car of the Year in 1986, only bigger... and nastier... and more horrible... ok, you've sort of made a point here, but they still not that nasty.
They're not nasty if you compare them to Rover Metro's or Austin Allegro's but compared with all the cars others have chosen, it's pretty frigging nasty :p