I'm looking around at something that i can have as a weekend car, It has to be quite cheap to run and insure but still a little fun. I have about 2k depending how much more I spend on our recently purchased house.

I've been looking at

Mitsi FTO

Golf GTI mkII

Golf vr6

capri 2.8

Have any of you owned and run any of these and do you know what should be looking out for when I go looking?

FTO - not on £2K

GTi mk2 - possible

VR6 - again not on £2K

Capri V6 - very possible, very long lived as long as the shell is sound, esp the front strut towers. No particular issues with engine or driveline other than 20mpg (or worse if driven enthusiastically) thirst, probly on 4*. Well deserved reputation for being tail-happy, worst on mk1 (3.0l carbie, not 2.8l injection, but other points apply equally to any Capri V6).

For £2k, how about a nice late well cared for 1.8 16v MK2 GTI? Would really keep you entertained, reasonable economy, can be kept in nice condition without costing the earth, and if looked after will only appreciate!

I think all of what you list would be very leggy for £2k - but a Capri - you're nuts!!

Plenty of golf vr6s around for 2k but they are not exactly cheap to maintain, there is always something that need replacing, not so bad if you can do the work yourself though....

Obvious things to look out for are timing chains and tensioners need doing by 110-115k at the latest, suspension components and bushes particularly the rear beam bushes wear pretty badly....and ideally get it on a ramp to check the floor area, drainage holes are prone to getting blocked with leaves and crud and then rust around the holes. Umm can't think of much more off hand...

I've got a mk3 vr6 track prepped rolling shell and 2.9vr6 engine if that interests you, needs a spot of work tho.

lancia thema turbo 220 bhp. 150 mph. abs. climate. alcantara electric heated seats. mint!

*sharky misses his thema turbo...........

Also consider a jetta gti 16v and vento vr6, you can still find good condition unbutchered cars for much less than the equivalent golf.

if you fancied a cabro maybe an mx5, mgf or maybe fiat barchetta?

I really fancy something a little older and simple to work on as I'm not a mechanic and havent done any work on cars for 8years or more. the mkII golf gti interest's me, found this dealer thats not far from me Auto Trader Dealer Pages - Keighley Trade Sports & Performance

This:

Autotrader - MITSUBISHI 3000GT GTO Twin Turbo Manual With Full Leather

Needs a new ECU though

or

Autotrader - MAZDA MX-5 Eunos Roadster 1.6 Soft Top V Spec

I thought about the 3000 GTO yesterday but I just cant afford the running costs on something like that. Would be great though:D

MX5 every time... cheap to run and if looked after generally bullitproof (trust me I have a 12 year old example that is pristine and is used as a daily driver and many in the owners club have examples with over 100k, in some cases with forced induction). Get over the hairdresser image (drive one and you will for definite as you'll experience the fun handling) and go for it.

£2k may be a bit low but you would get an early 1.6 for that at a guess.

Got to be the mk2 GTI, I have a driver version so not as fast but very fun still. And great internet support if things go wrong for DIY fixing.

Dont buy anything from Keighley Trade Centre! Do a search on the Lancer Register web forum Mitsubishi Lancer Register about that place , all their cars are really poor bottom quality stuff , thats why they are so cheap. I heard lots of horror stories of how bad their cars were when I had my Evo and I was on MLR site most days.

I vote Capri , ive had a 2.8i and a 280 Brooklands , great cars to drive , fantastic driving position but will take you a while to get used to its big nose! You might struggle to get a good un for £2K now tho , they are starting to inch up in value now , more so for the Brooklands.