Ridden a bike for 15 years. Never come off, never been hit. Had some close shaves but that's invariably when I've been acting like a twat as opposed to other road users. Sounds stupid but you can make yourself as conspicuous as any other road user if you ride the right way and have a decent amount of road sense.

I'd never actively put anyone off riding a bike, it's the most fun you can have on the road bar none - driving a car doesn't even come close. The problem is that you can have exactly the same accident doing 40mph (for example) in a car as on a bike and come out of it unscathed whereas on a bike you'll have broken bones or worse.

I've ridden motocross all my life, but am yet to switch over to road or enduro. Recently it's been on my mind; would love to get a wr450 or a sports bike, but like others have said it's oblivious road users and extra cost on top of car ownership that dissuades me from actually going for it.

I doubt there would be much interest but I am selling a Vauxhall Astra TwinTop for pretty cheap before I move away. I'd offer a bit discount to a fuker too.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item;=131107156138#ht_284wt_1138

If this is your criteria then you're never going to beat an MX5. Can you live with 2 seats and fuck all boot space though?

If you wanted something a bit more practical then i'd be looking at something like…

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lexus/is/lexus-is-200-se-2004/2025116?isexperiment=true

MX5 boot is pretty big for the size of car, and it's quite hard to beat for enjoyment.
I've got a MKi I love but if I'm honest it can be a pain in winter, shitty rainy weather really doesn't suit it. Mine is laid up and I'm driving a Volvo V40 which is so much more pleasant to drive when it's like this.
You could get an MGF well under budget and they're OK, if they've had the head gasket done
If you increased your budget slightly you could get a Boxster (rough ones are already in your budget), obviously more expensive to run but very good cars.
If you liked your Clio a decent 172/182 would be in budget and a good drive.
Under your budget a Ford Puma is cheap to buy and run and great fun, you could probably afford one that's already had the arches done (they all rust).

Booked my motorbike theory for mid march and DAS for end of. Thought I'd get a bike as was getting fed up of cycling in when I wasn't training and I'm hooked now. Great way to get to and from work and clears your head after a shitty day as your mind can't wander. Can't wait to get my full license.

That seems good, thought insurance was much more after watching one of the Baron von YouTube rants.

Good to hear Jack, think ill book my test this summer.

Thoughts on VW, specifically the CC? Have seen very mixed reviews on reliability (generally speaking)

Have gone full circle and have ruled out a beemer and audi as I want something a little newer so I think I am pretty set on an 09 or 10 CC. Lovely looking car in my opinion.


Have made an offer on this one…

The CC looks class Tiger. I was looking at them when I was looking but bit out of my budget.

What about an RX8 - great car for beer money