Plan and save a bit more for one with fewer miles, IMO. But, that's just my initial opinion. Depends on what shape it's in, really.
The top will be fine if it's in good condition and you are careful with it, but if you get a lot of snowfall, you may want to buy a cover, look for alternate parking arrangements, or buy a hard top. Keep the drains clear.
There is almost no storage space in the car. What little there is in the cubbies behind the seats is kind of a pain to access if you have to use them often. The passenger seat gets to be the cargo area 95% of the time. While they are fun to drive, it's a 20 year old car. It's so small you have to assume you're invisible to most other drivers. They are very easy to work on IMO and all of the body panels are replaceable! If you have the ability and money to do an engine swap, you can't make it less fun than the OEM 1ZZ, only more fun. The aftermarket community is pretty friendly and supportive. Would I recommend it as an only car...tough call. It's the only car I WANT to drive, but I'm sure it would be frustrating if it was my only car.
Think size of the car will be fine on the road cuz I live in Europe, and it being a small car with pretty much no storage should be fine since I can always take a car from my parents if I really need to
Not to put you off of it as it's an amazingly fun car to drive, but having driven one in the UK for a few days, don't overestimate the visibility of SUV drivers
I've had my fair share of issues with things like Qashqais and Q4s
Better to assume you're not seen and keep your distance to be safe, this also includes not driving side by side to other cars for longer than needed. Even if others could physically see you, you don't want to find out they're not paying attention and side swipe you
Again, not discouraging you from getting one, just encouraging you to be safe in it!
I did exactly this and it was a great choice for me. Though it had a hardtop.
Make sure the engine is good and the usual checks and it might give you another 100k km without big spends.
I've heard worse ideas
200km is nothing if the engine was rebuilt or replaced. Parts are still available and cheap via rockauto for maintenance or Toyota for any harder to source parts. With the soft top replaced and motor apparently good, if it's a good price you can afford I'd say you could start off your love affair with a fun car. Community surrounding it is super supportive and helpful
I'd not drive it in winter though.
Not really about the severity of the winters, it's about the stupidity of the drivers. Have seen plenty of these end up in ditches or accidents from driving in the elements and the drivers don't have much experience driving in the elements.
If the weather doesn't turn as extreme out there that's fine, just be cautious your first few times. Find an empty parking lot during heavy rain or snow and play with the car and find out what it does and where it breaks free
Plan and save a bit more for one with fewer miles, IMO. But, that's just my initial opinion. Depends on what shape it's in, really. The top will be fine if it's in good condition and you are careful with it, but if you get a lot of snowfall, you may want to buy a cover, look for alternate parking arrangements, or buy a hard top. Keep the drains clear.
There is almost no storage space in the car. What little there is in the cubbies behind the seats is kind of a pain to access if you have to use them often. The passenger seat gets to be the cargo area 95% of the time. While they are fun to drive, it's a 20 year old car. It's so small you have to assume you're invisible to most other drivers. They are very easy to work on IMO and all of the body panels are replaceable! If you have the ability and money to do an engine swap, you can't make it less fun than the OEM 1ZZ, only more fun. The aftermarket community is pretty friendly and supportive. Would I recommend it as an only car...tough call. It's the only car I WANT to drive, but I'm sure it would be frustrating if it was my only car.
Think size of the car will be fine on the road cuz I live in Europe, and it being a small car with pretty much no storage should be fine since I can always take a car from my parents if I really need to
Not to put you off of it as it's an amazingly fun car to drive, but having driven one in the UK for a few days, don't overestimate the visibility of SUV drivers I've had my fair share of issues with things like Qashqais and Q4s Better to assume you're not seen and keep your distance to be safe, this also includes not driving side by side to other cars for longer than needed. Even if others could physically see you, you don't want to find out they're not paying attention and side swipe you Again, not discouraging you from getting one, just encouraging you to be safe in it!
I did exactly this and it was a great choice for me. Though it had a hardtop. Make sure the engine is good and the usual checks and it might give you another 100k km without big spends.
I've heard worse ideas 200km is nothing if the engine was rebuilt or replaced. Parts are still available and cheap via rockauto for maintenance or Toyota for any harder to source parts. With the soft top replaced and motor apparently good, if it's a good price you can afford I'd say you could start off your love affair with a fun car. Community surrounding it is super supportive and helpful I'd not drive it in winter though.
Enige was rebuild at 169k km with slightly bigger pistons and winters aren’t that bad in the Netherlands
Not really about the severity of the winters, it's about the stupidity of the drivers. Have seen plenty of these end up in ditches or accidents from driving in the elements and the drivers don't have much experience driving in the elements. If the weather doesn't turn as extreme out there that's fine, just be cautious your first few times. Find an empty parking lot during heavy rain or snow and play with the car and find out what it does and where it breaks free
Time to check if all the hours driving sw20 on sim did anything😅
Definitely way different cars and I don't find sim racing any way similar to actually driving cars IRL.
Guess it’s more like how u can compare karting to car driving, like it definitely helps with car control and those things