Looking for a nippy first car

Looking for a nippy first car

Author
Discussion

Hrimfaxi

1,036 posts

127 months

Sunday 14th June 2015
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slyelessar said:
So what is the overall opinion on MG? Some car friends of mine have advised against the MG ZR 1.4, but to me it doesn't seem too bad?
'Evening.

A 1.4 in a "hot" or even slightly warm hatch like the ZR, would be a bit weak. If you really wanted a ZR, go for the 1.8 or the 2.0. But of course, insurance would have the final say in the matter.

I think a safe bet is a Mk1 Focus. They're good steers and can be had cheap as chips.

Edited by Hrimfaxi on Sunday 14th June 19:28

slyelessar

Original Poster:

359 posts

108 months

Monday 15th June 2015
quotequote all
Hrimfaxi said:
'Evening.

A 1.4 in a "hot" or even slightly warm hatch like the ZR, would be a bit weak. If you really wanted a ZR, go for the 1.8 or the 2.0. But of course, insurance would have the final say in the matter.

I think a safe bet is a Mk1 Focus. They're good steers and can be had cheap as chips.

Edited by Hrimfaxi on Sunday 14th June 19:28
Cheers for the info! Although not sure I want a focus or fiesta. I would really have to have my leg pulled, although the interior in these Fords seems nicer than some of the other suggestions at the very least.

Edited by slyelessar on Monday 15th June 02:37

e21Mark

16,205 posts

173 months

Monday 15th June 2015
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I'd get some insurance quotes on all the suggestions before you make a decision. I'd also ignore a bit of leg pulling if it meant I had a fun, good handling car. I regularly do sprints and hillclimb and have seen some pretty quick little 106. Suspension upgrades and some wider steel rims, stickier rubber make for a nice driver, with the ability to keep up with some quicker, more expensive cars through the twists. A bit like a more modern version of the original Mini. Saxo are another alternative.

I'd start with what you can afford to insure first though, as without insurance you're going nowhere.
.

slyelessar

Original Poster:

359 posts

108 months

Wednesday 24th June 2015
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Hrimfaxi said:
Good call for that budget actually.

Just don't crash it!
How easy is it to upgrade?

slyelessar

Original Poster:

359 posts

108 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
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e21Mark said:
I'd get some insurance quotes on all the suggestions before you make a decision. I'd also ignore a bit of leg pulling if it meant I had a fun, good handling car. I regularly do sprints and hillclimb and have seen some pretty quick little 106. Suspension upgrades and some wider steel rims, stickier rubber make for a nice driver, with the ability to keep up with some quicker, more expensive cars through the twists. A bit like a more modern version of the original Mini. Saxo are another alternative.

I'd start with what you can afford to insure first though, as without insurance you're going nowhere.
.
What does the average 106 go for back in the UK?

Buff Mchugelarge

3,316 posts

150 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
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pti said:
Seicento Sporting.




In yellow.
That. For smiles per £, you won't beat it wink

lee_fr200

5,477 posts

190 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
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Ibiza fr tdi quicker than you might think and damn good on fuel

Plus they have a good spec

Depending on your budget I'm selling mine shortly

JoeMk1

377 posts

171 months

Saturday 27th June 2015
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Peugeot 306 GTi-6?

Cheap to buy, maybe not to insure.

slyelessar

Original Poster:

359 posts

108 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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JoeMk1 said:
Peugeot 306 GTi-6?

Cheap to buy, maybe not to insure.
I need to keep the insurance down this time, if it was a couple of months ago it wouldn't have matter too much.

lee_fr200

5,477 posts

190 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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My insurance on the Ibiza is only 300 quid,

Cracking little cars tbh I'm only selling mine as I've got a toddler and a baby on the way

gregs656

10,876 posts

181 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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slyelessar said:
I need to keep the insurance down this time, if it was a couple of months ago it wouldn't have matter too much.
If you can find a tidy 306 D-Turbo then it might be worth a go? Mine was reasonably fun to drive, and the interior is a step up from the 106/saxo range - I used to do 5 or 6 hours in mine in comfort.

The downside is they are diesel, of course, but they're from a time when diesels were tough and it also brings the insurance figures down.

Greg-

167 posts

192 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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Panda 100HP, Clio 172/182, Celica, ST170

I looked at all these cars when I was in your shoes, I was late to the driving game due to uni and was 25 by the time I got my licence. Biggest advice I can give you is shop around for your insurance, comparison sites are useful but going direct to the company you can save yourself a few hundred pounds. It's a pain in the arse, just dedicate a day to it and get it done. Panda 100HP was my favourite (in terms of nippyness, charm and insurance cost) but I couldn't find a good one in my budget, looks like they're going down though, so you might be able to score a good deal.

anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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How about a Mazda 2? It's in the fiat panda 100hp mould with 100hp and a lot of fun at times

They're not perfect (a bit too noisy and thirsty for the size) but mine suits the country lanes near me perfectly.

KM666

1,757 posts

183 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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I got a megane coupe 1.6 16v as my first car after passing on my 22nd birthday. I was looking at an ebay special unwanted px ford escort and the megane was in the same lot so put a bid in on the megane and won it for 300odd. The engine was a peach and on toyo proxies and new shocks it was a lively steer with classic french lift off oversteer and super comfortable front seats. It wouldnt get less than 36mpg average. Far better than anything i've owned since. My 115bhp 1.8 astra sport was slightly quicker off the mark but very thirsty and the handling wasnt great untill ì put eibach springs on it. That one cost me 800 they're much cheaper now.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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Greg- said:
Panda 100HP, Clio 172/182, Celica, ST170

I looked at all these cars when I was in your shoes, I was late to the driving game due to uni and was 25 by the time I got my licence. Biggest advice I can give you is shop around for your insurance, comparison sites are useful but going direct to the company you can save yourself a few hundred pounds. It's a pain in the arse, just dedicate a day to it and get it done. Panda 100HP was my favourite (in terms of nippyness, charm and insurance cost) but I couldn't find a good one in my budget, looks like they're going down though, so you might be able to score a good deal.
Panda 100HP for about £1000? He !ay need to score more than a good deal .Short of stealing it, it may be somewhat tricky smile

lee_fr200

5,477 posts

190 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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This is mine I'm selling its rare in kandy white and there's only a handful with xenons and apparently only it's the only kandy White with xenons facelift in the UK so I'm told by seat UK











Good spec climate control cruise control white dials curtain airbags side airbags driver and passenger airbags folding heated mirrors rear opening windows alloys new tyres and brakes strut brace egr blanked xenons headlight washers isofix points and 70mpg can easily be achieved as well as 0-60 in 8 secs and 140mph




slyelessar

Original Poster:

359 posts

108 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
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lee_fr200 said:
This is mine I'm selling its rare in kandy white and there's only a handful with xenons and apparently only it's the only kandy White with xenons facelift in the UK so I'm told by seat UK











Good spec climate control cruise control white dials curtain airbags side airbags driver and passenger airbags folding heated mirrors rear opening windows alloys new tyres and brakes strut brace egr blanked xenons headlight washers isofix points and 70mpg can easily be achieved as well as 0-60 in 8 secs and 140mph
Very nice. Cheeky pm?

sideways20vT

163 posts

186 months

Monday 13th July 2015
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lee_fr200 said:
This is mine I'm selling its rare in kandy white and there's only a handful with xenons and apparently only it's the only kandy White with xenons facelift in the UK so I'm told by seat UK











Good spec climate control cruise control white dials curtain airbags side airbags driver and passenger airbags folding heated mirrors rear opening windows alloys new tyres and brakes strut brace egr blanked xenons headlight washers isofix points and 70mpg can easily be achieved as well as 0-60 in 8 secs and 140mph
Would you take £500 - £1100 for it?