I'm 20, £5,000, what car?
Discussion
You're definitely in RenaultSport territory in terms of budget and insurance for your age.
I insured a Clio 172 at 21 and that was just an awesome car to have at the time. Quick, nimble and plenty of decent features. The R26 is a good shout in terms of drivability but might find the insurance is higher than the likes of a Clio 197, which would probably get my vote.
I insured a Clio 172 at 21 and that was just an awesome car to have at the time. Quick, nimble and plenty of decent features. The R26 is a good shout in terms of drivability but might find the insurance is higher than the likes of a Clio 197, which would probably get my vote.
ChocolateStarfish said:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, taken all in to consideration and have been getting insurance quotes as I've been going along.. All around 2-2500 for the year which isn't to bad!
The difference age makes...If somebody told me my insurance would be £2k on a hot hatch, I'd puke
If it makes you feel any better mate, in a few years time the quotes will drop dramatically and anything over £800 a year will seem stupidly expensive.
On a side note; when you hit 21, you'll be eligible for most classic car insurance policies. Then you can start looking at older, but really fun cars that don't cane the insurance.
Have you tried GoCompare or MoneySupermarket for your quotes, online? I know the old line 'they compare 100s of insurance companies' but you can find decent savings on these sites.
I use them at renewal, and I'm quite a bit older than you.
Another option is the specialist companies that deal with "hot hatch" insurance / young drivers.
I use them at renewal, and I'm quite a bit older than you.
Another option is the specialist companies that deal with "hot hatch" insurance / young drivers.
VF7 said:
I'd go for the Clio 197 too. Just because I like them. Haven't driven an 197 but I'd guess 197 bhp musst be adequate.
192bhp. 197 refers to the PS figure.But I'd agree; I had a 2007 gen 3 Clio and really liked it. Looked good on the outside; inside is ok but getting an aux connection isn't easy, and you do sit quite high in the car, even on the lowest seating position.
Subaru of some kind? There's obviously the very fast ones (in Impreza and Sportwagon body), or down to a GS or Sport, which "looks" like the fast ones, without the high performance engines. A number of body styles to choose from.
Plus Subaru mechanics are known to be very reliable. Servicing though, best go independent.
Plus Subaru mechanics are known to be very reliable. Servicing though, best go independent.
andye30m3 said:
I think I'd be tempted to go for an Integra type R if you could find a decent one.
Yes, as I suggested earlier. 
Cult following plus certainly something special.Or if you don't want to go for something so specialized, how about a Honda Civic Type-R.
Retaining the hot hatch theme, but find a respectable one that's not previously been abused (cosmetically too!).
With the Civic Type-R, there are a few Mk's to choose from. Plenty on the market within your 5K budget.
ChocolateStarfish said:
Think I may just go with a Clio 197, although I'm still looking, thanks everyone!
EP3? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...At that price I'd think there was something wrong though..... but maybe it's just a steal. Maybe not quite dynamically as accomplished as the Renault in the corners but no doubt more than adequate and has a better drivetrain.
I'd say the Clio hits all of your requirements:
Cup
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Renaultsport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Cup
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Renaultsport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
As most of the previous posters have said, RenaultSport Clios in either 1*2 or 197 flavour seem to fit the bill pretty nicely.
As a left-field suggestion, how about a Ford Fiesta ST? £5k would get you the best of the best of the old 150bhp model - they're not as nice a steer as a Clio but they're still pretty good.
However, to echo another poster here, unless you really, really need 4 seats, an MX-5 would do this job perfectly. They're not fast cars by any stretch of the imagination, but with the roof down they feel it - and isn't that the most important thing?
As a left-field suggestion, how about a Ford Fiesta ST? £5k would get you the best of the best of the old 150bhp model - they're not as nice a steer as a Clio but they're still pretty good.
However, to echo another poster here, unless you really, really need 4 seats, an MX-5 would do this job perfectly. They're not fast cars by any stretch of the imagination, but with the roof down they feel it - and isn't that the most important thing?
The Beaver King said:
On a side note; when you hit 21, you'll be eligible for most classic car insurance policies. Then you can start looking at older, but really fun cars that don't cane the insurance.
Both my classics say I must own, or have access to (ie. company car or similar) a 'daily' vehicle in addition to the classic. If you have a classic as your main car, it can often make it just as expensive as insuring a modern car.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff