Alternatives/rivals to Honda Accord VTEC Sport 1.8?

[Mighty Racoon]

A mate of mine has just passed his test and his parents have bought him a VTEC Accord...IMO, not a great first car (he'll get shanked on insurance and drive like a tt!) but I've decided it's time for me to upgrade and splash on a new car.

I'm looking for something that'll be able to rival his Accord speed/acceleration-wise, without spending a damn fortune...

Any ideas/suggestions?

EDIT: It's the 2001 model

[Mighty Racoon]

Grenoble said:

Comparing stats directly just gets you into an arms war.

Buy something left field and lightweight that will encourage good driving skills..

Budget?

Haha, that's true

I dunno, I just don't want some newbie rich kid who I've been driving around for the last 2yrs suddenly rinsing me on dual carriageways etc because his parents bought him a car >_< Petty, I know, but what can I say?

Budget is only around £800, so I'm probably pushing it!

[Mighty Racoon]

RobCrezz said:

I dont see whats wrong with a 1.8 accord for your first car, probably not too bad on insurance due to not many young people driving them, and should be reliable.

They arent fast, so I wouldnt worry about that.

We're both 21, and the insurance is going to be around 3 grand a year for him.

I drove like a dick in my first car (1.0L Saxo) and, had it been a 1.8 I'd have almost definitely crashed.

EDIT:

Riknos said:

Yes and Yes - agree with both points. I considered one once as my second car - Very much an old man's car, so wont be as bad on insurance as you'd think.

Why don't you get a 2.0 litre one?

I'm in the minority then...maybe I'm overthinking it? Either way, I still need a new car and I'm ready to step up from my 1.6 Escort

Edited by Mighty Racoon on Friday 12th October 11:41

[Mighty Racoon]

As usual, you're all right...rather than trying to one-up him, I should just get a car that I want to drive

The Primera looks pretty cool, not a bad price either?

[Mighty Racoon]

Chrisw666 said:

Why would you do that?

I've never considered one of these and that one is cheap and 20 miles away.

Insurance is a little steep unfortunately

[Mighty Racoon]

B3ALP said:

Just leave the MASSIVE jealousy you are dragging along with you at home,
Hey Presto your present car will be faster

Ha! I see what you did there

Yeah, I realise the one-upmanship is probably a bit juvenile. I think I was just using it as an excuse to get a new car!

Puma sounds interesting, as does the 5 series...

[Mighty Racoon]

B3ALP said:

Nah we all do it, otherwise we would all drive the same " Box", you just put yours into print

Hahaha, that's true...a fool's error