5-6k Fun daily drivers?

[RNicholls9]

I can't take driving my '07 1.3 CDTI Corsa any more, it's so dull. So I've saved up a bit for something new.

I drive around 11k/Year, with more than half of these done during 5 months a year on the motorway commuting to university, don't think this alone will justify for me having to go diesel? So requirements; 35+ MPG, Reliable, "Insurable". I've no need for storage or 5 seats so anything goes really.

I'm 21 with 3 years driving and 2 years no claims, I do have a non fault claim, I was sat at lights and got rear ended. So insurance isn't friendly yet. Current ideas..

Suzuki Swift Sport
Twingo 133
MX5

Ideally I'd like something with more punt like a Cooper S, Clio 197 etc but they want closer to 2k in insurance, bit high really.

So can anyone think of other cars I could look at?

Thanks

[RNicholls9]

Good shout on the MR2, how do they compare to an MX5? I know this has probably been asked a million times and I should search it but too late now.

[RNicholls9]

Is that a 944? Certainly something I didn't first consider? Bet it gets expensive in maintenance does it not?

Hmm I think I really need to test drive some of the suggested cars. If only I could afford a GT86, this would be so easy for me.

[RNicholls9]

Don't kill me! I'm clueless on cars pre 2000

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I was originally set on an NB MX5, but with a conversation with my mums other half, a mechanic of 40+ years, he doesn't want me to have an MX5, he somehow thinks they're unreliable. don't ask me how, but it's easier to keep everyone happy if anything goes wrong, therefore I was leaning towards the swift. But now I'm backing the MR2, can't believe I forgot about them

[RNicholls9]

damn the MR2 is 1.6k to insure with elephant, same as the CLio 197, cooper etc. didn't want to pay that much. The Swift/MX5 are only 1k to insure, once again I think insurance is going to dictate my car choice

[RNicholls9]

I'll go look at the punto, don't think it's what I was originally after but I suppose if its cheaper than the rest to insure it would be more fun than the corsa for another year or so

[RNicholls9]

Okay just re checked the price on the MR2 and it's under 1k now to insure, must have entered something incorrectly before

Maybe I should recheck the Cooper S and Clio's etc

[RNicholls9]

Okay it was only 1k without me getting rear ended. With me being in a non-fault crash, it is now 1.6k, this is ridiculous £600 increase for sitting at a set of traffic lights and getting rear ended, is there no way around this?

[RNicholls9]

3ananaPie said:

Try specialist brokers, may be able to get you a better price. Maybe give Quite Me Happy a go? Always found they were able to quote me happy.

you sir are a genius, they only wanted 950 with non fault declared

[RNicholls9]

So quote me happy are not making me happy, wont let me insure an MX5 - too old, Clio 197, Cooper S or any of the likes due to performance I'm guessing? Yet I can be insured on an MR2 by them for only £100 more than I'm currently paying on my diesel corsa, oh how insurance makes so much sense

[RNicholls9]

Thanks for the replies. Hahaha, I've no idea why my insurance is so high, what companies are you other younger drivers using? I used Elephant previously but they seem to have gone expensive now.

[RNicholls9]

Twin2 said:

Twingo RS is a good idea, it's great fun. Similarly Swift Sport would be smashing.

I'm 20, have no no claims, 3 years driving experience and pay £600 a year for insurance. That included a write-off my a named driver on my policy in January though...

How on earth is it so expensive for you to insure these cars?

They do both look the same on paper, has anyone driven them back to back? the swift is the better looking of the pair imo. How does the Twingo fair on the motorway not heard so much good about the swift.

Hahaha I don't understand it either!

entropy said:

Gen 7 Celica

Seat Ibiza FR 150/Cupra 180

Always assumed the Celica was higher on the insurance?

chrisb92 said:

BMW E46 330CI? No idea what mpg they get, nor what insurance group they are in, mind!

If only!

TimLambert7 said:

I've just gone from an NC MX5 to a Twingo 133 and it's been a good change. Added practicality of Twingo is welcome and despite a power deficit I'd argue it's more fun to drive.

I'm 21 with zero no claims, 4 years driving and pay £550 by the way.

Has the OP not mentioned that the car will be parked on a back street in Salford?

Hmm only hearing good about the little twingo and then there's always Clarksons review on them too haha!

OneLittleFish said:

Have you tried the new 1.5l three cylinder turbo in the front of the standard Cooper hatch? Good fun car.

How new we talking? within budget?

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43034 said:

Just a quick input;

Never assume anything with insurance.

I'm 20 and have insured my car for just under £1k. 3.2 litres and just over 6 to 60!

hahaha I suppose you're right! How?! You hold them at gun point until they offered the deal or something hahaha!

chrisb92 said:

I'm 22, and insurance was £689 on a 12 plate golf GTI.

I was in your exact position last year, and couldn't get anything fun for less than a grand! In the end I bought a 1.6 golf, which was average and just waited until i got older!

Insurance should come with a d*ck head test to justify the price you pay! Was really hoping to finally get away from the boring stuff

[RNicholls9]

Thanks for the input guys, I think that's what it's going to come down too. Really need to start looking around at quotes it seems!

I've had 2 older women on my insurance since I passed as additional drivers, massively dropped the prices! Would they not find a way to make it my fault though for listing my work instead of full time education? I know they like to get out of any claim if things go wrong! Definitely going to give some of these private companies a ring they seem to be the best bet now!Most of the increase in premium this year seems to be due to the non fault crash I was in this year, makes it not even worth claiming in future unless it's a write off!

Started looking more into the Twingo at first the looks put me off but they're starting to grow on me! Is the cup chassis worth going for or just the standard 133?

Elephant wanted 1.9 on the Civic but I'll see how some other companies quote me on it now