Looking for a nippy first car

[slyelessar]

I'm 26 and passed my test a couple of months back. I am from the UK, but I'm currently living in New South Wales Australia (albeit temporarily). I have been driving my partners Toyota Starlet (1996 model I think) whilst I have been here. It is quite a fun little car, but when I eventually get back home, I'd like something a tad nicer inside.

I have been looking at:

MG ZR 1.4
VW Golf 1.4
Mini Cooper 1.6
Fiat ibiza
VW Polo

Is there anything that won't have the insurance sky high, but still be nippy for a small engine? I learned to drive in 4 cars: Rover 75 1.8T, Renault Clio Diesel, Mini Cooper 1.6, Toyota Corolla (not sure what size).

[slyelessar]

When I get back to old Blighty I won't have enough money to pay for a £4,000-5,000 car and afford insurance.

[slyelessar]

CarAbuser said:

Am I the only one who winces every time the word nippy is used?

I'm not a huge fan, but everyone knows exactly what I was going for in terms of this car thread.

[slyelessar]

e21Mark said:

Budget would be useful.

I'll have little money when I get back to the UK. Say £500- £1100

[slyelessar]

StuTheGrouch said:

Shame you're not in the UK. I have a 2007 Suzuki Swift (1.5) for sale...

That is a shame! What colour/specs? How much?

[slyelessar]

Chris1255 said:

I'll just repeat a key point of the OP's criteria here which rules out probably half of the suggestions already made....

And something that won't make the insurance be too high.

Edited by slyelessar on Saturday 13th June 02:12

[slyelessar]

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?

[slyelessar]

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

[slyelessar]

Hrimfaxi said:

Good call for that budget actually.

Just don't crash it!

How easy is it to upgrade?

[slyelessar]

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?

[slyelessar]

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.

[slyelessar]

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?