2k, brisk, fun and reasonably insurable.
Discussion
Hi all,
Having recently turned 19 and been driving for 18 months I've been debating over whether to change my car, most likely at some point in August. Originally the plan was to wait for my 2nd years ncb in late Jan but I've realised financially the cost of servicing and MOT-ing my current car before sale then will negate the difference in insurance costs whereas now I'll have 6 months left on both. In addition, living away at uni while my car is at home means I will be able to enjoy it more if I get in sooner while I'm still home for the summer! (Uni postcode is pretty grim so insurance is ridiculous there).
Budget is <£2000, preferably <£1750 and my basic requirements are below:
Petrol
Manual
Fairly brisk performance (sub 9/10 secs 0-60)
Reasonable handling (current Fiesta handles very tidily so don't want anything too floppy!)
Not too heavy on insurance, this is a tricky one, since it varies so much from car to car. All of the cars mentioned below weren't too bad.
Don't do many miles but 25mpg+ in mostly city/suburban driving would be nice
Reliable and not too prone to throwing up big bills, since being at Uni means I'm hardly brimming with disposable income!
Within 80 miles or so driving of Southampton (Ebay and Autotrader both seem to go as the crow flies with their distances).
Currently the two cars that appeal most to me are:
1 - Celica MK7 140 or 190, since insurance for either model is basically the same
2 - Golf MK3 VR6
As good as they are I'm not particularly interested in the PH favourite (MX-5), and the hit and miss reliability of Renaultsport Clios has put me off them a little. Any suggestions mainstream or more left field would be very welcome.
Having recently turned 19 and been driving for 18 months I've been debating over whether to change my car, most likely at some point in August. Originally the plan was to wait for my 2nd years ncb in late Jan but I've realised financially the cost of servicing and MOT-ing my current car before sale then will negate the difference in insurance costs whereas now I'll have 6 months left on both. In addition, living away at uni while my car is at home means I will be able to enjoy it more if I get in sooner while I'm still home for the summer! (Uni postcode is pretty grim so insurance is ridiculous there).
Budget is <£2000, preferably <£1750 and my basic requirements are below:
Petrol
Manual
Fairly brisk performance (sub 9/10 secs 0-60)
Reasonable handling (current Fiesta handles very tidily so don't want anything too floppy!)
Not too heavy on insurance, this is a tricky one, since it varies so much from car to car. All of the cars mentioned below weren't too bad.
Don't do many miles but 25mpg+ in mostly city/suburban driving would be nice
Reliable and not too prone to throwing up big bills, since being at Uni means I'm hardly brimming with disposable income!
Within 80 miles or so driving of Southampton (Ebay and Autotrader both seem to go as the crow flies with their distances).
Currently the two cars that appeal most to me are:
1 - Celica MK7 140 or 190, since insurance for either model is basically the same
2 - Golf MK3 VR6
As good as they are I'm not particularly interested in the PH favourite (MX-5), and the hit and miss reliability of Renaultsport Clios has put me off them a little. Any suggestions mainstream or more left field would be very welcome.
Edited by TheFinners on Wednesday 1st July 18:18
Thank you for all of the suggestions, they are appreciated!
Just to add a couple of things -
3 series tend to be expensive to insure, i.e. even a 318i is more than a Clio 182/Celica 190 etc. Although this could be lessened if I could get a tidy car for a lower price. Think I would try to go for a straight six if I went for one, since the engines are very well received and generally reliable.
Puma - Rust would be my main concern.
With MK4 Golf's the GTI's seem competent, but a little dull. Would a V5 be a nicer car to drive? (I know neither is fantastic dynamically).
Leon Cupra's (the 180bhp ones) also seem to fit most of my requirements quite well, although they are still not the most exciting cars, although I suppose they look more interesting than the MK4 Golfs.
I'll give the Clio's and 206GTI 180 some more thought, I'm not fussed about the odd niggle but I don't want them to be happening all of the time!
Celicas generally seem to be pretty universally praised for how they handle, and the Corollas less so, although I have taken the latter car into consideration as well.
I have to say I was quite surprised at how few cars fit said criteria. Has anyone any experience of a Ford Couger, Hyundai Coupe 2nd Gen or Civic Vti 5 door as they seem to be reasonable outside alternatives?
Just to add a couple of things -
3 series tend to be expensive to insure, i.e. even a 318i is more than a Clio 182/Celica 190 etc. Although this could be lessened if I could get a tidy car for a lower price. Think I would try to go for a straight six if I went for one, since the engines are very well received and generally reliable.
Puma - Rust would be my main concern.
With MK4 Golf's the GTI's seem competent, but a little dull. Would a V5 be a nicer car to drive? (I know neither is fantastic dynamically).
Leon Cupra's (the 180bhp ones) also seem to fit most of my requirements quite well, although they are still not the most exciting cars, although I suppose they look more interesting than the MK4 Golfs.
I'll give the Clio's and 206GTI 180 some more thought, I'm not fussed about the odd niggle but I don't want them to be happening all of the time!
Celicas generally seem to be pretty universally praised for how they handle, and the Corollas less so, although I have taken the latter car into consideration as well.
I have to say I was quite surprised at how few cars fit said criteria. Has anyone any experience of a Ford Couger, Hyundai Coupe 2nd Gen or Civic Vti 5 door as they seem to be reasonable outside alternatives?
Thanks you for all of the replies and suggestions, they are appreciated. Have to say I am quite tempted by a Renaultsport Clio now, and insurance is surprisingly cheap which I did not expect, however nothing is concrete as of yet.
Looked at the 325ti's but sadly they look to be quite steep on insurance. Will look into Puma's and the ST170's. As for the BMW 540 I think its gonna be a good couple of years at least until a V8 becomes something I can consider, as much as I do like them!
What are the main things to look out for with the Clio's, aside from making sure the cambelt has been changed?
Looked at the 325ti's but sadly they look to be quite steep on insurance. Will look into Puma's and the ST170's. As for the BMW 540 I think its gonna be a good couple of years at least until a V8 becomes something I can consider, as much as I do like them!
What are the main things to look out for with the Clio's, aside from making sure the cambelt has been changed?
Dempsey1971 said:
Do some man maths, add a little bit, and buy this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
Trust me, more than enough man maths has gone into my criteria already! Am very fond of the Corrado though and Mulberry suits it very well. Has anybody on here owned/driven a MK3 Golf VR6, as I've found a couple of quite nice ones within budget?http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
It'll be worth more when you come to sell it, it's made from granite, it's fast, comfy, practical, unusual and fun.
Only on PistonHeads will you find a BMW 5 series V8 and a Suzuki Cappuccino suggested in the same thread!
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out
).
There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, there have been some very interesting ones. Current trail of thought is to go for something more on the fun side whilst I am still young. Whilst nothing is certain (I am pretty indecisive) I'm currently quite set on getting a Renaultsport Clio of some description. Insurance on them is surprisingly reasonable and I probably need at least a little practicality (hence why an MR2 would have to be ruled out
). There are a few tidy facelift 172's that fit my criteria and have had recent belt changes, however there is also a run-out pre-facelift 172 exclusive edition for sale in Croydon which looks very tidy and stands out nicely from all of the other 172/182's for sale. What would be the best version of the Clio to get, bearing in mind it will be used as a daily driver when I am home (working part time currently) and also have to cope with the odd long trip?
Just a little update for anyone interested. After looking at all sorts online and seeing 2 e36 318is and an Ibiza FR all of which had a few faults I wasn't happy with, I settled on a pretty tidy 2002 Focus ST170.
I have a readers car thread for it here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I have a readers car thread for it here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
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