Low budget fun second car

[DickP]

Good evening gents!

I've got a company car as my daily driver which is dull, boring, reasonably economical and does its job well for getting from A to B.

Previously to the company car I had a Ford Focus mk1 which in comparison was much more fun to drive whilst still being practical. Father has a Mk2 MR2 T-Bar import which has lots of toys, in good nick and is also good fun to drive.

I want something small, "low budget" (circa up to £3k) and fun to drive. Please can you add to this list if I have missed anything obvious?

MR2 Mk2
Clio 172/182
MX-5 1.8

What else is there which has sensible low-budget maintenance costs like those listed above? Or is that it and nothing similarly priced in purchase and running costs exists at the moment?

[DickP]

kambites said:

You should get a mk3 MR2 in budget; it's a vastly better car than the mk2, IMO.

Is it? I've never been in one but was led to believe they are heavier and less fun??