First Performance Car/ Hot-Hatch??
Discussion
I'm 20 years old and looking to make my long awaited entry to the performance car scene and possibly a few track days here and there, but I can't really decide on what to get, insurance is also an issue. I've been lucky enough to drive an 89' 944 but i don't really want to go for something that old and when I really pushed on things got a little hairy! What did you guys start off with??
I started with a Citreon AX Forte which a great little go-kart but very filmsy. Then I got a 2004 Clio 1.2 16v Dinamquie, which was a great run-a-round, most reliable car I've had. Run it from 55 miles on the clock and didn't put a foot wrong, a few minor niggles but hardly worth mentioning. And if you are just 20 will be great on insurance.
I've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. If you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
3K budget would be fine for a 7+ year old supermini run-a-round, but if you want a decent nippy car for that money, it'll probably need some TLC.
I've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. If you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
3K budget would be fine for a 7+ year old supermini run-a-round, but if you want a decent nippy car for that money, it'll probably need some TLC.
Edited by The Hitman on Saturday 24th April 18:53
i started in a mini cooper, that lasted about a year then i just ran a cavilier sri and a Ka (the ka was a long termer and brilliant)
My first proper car was a civic type r but the insurance is a killer (group 17).
If i was to start again i would be inclined for a Mk1 or Mk2 Golf GTI. Properly cool and a brilliant place to start. Parts are cheap and available but not sure on the insurance.....
My first proper car was a civic type r but the insurance is a killer (group 17).
If i was to start again i would be inclined for a Mk1 or Mk2 Golf GTI. Properly cool and a brilliant place to start. Parts are cheap and available but not sure on the insurance.....
As said previously the lupo gti or 106gti. If you're handy with tools then make your own, my little 106xsi has the engine from the gti, brakes from a 206gti and loads of other bits and pieces, nippy doesn't quite do it justice. Insurance is the killer though 
£1870 a year TPFT at the minute!
£1870 a year TPFT at the minute!The Puma suggestion is a very good one very easy running costs and becoming cheap to buy
Peugeot 106 GTi/Saxo VTS are fantastic small hatchbacks with sensible running costs, and a cracking chassis, but buy very wisely and as standard as possible as many have been "modified" badly by the younger generation
Seat Ibiza Cupra 20vt or 16v are also two possibilities, more of a GTi than the Golf equivalent and cheaper too
Peugeot 106 GTi/Saxo VTS are fantastic small hatchbacks with sensible running costs, and a cracking chassis, but buy very wisely and as standard as possible as many have been "modified" badly by the younger generation
Seat Ibiza Cupra 20vt or 16v are also two possibilities, more of a GTi than the Golf equivalent and cheaper too
The Hitman said:
I started with a Citreon AX Forte which a great little go-kart but very filmsy. Then I got a 2004 Clio 1.2 16v Dinamquie, which was a great run-a-round, most reliable car I've had. Run it from 55 miles on the clock and didn't put a foot wrong, a few minor niggles but hardly worth mentioning. And if you are just 20 will be great on insurance.
I've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. as if you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
I got my 172 at 21. Managed not to write it off, although I will admit to my driving being a bit more excitable back then. I passed my IAM test that same year and would certainly recommend doing some advanced training (IAM/Rospa) to iron out any bad habits and improve your hazard perception.I've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. as if you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
As you can guess, my suggestion would a 172. I miss mine.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1601661.htm
Edited by ...Karl... on Saturday 24th April 19:02
The Hitman said:
I started with a Citreon AX Forte which a great little go-kart but very filmsy. Then I got a 2004 Clio 1.2 16v Dinamquie, which was a great run-a-round, most reliable car I've had. Run it from 55 miles on the clock and didn't put a foot wrong, a few minor niggles but hardly worth mentioning. And if you are just 20 will be great on insurance.
I've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. as if you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
I know what you're saying but I've had a Rover 25 for 3 years now and I've been working as a full time van driver for the past 2 summers and its time I got my own ht hatch, I've done a few track days before driving a 944, a mark IV Golf GTI and I've had a couple of laps in a new mx-5 and a Focus ST and a friend let me thrash around in his rally car (escort MK 2) and his m coup. I know I have alot to learn but I reckon I'm handy enough behind the wheel and I feel the best way to further enhance my ability is to be able to do track days on a frequent basis.. 8 years just feels too long a wait for meI've only just got myself a proper hot hatch now after almost 8 years of being on the road, I think any sooner would have been a mistake (even though I would have liked to have one).
I suppose I'm saying you've only got maximum 2 3/4 years worth of driving exprience, might be a good idea to plump for something that will not cost the world to insure or run as I would say you are still learning. as if you do have what I would lable as a "P&J" car, you have to maintain it as well, otherwise it just isn't going to be worth it.
Defcon5 said:
You may scrape a Lupo with 3k but they are a bit out of budget tbh. 106 GTI/1.8is MX5 would be my chouce in this budget.
I thought the XSI had an 8v engine like the VTR?
It DID until I got the tools out I thought the XSI had an 8v engine like the VTR?
but to be fair it is more of a play toy that I unfortunately have to use everyday due to finance One seat, no carpet or insulation and an annoying exhaust note at commuting speeds really does start to grate after a relatively short time! On the right road, in the right conditions I wouldn't ask for anything else 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/largepic.asp?i=16...
Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
Paul Merrick said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/largepic.asp?i=16...
Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
I thought you wanted something fast(ish) ? Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
SDxsi said:
Paul Merrick said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/largepic.asp?i=16...
Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
I thought you wanted something fast(ish) ? Wouldn't mind one of these, seems reasonable?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1624358.htm
306 GTi-6 plus a bit of change:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1631701.htm
Or, don't laugh, a Proton Satria GTi. Suspension by Lotus dontchaknow.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1643266.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1631701.htm
Or, don't laugh, a Proton Satria GTi. Suspension by Lotus dontchaknow.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1643266.htm
EDLT said:
306 GTi-6 plus a bit of change:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1631701.htm
Or, don't laugh, a Proton Satria GTi. Suspension by Lotus dontchaknow.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1643266.htm
i must be the oppersite end of the spectrum to you... thats nuts, never never would i get a GTI6 or that other thing,http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1631701.htm
Or, don't laugh, a Proton Satria GTi. Suspension by Lotus dontchaknow.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1643266.htm
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