What car? 19yo, 4k,

[MiniMadMike]

Hi all,

Decided to come off the company car scheme so am looking for a new car.

Got 4k to play with, am currently seriously considering a Focus ST170.

Max 1500 quid insurance (about group 15 it seems).

Want something reasonably quick (for a 19yo), reliable, nice to look at.

Suggestions will be welcomed.

Mike.

[CDP]

MX5, MG TF, 318?

The Fiesta is still probably a good choice though.

[Sim89]

Fiesta xr2 or Zetec S + R888's.

[dabofoppo]

Saxo vts with some breathing mods? maybe an almera gti or try a fiat coupe out on insurance mines was something like £1500 for a 2.0 20v turbo and im only a year older with no no claims.

[grumbledoak]

The inevitable MX-5 suggestion in post #2. But, they are a hoot and a great introduction to RWD if you can cope with two seats...

[OnTheOverrun]

Your name suggests one of these:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Or is it only proper minis you are mad on?

[CDP]

dabofoppo said:

Saxo vts with some breathing mods? maybe an almera gti or try a fiat coupe out on insurance mines was something like £1500 for a 2.0 20v turbo and im only a year older with no no claims.

When it works the Fiat would be seriously quick but not very often and cam belt changes are pretty ruinous. Seriously, I'd be less worried about buying a caged 1970s Ferrari 308 at a racing circuit...

[MiniMadMike]

Just coming out of beemers, fancy something different and dont really want to go into an older version of what im already running.

MX5 - i thought about these (its PH of course i did!!), but decided that i need more than 2 seats, and for somer reason i just dont really fancy one.

Saxo vts, bit of a chavvy image, cant help but feel i can get better for the money.

Maybe im a bit too picky? Also, i realise the st170 may have a chavvy image too, but i cant help but feel it seems a bit better than a vts, both in build quality and just the feel of it.

ETA - MINI is a bit slow, and probably a bit ropey for that money.

Edited by MiniMadMike on Monday 31st May 22:17

[Mansell90]

Vw mk2/mk3 gti 16v. Could get a very nice example of either of these for that money. Dont be put off by their age, if theyve been looked after well, they are very reliable cars.

[CDP]

Mansell90 said:

Vw mk2/mk3 gti 16v. Could get a very nice example of either of these for that money. Dont be put off by their age, if theyve been looked after well, they are very reliable cars.

A really good mk2 Golf is a better bet than a mk3 as it will hold it's value or even appreciate. Just don't chav it up or it will be worthless afterwards.

Having seen them raced at Cadwell Park they certainly look fun.

[Ry_B]

MX5 or Saxo VTS

[B3njamin]

musclecarmad said:

Anything but a hatchback as that is what all 19 year olds have.

I'd go convertible if poss

Absolutely - the mx5 cost me less than all of my previous hatches and everyone seems to love it.

I thought I'd miss having more than 2 seats but actually I prefer it, it makes it feel like more of an occasion for some reason.

[fido]

In the days of my youth .. i would have quite liked a 3-series Compact 316 .. can probably get a nice one for 2k, and spend the rest of maintenance & insurance. But don't bling it.

[Mansell90]

CDP said:

Mansell90 said:

Vw mk2/mk3 gti 16v. Could get a very nice example of either of these for that money. Dont be put off by their age, if theyve been looked after well, they are very reliable cars.

A really good mk2 Golf is a better bet than a mk3 as it will hold it's value or even appreciate. Just don't chav it up or it will be worthless afterwards.

Having seen them raced at Cadwell Park they certainly look fun.

I had a mk2 gti 8v at 18, and it was fantastic... I only lost £400 on it in a year, bearing in mind i got it with full tax and mot.... didnt sell it with it, I got it with new tyres, didnt sell it with new tyres, and did about 7000 miles more on it. So i can certainly testify to that fact, make sure you shop around and get a good one though.

[CDP]

Saab convertibles seem fairly cheap if it's the two seats you're worried about.

Personally I wouldn't bother. It just means you have to skip designated driver duties on trips to the pub.