Cheap fun car required. 100HP, Twingo 133, others?

[CalumB90]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a car to get upon graduation. It'll be my first car, even though I'm 23, and I live in central Birmingham, so insurance is far from cheap (around £1000 on comparison websites, whatever car).

I'd like something fun to drive, but not too expensive to run, and have been looking at Panda 100HP and Twingo 133 as possible options. Any up- or downsides to these? And any other cars that I should be considering?

I'm looking to spend about £5k including insurance, so £4k or just above for the car.

Thanks in advance!

[lindrup119]

Hmmmm, centre of Birmingham and no NCB (I'm assuming). Even though you're in your twenties I think you'll get a good rogering from the insurance companies with both of those examples. If I had to pick out of the two it would be the 133.

How about a Fiesta Zetec S (petrol 1.6) of this vintage:



http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[CalumB90]

The Panda comes in at about £980 and the Twingo at £940 using standard examples from Autotrader. It's painful but very little is lower. I'll have a look at the Zetec S.

[lindrup119]

A lot less than I thought it would be! Stick with the 133 then or if you can I'd stretch to a 197.

[geeks]

You might want to check a proper comparison website over Autotrader to be certain

[CalumB90]

Sorry, no, I was using comparethemarket. I just meant I was using actual cars from auto trader.

[LuS1fer]

Suzuki Swift Sport.
Worth a gander at the Suzuki Swift GLX which has 4 doors and may be more insurance friendly.
Mitsubishi Colt
Fiesta Zetec S or ST at a push ....

[geeks]

CalumB90 said:

Sorry, no, I was using comparethemarket. I just meant I was using actual cars from auto trader.

Ah in that case as you were!

[billy939]

Twingo 133 is a great car, really fun and handles very well. They're not all that powerful but it does mean you can really push them hard and not be doing silly speeds to have a laugh

[Mercury00]

The Swift Sport is the best car in this category.

[bencollins]

cost £4k
looks $1000000
depr. pa £0
reliable fast classic
latin pulling factor - fannius magneticus
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

[veevee]

lindrup119 said:

A lot less than I thought it would be! Stick with the 133 then or if you can I'd stretch to a 197.

Yeah, that will be cheap to insure as a first car.

[lindrup119]

veevee said:

lindrup119 said:

A lot less than I thought it would be! Stick with the 133 then or if you can I'd stretch to a 197.

Yeah, that will be cheap to insure as a first car.

Well I was expecting the quotes for the 100HP/133 to be much higher than he was getting so why not push his luck and jam a quote in through Go/Confused? You never know.

Another vote for the Swift Sport from me.

[Tannedbaldhead]

If you can get your head round owning a Nissan Micra have a look at the Micra 160SR. I bought my ex wife one (she wasn't my ex at the time I'm not that soft) and loved it so much it became my everyday car whilst she drove my new C Class Merc.

[Fantuzzi]

Mx5 or MR2, wouldn't bother with the luke warm hatches if I was you, unless you need the seats!

[Ozzie Osmond]

CalumB90 said:

looking at Panda 100HP and Twingo 133 as possible options.

A couple of excellent tiddlers there. Panda is a hoot!

If you want something a bit bigger and still "insurance friendly" there's a 1.5 litre 3-door version of the recently discontinued Mercedes A Class which can be picked up at low, low prices.

[HereBeMonsters]

Fantuzzi said:

Mx5 or MR2, wouldn't bother with the luke warm hatches if I was you, unless you need the seats!

Yes, why a hatch? Do you need the practicality? If not, then don't bother. Get a sports car now!

[DreadUK]

Fiat Panda 100bhp.........Perfect, cheap, fun and so pants, it's cool.

Oh, and always remember, a bird will always value comfortable, sedate travel over manic, noisy, oil covered, unreliable speed. I learned that to my significant cost. All the cool guys with clean hands and modest cars on HP get the birds.

No matter your personal desires, always think of your subjects needs before yours.

From a (very old) salesman.

[DreadUK]

However..........personally, I'd go for the Lotus. Perfect car, cheap, non rusting, ragtop (VV important!) stupidly quick, absurdly cool, rare as hens teeth, and comfortable.

fk the bird, take a road trip with your mate and have a blast.........and I mean for a year!

[IntriguedUser]

Corsa C 1.8 sri?

1050kg and 125bhp....