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
Sticking your requirements into PH classfieds search doesn't bring up a huge variety of cars, less when you factor in distance from location.
Celica 190 - good looking cars IMO don't know how they drive, I'd assume not as well as the hot hatch equivalents else they'd be spoken about more often.
Clio 172 - is where my money would go. Pug 206 GTi 180 is another option.
Golf GTi - 150bhp, remap to 180 easily. I think they feel quite solid cars, nowhere as fun as the French stuff to drive and potentially more engine issues with the 1.8T?
MX5 - not your cuppa, but aside from a Clio probably the best option.
Corolla 1.8 VVTLi T-Sport - Wouldn't have even crossed my mind, but this actually looks a good package. Same engine as the Celica? Probably handles better, should be reliable and put together well enough, I quite like this actually. Around 90 minutes away on a quite run, might be some closer / cheaper on other sites, though this has a few miles it does look a very clean example..
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
Celica 190 - good looking cars IMO don't know how they drive, I'd assume not as well as the hot hatch equivalents else they'd be spoken about more often.
Clio 172 - is where my money would go. Pug 206 GTi 180 is another option.
Golf GTi - 150bhp, remap to 180 easily. I think they feel quite solid cars, nowhere as fun as the French stuff to drive and potentially more engine issues with the 1.8T?
MX5 - not your cuppa, but aside from a Clio probably the best option.
Corolla 1.8 VVTLi T-Sport - Wouldn't have even crossed my mind, but this actually looks a good package. Same engine as the Celica? Probably handles better, should be reliable and put together well enough, I quite like this actually. Around 90 minutes away on a quite run, might be some closer / cheaper on other sites, though this has a few miles it does look a very clean example..
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...
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?
Left-field suggestion - Suzuki Ignis Sport. Ace little cars - I now have two. Very boxy 'boy racer' looks and yes the yellow is a bit much (one of mine is yellow). But a brilliant little car, with great handling. Reliable too - which is just as well as the parts ain't the cheapest. Still, it's a bit 'special' especially at the price.
Puma 1.7. £2k would get you the best of the best with change to underseal/Waxoyl it if you want the peace of mind. I loved mine - just make sure you get a special edition (I had a Thunder) - they have more spec. Leather, air con etc.
When I had mine last year (aged 19 as well) it cost £975, had zero rust on it at all and cost £800 to insure for a year fully comp.
At least go and drive one - they are seriously well-sorted.
When I had mine last year (aged 19 as well) it cost £975, had zero rust on it at all and cost £800 to insure for a year fully comp.
At least go and drive one - they are seriously well-sorted.
I had a 2000 X-plate Leon Cupra (180bhp) back in 2003 and it was a great car, especially as it had the optional leather with electric memory seats - it even tips the passenger door mirror down when you put it in reverse so you can see the kerb! And IMHO they look so much better than a Golf, apart from being cheaper as well as quicker (standard Golf then was only 150bhp).
But if you fancy a bit of tail-out entertainment an E46 325 Ti Compact may fit the bill. I got a 52 plate Sport last year just in your budget with 80,000 recorded miles and I love it. Some don't like the looks of the Compact but they are so much cheaper than other E46 body styles, as well as being fairly practical. But like all E46s they do seem to need a refresh of the cooling system at 60 to 80K miles (mine started leaking a few months after I bought it) so as you are on a budget look for one that has had this done as my bill for the whole refresh was nearly £500 at a BMW independent specialist.
I didn't mind as I got a deal when I bought it, it isn't depreciating like the 1 Series I had before and it won't need doing again for years!
But if you fancy a bit of tail-out entertainment an E46 325 Ti Compact may fit the bill. I got a 52 plate Sport last year just in your budget with 80,000 recorded miles and I love it. Some don't like the looks of the Compact but they are so much cheaper than other E46 body styles, as well as being fairly practical. But like all E46s they do seem to need a refresh of the cooling system at 60 to 80K miles (mine started leaking a few months after I bought it) so as you are on a budget look for one that has had this done as my bill for the whole refresh was nearly £500 at a BMW independent specialist.
I didn't mind as I got a deal when I bought it, it isn't depreciating like the 1 Series I had before and it won't need doing again for years!
Ford Focus ST170 you can get a very tidy one for below your budget they're reliable & handle well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
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?
I had a Celica 190 T-Sport, it was a great car. Loads of character and pace once the revs had passed the "lift" point.
Not sure why people are doubting the handling, I found it to be excellent. I have very fond memories of punting it down B roads at quite implausible speeds. I seem to remember it was very well regarded when it came out too. You do have to drive them hard though.
I now have a Leon Cupra, which is also a good car, but rather more relaxed and a bit ordinary. Much more readily available performance because of the turbo, but nowhere near as sharp handling and just a little bit dull tbh.
The Leon suits my needs better now, but I miss the Celica.
Not sure why people are doubting the handling, I found it to be excellent. I have very fond memories of punting it down B roads at quite implausible speeds. I seem to remember it was very well regarded when it came out too. You do have to drive them hard though.
I now have a Leon Cupra, which is also a good car, but rather more relaxed and a bit ordinary. Much more readily available performance because of the turbo, but nowhere near as sharp handling and just a little bit dull tbh.
The Leon suits my needs better now, but I miss the Celica.
Off the wall...?
That money will get you into a Smart Roadster. Cheap as chips to run and easy to maintain if you have half an inkling with spanners. Just make sure you find a dry one.
Most faults are niggly rather than dire. And they handle extremely well and are guaranteed to make you smile.
Thrashing it you'll never drop below 40mpg and will get over 60 if driven like Miss Daisy...
That money will get you into a Smart Roadster. Cheap as chips to run and easy to maintain if you have half an inkling with spanners. Just make sure you find a dry one.
Most faults are niggly rather than dire. And they handle extremely well and are guaranteed to make you smile.
Thrashing it you'll never drop below 40mpg and will get over 60 if driven like Miss Daisy...
MurderousCrow said:
Left-field suggestion - Suzuki Ignis Sport. Ace little cars - I now have two. Very boxy 'boy racer' looks and yes the yellow is a bit much (one of mine is yellow). But a brilliant little car, with great handling. Reliable too - which is just as well as the parts ain't the cheapest. Still, it's a bit 'special' especially at the price.
Exactly what I came on here to post. VERY fun car to drive, nippy but not fast so not too bad to insure. Easily does 40mpg on a real gentle cruise and over 30mpg the rest of the time. Looks good (imo) and certainly unusual/rare which I think is a bonus.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
LKots of car for the money, I love mine.
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