Another 'what car'... sorry

[Doodles19]

So, I need something relatively affordable and fun as I venture out of the student world into the real one.

The criteria that's causing me some bother is as follows:

• Over 100bhp / under 9 sec 0-60
• Decent handling
• 35mpg +
• Insurance under £1k. (for reference, a Clio 182 was quoted as just over £1k for me so thats probably the limit performance wise)
• Preferably 6 gears
• £3 - 3.5k max to buy
• Reliability is key
• Looks decent
• Diesel is acceptable but petrol preferred

Anything else goes

The only thing I can think of currently are a late example of a Lupo GTI with the 6-speed box, however £3k for the 100,000 mile + examples I've seen does strike me as rather expensive! It's a shame they've held their value so well!

Cheers in advance PH!

[Doodles19]

mnkiboy said:

Focus ST170. Fits all your criteria perfectly.

Edit: Apart from MPG. You'd have to drive very gently to get 35mpg, though it could just about do it.

Do you have any idea how these are holding up, now they're getting on a bit?

Do they suffer from rust like some Ford's of that era?

[Doodles19]

DanDC5 said:

Proton Satria GTI, well under budget for a good one, handle well, look brilliant, Recaro seats and 133bhp in a fairly lightweight car. The Saxo VTS for the person that wants to be different.

Sorry really not a fan of Protons.

mikeyr said:

Won't quite match all your criteria but one of these looks a hell of a lot of fun...plus quite new so hopefully reliability better than you'd imagine?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Was 100hp you wanted right?

I thought these were much more expensive! More like 4-5k!

[Doodles19]

Waugh-terfall said:

What happened to the Twingo?

Brother's having it

Riknos said:

The '6 speed' requirement boggles slightly - Why does it matter, if the gear ratios are correct? It's not needed in most small hatchbacks, hence, they don't have them.

I've got a Twingo RS at the moment.

It really needs a 6 speed box. Just over 4k at 80mph is silly.

[Doodles19]

bonesX said:

Fabia VRS. Brilliant machine

Quite expensive for what they are though...

Seem to be the top end of 3k, even early 4k for a 100k mile car.

yonex said:

I never saw more than 30mpg out of ours and it would easily dip into the low 20's if at all pushed. The Zetec engine is a wheezy old lump which is quite rough at the top.

That's it off of my list then!

Cheers for the reply!


Anyone have any experience of Lupo GTi's?

Edited by Doodles19 on Friday 3rd August 15:26

[Doodles19]

Hmmmmm I must admit I'd not looked at mx-5s yet!

Good shout sir!