"Punchy" and affordable

[Jellsed]

Hi all,

Just a bit of background to start with. Currently own a 1.4 Astra 3dr SXI, it's a 59 plate and a fairly decent first car. However it has a lot of miles on the clock (95k) and it's becoming less reliable and more expensive to maintain.

I spent £3k on the Astra and am looking at getting another car in April 2017. Looking for something a bit punchier, but around £5k. Cannot be over 1.6 engine as at 18 years old insurance is still a killer.

I've come up with a few options (and detailed how many miles it's likely to have etc) so I'd really appreciate anyone's advice or additions to my list.

Make: Renault
Model: Clio 1.6 GT 128
Miles: 20k - 35k
Price: £3.5k - £5k

Make: VW
Model: Golf 1.4 TSI
Miles: 60k
Price: 5k

Make: Ford
Model: Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S
Miles: 70k
Price: £5k

So far my favourite out of all in the Clio. Yes I know it's French and will break but first of all how reliable are they and secondly will it be cheaper paying £4K for a Clio and having to repair it every now and again or around £5-6k outright for a Golf etc and having to maybe pay for repairs on that?

Thanks guys

[Deerfoot]

Not sure about insurance on these but I`d be looking for something like this..

http://www.vansdirect-uk.com/used-car-suzuki-swift...

Great little cars.

[Jellsed]

Deerfoot said:

Not sure about insurance on these but I`d be looking for something like this..

http://www.vansdirect-uk.com/used-car-suzuki-swift...

Great little cars.

I've had a look at the swift. Any reason why you'd go for it? I can't decide if it looks like a box on wheels or not!!

[Deerfoot]

They`re just a well regarded hatch, have a read...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=157...

They`re a bit fussy for prolonged motorway work but apart from that all is good.

[Jellsed]

Deerfoot said:

They`re just a well regarded hatch, have a read...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=157...

They`re a bit fussy for prolonged motorway work but apart from that all is good.

I keep looking at it although it's a decent car I just can't stop thinking that it looks like a box. I literally just saw about a 70 year old bloke drive by in a red sport. Not sure

[anonymous-user]

Stay away from anything that 18 year olds drive, like Clios, Golfs and Fiestas.

Engine size is largely irrelevant if you buy smart.

As an example, my VXR Astra cost me 33% more to insure than my BMW 330 ...

[Jellsed]

Trexthedinosaur said:

Stay away from anything that 18 year olds drive, like Clios, Golfs and Fiestas.

Engine size is largely irrelevant if you buy smart.

As an example, my VXR Astra cost me 33% more to insure than my BMW 330 ...

How old are you and what was your insurance on it?

[DanQyou]

Two cheap cars to insure which are pretty fast:
2010 citroen DS3 1.6 THP (7 seconds to 60)
2009/8? Ibiza FR TDI 2.0 (8 to 60 but feels much quicker)

I recall the Ibiza being the cheapest to insure but I don't know if you can get one for 5k, I know you could with the Citroen which is much quicker than previous suggestions with still reasonable insurance. It basically has a detuned Mini Cooper S engine.

I was 19/20 when I had these and insurance was around £800

Otherwise:

Abarth 500 1.4 (135)
This will sound stupid but for some reason I always got super cheap quotes on a 3.2 FSI Audi a5 petrol.
Mito 1.4 M/A (140)

Edited by DanQyou on Tuesday 22 November 16:09