£14000 Budget for sporty Hatchback - Polo,Mini.Audi?
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm New to these forums and i'm looking for any advice to help me with buying my first actual fully owned car.
I'm 24 and only passed last year so i'm looking for a hatchback. my issue is due to being older i'm trying to think smart and go for the Practical option but since i only passed last year that 17 year old is shouting at me to get something fun to make up for them lost years of driving round for no reason other than entertainment.
I've been driving the families Corsa 1.2 for the year and its finally time to get something of my own.
from what i have seen with my budget i'm mainly looking at the Polo GTI (1.8) and the Mini cooper S (2.0) and cars in and around that size and speed. I'm opting for automatic as 5 days a week i'll be driving in slow moving traffic but on the weekends i want something to enjoy.
The polo slightly wins for the practicality side of things but i was extremely disappointed in the stock exhaust, Im a huge fan of a cars sound and it just didn't thrill me.
On the other hand the mini was smaller than i thought but the sound shocked me it was great. them crackles!
I'm torn and i really can't decide what route to go down.
Can any one with experience offer advice with either of these cars or even recommend another car which i may be overlooking.
i'm new to this so apologies if its in the wrong area etc...
Cheers
I'm New to these forums and i'm looking for any advice to help me with buying my first actual fully owned car.
I'm 24 and only passed last year so i'm looking for a hatchback. my issue is due to being older i'm trying to think smart and go for the Practical option but since i only passed last year that 17 year old is shouting at me to get something fun to make up for them lost years of driving round for no reason other than entertainment.
I've been driving the families Corsa 1.2 for the year and its finally time to get something of my own.
from what i have seen with my budget i'm mainly looking at the Polo GTI (1.8) and the Mini cooper S (2.0) and cars in and around that size and speed. I'm opting for automatic as 5 days a week i'll be driving in slow moving traffic but on the weekends i want something to enjoy.
The polo slightly wins for the practicality side of things but i was extremely disappointed in the stock exhaust, Im a huge fan of a cars sound and it just didn't thrill me.
On the other hand the mini was smaller than i thought but the sound shocked me it was great. them crackles!
I'm torn and i really can't decide what route to go down.
Can any one with experience offer advice with either of these cars or even recommend another car which i may be overlooking.
i'm new to this so apologies if its in the wrong area etc...
Cheers
got to keep some for the insurance Would you be willing to budge on the auto box?
The MK 7 Fiesta ST and Pug 208 GTI are in budget and probably the best hatchback in that price point. They aren't the best for sound though, the Abarth 595 (with Monza exhaust) could be a good option, they've got a lot of character and sound brilliant! Bit small though...
The MK 7 Fiesta ST and Pug 208 GTI are in budget and probably the best hatchback in that price point. They aren't the best for sound though, the Abarth 595 (with Monza exhaust) could be a good option, they've got a lot of character and sound brilliant! Bit small though...
Fiesta ST is easily the most fun car you can get if you're looking for a nearly new car at that price. Forget needing an automatic and go for it.
Things like noise etc don't let them be deal breakers, you can always get an aftermarket exhaust that suits your desires.
Also I guarantee you'd be disappointed with the Polo GTI
Things like noise etc don't let them be deal breakers, you can always get an aftermarket exhaust that suits your desires.
Also I guarantee you'd be disappointed with the Polo GTI
Abarth 595?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or Golf GTI?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or as already suggested, ditch the auto box and go for a Fiesta ST.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
(or the boring suggestion would be put the £14k towards a deposit on a house/flat)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
or Golf GTI?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or as already suggested, ditch the auto box and go for a Fiesta ST.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
(or the boring suggestion would be put the £14k towards a deposit on a house/flat)
go for the fun side - practical smactical. If you don't have kids and don't want to shag in the back seats get a 2 door car. Something sexy n fun.
MX5 would be fun and looks good.
Was going to suggest a Caterham 7 but be better to get some more experience first plus although can be a daily - its not much fun in stop start traffic although you will have fun at weekends.
MX5 would be fun and looks good.
Was going to suggest a Caterham 7 but be better to get some more experience first plus although can be a daily - its not much fun in stop start traffic although you will have fun at weekends.
If it has to be Auto & you want a Junior hot hatch I'd go for the Renault RS220 Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't mind going up a size the Giulietta is a great choice:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't mind going up a size the Giulietta is a great choice:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If sound is important and you didn’t like the Polo 1.8 then I doubt you will like the Fiesta ST. Sounds great from the inside but it’s all fake due to the sound symposer - very uninspiring from the outside with less “burble” than the Polo. Most cars have these symposers fitted but I was surprised on the stark difference between inside and out on the mk7 ST. You could off course fit an after market exhaust (I.e from Mountune) as someone else has suggested. The new ST sounds a A LOT better from stock: https://youtu.be/FatUOhzPEug
A friend used to have an Abarth 595 with the monza exhaust and that was LOUD. Great sound.
Also a smaller car and an auto isn’t going to be much fun. They’re more suited to the next size up in my opinion. Biased as a GTI owner but I quite like the ED35 linked above. They should retain value very well too due to being limited edition. Loads of tuning potential too as well as that DSG “fart” on upshift (you’ll either love this or not
)
A friend used to have an Abarth 595 with the monza exhaust and that was LOUD. Great sound.
Also a smaller car and an auto isn’t going to be much fun. They’re more suited to the next size up in my opinion. Biased as a GTI owner but I quite like the ED35 linked above. They should retain value very well too due to being limited edition. Loads of tuning potential too as well as that DSG “fart” on upshift (you’ll either love this or not
)Thanks for all the replies some really great cars and advice here!
I'm definitely gonna go for the enjoyment side of things rather than the practical side of things as you're right i don't have kids so stuff it
Another reason for the auto is it would allow my girlfriend to drive it every now and then as she only has an auto license (god knows why)
Plus i just fancy a change.
When it comes to sound of the car i'm not looking for a "boy racer sound" just something that puts a smile on your face every now and then with a random pop or a dsg fart as they call them haha.
Looks wise i'm slightly conservative so the polo suits me but after testing a mini them little crackle and pops brought out the 18 year old inside, but the back seats were weird as there was loads of head room just no room for legs.
I've also try an s-line audi a1 but it didn't really sway me.
These are the 2 i've found which look like decent deals so far.
Mini: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polo: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I'm definitely gonna go for the enjoyment side of things rather than the practical side of things as you're right i don't have kids so stuff it
Another reason for the auto is it would allow my girlfriend to drive it every now and then as she only has an auto license (god knows why)
Plus i just fancy a change.
When it comes to sound of the car i'm not looking for a "boy racer sound" just something that puts a smile on your face every now and then with a random pop or a dsg fart as they call them haha.
Looks wise i'm slightly conservative so the polo suits me but after testing a mini them little crackle and pops brought out the 18 year old inside, but the back seats were weird as there was loads of head room just no room for legs.
I've also try an s-line audi a1 but it didn't really sway me.
These are the 2 i've found which look like decent deals so far.
Mini: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Polo: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've got a Mini Cooper S just now on a 15 plate.
The one thing I would recommend if you're looking at one is to make sure it has the Harman Kardon speaker system in it - the standard one is utterly pants. The dealer I was using was trying to get me into one of their stock cars without it but I held out for the HK - should be standard IMO.
The halogen headlights some of them come with (like the one you linked) are pretty shoddy as well - the one thing I wished mine had is the LEDs.
Apart from that they're good cars, just make sure it has a decent warranty so that you can get any niggles ironed out early on.
Also, a mate has a Polo GTI with the 1.8. He's had a backbox delete and it sounds much, much better. Some local exhaust place could probably do that for you for sub £100. Search it up on Youtube to get an idea of the noise.
The one thing I would recommend if you're looking at one is to make sure it has the Harman Kardon speaker system in it - the standard one is utterly pants. The dealer I was using was trying to get me into one of their stock cars without it but I held out for the HK - should be standard IMO.
The halogen headlights some of them come with (like the one you linked) are pretty shoddy as well - the one thing I wished mine had is the LEDs.
Apart from that they're good cars, just make sure it has a decent warranty so that you can get any niggles ironed out early on.
Also, a mate has a Polo GTI with the 1.8. He's had a backbox delete and it sounds much, much better. Some local exhaust place could probably do that for you for sub £100. Search it up on Youtube to get an idea of the noise.
Edited by Hammy98 on Friday 11th May 12:21
Yes, I reckon a HK stereo would be worth the money. Mrs ZS has the standard and it is a bit lacking.
Regarding lights, she has normal halogens and they're fine. Also, when one got smashed it was £300ish to replace, as opposed to £600-700ish which is the rough cost for and LED unit. Worth bearing in mind.
Regarding lights, she has normal halogens and they're fine. Also, when one got smashed it was £300ish to replace, as opposed to £600-700ish which is the rough cost for and LED unit. Worth bearing in mind.
Just found this one which aint to bad
Mini: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mini: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by RJOC99 on Friday 11th May 12:40
I'd be tempted by this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
High spec with sunroof, lounge leather (I think), HK and LED headlights. Private sale so hopefully you can negotiate the price and it leaves you with a slush fund should there be any issues in the future.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
High spec with sunroof, lounge leather (I think), HK and LED headlights. Private sale so hopefully you can negotiate the price and it leaves you with a slush fund should there be any issues in the future.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff