Sporty coupe for 19 year old

[Wixzylol]

Hi

I currently drive a 1.2 Clio Extreme 2008, I am 19, tall and looking for something more sporty.

A few considerations:
Insurance prices. (Don't mind paying a little more this year if it's a car I really like)

Looks (must be streamlined, looks to show off)

Speed (upgrading from the Clio I don't need anything too extreme however 0-60 in around 8 seconds is ideal)

Handling (I like with my Clio that I really feel the road, it makes the driving experience much funnier for me)

Costs (Can't have worse than 30mpg, can't be costly to maintain either)

Size (Nothing too big as i fear parking something bigger without having sensors, 4 seats is a requirement)

Cars I've considered:
Renault Mégane 2.0 TCe Dynamique Coupe (good insurance, test drove one found handling a bit too light but otherwise seemed to tick the boxes, insurance £1000)

Hyundai Coupe SIII 2.0 (Ticked boxes however worried about lack of speed along with lack of reviews online about handling, maintenance etc, insurance £1300)

Toyota Celica (Very nice car however they are older now and worried about parts when things go wrong, insurance £1600)

Considering other options too, might be able to afford a Scirroco VW 1.4 however this would be £2000 more than the Mégane, insurance £1400 and is technically slower and so not really sure if I should consider this car at all

Also looked at things like Mazda RX8, would cost around £1500 for the car but worried about maintenance and fuel costs however could be worth a punt considering its low initial costs in comparison to the other cars, insurance around £1600

Bit stuck really. Got other options like the Astra's but only like the look of the 12 plate onwards ones and not sure how expensive that would be as they are pretty new still.

Don't really want an old car as worried about maintenance and parts.

Thanks to anyone who helps me out!

[Nickp82]

I think your buddy has already asked the question;

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I would recommend the RX8 as a car to enjoy for its handling and unique engine, though you are right to be concerned about running costs as they are heavy on fuel and road tax on later cars. Maintenance is not too bad though and they are fairly easy to maintain yourself.

Edited by Nickp82 on Monday 24th September 19:43

[Jefferson Steelflex]

Having just helped my 20yo son buy a Peugeot RCZ, I’d recommend one with the 1.6 156bhp engine. Genuinely shocked at how nice it was to drive, and spec on the GT model is everything you’d need.

His insurance was £1500, only had licence for a year.

[kieranblenk]

Alfa Romeo GT/Brera (very pretty and good engines)

BMW 1 Series Coupe (possibly high on insurance?)

Honda CRZ (not the quickest but unusual and cheap to run)

Mercedes C Class Coupe/CLC (a better car than the press would say)

Renault Laguna Coupe (maybe too big but excellent value and looks great in my opinion)

Volvo C30 (more of a hatch but still stylish)

[anonymous-user]

not a coupe per-say but close enough

[giveitfish]

Don’t discount the VW Scirocco - they’re a really good drive.

[Toed64]

I had a Jeff Uren Cortina Savage at 19, but nowadays, at 19, the chap would have truly excruciating insurance bills to pay for most of the quicker options above...

What about a warm hatch with a bit of style? Maybe an Alfa 147 1.9 diesel for about £2000 and use some of the budget for insurance premium.

[captsisko]

He's been checking out the Peugeot RCZ

I suggested if the Scirocco was too expensive then look at the Golf V or VI as that's where the Scirocco was developed from.

Someone suggested the Alfa GT/GTV I was looking at them for myself.

[300bhp/ton]

Wixzylol said:

Hi

I currently drive a 1.2 Clio Extreme 2008, I am 19, tall and looking for something more sporty.

A few considerations:
Insurance prices. (Don't mind paying a little more this year if it's a car I really like)

Looks (must be streamlined, looks to show off)

Speed (upgrading from the Clio I don't need anything too extreme however 0-60 in around 8 seconds is ideal)

Handling (I like with my Clio that I really feel the road, it makes the driving experience much funnier for me)

Costs (Can't have worse than 30mpg, can't be costly to maintain either)

Size (Nothing too big as i fear parking something bigger without having sensors, 4 seats is a requirement)

Cars I've considered:
Renault Mégane 2.0 TCe Dynamique Coupe (good insurance, test drove one found handling a bit too light but otherwise seemed to tick the boxes, insurance £1000)

Hyundai Coupe SIII 2.0 (Ticked boxes however worried about lack of speed along with lack of reviews online about handling, maintenance etc, insurance £1300)

Toyota Celica (Very nice car however they are older now and worried about parts when things go wrong, insurance £1600)

Considering other options too, might be able to afford a Scirroco VW 1.4 however this would be £2000 more than the Mégane, insurance £1400 and is technically slower and so not really sure if I should consider this car at all

Also looked at things like Mazda RX8, would cost around £1500 for the car but worried about maintenance and fuel costs however could be worth a punt considering its low initial costs in comparison to the other cars, insurance around £1600

Bit stuck really. Got other options like the Astra's but only like the look of the 12 plate onwards ones and not sure how expensive that would be as they are pretty new still.

Don't really want an old car as worried about maintenance and parts.

Thanks to anyone who helps me out!

RX8 and wanting better than 30mpg...

[davek_964]

kieranblenk said:

Alfa Romeo GT/Brera (very pretty and good engines)

I've had the Spider version of the Brera for about 18 months. It's a nice car, looks good (as does the Brera) and has been pretty reliable (although I checked my MOT history the other day and discovered I only used it for 2,800 miles in the last year). Brera is definitely worth a look.

ETA : The Spider only does low 20s mpg though, and definitely isn't the fastest thing on 4 wheels.

[Jamiesinger]

Volvo C70 is a good car to consider. Perhaps a E46 3 series 330ci something like that.

[300bhp/ton]

Jamiesinger said:

Volvo C70 is a good car to consider. Perhaps a E46 3 series 330ci something like that.

I like the C70, but it isn't exactly "sporty". It's big, squishy, comfy and wrong wheel drive.

It's more of a GT coupe than a sports coupe.

[ilikejam]

1 series coupe could be a good shout.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or how about a vert?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Shiv_P]

ilikejam said:

1 series coupe could be a good shout.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or how about a vert?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

125i yes, the 4 cylinder BMWs from that era are asking for trouble

[stevekoz]

All the cars in your lineup OP don't mention a budget but given that something like a top market Celica is approx £5k i am going to assume that this is about the basis of your budget.

Lot of good options above. Some perhaps may struggle within budget.

I'd also assume that perhaps the styling is more important than power at them moment (given insurance) and that dynamics of the car and its looks would win out over a larger engine and more power?

Alfa Romeo GT - Much maligned but unfairly. They have aged well. Are fairly well built and by all accounts drive quite well. Beauty is you can also get them as a Derv so would cover your mpg requirement and within my imagined budget

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi TT 1.8 t - cheap but fairly reliable 5pot engine and room to increase power as your insurance comes done. Money aside in your pocket for routince maintenance. Fairly cheap and fuel happy given only a 1.8 with a turbo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Fiat Coupe 20v - You could get a n/a or Turbo version for between £2.5 - 5k and a lovely looking retro coupe. Fun to drive. Reliability is ok. Not brilliant but certainly not scary. And prices are about as low as they'll go. You may even make money on a nice example

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Maybe try a convertible - PH standard MX-5. Reliable. Cheap to buy. Cheap to run. Great to drive. No downsides bar 2 seats IMHO

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

maybe slightly older and leggy but none the less iconic - MR2 - easy to work on. cheap to maintain. good to drive with the right set up.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

German Coupe/Vert - 3 series. e46 n/a - could go for anything from a 318ci to a 330ci depending on the insurance. I would personally choose the 330ci. as you have better economy than the 325ci and more power with it. I readily returned over 30mpg in mine and on a classic policy too it was cheap to insure. Most will be auto but its an ok box. i found it fun to drive.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

or the newer e92 - not as nice IMHO but still fits the bill -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Few ideas for you i guess. Some help on budget etc of the car would help narrow down the field a bit more perhaps?

[nunpuncher]

stevekoz said:

Audi TT 1.8 t - cheap but fairly reliable 5pot engine and room to increase power as your insurance comes done. Money aside in your pocket for routince maintenance. Fairly cheap and fuel happy given only a 1.8 with a turbo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You mean 4 pot

[ZX10R NIN]

I replied to your friends post:

If he can stomach the insurance then it has to be a 350Z:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd be refurbing the wheels on the one above asap though.

If he wants something newer the Astra GTC in 1.6T form is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes CLC200/350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK200 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

1.8T/3.2 Audi TT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Gearchange]

Ford Puma that hasn't got rotten rear arches.

Fantastic handling, Light (1035kg), ample performance, best gear change i've ever experienced and will be much much cheaper to insure than virtually everything listed here so far.

Loved mine - was more fun than my M3 and my Legacy Spec B. Still miss it.

[anonymous-user]

Or, as I posted above a 325ti. cheap to buy a good one, surprisingly cheap to insure at that age, 38mpg is my average on motorway commute, reliable, compacts dont tend to suffer from corrosion as bad as the coupes/tourings/sedans, fairly rare, really good dynamics, quick lovely sounding engine.
Don't even think there can be a downside? Road tax maybe.

[stevekoz]

nunpuncher said:

You mean 4 pot

Yep, stand corrected