Best B-road Blaster for under £7k?

[993kimbo]

I'm looking for something fun,small and fizzy for bombing around the b-roads on Sunday morning in the dry and the wet and not bothering about the brambles that I've been forced into at the side of the road by the Range Rover.

I've had MX5's,a Golf GTi Mk5 dsg, Audi A4, a couple of Porsche Boxsters, but they all ended up costing a fair bit in maintenance bills, besides which I didn't like them getting scratched. I want something I don't care about now and I'm not bothered about depreciation/ future values.

I've narrowed it down to a few but have only driven a Golf and MX5. Your advice/experiences welcomed.

The Renault Clio I've been put off by tales of broken gearboxes, the Twingo lacks power apparently, the Polo has lots of DSG problems as does the Golf, that leaves the Suzuki.

Renault Clio 200 (or 182?)
Renault Twingo 133
Suzuki Swift
Polo GTi
Another Golf
Another Mazda


cheers!

[993kimbo]

popeyewhite said:

My Clio 190 was fantastic on the lanes, no gearbox issues, are they a thing?
Do you have to have the DSG?

I don't have to have the dsg, but heard tales of Clio Gearbox woes, crunching from 2nd to 3rd and being expensive to fix.

[993kimbo]

Thank you SO MUCH for the input guys.

Especially Georgieboy who's effort is off the scale. Thank you.

A lot to think of and look at here. Thanks again.

[993kimbo]

Thank you again for all the advice, and again for all those links which I've visited - much appreciated.

I'm going to narrow it down to the Swift and the Renault (Clio or Twingo) as I love the idea of Jap reliability and I've always fancied a Renaultsport car.

Life is indeed too short too revisit cars I've already owned - Golf, MX5,Polo, Audi.

MR2 was a good shout as was the Mini, but I've never got on with the visibility in the Mini for some reason. 500 Abarth I couldn't get comfortable in and as I already own a Cayman the mid-engined MR2 might feel a bit samey. Had a few Alfas in the past also.

I'm not sure which Renault Clio to try? I've read the Cup versions are a bit hard-core on bad roads.

Also, whatever I buy, should it be from a dealer with a warranty or privately looked after? I tend to prefer private enthusiasts (obviously) but there aren't many for sale down here (Eastbourne). Fine if you want a Honda Jazz. Ha.

Thanks chaps.

[993kimbo]

Thanks Ben