Warm hatches around 3k?

Warm hatches around 3k?

Author
Discussion

Jimmy587

Original Poster:

11 posts

33 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
quotequote all
Hi all,

I'm recently in the market for a new car. I just sold my MX-5 frown due to needing something a bit more practical as I will need to be commuting more now for work.

I'm after something with decent MPG, fairly cheap to ensure (I'm 22) and most importantly reasonably interesting (don't really want a beige Polo).

The 155/170bhp Alfa Mitos caught my eye as they match the type of car I'm after but to be honest I'm a bit worried about reliability - if anyone has experience with them and can talk me into/out of one of them let me know biggrin.

I've heard a lot of buzz around the Suzuki Swift Sport but they're a bit out of my price range as I'd be after the newer 134bhp version and would only really like to stretch to about 3500 at a push.

I'd love to hear suggestions, and it doesn't necessarily need to be a hatchback but I reckon other types will be a higher to ensure.

Cheers

zonda12

8 posts

98 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
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Ibiza FR or Twingo RS might fit the bill?

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
quotequote all
Citroen DS3 DSport 153 very good warm hatch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106043...

DSport Plus 153

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

Alfa Mito is a good car with a reliable drivetrain, they can suffer an issue with the steering rack but it's not common.

Cloverleaf 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106103...

Veloce 155 with a very nice spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105283...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...


BroadsRS6

785 posts

38 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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Fiesta ST 150 every time. Hold their value too.

Halo in reverse

147 posts

106 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
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Twingo RS or SSS surely

drgoatboy

1,611 posts

206 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
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If you can find one a colt czt or ralliart for that sort of money. I loved my czt and the rarity factor is a plus (if that bothers you)
Although I will admit not everyones cup of tea....

Hrimfaxi

1,036 posts

126 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
BroadsRS6 said:
Fiesta ST 150 every time. Hold their value too.
I second that!

Edited to add - I'm not sure what insurance would be like on one of these at 22, however.

Edited by Hrimfaxi on Sunday 20th June 23:21

colin79666

1,808 posts

112 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
Fabia VRS.

Mr Peel

478 posts

121 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
quotequote all
Jimmy587 said:
The 155/170bhp Alfa Mitos caught my eye as they match the type of car I'm after but to be honest I'm a bit worried about reliability - if anyone has experience with them and can talk me into/out of one of them let me know biggrin.

Cheers
No direct Alfa experience but 20 years of owing their cousins Fiat with no trouble. Several models including with the T-Jet engine mentioned above. Don't understand why anyone would worry about reliability of modern Alfas.

hamish88

161 posts

175 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Join the sssoc club on Facebook sometimes decent priced swift sports come up.

Got my nephew a 2012 sport with 90k miles for £2750 as his first car. Insurance was pretty reasonable at £1800 quid for him and he’s only 18.

Really impressed with these wee cars so much so I got a 2010 one I paid £1100 for off gumtree and it’s just as much fun as the mk1 Mx5 I used to have.


Drive it fix it repeat

1,046 posts

50 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2021
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Clio 197 surely?

Jimmy587

Original Poster:

11 posts

33 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies. Ending up going with the Mito if anyone's interested to know biggrin

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
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Cool what one?

eleveneleven

161 posts

34 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Suzuki swift sport is a good all rounder.

Jimmy587

Original Poster:

11 posts

33 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Cool what one?
Actually ended up with the 1.6 diesel in the end which doesn't really fit the original warm hatch bill Lol tongue out. I had a look at a few petrols including a 155 but didn't pull the trigger on any of them due to various reasons (mainly condition and service history). Ended up stumbling across a very nicely specced diesel with red leather seats, sunroof etc so decided to go with that as the improved MPG + nippy enough performance was good enough for me biggrin.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions even though I ended going up a bit left field!

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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The 1.6d is a good engine & really responds well to a remap & you get even better economy, glad you got sorted.

Xcore

1,336 posts

89 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
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Mk5 golf gti

Jiebo

908 posts

95 months

Sunday 27th June 2021
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I picked a mk1 Swift Sport for £2k with similar requirements. Needed £400 spending on it to get it right though.

It's uncomfortable, rattles, 5th gear is far too short, gearbox is garbage, £250 tax, expensive tyres.... BUT by far the most chuckable car I've driven - bags of grip and the turn-in is incredible, engine revs out nicely which takes you back to the pre-turbo days, and it's ULEZ compliant. The Mk3 Mx5 was my preference but prices have become silly and they cost at least twice the price now, but the driving experience is similar.

I don't think there is much else at this price range that gives to the same sort of raw old school driving experience. The 197 will not be as reliable, old french cars are constant trouble and they cost about £4k for the equivalent age/mileage. Mk2 MR2 isn't ULEZ compliant anymore. The Mito in comparison is well known as not being particularly good to drive, which is the opposite of the SSS.


Edited by Jiebo on Sunday 27th June 18:06


Edited by Jiebo on Sunday 27th June 18:08