Hot hatch for 1.5k

[mmcd87]

This might be a bit controversial (and depends on your priorities I guess) but I'd be tempted to try something a big less obvious and thus better value in order to get something that drives like it should and hasn't done intergalactic miles. No point in getting a hot hatch that's a bit tired - especially suspension wise.

The MG's are now very good value - the ZS 180 in particular...
http://idoalot.blogspot.co.uk/2007/10/hot-wheels-h...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8tg66_top-gear-c...

Even something like the SportKa or Proton Satria GTI. As said above, seems to be plenty 206 GTI's in your price range too. I realise these are perhaps not Clio Williams iconic but food for thought anyways!

[exgtt]

sportka1 said:

be a bit different and go for a punto hgt. you would get a good un for your £1500

Good shout, pretty underrated. That 1.8 Alfa motor and short gearing make for alot of fun, have a look on youtube they accelerate and sound good. £1.2k should see a minter. One thing that lets em down is the colors they came in. Apart from black their all a bit shouty. Not good on an old Punto with a bodykit!

Alternativly, check out Stilo Abarth's. £1500 will get a low miles manual, if you can afford the 28MPG thirst these are bargains. Recently saw one @ £1500 and it was like a new car with 50k miles.

Also cant ignore 206 GTI 138's. Loads of clean uns about for £1k. Got a bit of a slating as the 205's successor, but a good nippy hatch in its own right, especially for a grand. Having looked at 8 plus 172's around the £2k mark (they all had faults) youd be lucky to get anything worth having under £1500.

• edit**

As poster above mentions, MG ZR160's are bloody good. Lovely revvy K-series and fabulous handling. 3dr in grey for me! The interiors awful but they drive lovely! Worn out 172 or 2004 zr160 with 60k miles? HGF is merely a £350 inconvinience these days if you catch it early. Shouldnt have to do it again.

Edited by exgtt on Friday 6th April 21:46

[MrBrightSi]

I should of elaborated more, just been happy to let you guys ponder and throw all sorts of cars into the mix.

Insurance probably isnt a big thing for me as i'll go modified limited mileage or if old enough classic. It's a weekend car only, i have my workhorse right now. Admitedly im 24 with 1 years no claims and 4 years driving, so im not exactly in nice insurance territory yet. I would prefer something i can fix myself, i have a nicely kitted out garage but i found working on my corrado hard, but working on a 205 with a later 106 engine very easy.

It doesn't have to be a hot hatch, but i want a nice interesting little car to eat up B roads on my weekends, however something just as nippy with ability to eat up the countryside but take me into europe would be much welcomed.

Preferably, nippy and good handling, im not a traffic light grand prix man, i like a car that will be at home in the peak district. Something that is fwd or rwd i don't mind as i've had both and theyre both good with the right car, i'd like something interesting that doesnt exactly have to handle town traffic or daily use.

The ST170 is a good shout by far but again its an all rounder same with some of the fiats mentioned, id love a stilo abarth but i though the 5 cylinder ones were a bit out of my reach, i was looking for a 106 rallye as i've always loved the idea of them being spartan and just for the drive not for image or practicality.

[300bhp/ton]

rallycross said:

£1500.

306 GTi-6 is the king of the hot hatches in that price bracket.

Reckon I'd place a Rover 200 BRM ahead of it. Lovely factory custom interior, very limited edition, close ratio box and an LSD, not too mention one of the sweetest 4 pot motors ever.

[GC8]

Are you mental?

[16v_paddy]

For that sort of money it's worth considering the Clio 1.8 16v over a williams as the willy seems to be going up a lot in price for a decent one lately, where as an absolutely stunning valver with a williams engine fitted recently went for around £1200.

A friend of mine will be selling her 1.8 16v at the end of the month for around £1,100

[Digby]

Just to be different (and cos I love em') I would have one of these if I could find a relatively rot free one..
A CRX would be best, but way to expensive now of course.



Second choice just for small car kicks would be something like a Del Sol probably..

[MrBrightSi]

GC8 said:

Are you mental?

Was that directed at me? or the BRM?

[GC8]

The BRM!

[MrBrightSi]

I do appologise, always a little paranoid in the morning hahaha.

I love the interior, theyre crazy, but the exterior is still a 200. 300bhp/ton always throws stranges ideas into the mix but in the past he's thrown up some good ones that no one else considered.

[300bhp/ton]

GC8 said:

The BRM!

only someone who hasn't driven one or hasn't bothered to look up what they are would say such a thing.

[GC8]

Or, perhaps, someone who knows exactly what they are...

[Studio117]

How about an old civic vti or a corolla gti?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3758173.htm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[Alfanatic]

300bhp/ton said:

Reckon I'd place a Rover 200 BRM ahead of it. Lovely factory custom interior, very limited edition, close ratio box and an LSD, not too mention one of the sweetest 4 pot motors ever.

On the negative side, it also wears lipstick. It's the only car that doesn't look any more stupid wearing halfords eyelashes.

If good ones are in budget though, it could be a good call, they are supposed to be good to drive.

[Alfanatic]

Oops double post sorry

[nagsheadwarrior]

Feck the heavy,complicated,going to break modern stuff and get a 205, either engine, superb to drive,simple and galvanised so rot isnt a huge issue and going up in value if you find an original one.

[jezhumphrey75]

nissan almera gti!!!! by far

wont break down either and rev tastic

[traffman]

MCR Cars have a mint Citreon Saxo Vtr taken as a part ex at the moment , 57 thousands miles and looks very well looked after and original.

Silver in colour and looks orignal , if i had 1500 i would certainly have a look.

[MrBrightSi]

Right so having looked through the thread ive decided on these cars to shortlist

205/309 - id love to get a nice 1.9 as a friend has a 1.6 and i don't wish to copy him and steal his fire.
VTS - the VTR is not for me, its either full blown or not at all.
gti6 - it'd be nice to find one with working aircon but i know thats a mission in itself
fiat coupe- theres a current thread about them vs a 944t but i've always loved the look just not the "Baby ferrari" line all dealers use for them, oh adn the 5pot turbo being a pain to work on
CRX hatch - always loved them, thought they shared certain lines with the corrado but with japanese revvy engine technology.
old civic - the older square ones have always caught my eye
mg zs - not sure, some of the styling to me isnt that good but some is.

Anyone who's owned these cars if you could post info on what it was like to own them and what my 1500 would get me it'd be a great help.

Thanks so far to everyone who's thrown in their 10pence.

[GC8]

Xsara VTS too. Essentially a 306 GTI-6 but with a five speed transmission and far cheaper to buy.