A small lukewarm hatch.
Discussion
MINI Cooper. Likely to be a bit older at your £5K limit, but an early R56 example should be on the cards. Cracking drive, willing engine, feels a quality item.
Lukewarm in terms of outright performance, but otherwise the only car on your list that is anywhere near its league is the Fiesta.
Lukewarm in terms of outright performance, but otherwise the only car on your list that is anywhere near its league is the Fiesta.
900T-R said:
MINI Cooper. Likely to be a bit older at your £5K limit, but an early R56 example should be on the cards. Cracking drive, willing engine, feels a quality item.
Lukewarm in terms of outright performance, but otherwise the only car on your list that is anywhere near its league is the Fiesta.
Only 2 seatbelts in the back. Not sure I could ever live with the bathroom scales masquerading as a speedo. Also been in a friend's and it seemed like it had no suspension.Lukewarm in terms of outright performance, but otherwise the only car on your list that is anywhere near its league is the Fiesta.
LuS1fer said:
Only 2 seatbelts in the back. Not sure I could ever live with the bathroom scales masquerading as a speedo. Also been in a friend's and it seemed like it had no suspension.
Fair enough. 
Compared to some of your choices, the ride of a basic Cooper is actually quite refined as long as the prior owner hasn't ticked the 'tart up with big heavy 17" alloys wrapped in runflat rubber' box; I'm guessing the car you've been in had those big 'banana' wheels?veevee said:
Get a 182. Tyres are hardly the fault of the car, if you don't like them, get some new ones. The other cars you're considering are so lukewarm, you may as well scrap the 'warm'/'hot' requirement completely and just go looking for any small car.
Otherwise.. Fabia VRS?
I love the idea of the 182 but the reality was a huge disappointment in terms of flimsiness. The ones I saw all seemed to have one yellowed headlight and one replaced. The impression that the boot and hatch were made of cardboard came as a shock and the interior looked very much last century. Overall, I just couldn't want one and the underbonnet squeeze looked alarming.Otherwise.. Fabia VRS?
I am no stranger to flimsy construction. I owned an R5 GT turbo but even that seemed better constructed than the 182. I would certainly have a 197 on the list if they were cheap enough but they start at £6500 and "the internet" reports gearbox issues on the early models. However, I drove a 1.4 hire car and was quite impressed by the later Clio's maturity compared to the 182 shape. So in essence, while I was prepared to take a punt on a cheap 182, I would not pay over £4k for one, not even a nice one.
In many ways, you are right about a normal hatch probably being able to "do the job" - I had a 1.4 Fiesta hire car in Mallorca and it was ideal (I also particularly wanted a tango coloured one) but then again I do like a distinctive car and I feel I would forever kick myself whenever I saw an ST. In any event, at my age the insurance isn't so different and the prices really aren't so far apart either (about £500) so in a sense I'd be daft to buy a lesser model. I also find that higher models are often more "cherished" than lower models so you can get a better car altogether. I started out looking at Fiesta 1.4s but most were on multi-branded ditchfinders which speaks volumes for the maintenance....
As for the Skoda, I'm no fan of diesels and round here, they are neither common nor cheap. Dealers still seem to ask more for diesels as punters round here are a bit thick.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 4th July 12:48
Animal101 said:
Focus ST170..? You can get a good example for not much money. Similar performance to the Fiesta and a bit more room inside.
Yep, much better all round than the Fiesta, great to drive and i just happen to be about to sell one. I was going to put it up for about £3800 so i'm happy to take £5k if you want me to deliver it. 
This is less warm than a Fiesta, but it has the advantage of not being a Fiesta. And it's in Newport.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
The mrs has one and it's a lovely car, just not fast.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
The mrs has one and it's a lovely car, just not fast.
I'd say the Fiesta ST - after having owned mine now for little over a year i can safely say... it's great, handles great and goes really quite well.
I'm sure i just read someone saying the Fiesta ST is unreliable? I'm a member on the Fiesta St Forums and problems are few and far between, main problems are - interior rattles, water pump can be a common problem (hardly) and the same with gearbox's on some ill treated ST's (same with any car)
i've tracked mine quite a bit even a done a ring trip in it and its never missed a beat even the gearbox feels nice and tight.
i've also never had any problems with Corsa VXR's, 197's etc (though i am slightly modified, breathing mods)
You can pick up a face lift ST these days for 3500 which for me makes them a bit of a bargin! (go for blue red or white!)
I've tried to part with my ST so many times but after driving faster rivals i always get back into the ST and think why do i want to spend so much more on insurance when this is such a hoot! (i r srs fanboy)
If i wasn't after a mint DC2 i'd probably keep my Fiesta until i could afford something RWD.
I'm sure i just read someone saying the Fiesta ST is unreliable? I'm a member on the Fiesta St Forums and problems are few and far between, main problems are - interior rattles, water pump can be a common problem (hardly) and the same with gearbox's on some ill treated ST's (same with any car)
i've tracked mine quite a bit even a done a ring trip in it and its never missed a beat even the gearbox feels nice and tight.
i've also never had any problems with Corsa VXR's, 197's etc (though i am slightly modified, breathing mods)
You can pick up a face lift ST these days for 3500 which for me makes them a bit of a bargin! (go for blue red or white!)
I've tried to part with my ST so many times but after driving faster rivals i always get back into the ST and think why do i want to spend so much more on insurance when this is such a hoot! (i r srs fanboy)
If i wasn't after a mint DC2 i'd probably keep my Fiesta until i could afford something RWD.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3962222.htm - Yours with some hard bargaining
deadmau5 said:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3962222.htm - Yours with some hard bargaining
Actually those are some very nice rear seats but still only two of them!
Thanks for all the input. I think I will look for a red ST with a grey dash and whites side stripes. I'll have alook at blue ones to see if the blue dash is better in the flesh as I like the blue too.
In the last week I've taken in a Corsa 1.2 & a Micra 1.2. Micra is basic spec and the Corsa was quite nice, both 2 years old. Driven them both on good journeys, the Micra absolutely wipes the floor with the crappy Corsa. It handles quite well and albeit not the engine of your choice it likes to be revved.
Not sure I'd happily use it on a day to day basis but it is a fun(ish) little car.
Not sure I'd happily use it on a day to day basis but it is a fun(ish) little car.
UnluckyTimmeh said:
Mazda 2 Sport?
Cracking little car
ETA: Just seen your comment on these. The 1.5 engines aren't that bad, and that's coming from someone who had to replace a DC2 Integra type R with it...........
Good shout but all £6k. It's odd that some cars seem inexplicablty expensive compared to other similar rs on the market.Cracking little car
ETA: Just seen your comment on these. The 1.5 engines aren't that bad, and that's coming from someone who had to replace a DC2 Integra type R with it...........
Edited by UnluckyTimmeh on Wednesday 4th July 14:15
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff