Hot/warm hatch between 1k - 3k. Only doing 3,000 miles a yea

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield:

ST170 with a difference:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focus-ST-ST170-ST200-V6...

Or just go for the 2.5T (which is a great engine & reliable to) Focus.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-St-2-2006-Mo...

[egor110]

Seems you've pretty much got your heart set on a Clio.

When you say most have been modified 90% are only exhaust and suspension so nothing to bad.

[avenger286]

Twingo 133 arguably a better drive than the Clio but not quite as quick.
I have had mine for over 5 years now and the only car that has lasted more than 2 years as I have never got bored of it.
It's been totally reliable same as the 172/182 make sure the belts and pulleys have been done. The bottom arms are a Renault part only and we're expensive but I believe the price has come down a bit.
I am 6"3 and find mine totally comfortable and can get 40 mpg.
There are a few different versions, standard 133, 133 with cup pack, 133 cup (what I have) 133 gordini (most toys and leather) and sliverstone limited edition.
133 cup has no aircon, 2 speaker cd player, bench rear seat that doesn't slide (all others have 2 single seats that slide) and is the lighter more focused drivers car. The gordini is probably better commute car.
Mine is no longer standard and is being built into a rally car but I have not managed to find a worthy daily so will probably end up with another later on in the year. My car has a thread in reader's rides called the Forgotten Renault Sport it may be of interest.
Feel free to ask any questions.
As someone states above the swift is a less of a car from a drivers point of view. I test drove a swift first and went with the twingo.

Edited by avenger286 on Sunday 25th February 21:37

[MrGTI6]

Peugeot205gtis said:

. Other options, Suzuki swift sport, peugeot 306 gti 6, Saxo Vtr/vts.

I've had my 306 GTI-6 for coming up to a year now. I couldn't recommend them enough. Quick enough, great handling, decent kit for the age of the car, good looking, and (touch wood) faultlessly reliable. Reasonably thirsty though (I get about 35mpg), but if you're doing 3k miles a year then not really an issue!

Very hard to find a decent one though, with good ones commanding crazy prices. Mine's fairly tidy and has been looked after, but reasonably leggy hence I got it right at the lower end of your budget.

You could probably get something a lot newer and faster, but I doubt you would enjoy it as much!

[Scobblelotcher]

avenger286 said:

Twingo 133 arguably a better drive than the Clio but not quite as quick.
I have had mine for over 5 years now and the only car that has lasted more than 2 years as I have never got bored of it.
It's been totally reliable same as the 172/182 make sure the belts and pulleys have been done. The bottom arms are a Renault part only and we're expensive but I believe the price has come down a bit.
I am 6"3 and find mine totally comfortable and can get 40 mpg.
There are a few different versions, standard 133, 133 with cup pack, 133 cup (what I have) 133 gordini (most toys and leather) and sliverstone limited edition.
133 cup has no aircon, 2 speaker cd player, bench rear seat that doesn't slide (all others have 2 single seats that slide) and is the lighter more focused drivers car. The gordini is probably better commute car.
Mine is no longer standard and is being built into a rally car but I have not managed to find a worthy daily so will probably end up with another later on in the year. My car has a thread in reader's rides called the Forgotten Renault Sport it may be of interest.
Feel free to ask any questions.
As someone states above the swift is a less of a car from a drivers point of view. I test drove a swift first and went with the twingo.

Edited by avenger286 on Sunday 25th February 21:37

I followed a Twingo 133 in my old Impreza and was impressed. The lad behind the wheel was red line'ing it everywhere and he was going at a decent pace and it even sounded pretty good. It looked like a car that handled well and could be hussle'd everywhere without going too fast.

It's in contrast to cars like my old Impreza (370bhp) that just accelerated reasonable well so you couldn't really use all of the power for very long without smashing the speed limit. I actually think lower powered cars that handle well in that sense can be far more fun!

Edited by Scobblelotcher on Sunday 25th February 22:09

[dieseluser07]

Peugeot205gtis said:

dieseluser07 said:

Swift sport

So much fun, i loved mine. Currently got a new fiesta st and kind of miss the swift as this car feels too competent and dull in comparison, despite it being able to go round corners faster.

How long did you own it for? Mileage? Was it reliable?

I've heard very good things with just a few people saying they feel a bit gutless.

Cheers

Currently on 70000 miles, nothings gone wrong apart from wear and tear, i have had it since 50k, its not mine now but its within the family still, its not gutless you just have to get the revs up which is so much fun. They are japanese so super reliable.

[Berkshire bred]

egor110 said:

why the 197 over the 1~2's ?

Because they are a fair bit newer, marginally faster and to me they seem to fly under the radar.

That being said if It was my money a nice 182 would run it very close although the 1*2's seem to attract the boy racer crowd which is not my scene. Each to there own and all that.

[Peugeot205gtis]

Berkshire bred said:

egor110 said:

why the 197 over the 1~2's ?

Because they are a fair bit newer, marginally faster and to me they seem to fly under the radar.

That being said if It was my money a nice 182 would run it very close although the 1*2's seem to attract the boy racer crowd which is not my scene. Each to there own and all that.

I do agree that 1*2s seem to attract the boy racer crowd, something i definitely do not want, i think that is why i prefer the 172 cup at times without those pipes on show (even though i do personally like that look).

Most of the 197s i see haven't been modified which is attracting me more and more but i just feel for my budget i'll get a better example 1*2.

[Peugeot205gtis]

dieseluser07 said:

Currently on 70000 miles, nothings gone wrong apart from wear and tear, i have had it since 50k, its not mine now but its within the family still, its not gutless you just have to get the revs up which is so much fun. They are japanese so super reliable.

Thanks, sounds promising, not heard of any horror story's yet, think i may try and test drive one.

My only concern is that these nice little motors won't be worth anything in 5 or 6 years, maybe the Clio sport will?

Cheers

[culpz]

OP, you're concerned with the reliability of the Clio 172's/182's but you already owned a Clio 172 Cup in the past. It seems you have already had first hand experience with running one. Did it end up being particularly unreliable or was it bought brand new under warranty, so worry-free motoring?

[Peugeot205gtis]

culpz said:

OP, you're concerned with the reliability of the Clio 172's/182's but you already owned a Clio 172 Cup in the past. It seems you have already had first hand experience with running one. Did it end up being particularly unreliable or was it bought brand new under warranty, so worry-free motoring?

Hi mate,

I bought it around 10 years ago, so it was only around 5 years old at the time. I spotted it sitting in Audi Main Dealer as i drove past it one day, they wanted to auction it as its was a Part Ex but i convinced them to tell it to me as it was mint, only had 24k miles on to.

Anyway, i had 12 months warranty with Audi, the exhaust failed in the first week but of course replaced with with brand new renault part, bonus. I also remember an oil leak just before part exchanged it, otherwise it will trouble free, i only owned it for a year.

I am still trying to work out whilst i got rid of it! I am concerned now as they are a lot older with higher miles and often been neglected, a risk i may have to take still

Cheers

[egor110]

Peugeot205gtis said:

Berkshire bred said:

egor110 said:

why the 197 over the 1~2's ?

Because they are a fair bit newer, marginally faster and to me they seem to fly under the radar.

That being said if It was my money a nice 182 would run it very close although the 1*2's seem to attract the boy racer crowd which is not my scene. Each to there own and all that.

I do agree that 1*2s seem to attract the boy racer crowd, something i definitely do not want, i think that is why i prefer the 172 cup at times without those pipes on show (even though i do personally like that look).

Most of the 197s i see haven't been modified which is attracting me more and more but i just feel for my budget i'll get a better example 1*2.

Really ?

Most i've seen other than uprated springs or coilovers have appeared pretty much stock , if a decent 182 was up for sale you could always get rid of the standard twin exhaust and stick on a stealth exhaust the same as on the 172.

If these cars are so unreliable you have to wonder why you see so many at track days and the majority are driven there and home not trailered.

Edited by egor110 on Monday 26th February 10:54

[culpz]

Peugeot205gtis said:

culpz said:

OP, you're concerned with the reliability of the Clio 172's/182's but you already owned a Clio 172 Cup in the past. It seems you have already had first hand experience with running one. Did it end up being particularly unreliable or was it bought brand new under warranty, so worry-free motoring?

Hi mate,

I bought it around 10 years ago, so it was only around 5 years old at the time. I spotted it sitting in Audi Main Dealer as i drove past it one day, they wanted to auction it as its was a Part Ex but i convinced them to tell it to me as it was mint, only had 24k miles on to.

Anyway, i had 12 months warranty with Audi, the exhaust failed in the first week but of course replaced with with brand new renault part, bonus. I also remember an oil leak just before part exchanged it, otherwise it will trouble free, i only owned it for a year.

I am still trying to work out whilst i got rid of it! I am concerned now as they are a lot older with higher miles and often been neglected, a risk i may have to take still

Cheers

As already said, they're more solid cars than they might lead you to believe. The big cambelt service is around £500 for all the belts, dephaser, water pump and tensioners, done at a reputable specialist. Clutches are also expensive, as they need their subframe dropping for the pleasure.

Apart from that, it's generally just small and inexpensive repairs. You might get the odd electrical niggle, but nothing serious. Parts and consumables are cheap too. Many claim that they seem to perform better with more miles under their belt. Great cars for the money.

[dieseluser07]

Peugeot205gtis said:

dieseluser07 said:

Currently on 70000 miles, nothings gone wrong apart from wear and tear, i have had it since 50k, its not mine now but its within the family still, its not gutless you just have to get the revs up which is so much fun. They are japanese so super reliable.

Thanks, sounds promising, not heard of any horror story's yet, think i may try and test drive one.

My only concern is that these nice little motors won't be worth anything in 5 or 6 years, maybe the Clio sport will?

Cheers

No offense but if your buying a car for 3k, its never going to be worth anything in 5 or 6 years thats just a ridiculous idea to have it as a money making scheme, its 3 grand not 35 grand. Even if the clio did appreciate a bit, it would takes a lot longer and would have to be kept in immaculate condition and have a lot spent on it over the years to keep it tiptop.

[Zed 44]

I'll throw mine into the mix. It's just gone on sale and I have to say for us it has been reliable and a good performer. Will be sad to see it go.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...