Friend looking for “nippy” car around 2-3K

[Alphabet]

My friend is after something faster than his 1.4 Astra, he’s had the 2.0 TDI VAG engine before so wants something more on par with that. Think he is leaning towards diesels however would be open to both. I suggested an Astra but with larger turbo engine, I hear Merc C220 are pretty reliable. What i’m finding is most dervs are 150K+ mileage in this price point. Don’t think he’s fussed about body style but hatchback or small saloon would be best. Based in Glasgow

Edit: He’s 20 for example an A3 2.0 tdi cost him about 2500 ish on insurance, he’d pay a similar amount again (despite my advice) but anything more powerful probably not feasible

Edited by Alphabet on Saturday 22 January 16:15

[LightningBlue]

I’ve seen a few Volvo C70 T5s knocking around the £3000 mark, the second generation folding hardtop model. Could be interesting

[Pistonheader101]

can he get a golf for that price

[Alphabet]

LightningBlue said:

I’ve seen a few Volvo C70 T5s knocking around the £3000 mark, the second generation folding hardtop model. Could be interesting

Edited my post, that would be powerful for him wouldn’t get insured. Even if he could I don’t think he’d be into it haha he is a younger guy so mostly after a conventional sort of car

Pistonheader101 said:

can he get a golf for that price

Plenty of mk5s as well A3s online, my understanding is most of the engines aren’t good aside from 1.9 tdi and the 2.0 tdi. I suppose anything with over 100/120 bhp would feel quick enough to him compared to the Astra.

[ZX10R NIN]

Alphabet said:

My friend is after something faster than his 1.4 Astra, he’s had the 2.0 TDI VAG engine before so wants something more on par with that. Think he is leaning towards diesels however would be open to both. I suggested an Astra but with larger turbo engine, I hear Merc C220 are pretty reliable. What i’m finding is most dervs are 150K+ mileage in this price point. Don’t think he’s fussed about body style but hatchback or small saloon would be best. Based in Glasgow

Edit: He’s 20 for example an A3 2.0 tdi cost him about 2500 ish on insurance, he’d pay a similar amount again (despite my advice) but anything more powerful probably not feasible

Edited by Alphabet on Saturday 22 January 16:15

If he's looking for something with a bit of torque as well as power that's sensible on insurance, there are a few options.

Alfa Mito Veloce 120:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...

140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201181...

Punto Evo Sporting 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201030...

Grande Punto Sporting 120:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112300...

DS3 DSport 155 good cars that normally come back with sensible numbers insurance wise:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...

Giulietta Veloce 170 but it might be to high insurance wise

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...

Astra GTC SRI 180 as above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...

If it's a diesel he wants a CLC220 Sport makes a lot of sense:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112270...

CLK220cdi Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110068...

[georgeyboy12345]

Does he need a diesel? How many miles a week does he drive on average?

What about... another Astra, with a better engine? Here's a 1.6T 16v SRi with 180 bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...


Renault Megane 2.0 TCe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...


Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...


Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVTL-i T-Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112190...


Subaru Legacy 2.0 R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...


All of these are below group 30 on the insurance, so shouldn't be too expensive

[LightningBlue]

Alphabet said:

LightningBlue said:

I’ve seen a few Volvo C70 T5s knocking around the £3000 mark, the second generation folding hardtop model. Could be interesting

Edited my post, that would be powerful for him wouldn’t get insured. Even if he could I don’t think he’d be into it haha he is a younger guy so mostly after a conventional sort of car

So an Astra or family hatch is seen as more desirable over a convertible…the youth of today!