Advice – new car rethink, cars for 150hp?

[ajame5]

Hi,
I'm new to PH forums, so if this is in the wrong place, forgive me this once .

I'm looking to buy a car in the next few months (mine's knackered), but have moved to Manchester and am finding the ones I wanted are now out of my INSURANCE price range and it's driving me nuts, quotes were about a third of the price at my previous address, where I was previously looking at cars before moving here.

The car I would have gone for was an Alfa 147 Ducati Corse or similar but it seems that cars around 170bhp (although alfas seem to be pricier) are the threshold for affordable insurance for where I am now.

Cars I've looked at –

Slightly too much on insurance – Mostly all alfas now, Mazda RX8
About the maximum — Cooper S, Renaultsport Clio, Seat ibiza FR's
Well under — Suzuki swift sport (at the bottom end but doesn't look professional enough for how I'd use it)

I'd go for a slower car if it looked/cost right, the fun factor is very important though!
Any suggestions on things I've not thought of would be well appreciated?

[Crusoe]

Polo or lupo GTI was good on insurance when I was 21, 106gti I had before that was a bit more fun but not as well made. 145 cloverleaf if you want a 150bhp alfa hot hatch?