Could really do with some advice

[horne923]

First of all an introduction is required, so here goes.

I'm James, 19 and loves anything with an engine, I'm currently studying motorsport engineering at uni and work as an agricultural engineer when not at uni. I also race quads and compete on jet ski's, although that is another story.

So here is my dilemma, I passed my test at 17 and bought myself a mk2 Fiat Punto 1.2, now it is time to upgrade but to what?

The criteria is as followed, needs a bit of get up and go, capable of cruising at motorway speeds with out revving it's heart out, manual, reliable as I need it do drive to uni and most of all fairly cheap on insurance (ie not over £2000) preferably less.

I'm not too bothered about mpg or practicality, and I don't really want anything over 10 years old and I have a maximum budget of £5000.

So far all I have came up with is a Hyundai Coupe 2.0, yes I know it's a Hyundai but the insurance is very cheap really and they do look nice, however the problem is, it's a Hyundai.

So please could someone advice me on what I have missed/ haven't looked at, ohh and I'm really sorry for yet another boring thread but any help would be great.

Cheers James

[Jonny1984]

Have a look at some of these.

Fiesta ST
Clio 172/182
Ibiza Cupra

To be honest, I'm not great at deciding on cars. Someone with more imagination will probably be along shortly

[IATM]

corsa/astra vxr
focus st
VW Golf (choice of engines)
celica 180

[WhoseGeneration]

PH and AT, £5000, see what comes up.
Drool at some, get a bit more sensible and filter, then get insurance quotes.
Easy.

[thinfourth2]

horne923 said:

First of all an introduction is required, so here goes.

I'm James, 19 and loves anything with an engine, I'm currently studying motorsport engineering at uni and work as an agricultural engineer when not at uni. I also race quads and compete on jet ski's, although that is another story.

So here is my dilemma, I passed my test at 17 and bought myself a mk2 Fiat Punto 1.2, now it is time to upgrade but to what?

Take a big bag of brave pills and build a locost

[jaik]

Look at some "boring family saloons", they can be surprisingly cheap for young drivers to insure.

[Wacky Racer]

Have a look at a Grande Punto, far better car than the Mk 2, (I have had both), plus bonus of cheap insurance.

Also had a 2.0 Hyundai Coupe (from new), nice car, but tbh, I think a Grande Punto is probably more suited to a 19 yr old.

[Hammy13]

MX5? Might do the job Or maybe a Golf gti? You could get a pretty decent one for 2 grand.

[WhoseGeneration]

thinfourth2 said:

Take a big bag of brave pills and build a locost

This is a very good reply, considering your area of study.
You might be able to use it in your studies, a dissertation perhaps, lots of analysis available.

[Scootersp]

Smart roadster?
2001-02 MR2? (insurance might be a killer here)

[horne923]

thinfourth2 said:

Take a big bag of brave pills and build a locost

I was actually thinking of doing this, however that would just be a fun project and a weekend fun thing when finished, although I have never driven one I imagine it would be a little too impractical for a daily drive.

A MR2m, love them but again insurance is a killer, same as a Golf gti.

The fiesta ST is up there at the moment however it would just be a case of finding a good one that hasn't be thrashed and has had minimal maintenance. The Smart, I haven't really looked at them, from the sounds they are quite a good little car and fairly nippy.

Thanks for all the reply's, James

[Chr1sch]

I insured a Leon Cupra (03 plate 180bhp) at 19 for less than £1k p.a and it as awesome, remapped to
200bhp too :-)

[horne923]

Chr1sch said:

I insured a Leon Cupra (03 plate 180bhp) at 19 for less than £1k p.a and it as awesome, remapped to
200bhp too :-)

They are nice cars, but just been quoted £2670 for insurance

[Alias218]

At 19 with 2 years under your belt you're just going to have to hold on. Insurance is outrageous atm. My friend is also 19 with 2 years (convenient) and owns a Clio 182. His insurance? £2400. I keep telling him he's mad, but he don't listen. You'll be mad too to take out insurance at that cost for what is ONE year.

Just bite the bullet and drive round in a slower motor. It really isn't worth the ££££'s. As for the Hyundai, why not? I'm not aware of any crippling issues with them. Talking of which, what do you regard as cheap insurance for said Korean car?

Edit: have you thought of a diesel? Even smaller engines are capable of motorway speeds with ease, plus they are considerably cheaper to insure. The cars do hold a slight premium over petrol, but it might bd worth a butchers. VW Bora?

Edited by Alias218 on Thursday 26th July 22:47

[kiethton]

Try thinking out of the box....

Volvo S60/C70 T5
Jaguar S-type 3.0/4.2
Merc clk/slk 200/230/320
Lexus IS200
Skoda octavia VRS - 1.8 turbo - Same as a golf GTi with half the insurance cost


More inside the box...

Suzuki Swift Sport
Corsa SRi 1.8
Focus st170
Toyota celica - think they did a 140 bhp one...

[GenePoolReject13]

Nothing wrong with the Hyundai Coupe, if its reasonable on insurance then go for it. They are good cars, pretty reliable and look good. Performance is not brilliant neither is consumption but its not horrific either.

If your doing a fair amount of miles then consider a diesel of some kind, they tend to be cheaper to insure but you can have a good amount of performance for your money. After my first year of driving I had a focus TDCI that was modified, running 150+bhp and insured for 1200 quid. As I say though, dont bother if your annual mileage is under 12k.

[horne923]

Alias218 said:

At 19 with 2 years under your belt you're just going to have to hold on. Insurance is outrageous atm. My friend is also 19 with 2 years (convenient) and owns a Clio 182. His insurance? £2400. I keep telling him he's mad, but he don't listen. You'll be mad too to take out insurance at that cost for what is ONE year.

Just bite the bullet and drive round in a slower motor. It really isn't worth the ££££'s. As for the Hyundai, why not? I'm not aware of any crippling issues with them. Talking of which, what do you regard as cheap insurance for said Korean car?

Edit: have you thought of a diesel? Even smaller engines are capable of motorway speeds with ease, plus they are considerably cheaper to insure. The cars do hold a slight premium over petrol, but it might bd worth a butchers. VW Bora?

Edited by Alias218 on Thursday 26th July 22:47

I know that is my issue, I work 6 days a week and go to uni and I don't really want to be spending it all on insurance. The Hyundai was 1100pa fully comp, which I don't think is too bad considering i'm paying 800pa for a punto 3rd party fire and theft. At the moment that is probably the most likely choice, and just keep it until I turn 21 and then see what I can afford.

Thank you very much for all the comments and suggestions, has given me lots to think about.

Cheers James

[Leicesterdave]

I currently own a 2.0 HYundai Coupe. As said before, looks good, cheap insurance, MPG not great but not horrible.
Go for it imo.

[Triumph Man]

MEV X5? Could be a nice little project and should benefit from kit car insurance. With the added bonus of being based on PH's favourite!

[McHaggis]

I think the Hyundai is a good call personally, would have loved one as a 19 year old instead of the 1 litre Nova I had to 25.

Other ideas (no idea on insurance):

Lexus IS200
BMW 320Ci
Honda Prelude