Hatchback shedding - something fun for under a grand?

[munk]

Well... the profound statement for this week is that small rear engined RWD cars don't like standing water or trees (and I'm not quite as skilled behind the wheel as I might have imagined).



Looking on the bright side- I'm now finance free.

What I'm thinking is something for the next 12months (maybe longer?)- living the banger'nomics dream . Looking for a warm / hot hatch. Obviously shedding rules apply, under a grand with MOT & TAX.

Currently a Megane (F7R- Clio Williams engine) 2.0 16v is topping the list. Possibly a high millage Sportka? Also the newer shape Hyundai Coupe makes an appearance at slightly over the budget. Otherwise I'm drawing a blank in a sea of faceless shopping cars. HELP!!!!

[HustleRussell]

munk said:

Blimey, what did that use to be?

ETA: In light of the carnage you caused with whatever that was, I suggest something boring and safe with tons of grip and completely inert handling... mkIV Golf?

Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 5th February 17:28

[aka_kerrly]

In no particular order I would opt for:

- 306 GTI 6, S16, XSI
- E36 BMW compact
- Celica
- Clio 172 -could be ropey at £1k
- Any VAG with a 1.8T engine
- Seat Ibiza GTI/Cupra with a 2.0 16v engine - mk3 golf GTI in drag!


Or spend a little less on a car and do a skid pan day ;-)

[HorneyMX5]

That was a Smart car.

I would suggest looking a Clio 172s with that budget, not much else in hatcback world will touch them for the money you've got to spend.

[HorneyMX5]

SOTW a couple of weeks ago: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[munk]

Yup, t'was a Smart.

I agree- a 172 would be lovely, but a little ropey on the budget- thus the thought of the Megane. 306 GTi6 is a good call- like those, quite sparse on the ground though. Had hoped for a 106 rallye, but they're like hens teeth. Never tried a Celica though, will look into. Not really a VAG fan though, but the SEAT idea may be worth looking into. Think a BMW compact is not such a great idea given the circumstances.

Any other thoughts?

[dondan]

Mk5 fiesta ZS- a little under powered but a fair few are available with the slightly pokier 1.7 puma engine... great chassis and cheap to run.

Phase 1 Clio 172- hunt around they are out there, a few slightly above average consumeable's but an all round very capable car which can be quite frugal to.

306 gti6- don't know a lot about these personally but always loved the look of them and they fall within price range.

[aka_kerrly]

munk said:

Think a BMW compact is not such a great idea given the circumstances.

Any other thoughts?

Haha good of you to admit, hence my suggestion of a bit of skid pan fun so you can be a bit more prepared if* there is a next time.

That said I had a E30 BMW 318i at 18 and with too much enthusiasm managed to spin a few times without any side affects but chose to invest in driver training before getting too carried away.

With the Celica VVTI 140hp ought to be in budget an consider a Honda Prelude as there are some goood 2.2VTIs out there!

[munk]

aka_kerrly said:

Haha good of you to admit, hence my suggestion of a bit of skid pan fun so you can be a bit more prepared if* there is a next time.

Ha ha, indeed. If you don't admit you're lacking in skill / talent then how can you learn, right? As soon as I can get into the drivers seat again- a skid pan course is very high on the list to be booked!

Although in my defense it was pitch black, 1am, 3 degrees and I hit the water at 50mph halfway around a long curve. (At first I under-steered; as smarts do so very often. The TC/ESP stepped in and then the back stepped out. I thought I'd caught it, but then I hit another identical patch of water on the other side of the road and it tuned out I hadn't.)

Lessons learnt: 1. Once the back end of a smart goes... (like an early 911) it's gone- it's not coming back. 2. Drive home from work slowly when it's wet.

Ooooohhh well!

[Daston]

MG ZS 180 too big for you? 2.5ltr V6 sound great, go quite well and pretty reliable.

[Krikkit]

1.7 Puma should be available for <£500 these days, quite like mine.

[santona1937]

not quite a hatchback but.... MR2 mk2?
or an almera gti. 16v, 2.0 140 odd HP, good chassis, but FWD...?
Primera GT?
FOrd Probe?
NEon RT.

[aka_kerrly]

munk said:

aka_kerrly said:

Haha good of you to admit, hence my suggestion of a bit of skid pan fun so you can be a bit more prepared if* there is a next time.

Ha ha, indeed. If you don't admit you're lacking in skill / talent then how can you learn, right? As soon as I can get into the drivers seat again- a skid pan course is very high on the list to be booked!

Good man, you sound like you have your head screwed on right!!!

Have 106GTI/Saxo VTS been mentioned yet??

[Krikkit]

aka_kerrly said:

Have 106GTI/Saxo VTS been mentioned yet??

Great cars, but not much chance of getting a usable one for sub-£1k these days. Everything cheaper is a shed really.

[okie592]

Fiat stilo abarth? Not a bad steer

[aka_kerrly]

Krikkit said:

aka_kerrly said:

Have 106GTI/Saxo VTS been mentioned yet??

Great cars, but not much chance of getting a usable one for sub-£1k these days. Everything cheaper is a shed really.

Have they got to that stage of life then, the sheds usually die out or get stripped to keep the better ones going... eventually.

I had a Xsara VTR with the 1.6 16v engine from a 106gti/saxo and it was a disgrace, the same ingredients as a 306 but the gearing/suspension/seats were dreadful in comparison. I had it as a free car, I could never recommend handing over hard earned cash for one!!

I really enjoyed the 106gti in comparison.

Another slightly leftfield choice is a Proton Satria GTI - seriously , don't laugh. look at the spec and try and get a test drive, lotus did perform a miracle right there! I had a blast around Castle Combe in one and was more than pleasantly surprised. I think Silverstone and Brands Hatch used them as trainer cars to.

[munk]

aka_kerrly said:

Krikkit said:

aka_kerrly said:

Have 106GTI/Saxo VTS been mentioned yet??

Great cars, but not much chance of getting a usable one for sub-£1k these days. Everything cheaper is a shed really.

Have they got to that stage of life then, the sheds usually die out or get stripped to keep the better ones going... eventually.

I had a Xsara VTR with the 1.6 16v engine from a 106gti/saxo and it was a disgrace, the same ingredients as a 306 but the gearing/suspension/seats were dreadful in comparison. I had it as a free car, I could never recommend handing over hard earned cash for one!!

I really enjoyed the 106gti in comparison.

Another slightly leftfield choice is a Proton Satria GTI - seriously , don't laugh. look at the spec and try and get a test drive, lotus did perform a miracle right there! I had a blast around Castle Combe in one and was more than pleasantly surprised. I think Silverstone and Brands Hatch used them as trainer cars to.

Yes a 106 gti / Saxo VTS has crossed my mind more than once, but they aren't quite shed money yet sadly. The ones that are make swallowing glass look pleasant. I understand about the proton though...

okie592 said:

Fiat stilo abarth? Not a bad steer

My brother has a 1.4 16v Stilo after an engine fire in his 1.9jtd. Admittedly not a bad steer and not a bad car all in; but about as exciting as rice pudding sadly.

Having had a root around these spring to mind:

Megane 2.0 16v
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

Minty fresh fiat uno
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291063122527?ssPageName=...

55k pug 106 1.1
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291072021330?ssPageName=...

[Nealio]

munk said:

My brother has a 1.4 16v Stilo after an engine fire in his 1.9jtd. Admittedly not a bad steer and not a bad car all in; but about as exciting as rice pudding sadly.

Having had a root around these spring to mind:

Megane 2.0 16v
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

Minty fresh fiat uno
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291063122527?ssPageName=...

55k pug 106 1.1
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291072021330?ssPageName=...

That megane is not an F7R, it's an F5R (IDE - direct injection). The F5R is mechanically sort of a nerfed version of the F4R found in clio 172s but with a dodgy engine management/injection system attached. Avoid. Go with a phase 1 with F7R.

[300bhp/ton]

HustleRussell said:

Blimey, what did that use to be?

ETA: In light of the carnage you caused with whatever that was, I suggest something boring and safe with tons of grip and completely inert handling... mkIV Golf?

Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 5th February 17:28

Nah, tons of grip only means even higher speeds to come off the road at

[biscione]

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