Lightweight, quick, reliable and cheap: possible???

[Richie200]

I currently have a 911 for summer, an RX7 for track and a little K11 Micra for the winter. I want to replace the Micra with something a little more interesting along the lines of:

0-60 in <7sec
>40MPG
Lightweight
40+MPG <£5000
Reliable

Any guidance much appreciated

[Defcon5]

Hmmm if you could stretch the budget a bit a cat repaired VX220 might be doable

[stargazer30]

Pity about the winter use and sub 7 sec 0-60. I would have said MK3 MR2, but they are nippy rather than hot hatch quick and they don't like snow much. Loads of fun and dirt cheap to buy and run though.

[Ozzie Osmond]

The recently discontinued Mercedes A-class ain't sexy but it would be head and shoulders above a Micra. Available with a big enough petrol engine to get it moving along the road, whilst light and economical. Used prices look a bit of a bargain.

[BBS-LM]

Clio 172 182

[10 Pence Short]

Get an old C1 or 107, whack a turbo or bike engine in it, and leave it looking standard. Have fun.

[otolith]

Small old hot hatches? Might have to compromise on the 0-60 time. What was that company that used to tune and refurbish 205GTIs?

[LordHaveMurci]

BBS-LM said:

Clio 172 182

Beat me to it. I have a 172 Cup & a 996 C2, light, quick(ish), economical & mine has been reliable. Great fun too

[LordHaveMurci]

BBS-LM said:

Clio 172 182

Beat me to it. I have a 172 Cup & a 996 C2, light, quick(ish), economical & mine has been reliable. Great fun too

[5lab]

mk3 mr2 with the celica 180bhp engine swap?

in fact the celica is no heavyweight, 1200kg which is probably not much different from a clio 182.

924 turbo *might* be reliable what about a boxster?

[santona1937]

mk2 mr2 especially the turbo version. 0-60 sub 7 seconds, japanese reliability, mid engine RWD. top speed about 150. pick a minter up for around 4k

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Interesting this one.

I think the 0-60 and 40+mpg together will be the hardest criteria to find in budget.
Another vote for a Clio from me

[anonymous-user]

You need this: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

[stupidbutkeen]

hows about a fiat coupe turbo?

[Tickle]

Toyota Starlet Glanza Turbo things,

Never drove one but seen a few take off, they certainly look quick.

A few all under 4k on here for sale

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

[Truckosaurus]

A diesel BMW 1-series with the boost turned up, running on skinny eco tyres for maximum slidiness.

Or a 130i if you are willing to lose a bit of economy.

[rallycross]

Lupo Gti is surprisingly fun to hustle along B roads but also fine for 2 people on a blast down the motorway, was not convinced until I drove one - then it made sense.

[Escy]

A Civic EK9 Type R should meet all of those criteria

[Matt UK]

An R53 Mini Cooper S will get close.

[Fantuzzi]

stargazer30 said:

Pity about the winter use and sub 7 sec 0-60. I would have said MK3 MR2, but they are nippy rather than hot hatch quick and they don't like snow much. Loads of fun and dirt cheap to buy and run though.

Well most owners seem to find they sit around the 7 mark (evo tested one at 7.2-which I think is good representation of the speed', on crap tires, bad start, and a fat brother on board 7.6 was achieved.

I'm sure if some yoko ado8s or the like were on the car you might get close to 6.9 with a perfect start but it isn't really about that with the mr2,what with only 140bhp/tonne.

But the MR2 is a rather good call, pick a good un up for just under 3k, really good drivers car, great feel, great chassis, I get 45mpg sat at 65 on the motorway, not much room inside though...