Fun and reliable small (hot) hatch

[Babw]

I'm looking for a small hatch along the lines of a Lupo GTI but good reasonable mileage cars are now few and far between.

What others should I look for? Budget of about 8k if needed, the Mini variants tend to be fairly unreliable and so do the Clio/Twingo. I don't think I'd like to stretch as far as a nice Fiesta ST as it will just be an occasional run about.

I'd like to be fun, reliable and fairly quick. The more modern the better interior + efficiency as well.

[patmahe]

Swift Sport

[Nickp82]

patmahe said:

Swift Sport

This

Based on what you have said this is the exact car for you!

[cj2013]

Babw said:

I'm looking for a small hatch along the lines of a Lupo GTI but good reasonable mileage cars are now few and far between.

What others should I look for? Budget of about 8k if needed, the Mini variants tend to be fairly unreliable and so do the Clio/Twingo. I don't think I'd like to stretch as far as a nice Fiesta ST as it will just be an occasional run about.

I'd like to be fun, reliable and fairly quick. The more modern the better interior + efficiency as well.

I've got a Panda 100HP.

In four months, all I've had to do is buy wiper blades. All the mod cons, cheap to buy, insure and maintain, and when you get used to it, it's so unbelievably fun to drive.

[egor110]

Babw said:

I'm looking for a small hatch along the lines of a Lupo GTI but good reasonable mileage cars are now few and far between.

What others should I look for? Budget of about 8k if needed, the Mini variants tend to be fairly unreliable and so do the Clio/Twingo. I don't think I'd like to stretch as far as a nice Fiesta ST as it will just be an occasional run about.

I'd like to be fun, reliable and fairly quick. The more modern the better interior + efficiency as well.

what made you conclude clios are unreliable ?

plenty of happy 1*2 owners here and look how many you see at track days and they drive them home to.

[cj2013]

egor110 said:

what made you conclude clios are unreliable ?

plenty of happy 1*2 owners here and look how many you see at track days and they drive them home to.

As far as I've ever been aware (by reputation and proxy), don't they eat gearboxes, rear subframes and engine mounts? 172/182 that is.

[Babw]

The 172/182 are just too old interior wise and the 197/200 seem to have lots of gearbox reliability issues.

I need to check out the Swift Sport, I had considered it but forgot about it. Anything else?

[cj2013]

Babw said:

The 172/182 are just too old interior wise and the 197/200 seem to have lots of gearbox reliability issues.

I need to check out the Swift Sport, I had considered it but forgot about it. Anything else?

Polo GTI (6R) is a looker, and in budget?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-POLO-GTI-/17250084686...

[GrumpyTwig]

Babw said:

The 172/182 are just too old interior wise and the 197/200 seem to have lots of gearbox reliability issues.

I need to check out the Swift Sport, I had considered it but forgot about it. Anything else?

200s yes but 197s not so much, later 200s seemed fine too so early 197s and late 200s are pretty safe.

[Funky Panda]

Dailying a 200 with the cup chassis can get very tiring.