(Soon to be) 19yr old, "new" car

[SmokeyBacon37]

Hiya,

Come June I'll have been driving for two years, and have 2 years no claims. Been looking for a new-to-me car for a while, but the 2 year no claims bonus/being 19 gives me more options in terms of performance/quality.

Budget is 12k
I don't really want to spend more than £2k on insurance, just money down the drain really.

So far, I've been looking at the following:
Polo GTI (MY15 onwards, don't want to touch the 1.4 engine!)
BMW 120D (around 13 plate, have read some horror stories about these engines so not sure if it's worth it?, these also go slightly over the insurance budget.

I drive about 8k miles a year, I'm not really looking for the fastest car in the world, but want something with more go than my 1.2 Corsa (not that that would be difficult..)

Fiesta ST is out of the question, insurance is 3.5k ish.

Have also looked at e92 3 series but from what I've read on here and elsewhere the 4 cylinders don't seem to be the most reliable cars..).

If anyone can throw some more suggestions m way that'd be really helpful!

Thanks for reading!

[Mo28]

Mini Cooper S, on paper they are around 192 bhp but people have tested them on rolling roads at around 214 bhp

[SmokeyBacon37]

Good shout! Have heard they're good to drive. Will price one up. Cheers! Any more suggestions welcome.

[ZX10R NIN]

All the cars listed below have come back with sensible insurance numbers for some of my clients so take a look & get some quotes you might be surprised.

Alfa Mito Cloverleaf/Quadrifoglio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Giulietta Sportiva

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cloverleaf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Renault Clio 200 Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Volvo C30 2.5T (Same engine as the Focus ST)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Kia Pro C'eed (these are as good a steer as the Polo GTI but have the added bonus of 4 years Manufacturers Warranty left) GT Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

208 GTI Prestige

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Megane GT (quick warm hatch)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mini JCW

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3 MPS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes A200 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A250 Sport (you'll have to haggle & stretch the budget)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

125i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

308 GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...