idea for max £5k car

[steevewright]

So - for the past few months ive been driving round a 2004 Mini Cooper S (R53) and it now needs a new clutch and flywheel (blame the Yorkshire hills). Now I’ve had a quote of £770 to replace and fit these and i have a few options. I’ll be regularly driving these cars between work in Birmingham, home in Crewe - Cheahire, uni in York and my girlfriends in Haworth- West Yorkshire. My options are fix the car and carry on using that or swap it for something a little bit more reliable. Mini has 105,000 on clock and worried that it may become a money pit and keep breaking down. Something different I’d be looking at spending maximum 5k but ideally closer to 4. Looking at another mini, a giuletta, fiesta st or something on those lines but open to most options. Doesn’t have to be a hatchback but needs at least 4 seats. Needs to be relatively cheap to insure (less than 1.5k) but fun to drive and capable of the long journeys. Like the idea of a convertible but being 19 I’ve heard that can push insurance cost up. Any sensible advice would be much appreciated. Steve.

[Actus Reus]

I'd be looking at a hot Clio of some description or another Mini I think.

[steevewright]

Clio is a good shout - do you know much about their reliability at all?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say you need to go nearer to your 5k budget to make it not worth just repairing the Mini, also do you want another Hot Hatch/Warm Hatch or something different.

Warm Hatch wise there are a fair few options my first stop would be the Giulietta:

Veloce

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

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

The VFM is the Astra.

SRI 1.6T Astra

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

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

Megane GT

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


Hot Hatch wise I'd be taking a look at the Clio:

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

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

Or the Focus ST:

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

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

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

[CABC]

The R53 is a modern classic. great balance of fun and solid feel. £700 as a single bill for clutch flywheel isn't bad, a Clio could throw the same bill. Then again, maybe you just want a change? fair enough.
if it's been a reliable car so far i'd repair. it's seems that many of the mk1s faults come from the earlier years.

[pthelazyjourno]

Had quite a few costly niggles with my R53 when it got to around the 100k mark. Interior started to sound like a can of beans, too, don't think I've ever had a hatchback that has rattled so much.

Not much help admittedly, but I'm in the 'get shot and get something else' camp. Usually I'd fix!

[steevewright]

So mini has been reliable for a while - i bought it off my uncle but a good 80-90% of miles have been done by previous owners. The garage i have are going to go through everything and if it all seems sound I’ll be leaning towards staying but otherwhys id ideally stay with a hatch and giuletta is something i looked at, have always wanted an alfa so itd be something that could really turn my head if the right one is out there!