Small, fun warm/hot hatchbacks under £2.5k - Page 1 - Car Buying

joshp99

Original Poster

8 posts

90 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

Hi all,
Just sold my first car after over 2 years as wanting something a bit more fun for the drive to work and weekend blast through the peaks. I've been looking at the likes of yaris t-sports, suzuki swift sports and even considering an ep3 ctr, however the ep3 would be bottom of the market for my budget. Just wondered if anyone has owned any of these or know any good alternatives?
Cheers

joefraser

725 posts

140 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

Fiesta ST (2 litre NA one)
Clio 1*2 or 197
Megane RS
Focus ST

Down and out

2,700 posts

93 months

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Sunday 31st March 2019

Ignis

joshp99

Original Poster

8 posts

90 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

joefraser said:

Fiesta ST (2 litre NA one)
Clio 1*2 or 197
Megane RS
Focus ST

Just had a look at the mk6 ST and seems to be well within my budget, might have to go and have a look at a local one to me

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Sunday 31st March 2019

joshp99

Original Poster

8 posts

90 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

Down and out said:

Ignis

Been looking at these for a while, they seem a bit basic inside but never actually been in one so might be alright. Love the looks though

joshp99

Original Poster

8 posts

90 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

Good choice of cars there, would really like to try a celica t sport but not the biggest fan of the exterior, maybe its seeing all the lamborghini reps laugh

but if they drive well would seriously consider one

Scottchester

1,671 posts

90 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

The Celica is a great car and the t-sport engine is awesome, same one they put in a lotus.
They are mechanically bullet proof, handle brilliant and parts are cheap.

Celica-club.co.uk is brilliant if you need any help

I've had a few Celicas and really enjoyed them. Would get another in a heart beat if I didn't need 4 doors

mikeyr

3,391 posts

222 months

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Sunday 31st March 2019

Was in a similar situation and bought a Twingo 133 RS with FSH for that sort of money. It's been 100% reliable and is a real hoot. Worth considering.

stedaley

669 posts

153 months

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[news]

Sunday 31st March 2019

mikeyr said:

Was in a similar situation and bought a Twingo 133 RS with FSH for that sort of money. It's been 100% reliable and is a real hoot. Worth considering.

Used it much on longer trips? What's it like?

Mr Tidy

31,261 posts

156 months

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Sunday 31st March 2019

Or do you fancy something with 6 cylinders and RWD?

If so a 325ti Compact might be entertaining! laugh

mikeyr

3,391 posts

222 months

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Monday 1st April 2019

stedaley said:

Used it much on longer trips? What's it like?

Bouncy! Ones without the Cup suspension are probably more compliant. Lack of sixth gear means it's not a relaxed cruiser. But the seats are comfy and it's very stable. Got some sort of vtech-esque thing going on at 4000 revs and a change gear light which doesn't light up until you hit the red zone at c7000 revs. Depends on length of your weekly commute, doesn't have the largest fuel tank.

Had an R53 Cooper S before that which would also be within budget but found it to be fairly brittle for build quality and wasn't a car that ever felt like taking it out for a spin.

Clio 182 also in your range which I loved but mine was firmly in shed territory; prices seem to be rising now for good ones. A good one would be a real keeper (they are rapid for an 'older' car) but mine had a series of irritating issues.

See someone has mentioned the BMW 325ti compact. These were on my list too - the ones I contemplated either had rust or auto gearboxes.

stedaley

669 posts

153 months

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Monday 1st April 2019

mikeyr said:

Bouncy! Ones without the Cup suspension are probably more compliant. Lack of sixth gear means it's not a relaxed cruiser. But the seats are comfy and it's very stable. Got some sort of vtech-esque thing going on at 4000 revs and a change gear light which doesn't light up until you hit the red zone at c7000 revs. Depends on length of your weekly commute, doesn't have the largest fuel tank.

Had an R53 Cooper S before that which would also be within budget but found it to be fairly brittle for build quality and wasn't a car that ever felt like taking it out for a spin.

Clio 182 also in your range which I loved but mine was firmly in shed territory; prices seem to be rising now for good ones. A good one would be a real keeper (they are rapid for an 'older' car) but mine had a series of irritating issues.

See someone has mentioned the BMW 325ti compact. These were on my list too - the ones I contemplated either had rust or auto gearboxes.

Ive heard all sorts of bad issues with 182s so i probably will be steering clear, I am like the original OP but have abit more to play with!

suzuki swift sport / 130i / Twingo 133 / ralliart Colt are all on my favourite list so far! Ill miss heated seats though frown

Obee72

264 posts

114 months

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Monday 1st April 2019

Swift Sport or Fiesta ST if you want reliability as well. I wouldn't look at a 130i for £2.5k to be honest, bills maybe large.

Mr Peel

635 posts

151 months

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Tuesday 2nd April 2019

Panda 100HP.

HorneyMX5

5,745 posts

179 months

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Tuesday 2nd April 2019

Mini Cooper S

BenKH95

55 posts

115 months

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Tuesday 2nd April 2019

I bought an Alfa 147 2.0 Twin Spark a couple of years ago for I think £1250, it was on a decent mileage and fair condition, great laugh

ST170 could be another shout, not the most powerful, indeed I've read many cars never really made the claimed 170bhp, fantastic chassis though

HannsG

3,135 posts

163 months

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Tuesday 2nd April 2019

Mr Peel said:

Panda 100HP.

This. I had one for a few years.

Why oh why they did not give it a small turbo or an extra 30bhp is beyond me.

Amazing handling. As much fun as my M3