Budget hot hatch/fun car

[Cambs_Stuart]

Hello all. Last time i asked for help in choosing a fast family transport the pistonheads collective was really helpful.
This time the issue is different. I'm looking for a cheap, small, 4 seat fun motor. Its for town driving, short trips and possibly a novice track day or two.
After owning increasingly powerful cars, I've decided that more power and expense does not alway equal more fun, so something lighter might be more enjoyable.
I'm fairly handy with spanners, so don't mind a bit of home diy. Brakes, oil changes, anti roll bars etc i can do. Head gaskets and clutches are probably beyond my skill/time/driveway abilities.
Budget is £1000, but the cheaper the better.
So far I've looked at:
Suzuki ignis sport. Current favourite, low weight, appear to be pretty tough and cheap to run.
Ford sportka. Tough to find one without rust issues in his price range.
MG ZR160. Not many about. Worries about head gasket.
Daihatsu sirion rally. Really rare. Not sure about the looks.
Fiat Seicento. Slow, and terrifyingly poor crash protection.
Toyota celica/corolla 190.
Any other suggestions?

[Mogsmex]

Ford Puma

you will have to delve through some crap/terminaly rusty examples but your budget should unearth a solid 1.7 example (although the rear arch's will still probably be cosmetically stuffed)

try and find an 01 on then you'll have the slightly nicer trim/dash but more important the larger front brakes

[Cambs_Stuart]

Mogsmex said:

Ford Puma

you will have to delve through some crap/terminaly rusty examples but your budget should unearth a solid 1.7 example (although the rear arch's will still probably be cosmetically stuffed)

try and find an 01 on then you'll have the slightly nicer trim/dash but more important the larger front brakes

Thanks. To be honest I've seen so many terminally rusty ones i'd given up. Perhaps it's time to look again.

[R8Steve]

Clio 172

[Cambs_Stuart]

R8Steve said:

Clio 172

I'm a bit worried thar ship of non-kackered 172 and 182's for shed money has sailed. There is an MOT failure near me for £750 that's tempting, but needs the dephaser doing.

[ZX10R NIN]

Focus ST-170 good chassis with lots of used track parts available.

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

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

206 GTI

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

206 GTI 180

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

Celica

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

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

[Cambs_Stuart]

They are some fantastic finds, thank you! Espcially the 206 gti 180.
I've also had another look at the clio 172/182. If I stretch my budget a bit there are some really interesting choices around the £1500 mark.

[R8Steve]

Cambs_Stuart said:

They are some fantastic finds, thank you! Espcially the 206 gti 180.
I've also had another look at the clio 172/182. If I stretch my budget a bit there are some really interesting choices around the £1500 mark.

Try the clio sport owners club on facebook and you can usually find some decent ones

[Cambs_Stuart]

R8Steve said:

Try the clio sport owners club on facebook and you can usually find some decent ones

Thanks for the tip. I've asked to join the group. Out if interest, do you think a well looked after 172 would be better than a 182 needing some tlc?

[LordHaveMurci]

Cambs_Stuart said:

R8Steve said:

Try the clio sport owners club on facebook and you can usually find some decent ones

Thanks for the tip. I've asked to join the group. Out if interest, do you think a well looked after 172 would be better than a 182 needing some tlc?

How hardcore are you?

172 Cup is the lightest & probably the most fun as a result BUT they ditch ABS, traction control etc along with aircon, not everybody is happy with that.

Me, been just fine with it for over 9yrs, epic fun

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Wednesday 3rd July 15:47

[RazerSauber]

Cooper S? Can be had from £1200 for a running driving vehicle says Autotrader. Bit of haggling and nit picking and this could be a Mini Cooper 'S'hed.

[Trophy Husband]

Cambs_Stuart said:

They are some fantastic finds, thank you! Espcially the 206 gti 180.
I've also had another look at the clio 172/182. If I stretch my budget a bit there are some really interesting choices around the £1500 mark.

172/182 are the best fun to be had on 3 wheels!
Unfortunately a 172 cup will be out of budget which was my first brand new car in 03 and I loved it. A pal bought a tidy one 3 years ago for £1100 and has just been offered £3k or it!
Tough little engine on them too, I took mine to north of 150k in 5 years and it still pulled well. My brother took it up to 187k and then moved it on. LT03 EVK where are you now?

[Cambs_Stuart]

Trophy Husband said:

172/182 are the best fun to be had on 3 wheels!
Unfortunately a 172 cup will be out of budget which was my first brand new car in 03 and I loved it. A pal bought a tidy one 3 years ago for £1100 and has just been offered £3k or it!
Tough little engine on them too, I took mine to north of 150k in 5 years and it still pulled well. My brother took it up to 187k and then moved it on. LT03 EVK where are you now?

I'm in Cambridge, at the moment (in budgetish) there an honestly described tatty 182 down the road, and a really nice 172 in Oxford.
Having had this discussion I'm now concerned that if i go for the cars in my original post, I'll always regret not expanding the budget by the price of an ipad...

[Cambs_Stuart]

I think I've talked myself into a 172 or 182. They're small, light, fun, there is a decent supply of aftermarket parts and spares for diy tinkering.
There is a reason most track days have quite a few if them...
Thanks for the advice all.