Pocket Rocket for £14k. What would you pick?

[Sim75]

As per the title suggests.
Auto would be ideal but not essential (The Mrs’s)
Newer the better.

Had a look at an UpGTI, seemed well screwed together but yet to drive one.

[Austin_Metro]

135i?

[Sim75]

Had one already. Not that small and actually not that entertaining either. A little on the numb side. Sounded glorious above 4K revs though!!

[ZX10R NIN]

Auto:

Abarth 595 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

Clio RS220 is the pick of the auto's it has a better shift quality than the 200 (which despite initial response's is still decent) as well as some nice chassis updates:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

RS200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...

Manual:

208 PS GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...

Fiesta ST-3 Mountune 215

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202102...

This may upset a few UP GTI owners but I don't think they're that good, I've supplied & driven a fair few of them to many happy clients. It's just a personal opinion & if you're can live with 15bhp less then the Picanto GT Line S is a good shout.

GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202092...

[alfabeat]

How about a Defender? Plentiful parts, easy to work on. Fun and cool to drive. No idea what insurance will be like though.

[Austin_Metro]

Sim75 said:

Had one already. Not that small and actually not that entertaining either. A little on the numb side. Sounded glorious above 4K revs though!!

That’s disappointing to hear. For a similar hatchback role I was hoping that might be the answer. Certainly enough “rocket” for me.

How much dsg golf gti can you get for that?

[georgeyboy12345]

These are what I'd pick

BMW M135i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...


Renaultsport Clio Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...


Mini JCW
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202152...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112220...


VW Golf GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...


Mercedes A250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201131...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Sunday 20th February 21:14

[Sim75]

ZX10R NIN said:

Auto:

Abarth 595 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

Clio RS220 is the pick of the auto's it has a better shift quality than the 200 (which despite initial response's is still decent) as well as some nice chassis updates:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

RS200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...

Manual:

208 PS GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...

Fiesta ST-3 Mountune 215

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202102...

This may upset a few UP GTI owners but I don't think they're that good, I've supplied & driven a fair few of them to many happy clients. It's just a personal opinion & if you're can live with 15bhp less then the Picanto GT Line S is a good shout.

GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202092...

Abarth Auto...
I've heard the box is shocking. What's your experience of it mate?

[PH User]

alfabeat said:

How about a Defender? Plentiful parts, easy to work on. Fun and cool to drive. No idea what insurance will be like though.

Eh?!

[ChrisH72]

PH User said:

alfabeat said:

How about a Defender? Plentiful parts, easy to work on. Fun and cool to drive. No idea what insurance will be like though.

Eh?!

Meant to post on the Father/son interesting car thread maybe?

[Janesy B]

Don't really agree with the M135i suggestions given a UpGTI is being considered. Completely different ownership cost potential in terms of fuel, servicing and repairs.

I loved my MK7 Fiesta ST but I wouldn't want to drop 14k on one as that's either too much for a MK7 or the arse end of the MK8 market.

How about a DSG Polo GTI if the wife likes the Up?

[Krikkit]

208 GTIs seen to be getting reasonably cheap and get great owner reviews.

The other bonus is they're not the usual barried FST.

[Feirny]

Sim75 said:

Abarth Auto...
I've heard the box is shocking. What's your experience of it mate?

Interested to hear this, one is on my shortlist.

[georgeyboy12345]

Janesy B said:

Don't really agree with the M135i suggestions given a UpGTI is being considered. Completely different ownership cost potential in terms of fuel, servicing and repairs.

I loved my MK7 Fiesta ST but I wouldn't want to drop 14k on one as that's either too much for a MK7 or the arse end of the MK8 market.

How about a DSG Polo GTI if the wife likes the Up?

Yes, but the thread title says "What would you pick?", so I have simply given what I'd pick

[ZX10R NIN]

Sim75 said:

Abarth Auto...
I've heard the box is shocking. What's your experience of it mate?

I'd say it was okay it's better in manual mode but that kind of defeats the object of the Auto, I find Alfa's software much more intuitive than Fiats.

Mito

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

I've only supplied two auto Abarth's but both clients are happy with them, take from that what you will.

Personally the Fiat or Alfa wouldn't get a look in as Clio RS220 is just a better car in everyway & considering it's an Auto it would give the 208 GTI a run for it's money in the chassis department too.

[Xcore]

M135i, rwd and pretty rocket like. Or a 7.5 st fiesta thing if you want a grocery getter.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Sim75 said:

Abarth Auto...
I've heard the box is shocking. What's your experience of it mate?

I'd say it was okay it's better in manual mode but that kind of defeats the object of the Auto, I find Alfa's software much more intuitive than Fiats.

Mito

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

I've only supplied two auto Abarth's but both clients are happy with them, take from that what you will.

Personally the Fiat or Alfa wouldn't get a look in as Clio RS220 is just a better car in everyway & considering it's an Auto it would give the 208 GTI a run for it's money in the chassis department too.

Interesting as I'd have a 500 over the Clio any day of the week, probably the MiTo over the Clio too

[ZX10R NIN]

Vidarr said:

Interesting as I'd have a 500 over the Clio any day of the week, probably the MiTo over the Clio too

As an Auto?

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Vidarr said:

Interesting as I'd have a 500 over the Clio any day of the week, probably the MiTo over the Clio too

As an Auto?

Yes, the Clio doesn't interest me one bit, but I really like Abarth 500's and I really enjoyed my MiTo when I had it

[LightningBlue]

Might be able to get a Mini Roadster JCW, could definitely get a coupe. These are fun to drive and a bit different.