Small, quirky, fun less than 1400cc and £4k

[bearman68]

So Gurus of PH, what does the combined collective genius think.

A friend of mine wants a petrol car, small and cheap to run and tax, so around 1400cc. Fun to drive, and maybe a little bit quirky. It needs to be a little bit practical, so an MX5 is out. He runs all sorts of crazy classic cars, and also has a pick up, and a diesel Saab estate, so he's not short of options to drive

Here's the list that is being actively looked at.

1) Fiat Panda 100 hp,
2) Renault Twing 1.2 Tce (Turbo charged),
3) Citroen C1

And here's a few that have been rejected.
1) Toyota Celica.
2) Mazda MX5,
3) Peugeot 106 GTi (He'd love one, but they are massive money).
4) Doesn't want a Fiesta.
5) Rejected a Suzuki Swift (too common apparently)

I was wondering about a Mk1 Focus? But I would be very interested in alternative ideas.

[biggbn]

SportKa. If my StreetKa was anything to go by, will be a hoot. If you can find one that isn't riddled with rust

[s m]

bearman68 said:

So Gurus of PH, what does the combined collective genius think.

A friend of mine wants a petrol car, small and cheap to run and tax, so around 1400cc. Fun to drive, and maybe a little bit quirky. It needs to be a little bit practical, so an MX5 is out. He runs all sorts of crazy classic cars, and also has a pick up, and a diesel Saab estate, so he's not short of options to drive

Here's the list that is being actively looked at.

1) Fiat Panda 100 hp,
2) Renault Twing 1.2 Tce (Turbo charged),
3) Citroen C1

And here's a few that have been rejected.
1) Toyota Celica.
2) Mazda MX5,
3) Peugeot 106 GTi (He'd love one, but they are massive money).
4) Doesn't want a Fiesta.
5) Rejected a Suzuki Swift (too common apparently)

I was wondering about a Mk1 Focus? But I would be very interested in alternative ideas.

Well a 106 GTI is 1600cc for a start …. But if he loves a sporty 106 of that era that is 1400cc then the below might be a good buy for him - less than his budget too

[greenarrow]

biggbn said:

SportKa. If my StreetKa was anything to go by, will be a hoot. If you can find one that isn't riddled with rust

Sportka is 1.6 and high C02 as I recall so expensive VED.

Basic 1.3 would be as much fun but a bit slow in my experience and rust ridden.....

Older fiat punto sporting 1.2 16 valve? Rare now but I owned one and ticks the quirky and fun boxes....

[bearman68]

biggbn said:

SportKa. If my StreetKa was anything to go by, will be a hoot. If you can find one that isn't riddled with rust

Can you get one that isn't a convertible?

[ZX10R NIN]

Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...

Veloce 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304266...

Astra GTC SRI 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303135...

120:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305087...

[BoRED S2upid]

I’ve never driven one but I’ve seen plenty of the C1 race series and they go pretty well with a few modifications.

[biggbn]

bearman68 said:

biggbn said:

SportKa. If my StreetKa was anything to go by, will be a hoot. If you can find one that isn't riddled with rust

Can you get one that isn't a convertible?

Yup, SportKa. Convertible is a brilliant wee thing if you can get past the 'image', another car I shouldn't have sold...but, as someone has posted, they are 1.6 so no good for OP. Cinquecento Sporting is an absolute hoot as is the basic original Ka.

[A500leroy]

daihatsu cuore avanzato

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The car I'd choose is already on the list, a Fiat Panda. Hoot of a car.

[greenarrow]

ZX10R NIN said:

Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210090...

Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303034...

Veloce 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304266...

Astra GTC SRI 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303135...

120:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305087...

Good shout on the Mito. Nearly bought my daughter one last year. Good looking little car with a rorty engine.

[InitialDave]

I'd go with the Panda 100HP.

[Scrump]

Your original list includes C1. My eldest daughter has a 107 (same as C1) and although I enjoy driving it I would prefer a panda 100hp if it was my car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Punto Evo Sporting:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...

Abarth 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303125...

Abarth Punto 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304126...

[ScoobyChris]

Scrump said:

Your original list includes C1. My eldest daughter has a 107 (same as C1) and although I enjoy driving it I would prefer a panda 100hp if it was my car.

Had a 100hp in the past and we now have a 107 as our “city” car. Completely agree with your comment

Chris

[AnhBanhBao]

+1 for the 100HP, being a previous owner too. The 5 doors are really handy, and it’s like a Tardis inside.

Colt Ralliart perhaps, or just a standard Colt?

[Nickp82]

The 106 Quiksilver is a great shout , my input would be a 1.4 Puma.

[300sl-24]

Another vote for the Panda 100hp from a former owner

[biggbn]

500 or Pamda with the TwinAir engine, never driven one but everyone I know who has raved about them.

[bearman68]

Some interesting replies.
The turbo Mito received a thumbs up, as did the quicksilver.

Puma wasn't a popular idea (though I thought it was a great shout).

I'm a bit anti Panda. I run a workshop, and to be honest the Fiat stuff is a bit pants.

But then, I'm not running it - if I was, I would have a C1 (well I do have one actually), and I think they are great.

I'm going to watch the next month or 2 with interest (He won't be in a hurry to buy).

In the meanwhile thank you for your suggestions. If anyone has naything not yet suggested, crack on.