Fun, reliable, and cheap
Discussion
I know, I can only pick two out of thr three for fun, cheap and reliable, but my son almost has year's no claims under his belt and wants to get something a bit spicer than the Peugeot 107 he's currently driving.
He's really interested in the mito 1.4 with 155hp (to be fair, it does look like there are some bargain mitos to be had) I'm trying to sell him on a suzuki swift sport.
Any other smallish, manual, petrol, fast-ish cars that won't be ridiculous to insure or maintain?
Budget around 3k.
He's really interested in the mito 1.4 with 155hp (to be fair, it does look like there are some bargain mitos to be had) I'm trying to sell him on a suzuki swift sport.
Any other smallish, manual, petrol, fast-ish cars that won't be ridiculous to insure or maintain?
Budget around 3k.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Monday 5th January 12:44
Cambs_Stuart said:
I know, I can only pick two out of thr three for fun, cheap and reliable, but my son almost has year's no claims under his belt and wants to get something a bit spicer than the Peugeot 107 he's currently driving.
He's really interested in the mito 1.4 with 155hp (to be fair, it does look like there are some bargain mitos to be had) I'm trying to sell him on a suzuki swift sport.
Any other smallish, manual, petrol, fast-ish cars that won't be ridiculous to insure or maintain?
Budget around 3k.
May sound a little 'out there', but how about a Mazda MX5 NC or MR2?He's really interested in the mito 1.4 with 155hp (to be fair, it does look like there are some bargain mitos to be had) I'm trying to sell him on a suzuki swift sport.
Any other smallish, manual, petrol, fast-ish cars that won't be ridiculous to insure or maintain?
Budget around 3k.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Monday 5th January 12:44
They tick all 3 boxes for you....You didn't mention 'practical', but I doubt that is of huge concern to young un.
Insurance wise...this may differ wildly dependant on the area you live in...but I don't believe they fare too badly in some situations. IIRC, Paul Cowland (TV / YT Presenter) recently bought a 1.8 MX5 for his 18 year old daughter and it wasn't horrific premium wise.
Swift Sport is the answer here. My son is 19 now but got his, a 2012 ZC32S 1.6, when he had just turned 18. Cost £2500 to buy with a year MOT and is £1200 a year to insure with him as main driver. That's with admiral and no black box. Rural scottish postcode helps, along with us on policy as named drivers.
We've replaced front dampers, springs and top mounts and it needed exhaust backbox welded for MOT but that's it. It's a riot to drive but still comfortable, refined and modern enough to be, you know, normal.
Not much cheaper to insure than that, even bum basic Ups, polos, corsa, fiestas etc are way over £2k to insure.
We've replaced front dampers, springs and top mounts and it needed exhaust backbox welded for MOT but that's it. It's a riot to drive but still comfortable, refined and modern enough to be, you know, normal.
Not much cheaper to insure than that, even bum basic Ups, polos, corsa, fiestas etc are way over £2k to insure.
My wife had a Mito 140 Veloce a few years back. I believe the 155 was only in production for a year or so and the 140 that replaced it is considered a better engine.
The Mito is pretty reliable providing the engine is given the correct oil and changed annually. Doubt many will have been. I've never driven the Swift but, from what I've read, it should be more fun and more reliable than the Alfa.
The Mito is pretty reliable providing the engine is given the correct oil and changed annually. Doubt many will have been. I've never driven the Swift but, from what I've read, it should be more fun and more reliable than the Alfa.
Russet Grange said:
MR2 Roadster
What's the insurance like for, presumably, a young person?OP, looked at classics? I mentioned above my son has a swift sport but he was also getting reasonable quotes for things like MGB's. Whilst maybe not the last word in reliability they are at least very simple and parts are cheap and easy to get. He'll learn loads. Might not get one for £3k any more though
My son is looking at TVR 1600M's, Triumph dolomites and even 4 door escorts, good lad. Something with rwd and carbs.
Mito Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...
Giulietta Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601048...
1.6T Astra GTC SRI, it hits the brief but insurance may be a bit to high:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512168...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...
The 1.4T is more insurance friendly but it doesn't have the same suspension setup as the above:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512028...
1.6 Fiesta Zetec S, great steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511298...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...
Giulietta Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512158...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601048...
1.6T Astra GTC SRI, it hits the brief but insurance may be a bit to high:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512168...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...
The 1.4T is more insurance friendly but it doesn't have the same suspension setup as the above:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512028...
1.6 Fiesta Zetec S, great steer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511298...
Thanks for all the suggestion and the links.
I live in a fairly high crime area, so I'm trying to keep to around insurance group 20, the MR2 is group 26 (although I'll get some quotes anyway, they're brilliant cars), which puts it in the same bracket as a fiat 500 Arbath.
I've also seen a few DS3 THP models, for fairly cheap. Yes, I know they've got the 1.6 engine, but they're group 20, which isn't bad for 150 bhp.
I think We've got an afternoon of generating insurance quotes coming up.
I live in a fairly high crime area, so I'm trying to keep to around insurance group 20, the MR2 is group 26 (although I'll get some quotes anyway, they're brilliant cars), which puts it in the same bracket as a fiat 500 Arbath.
I've also seen a few DS3 THP models, for fairly cheap. Yes, I know they've got the 1.6 engine, but they're group 20, which isn't bad for 150 bhp.
I think We've got an afternoon of generating insurance quotes coming up.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Thanks for all the suggestion and the links.
I live in a fairly high crime area, so I'm trying to keep to around insurance group 20, the MR2 is group 26 (although I'll get some quotes anyway, they're brilliant cars), which puts it in the same bracket as a fiat 500 Arbath.
I've also seen a few DS3 THP models, for fairly cheap. Yes, I know they've got the 1.6 engine, but they're group 20, which isn't bad for 150 bhp.
I think We've got an afternoon of generating insurance quotes coming up.
Avoid anything with that Prince engine (Pug, Mini etc). It has a terrible reputation.I live in a fairly high crime area, so I'm trying to keep to around insurance group 20, the MR2 is group 26 (although I'll get some quotes anyway, they're brilliant cars), which puts it in the same bracket as a fiat 500 Arbath.
I've also seen a few DS3 THP models, for fairly cheap. Yes, I know they've got the 1.6 engine, but they're group 20, which isn't bad for 150 bhp.
I think We've got an afternoon of generating insurance quotes coming up.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago and settled on an FN2 Civic Type-R. Absolutely fantastic car for the price. The red buckets and general interior along with the VTEC engines make it an exciting thing to drive without doing license-losing speeds.
The K20 block is bomb-proof and being japanese the only thing to watch out for is rust, rear subframes in particular.
The K20 block is bomb-proof and being japanese the only thing to watch out for is rust, rear subframes in particular.
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