Help with getting a car!

[cielo]

Hi there, I'm really sorry if this has been posted before, but I'm looking to get a car and wanted some wise words from yourselves!

I'd like to be spending around 4k.
I'm currently getting 0-60 at 12s, so something a faster than that, preferably under 10s.
Decent MPG, high 30's or into 40's.
Most importantly, a low-ish insurance group, I had considered a 1.8sri Corsa, but the insurance was just a little steep, i'd like it be under a grand. And it's gonna be 1200 to insure.

Thanks for your thoughts and if it's been posted before I'm really sorry!

[Matt UK]

Welcome

How old are you?

[BDZ]

What sort of driving do you want it for? (Motorway, city commute, twisty B-roads?)

How much space for passengers/luggage?

[cielo]

Probably should have mentioned that, I'm 20, 21 in June. I was going to wait a year until changing, but my head gasket has blown and I've been quoted around £300, and so I thought I'd just try and change her soon.

[cielo]

Jeez, I'm sorry, there's a lot I forgot to mention haha!

I tend to do a bit of back road driving, but mostly duel carriageways, so something that doesn't sound like I'm killing it doing around 70-80.

Realistically I'd like the same sort of speed as my current Corsa, I'd definitely consider smaller if the price was right.

[STW2010]

What about something like this-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2096472.htm

Not sure how it would do on the insurance front

[Matt UK]

Ford Focus?

[cielo]

I did a quick insurance quote and it's coming out at 1800

[Papa Hotel]

P P P P Panda 100HP.

[cielo]

I looked at Parkers, and they're claiming that the 1.8 diesel, 0-60 is 10seconds, but the insurance group is 15, which might not be too great.

I suppose I'm really asked what the cheapest and fastest hot hatch is lol

[HereBeMonsters]

The only car in the World is a Vauxhall Corsa.

[ozzerr]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2465489.htm

[cielo]

The corolla is a thought, but other than that one finding a cheap one might be hard, I'll give it some research though.

[TomJS]

ozzerr said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2465489.htm

Blingtastic alloys and a write off? I'm out.

[trickywoo]

Papa Hotel said:

P P P P Panda 100HP.

One thing to remember is that you'll never 'pull' with a Panda. Girls hate them.

[edo]

Your biggest cost, Insurance is key here. The trick is to play the insurance bingo test - stick your detail in confused/moneysupermarket/compare the meercat etc, and keep changing the quote so see what comes out best.

Less "popular/trendy" cars will work best.

[Deanno1dad]

Skoda Fabia VRS..ticks all the boxes

[HereBeMonsters]

Deanno1dad said:

Skoda Fabia VRS..ticks all the boxes

That's a good point.

[oldcynic]

cielo said:

Probably should have mentioned that, I'm 20, 21 in June. I was going to wait a year until changing, but my head gasket has blown and I've been quoted around £300, and so I thought I'd just try and change her soon.

Fix the head gasket. Get another car in the summer when that magic number 21 has passed, and you'll also have 1 year no claims. With the savings in insurance you'll probably buy a better car.

[cielo]

The fabia is something worth thought, although it's insurance group 18.

If I had the money I'd ideally like a diesel Ibiza FR.

Looks like I might just have to fix the gasket and wait