Hot/warm hatch between 1k - 3k. Only doing 3,000 miles a yea

[Peugeot205gtis]

Currently own a Skoda Citigo.
My work commute has changed from 70 miles down to 8 miles so i am now in a position to buy a bargain warm/hot hatch.
Some history that may help you when giving me some ideas.
Im Early 30s now and over the years ive owned...
205 gti (2 of them), Clio 172 cup,E46 330d and 330i.
Max budget is 3k and ill only be covering 3k miles a year. Ideally would like reliable as poss to. I want a clio 172/182 but concerned about reliability. Other options, Suzuki swift sport, peugeot 306 gti 6, Saxo Vtr/vts. Any of these are more fun than a Citigo but which one do you think offers best all round package for me?

Cheers

[Peugeot205gtis]

Thanks all,

Another reason im considering1*2, especially a 172 cup, is because i think they could appreciate in value soon. I plan to keep this next purchase for 10 years regardless of any issues.

Tempted by a 197, but not sure they'll ever appreciate in value like a 1*2 will? Also do they cost more to repair than a 1*2 on average? I really do want something cheap to run!
Someone mentioned the ST, VERY tempting as there are sooo many to choose from, reckon i could view and purchase one within a week easy. My concern is that although a nice car id see a 1*2 and regret it.



Is an ST more reliable than a clio though? looks like a nice place to be as well. Not ruling it out.

I Also LOVE the megane 225 but repairs scare me off, any experience here?

325ti, nice im sure but not keen on the front end and the 330i i had left me broke, spent almost 2 grand in 20 months and it was an 04, fsh and 80k on the clock! Looked lovely but also had bad experience with an e36 in the past. I love old bmws dont get me wrong but they haven't been kind to me at all.

Keep the posts coming, right now a 1*2 is top of my list still but 90% of them have been modded so gotta be patient for standard example. 197 a close 2nd if someone can convince me running costs will be reasonable

if mint ST does show up for 2.5kish then i may just go for it, don't think they'll lose much value now.

Cheers

[Peugeot205gtis]

dieseluser07 said:

Swift sport

So much fun, i loved mine. Currently got a new fiesta st and kind of miss the swift as this car feels too competent and dull in comparison, despite it being able to go round corners faster.

How long did you own it for? Mileage? Was it reliable?

I've heard very good things with just a few people saying they feel a bit gutless.

Cheers

[Peugeot205gtis]

Berkshire bred said:

egor110 said:

why the 197 over the 1~2's ?

Because they are a fair bit newer, marginally faster and to me they seem to fly under the radar.

That being said if It was my money a nice 182 would run it very close although the 1*2's seem to attract the boy racer crowd which is not my scene. Each to there own and all that.

I do agree that 1*2s seem to attract the boy racer crowd, something i definitely do not want, i think that is why i prefer the 172 cup at times without those pipes on show (even though i do personally like that look).

Most of the 197s i see haven't been modified which is attracting me more and more but i just feel for my budget i'll get a better example 1*2.

[Peugeot205gtis]

dieseluser07 said:

Currently on 70000 miles, nothings gone wrong apart from wear and tear, i have had it since 50k, its not mine now but its within the family still, its not gutless you just have to get the revs up which is so much fun. They are japanese so super reliable.

Thanks, sounds promising, not heard of any horror story's yet, think i may try and test drive one.

My only concern is that these nice little motors won't be worth anything in 5 or 6 years, maybe the Clio sport will?

Cheers

[Peugeot205gtis]

culpz said:

OP, you're concerned with the reliability of the Clio 172's/182's but you already owned a Clio 172 Cup in the past. It seems you have already had first hand experience with running one. Did it end up being particularly unreliable or was it bought brand new under warranty, so worry-free motoring?

Hi mate,

I bought it around 10 years ago, so it was only around 5 years old at the time. I spotted it sitting in Audi Main Dealer as i drove past it one day, they wanted to auction it as its was a Part Ex but i convinced them to tell it to me as it was mint, only had 24k miles on to.

Anyway, i had 12 months warranty with Audi, the exhaust failed in the first week but of course replaced with with brand new renault part, bonus. I also remember an oil leak just before part exchanged it, otherwise it will trouble free, i only owned it for a year.

I am still trying to work out whilst i got rid of it! I am concerned now as they are a lot older with higher miles and often been neglected, a risk i may have to take still

Cheers