Good hot hatch for 2.5k

[Prancing Moose]

I'm after replacing my boring daily with something for 2.5k max (don't like finance and saving for other stuff)

Criteria is,

Fun
Reliable for 13kpa
Quick if not fast
Good looking, subjective I know.

So far considering,

Fiesta St150, plenty of nice ones around in budget
Seat Leon 2.0 TFSI, cheaper than MK5 GTI, would like DSG but unsure of reliability
Mini Cooper S (reliability??)
Clio 197, hard to get a good one with cambelt change for the money
Celica 190.. Found a nice one but full of advisories for rust on MOT
Audi TT 225, maybe money pit...

Wildcard, MR2, but all of them seem to have fked roofs.

Ruled out,

Civic type R, too expensive
Clio 182, seating position not for me
Golf GTI... Knackered and old for the money mostly

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you

[Prancing Moose]

Doesn't necessarily have to be a hatch, woiold consider e46 coupes, but almost impossible to find a nice one

[Benrad]

Suzuki Swift Sport?

[Xcore]

Fn2 type r or 197

[swampy442]

Megane 225, might get a bottom end F1 or R26 for that money

[Nickp82]

Focus ST 2.5

[CX53]

I'd be inclined to go for the jap stuff out of your options, just check for rust. They will probably be the most reliable. And the ST150.

[Jamescrs]

I've owned the Fiesta ST150 and currently own a Mini Cooper S (R53 Supercharged version).

Both have been very reliable in my experience. At your budget I.would recommend the Supercharged Cooper S and dont be tempted to.go.for a early R56 turbo charged version because the reliability on those is pretty bad generally.

The Mini is more.fun to drive, the supercharger whine is addictive and id say its faster too although probably worse for fuel economy.

The Fiesta ST150 is still a really fun car in its own right and I think.you will probably find a lower mileage one for your budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

Leftfield options:

CLK240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

C320 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

C230 Avantgarde SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Saab 9-3 Vector Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2.3T 9-5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2.0T Insignia SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[mikeyr]

Not sure where you are based but I'm selling my black Twingo 133 after two years of enjoyment , advert is in Classifieds on here around that price. Have previously had a 182 which really liked too but don't hugely miss the extra power.

Of your other choices have also owned have had an R53 Mini Cooper S but never totally booked with it. Great engine though.

[Mr Tidy]

If an E46 Coupe might be an option have you thought about an E46 325ti Compact?

I had one for 3 years and loved it, plus for some reason they don't seem to suffer the rust issues other E46s tend to have.

[aka_kerrly]

There are still a good number of ep3 civic type r for £2500 and some fn2 creeping into budget.

I'm a bit confused though, is the TT your 2 seater that you want to keep? Seem odd to consider a mr2 190swap to, that would be an epic 2 seater, way more entertaining than a tt