RE: Fast for £6k | Six of the Best

RE: Fast for £6k | Six of the Best

Saturday 19th October

Fast for £6k | Six of the Best

New GT3 a bit too pricey? Don't worry, we got ya...


MG F VVC, 1997, 25k, £5,995

Weren’t expecting this first up, right? More familiar options are coming. But as so many sports cars and hot hatches seem to appreciate on pretty tenuous foundations, so the affordability of MG’s mid-engined roadster raises an eyebrow. Let's not forget, it only weighs a tonne or so, it’s rear-wheel drive, and it’s powered by a 16-valve twin cam that sounds great on its way to 7,000rpm or so. Everything is known about them now, probably the first was the best looking of all the Fs - and, y'know, probably not everyone wants an MX-5 anyway. This one has done just 25,000 miles, remarkably, and despite one or two dubious mods - the ambient lighting, the unnamed orange switch on the transmission tunnel - it looks in fine fettle. The perfect thing now we’re all interested in MG sports cars again

See the original advert here

Peugeot 208 GTI, 2014, 57k, £5,995

This was the car that marked Peugeot’s return to form. The years after the 106 GTI and before this car nobody really wants to talk about - certainly not Peugeot - thanks to cars like the 207 and 308 GT. But the 2013 208 GTI was peppy and entertaining where previous efforts had for so long been turgid. The brief few years that followed, with RCZ R and 308 GTI too, were a high point for Peugeot. It was a shame for the 208 that it was introduced at exactly the same time as the most controversial Renault Sport hatch ever, and what turned out to be a Ford ST masterclass. If this car had been launched in later Peugeot Sport spec, with the LSD and rejigged suspension, it would likely have made more of an impact against the Clio and Fiesta. As it is, the 208 remains a funky, competent alternative. Especially with low mileage, a full history, and just two owners.

See the original advert here

Honda Civic Type R, 2009, 93k, £5,995

We all know why the early Civic Type Rs were so desirable - rev-addicted engines, glorious manuals, alluringly low RRPs - and all of those attributes are now helping the cars as modern classics. Without an equivalent now on sale (the current Type R is a very good, if very different, beast), who wouldn’t be attracted to the idea of a dependable 8,000rpm? Already the first UK cars, the EP3 generation from 2001, are appreciating, with plenty of cheap ones sacrificed for track builds. Or, um, accidentally sacrificed into trees. Which makes the 2006-on FN2 a good bet; it’s better to drive than you’ve heard, the driving position is nicer than the breadvan, and its more modern interior will be beneficial in regular use. This one has less than 100k and some very smart, recently refurbed wheels. VTEC fun, right now, doesn’t come much cheaper. 

See the original advert here

SEAT Leon Cupra, 2010, 88k, £5,995

Cars like the Leon Cupra would have provided stern opposition to the Civic 15 years ago. While the Type R thrilled with revs and immediacy, the Cupra could counter with five-door practicality, loads of turbo torque and a really solid interior. All the stuff that we like to think doesn’t matter in a hot hatch, right up to the point where we actually come to buy one. And while this era of Leon perhaps wasn’t the most handsome ever made, it offered up exactly the kind of package that had always made hot SEATs appealing (and still does): lots of good bits from the contemporary Golf GTI, a smidge more power, one or two extra rough edges, and less money. And lots of yellow, of course. Shame that one has fallen by the wayside. This example benefits from an uprated intake for a little more joy out of the 2.0-litre turbo, and sneaks in a fiver under budget.

See the original advert here

Renault Sport Clio 200, 2010, 103k, £5,995

One of the best hot hatches of the past 20 years is still available for £5,995. You’ll have to take a Clio 200 without the Recaro seats or the Cup chassis (but with a six-figure mileage and a few scratches inside), though these remain one of those cars you have to own at some point. In bringing together the things that made the old pocket rockets great - rev-happy 2.0-litre motor, good manual, not much else - with just enough modernity and some welcome tweaks to the 197 predecessor, Renault created a hero for the ages. Agile, rapid and hugely entertaining, the 200 really was Renault Sport at its best, which is why more than £15k can now be asked. This one has had a lot of owners, but a cambelt a couple of years back is handy. Don’t be surprised if its fizzy nature makes it a keeper in a sterile new car world. 

See the original advert here

Audi S3, 2007, 137k, £6,250

It was a good era for Audi, the mid-to-late '00s. There was the best RS4 ever, the unforgettable R8, and crazy engineering projects that we never thought would see the light of day: think twin-turbo V10 RS6 and V12 diesel Q7. Hard not to admire the audacity and engineering might. It was also the time of a decent S3, adding to the Mk5 Golf GTI’s appeal with extra power, traction, and Audi-ness. Because it’s of this time, moreover, it’ll still be fast enough (and definitely still looks smart enough) today. 265hp, six speeds, and less than 1,500kg will be more than sufficient. There’s lots of main dealer history (including a very useful cambelt change last year), an MOT until July, and a nice spec - including RS4 Sprint Blue paint - that’ll look even better with a wheel refurb and a weekend of elbow grease. The days of subtle fast Audis might be gone, but they aren’t forgotten yet. 

See the original advert here


Author
Discussion

wistec1

Original Poster:

451 posts

48 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Not much to like in this line up for me. The MG should of been the MX 5 and If I try to get enthusiastic then it would be the Honda or Renault probably for track day use.

Hippea

2,160 posts

76 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
These leave me cold

Tickle

5,270 posts

211 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Clio 200 out of these

Dog Biscuit

353 posts

4 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
The MG looks tidy - shame someone thought it a great idea to mount the luggage rack and drilling holes in the process

I've always been amazed by this as I've seen it on Z3s and MX5s too. Nuts

Baileyk

219 posts

71 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
I’d rather walk.

mooseracer

2,122 posts

177 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
In contrast I'd be happy in all of these bar the Seat. I have a soft spot for those MGFs, but I think I'd go for one that had been used a bit more (and so had the inevitable niggles resolved).

If you like a 'proper' hot hatch what is not to like with a Clio 200 or CTR?

And yes, it isn't a definitive list of the best fast'ish cars for 6k (it doesn't claim to be), yes there are lots of alternatives both on here and elsewhere rolleyes It is a bit of a fun article that maybe, just maybe drives a sale or 2, stimulates some debate and for me is of interest as it often highlights cars off my radar.

AndySheff

6,691 posts

214 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Hippea said:
These leave me cold
Me too. I'd maybe consider the MG. The others ? Nah.

911Spanker

1,888 posts

23 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
What a bunch of crap.

cerb4.5lee

33,688 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
I'd have any of these in comparison to the 2022 1.5 VW Tiguan hire car that I'm driving currently, but when compared to the cars that I usually drive not so much though.

cerb4.5lee

33,688 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
AndySheff said:
Hippea said:
These leave me cold
Me too. I'd maybe consider the MG. The others ? Nah.
They don't light my fire much either, but if I had to have one, it would be between the 208 and the S3 I think.

Firebobby

693 posts

46 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
FN2 fast!! I've been in faster trams. It's a total loss, an EP3 would eat it for breakfast and they weren't exactly quick! I had mine for 12 weeks before the road noise from the tyres and having to Keep the screaming engine above 5k was quite enough.

Drinksleeprepeat

157 posts

54 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Agree with the above comments plus they all seem rather expensive for their age/milage

cerb4.5lee

33,688 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Baileyk said:
I’d rather walk.
911Spanker said:
What a bunch of crap.
I can understand where you're both coming from rightly or wrongly.

yme402

467 posts

109 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Common thread with all of these cars is that they were dining out on past glories of their predecessors. In isolation, none of these are particularly great.

cerb4.5lee

33,688 posts

187 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Firebobby said:
FN2 fast!! I've been in faster trams. It's a total loss, an EP3 would eat it for breakfast and they weren't exactly quick! I had mine for 12 weeks before the road noise from the tyres and having to Keep the screaming engine above 5k was quite enough.
I remember beating one at the traffic light GP in my old E90 330i auto once, and I never classed the 330 as a quick car either, because of the weight and the NA engine combo in fairness. So I definitely know that the FN2 isn't a very quick car really.

I always associate Type-R's with making a lot of noise, but not actually going anywhere though(much like the 330i did in some ways too).

samoht

6,297 posts

153 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all

Tedious bunch of shopping trolleys.

There are faster and more interesting cars for £6k even just within the PH classifieds

Eg at a quick look
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17320966

pb8g09

2,688 posts

76 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all

Keep the MPV Seat and the MG, I’d happily have any of the others as a run-around/stop gap car. But I wouldn’t want to pay more than £4k for any of them. I suspect I’d be budget creeping to £8-10k if I was realistically shopping.

Hoofy

77,503 posts

289 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Fast? I think only the Cupra and maybe the S3 (might be a bit lardy?) could be considered "fast".

Fun? Well, I'd take the MG F.

Hugo Stiglitz v2

274 posts

1 month

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
6k for a FN2? Really? I think I sold mine for that probably 7 years ago. They aren't collectable. They are just average at best. I wouldn't even call it fast.

egor110

17,367 posts

210 months

Saturday 19th October
quotequote all
Guess it depends how you define fast .

Fast from a traffic light or down a slip road or fast on a twisty road from point a to point b .

At least if your going to criticize the selection chuck your alternative into the list.