Best daily fun car for under £1000 ?
Discussion
Hi,
Story is, wanted a "fun" car, was looking at Cooper-S but budget doesn't permit for one of them currently.
I don't use a car daily, but want something half interesting that maybe you could do a track day or two with and not be bored to death of.
So far I can think of the following..
ZS 180 - Practical, reasonable performance and handling for the money. Can be found commonly for under £500 quid.
Clio 172/182 - Not overly practical, handle well enough and reasonable performance.
MX5 1.8 - 2 Seater so practicality is not up for debate. Pretty slow ultimately but handle well and roof down for summer. Can be had under a grand but you're lucky to find one that isn't a ticking rust bomb.
I have experience of all of those cars, what else would you guys throw in the mix for consideration? Bare in mind, I know we are talking about under a grand cars here, service history would be nice but you gotta be realistic so I know you might not get a mint version of any of the above for that money.
Story is, wanted a "fun" car, was looking at Cooper-S but budget doesn't permit for one of them currently.
I don't use a car daily, but want something half interesting that maybe you could do a track day or two with and not be bored to death of.
So far I can think of the following..
ZS 180 - Practical, reasonable performance and handling for the money. Can be found commonly for under £500 quid.
Clio 172/182 - Not overly practical, handle well enough and reasonable performance.
MX5 1.8 - 2 Seater so practicality is not up for debate. Pretty slow ultimately but handle well and roof down for summer. Can be had under a grand but you're lucky to find one that isn't a ticking rust bomb.
I have experience of all of those cars, what else would you guys throw in the mix for consideration? Bare in mind, I know we are talking about under a grand cars here, service history would be nice but you gotta be realistic so I know you might not get a mint version of any of the above for that money.
Cheers guys, i've not read much in favour of the ST170, but i'd reserve judgement based on owners experience. Speaking of Fords I had a 1.7 Puma and that was a great car.
As for fun.
Open top - Not fussed.
Speed - Lets go for sub 7.5 0-60 over 150bhp. I know those are both rough and relative numbers but gives you something to play with and cuts out the majority of average cars.
Handling - Objective I suppose, but well recommended by owners?
rwd - Handling in priority over RWD or FWD.
noise - Not fussed.
Basically something mild performance wise, that would be competent if thrown around so you and a mate could split track day costs and enjoy yourselves.
As for fun.
Open top - Not fussed.
Speed - Lets go for sub 7.5 0-60 over 150bhp. I know those are both rough and relative numbers but gives you something to play with and cuts out the majority of average cars.
Handling - Objective I suppose, but well recommended by owners?
rwd - Handling in priority over RWD or FWD.
noise - Not fussed.
Basically something mild performance wise, that would be competent if thrown around so you and a mate could split track day costs and enjoy yourselves.
Edited by hantsph on Wednesday 22 March 09:05
I've said this before but i always come back to the Clio 172/182. Sub 1k it will probably be a 172 but that's fine 'cos i do like the understated styling. I've always loved the fast Clio's so i think that's why i personally end up back at square 1.
However, sub 1k examples can be a bit of a gamble. There are good ones out there but you might have to search far and wide fort the right one. The biggest expense will be the cambelt, auxiliary belt and dephaser pulley which will cost around £600-700 all-in at a specialist i believe. You can use that to barter though if it's either not been done at all or not done by a specialist, which is essential.
The ZS 180 looks okay but i don't know much about them and i'm just not sold on MG's products or really been a fan of the brand. I have briefly considered an MX-5 but the rust does put me off and i'm really not keen on roadsters/convertibles The performance, or lack of it, is off-putting for me too but that's just personal preference.
Other options for you to consider are Toyota Celica 140 (or even a 190 if one can be found sub 1k), Yaris T-Sport, Suzuki Ignis Sport, Fiesta Zetec S, Puma 1.7, Saxo VTR/VTS, Toyota MR2, Polo GTI, Nissan Almera GTI, Nissan Primera GT, Citroen Xsara VTR/VTS, Focus ST170, I could go on forever. All vary in performance but all handle pretty well and define the usual aspects of fun motoring, but that is a subjective matter of course.
However, sub 1k examples can be a bit of a gamble. There are good ones out there but you might have to search far and wide fort the right one. The biggest expense will be the cambelt, auxiliary belt and dephaser pulley which will cost around £600-700 all-in at a specialist i believe. You can use that to barter though if it's either not been done at all or not done by a specialist, which is essential.
The ZS 180 looks okay but i don't know much about them and i'm just not sold on MG's products or really been a fan of the brand. I have briefly considered an MX-5 but the rust does put me off and i'm really not keen on roadsters/convertibles The performance, or lack of it, is off-putting for me too but that's just personal preference.
Other options for you to consider are Toyota Celica 140 (or even a 190 if one can be found sub 1k), Yaris T-Sport, Suzuki Ignis Sport, Fiesta Zetec S, Puma 1.7, Saxo VTR/VTS, Toyota MR2, Polo GTI, Nissan Almera GTI, Nissan Primera GT, Citroen Xsara VTR/VTS, Focus ST170, I could go on forever. All vary in performance but all handle pretty well and define the usual aspects of fun motoring, but that is a subjective matter of course.
Another vote for the Clio from me. I have a sub £1k one and its perfect for track use. Really good fun on the road too.
Having owned a ZS180, i'd still recommend the Clio. The MG made a better noise, but was much worse on fuel and had worse(believe it or not!) build quality. Things like VIS motors, clucth hydraulics, trim falling off etc. There wouldn't be much in a straight line. The Clio is much better equipped(assuming you don't go for a cup) so is nicer to use on a daily basis.
ETA, every single track day i've been on there has always been severals clios. And they are always still lapping at the end of the day when everyone else has gone home. Says it all really.
Having owned a ZS180, i'd still recommend the Clio. The MG made a better noise, but was much worse on fuel and had worse(believe it or not!) build quality. Things like VIS motors, clucth hydraulics, trim falling off etc. There wouldn't be much in a straight line. The Clio is much better equipped(assuming you don't go for a cup) so is nicer to use on a daily basis.
ETA, every single track day i've been on there has always been severals clios. And they are always still lapping at the end of the day when everyone else has gone home. Says it all really.
Edited by shaun442k on Wednesday 22 March 10:20
Nice buyThanks for all the input and sorry for the delayed reply.
I ended up going for an MG ZS 180 hatch in British Racing Green type colour, 90 odd thousand miles 10 months MOT, receipts for belts/tyres recently.
Really cannot beat that in the pounds for performance stakes in my opinion, all of that for the princely sum of £350.
I ended up going for an MG ZS 180 hatch in British Racing Green type colour, 90 odd thousand miles 10 months MOT, receipts for belts/tyres recently.
Really cannot beat that in the pounds for performance stakes in my opinion, all of that for the princely sum of £350.
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