What’s the quickest (0-20mph)/fun small car below £5K?

[warsol]

Hi guys/girls, looking for a small car below £5K that is a) super fun to drive and b) quick off the line. Is there a car that exists that is economical (mpg & road tax), not pig ugly but is still very nippy around town (I.e. a good 0-20mph acceleration). Ideally 5 door but would consider 3 doors. Inspire me with your own experiences please….

[Tim Cognito]

Don't forget launch control, very important for getting to the next set of traffic lights as quickly as possible.

[warsol]

Thanks Timothy, very helpful. I’m not a racing driver, I just want a little bit of poke around town and to be able to pull away at a roundabout with confidence

[rowley birkin]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023102432...

[InitialDave]

Panda 100HP.

[samoht]

For getting off the line, best is EV, second best probably some kind of hybrid, then a traditional auto wound up against the brakes.

i3s start around £7k...

[Torquey]

I honestly think this where my swift sport peaks.
I don't think I've driven a car faster to 20 mph. After that it's bland.

[warsol]

Torquey said:

I honestly think this where my swift sport peaks.
I don't think I've driven a car faster to 20 mph. After that it's bland.

This is exactly the intel I was after! Cars with rubbish 0-60mph quoted times but at lower speeds are fun and nippy!

[ChrisH72]

I'd say small, light and naturally aspirated.

Swift sport 1.6
RS Twingo

Trouble is they're only 3dr. I don't think you can get a 5dr Swift Sport under 5k.

The Panda 100hp is also a good shout, they have 5 doors.

Yaris T sport if you can find one. Getting on a bit now.

[Evanivitch]

Honda Fit
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312174...

Yaris SR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311214...

[ChrisH72]

Here you go

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023101730...

For nippy Town cars I wouldn't bother with turbos. Get something you can thrash in 1st and 2nd and it'll be great fun.

[Silvanus]

Abarth 500, the most powerful one in budget.

[InitialDave]

ChrisH72 said:

I'd say small, light and naturally aspirated.

Swift sport 1.6
RS Twingo

Trouble is they're only 3dr. I don't think you can get a 5dr Swift Sport under 5k.

The Panda 100hp is also a good shout, they have 5 doors.

Yaris T sport if you can find one. Getting on a bit now.

I've had both the Panda 100HP and the RS Twingo, I'd definitely stick with my Panda recommendation for the OP's stated requirements.

The Twingo is effectively faster and a bit more hardcore, but it doesn't come alive until you're up the rev range more than the Panda, for the 0-20 I'd go with the Fiat, for faster roads then it's more the Twingo.

But in Cup pack form, the Twingo's ride is hard. People say the Pandas are firm, but the Twingo is definitely worse.

[ChrisH72]

One of the most fun city cars I've driven is actually the original Hyundai i10 1.2 with all of 82bhp. My wife had one when we first met. Around town it was great. Comically small, high driving position with the gear stick almost dash mounted like the ep3 civic. Controls were light and slick and the engine willing. You don't need power for urban driving.

[warsol]

Thanks guys, some great suggestions. I’ll check them all out

[fiesta_STage3]

ChrisH72 said:

One of the most fun city cars I've driven is actually the original Hyundai i10 1.2 with all of 82bhp. Around town it was great. You don't need power for urban driving.

Ditto. i kept one for ages and it was absolutely brilliant.

[chunkyjh]

InitialDave said:

Panda 100HP.

Another vote here. Wife has one and it's a hoot. Costs her next to nothing to run, easily over 40mpg and parts are cheap. Close ratio gear box is brilliant, handles well and revs happily. Flat out from a standing start, through the gears to fourth and you think oooo this feels fast. Look down and you're doing 40 mph. Most fun at legal limits, as close as I've found to my Austin Mini.

Heater mixer fails and is a pig to replace. Check it blows hot, cold and everything in between. Also check for rust underneath. Seat bolsters, steering wheel and gear gaitors are made of sugar paper

[ZX10R NIN]

warsol said:

Hi guys/girls, looking for a small car below £5K that is a) super fun to drive and b) quick off the line. Is there a car that exists that is economical (mpg & road tax), not pig ugly but is still very nippy around town (I.e. a good 0-20mph acceleration). Ideally 5 door but would consider 3 doors. Inspire me with your own experiences please….

Something with low down torque & short gearing is where I'd be looking:

Mito Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312014...

Abarth 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312154...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312084...

Adam i Turbo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312094...