Fun Sporty Cars for someone with 2/3 years no claims
Discussion
Looking to buy a car as a 20 year old with 2/3 years no claims. Have parents that can be named drivers with good clean license.
Preferably:
2 door
Petrol
Budget of around 7.5k for the car
Not stupid expensive insurance (probably under 1.5k)
200bhp ish, faster the better
Looking at Polo GTI, e92 325i, ibiza cupra etc any other recommendations?
Cheers
Preferably:
2 door
Petrol
Budget of around 7.5k for the car
Not stupid expensive insurance (probably under 1.5k)
200bhp ish, faster the better
Looking at Polo GTI, e92 325i, ibiza cupra etc any other recommendations?
Cheers
Bear with me,
Have you considered something like an MG Midget or Triumph Spitfire? The modern obsession with bhp is mainly to offset the much heavier cars that we are saddled with. A lightweight classic like a Midget with the rear wheel drive and low seating position makes for a much more fun drive that you won't get from most modern cars, plus you get zero depreciation and cheap insurance thrown in for good measure.
Have you considered something like an MG Midget or Triumph Spitfire? The modern obsession with bhp is mainly to offset the much heavier cars that we are saddled with. A lightweight classic like a Midget with the rear wheel drive and low seating position makes for a much more fun drive that you won't get from most modern cars, plus you get zero depreciation and cheap insurance thrown in for good measure.
The obvious answer is what you've already hinted at - pick your favourite small hot hatch and be done with. Insurance might not be friendly if it's seen as a stereotypical boy racer car, but you're spoilt for choice.
If you want something slightly different, the last of the Toyota Celica's are worth a look. A Celica GT is a good looking car, quick enough, and shouldn't be too bad to insure and maintain.
If you want something slightly different, the last of the Toyota Celica's are worth a look. A Celica GT is a good looking car, quick enough, and shouldn't be too bad to insure and maintain.
MKnight702 said:
Bear with me,
Have you considered something like an MG Midget or Triumph Spitfire? The modern obsession with bhp is mainly to offset the much heavier cars that we are saddled with. A lightweight classic like a Midget with the rear wheel drive and low seating position makes for a much more fun drive that you won't get from most modern cars, plus you get zero depreciation and cheap insurance thrown in for good measure.
Tbh not really interested in classic cars as not my thing looks and feature wise and would probably be expensive and difficult to fix if something went wrong? appreciate the reply Have you considered something like an MG Midget or Triumph Spitfire? The modern obsession with bhp is mainly to offset the much heavier cars that we are saddled with. A lightweight classic like a Midget with the rear wheel drive and low seating position makes for a much more fun drive that you won't get from most modern cars, plus you get zero depreciation and cheap insurance thrown in for good measure.
Fun is subjective so helps to narrow down what you mean by "fun" but given the list of things you've chosen and the requirement for it to be "fast" then i assume that your goal is something relatively quick 0-60 (straight line speed) and in the realms of a hot hatch esque? Let us know what you deem "fun"?
I'll go hot hatch land though for this one - so here are a few options for you.
1st. I agree with above, that the Mini is a good bet but honestly, i would go for the older R53, more reliable an overall package. They handle very well, eclipsed mainly by the likes of the Renaultsport offerings. They are more reliable than their turbocharged newer siblings and that whine from the supercharger is addictive. They are a lot of fun -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
That would be my next port of call. A Renaultsport Clio of some type. If you really want fun then its hard to beat. Especially in cup form - that would be my go to car and you'd get a good one for the money you have. Be that 182, 197 or 200. Prices are also going up so if you can look after it, depreciation shouldn't be a major risk. They aren't especially reliable but its offset by how big a hoot they are to drive. You can pick one up anywhere between £3 and £8k depending on the year and model. One such example -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
You could go for the Clio's older brother the Megane RS and then you are in proper hot hatch territory. The added oomph of the turbo charger and at this price point they will embarrass many more expensive machines in the twisties. However, they aren't a straight line car. This is about corner speed and chassis and finesse. They are great to drive. Hard to beat.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101107...
The Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR shares a lot of similar suspension design as the Renaultsport Megane but its not as pin point in my opinion. However, its a dam good car (despite of the badge) and as such. You'll usually find a newer model with a bit more kit than others on the market in this price bracket -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...
As for the VAG cars - i wouldn't say they were fun drivers machines as such. They are good and do what they are supposed to. Most being a good jack of all trades. However, many feel a bit too numb and less "fizzy" - for that reason i would probably discount the Polo GTi you have listed. That said, they are tuneable. Get one with a DSG gearbox and have that tuned too and they are good in a straight line and you have all the pops and bangs you like if thats your idea of fun - but ultimately they just aren't THAT fun to drive. My pick would be something like the Mk5 Golf Gti ED30 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...
Handles well and better than the oem mk5 GTI, nicer internals, better suspension setup. Has a rarity about it and as such that bit more special. I considered one before going with my r26, just could get less miles on the r26 than i could the golf for the same money. Arguably nicer place to sit than most of the Renault stuff.
Or you could go for the S3 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
Which is much the same offering as the golf but with 4wd -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
If you could pull some extra cash out the bag up to say £8/9k then you are verging on the GT86 and that is a fun car albeit underpowered i think. However, its a lot of fun and a great chassis. But as said you'd either need to save or haggle like mad to get one in budget that wasn't a category car - though i wouldn't necessarily discount one of those and its often worth looking to see what that opens up market wise. If you aren't scared of that type of car.
Last from me is the Focus ST -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...
Not as good to drive as the Renaults. But a nice engine and they go well. I find them a little busy in the interior dept depending on the spec but they have all the relevant kit and they are reliable. Make a nice noise and go very well. They aren't far behind the best steers in terms of engagement and driveability and again, being a "fast ford" it has a tonne of aftermarket support and a big community behind them to get involved with.
I'll go hot hatch land though for this one - so here are a few options for you.
1st. I agree with above, that the Mini is a good bet but honestly, i would go for the older R53, more reliable an overall package. They handle very well, eclipsed mainly by the likes of the Renaultsport offerings. They are more reliable than their turbocharged newer siblings and that whine from the supercharger is addictive. They are a lot of fun -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
That would be my next port of call. A Renaultsport Clio of some type. If you really want fun then its hard to beat. Especially in cup form - that would be my go to car and you'd get a good one for the money you have. Be that 182, 197 or 200. Prices are also going up so if you can look after it, depreciation shouldn't be a major risk. They aren't especially reliable but its offset by how big a hoot they are to drive. You can pick one up anywhere between £3 and £8k depending on the year and model. One such example -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
You could go for the Clio's older brother the Megane RS and then you are in proper hot hatch territory. The added oomph of the turbo charger and at this price point they will embarrass many more expensive machines in the twisties. However, they aren't a straight line car. This is about corner speed and chassis and finesse. They are great to drive. Hard to beat.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101107...
The Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR shares a lot of similar suspension design as the Renaultsport Megane but its not as pin point in my opinion. However, its a dam good car (despite of the badge) and as such. You'll usually find a newer model with a bit more kit than others on the market in this price bracket -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...
As for the VAG cars - i wouldn't say they were fun drivers machines as such. They are good and do what they are supposed to. Most being a good jack of all trades. However, many feel a bit too numb and less "fizzy" - for that reason i would probably discount the Polo GTi you have listed. That said, they are tuneable. Get one with a DSG gearbox and have that tuned too and they are good in a straight line and you have all the pops and bangs you like if thats your idea of fun - but ultimately they just aren't THAT fun to drive. My pick would be something like the Mk5 Golf Gti ED30 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...
Handles well and better than the oem mk5 GTI, nicer internals, better suspension setup. Has a rarity about it and as such that bit more special. I considered one before going with my r26, just could get less miles on the r26 than i could the golf for the same money. Arguably nicer place to sit than most of the Renault stuff.
Or you could go for the S3 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
Which is much the same offering as the golf but with 4wd -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
If you could pull some extra cash out the bag up to say £8/9k then you are verging on the GT86 and that is a fun car albeit underpowered i think. However, its a lot of fun and a great chassis. But as said you'd either need to save or haggle like mad to get one in budget that wasn't a category car - though i wouldn't necessarily discount one of those and its often worth looking to see what that opens up market wise. If you aren't scared of that type of car.
Last from me is the Focus ST -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...
Not as good to drive as the Renaults. But a nice engine and they go well. I find them a little busy in the interior dept depending on the spec but they have all the relevant kit and they are reliable. Make a nice noise and go very well. They aren't far behind the best steers in terms of engagement and driveability and again, being a "fast ford" it has a tonne of aftermarket support and a big community behind them to get involved with.
I would be looking at the Fiesta ST-2 if I were in your position.
Get onto a comparison site for insurance and once you have done a quote, just go back and edit the car details and run through the list of ones you are looking at to see if any are an absolute no.
A Golf R for example is 20% cheaper to insure for me than a BMW 330D which is odd as its fast, worth more money wise and they are stolen more than they are sold so insurance prices can be odd.
Get onto a comparison site for insurance and once you have done a quote, just go back and edit the car details and run through the list of ones you are looking at to see if any are an absolute no.
A Golf R for example is 20% cheaper to insure for me than a BMW 330D which is odd as its fast, worth more money wise and they are stolen more than they are sold so insurance prices can be odd.
I'd look at a Peugeot 208 GTI or Fiesta ST.
I bought my fiancée a 208GTI when she passed her test and have owned one myself. Reliable and nice interior you shouldn't have any complaints. Try and get the facelifted model the engine is improved.
Fiesta ST gives you the option to modify and is slightly better to drive. Interior isn't as nice but is perfectly adequate.
Can't go wrong with either and plenty of nice examples so test drive and pick whichever one you prefer.
I bought my fiancée a 208GTI when she passed her test and have owned one myself. Reliable and nice interior you shouldn't have any complaints. Try and get the facelifted model the engine is improved.
Fiesta ST gives you the option to modify and is slightly better to drive. Interior isn't as nice but is perfectly adequate.
Can't go wrong with either and plenty of nice examples so test drive and pick whichever one you prefer.
stevekoz said:
Fun is subjective so helps to narrow down what you mean by "fun" but given the list of things you've chosen and the requirement for it to be "fast" then i assume that your goal is something relatively quick 0-60 (straight line speed) and in the realms of a hot hatch esque? Let us know what you deem "fun"?
I'll go hot hatch land though for this one - so here are a few options for you.
1st. I agree with above, that the Mini is a good bet but honestly, i would go for the older R53, more reliable an overall package. They handle very well, eclipsed mainly by the likes of the Renaultsport offerings. They are more reliable than their turbocharged newer siblings and that whine from the supercharger is addictive. They are a lot of fun -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
That would be my next port of call. A Renaultsport Clio of some type. If you really want fun then its hard to beat. Especially in cup form - that would be my go to car and you'd get a good one for the money you have. Be that 182, 197 or 200. Prices are also going up so if you can look after it, depreciation shouldn't be a major risk. They aren't especially reliable but its offset by how big a hoot they are to drive. You can pick one up anywhere between £3 and £8k depending on the year and model. One such example -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
You could go for the Clio's older brother the Megane RS and then you are in proper hot hatch territory. The added oomph of the turbo charger and at this price point they will embarrass many more expensive machines in the twisties. However, they aren't a straight line car. This is about corner speed and chassis and finesse. They are great to drive. Hard to beat.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101107...
The Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR shares a lot of similar suspension design as the Renaultsport Megane but its not as pin point in my opinion. However, its a dam good car (despite of the badge) and as such. You'll usually find a newer model with a bit more kit than others on the market in this price bracket -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...
As for the VAG cars - i wouldn't say they were fun drivers machines as such. They are good and do what they are supposed to. Most being a good jack of all trades. However, many feel a bit too numb and less "fizzy" - for that reason i would probably discount the Polo GTi you have listed. That said, they are tuneable. Get one with a DSG gearbox and have that tuned too and they are good in a straight line and you have all the pops and bangs you like if thats your idea of fun - but ultimately they just aren't THAT fun to drive. My pick would be something like the Mk5 Golf Gti ED30 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...
Handles well and better than the oem mk5 GTI, nicer internals, better suspension setup. Has a rarity about it and as such that bit more special. I considered one before going with my r26, just could get less miles on the r26 than i could the golf for the same money. Arguably nicer place to sit than most of the Renault stuff.
Or you could go for the S3 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
Which is much the same offering as the golf but with 4wd -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
If you could pull some extra cash out the bag up to say £8/9k then you are verging on the GT86 and that is a fun car albeit underpowered i think. However, its a lot of fun and a great chassis. But as said you'd either need to save or haggle like mad to get one in budget that wasn't a category car - though i wouldn't necessarily discount one of those and its often worth looking to see what that opens up market wise. If you aren't scared of that type of car.
Last from me is the Focus ST -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...
Not as good to drive as the Renaults. But a nice engine and they go well. I find them a little busy in the interior dept depending on the spec but they have all the relevant kit and they are reliable. Make a nice noise and go very well. They aren't far behind the best steers in terms of engagement and driveability and again, being a "fast ford" it has a tonne of aftermarket support and a big community behind them to get involved with.
Thanks very much for the recommendations mate, I'll look into some of these. CheersI'll go hot hatch land though for this one - so here are a few options for you.
1st. I agree with above, that the Mini is a good bet but honestly, i would go for the older R53, more reliable an overall package. They handle very well, eclipsed mainly by the likes of the Renaultsport offerings. They are more reliable than their turbocharged newer siblings and that whine from the supercharger is addictive. They are a lot of fun -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
That would be my next port of call. A Renaultsport Clio of some type. If you really want fun then its hard to beat. Especially in cup form - that would be my go to car and you'd get a good one for the money you have. Be that 182, 197 or 200. Prices are also going up so if you can look after it, depreciation shouldn't be a major risk. They aren't especially reliable but its offset by how big a hoot they are to drive. You can pick one up anywhere between £3 and £8k depending on the year and model. One such example -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
You could go for the Clio's older brother the Megane RS and then you are in proper hot hatch territory. The added oomph of the turbo charger and at this price point they will embarrass many more expensive machines in the twisties. However, they aren't a straight line car. This is about corner speed and chassis and finesse. They are great to drive. Hard to beat.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101107...
The Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR shares a lot of similar suspension design as the Renaultsport Megane but its not as pin point in my opinion. However, its a dam good car (despite of the badge) and as such. You'll usually find a newer model with a bit more kit than others on the market in this price bracket -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104050...
As for the VAG cars - i wouldn't say they were fun drivers machines as such. They are good and do what they are supposed to. Most being a good jack of all trades. However, many feel a bit too numb and less "fizzy" - for that reason i would probably discount the Polo GTi you have listed. That said, they are tuneable. Get one with a DSG gearbox and have that tuned too and they are good in a straight line and you have all the pops and bangs you like if thats your idea of fun - but ultimately they just aren't THAT fun to drive. My pick would be something like the Mk5 Golf Gti ED30 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...
Handles well and better than the oem mk5 GTI, nicer internals, better suspension setup. Has a rarity about it and as such that bit more special. I considered one before going with my r26, just could get less miles on the r26 than i could the golf for the same money. Arguably nicer place to sit than most of the Renault stuff.
Or you could go for the S3 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
Which is much the same offering as the golf but with 4wd -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...
If you could pull some extra cash out the bag up to say £8/9k then you are verging on the GT86 and that is a fun car albeit underpowered i think. However, its a lot of fun and a great chassis. But as said you'd either need to save or haggle like mad to get one in budget that wasn't a category car - though i wouldn't necessarily discount one of those and its often worth looking to see what that opens up market wise. If you aren't scared of that type of car.
Last from me is the Focus ST -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...
Not as good to drive as the Renaults. But a nice engine and they go well. I find them a little busy in the interior dept depending on the spec but they have all the relevant kit and they are reliable. Make a nice noise and go very well. They aren't far behind the best steers in terms of engagement and driveability and again, being a "fast ford" it has a tonne of aftermarket support and a big community behind them to get involved with.
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