Fun/practical car for £4.5k?

[Hippea]

Clio 172/182

[RussNC]

Check the boot on an FN2, had one as a run around for a few weeks, boots can be quite leaky, if you can go for an EP3 much more fun than an FN2 though, don't think I'd put my money into an FN2 again.

[coldel]

Whats the criteria? Has to have four seats? Any MPG concerns? Manual/Auto? etc.

[sgtbash]

Hippea said:

Clio 172/182

Good shout, never really throught of something French

RussNC said:

Check the boot on an FN2, had one as a run around for a few weeks, boots can be quite leaky, if you can go for an EP3 much more fun than an FN2 though, don't think I'd put my money into an FN2 again.

I had one for a year and it was decent if im honest, just the looks are not the best

coldel said:

Whats the criteria? Has to have four seats? Any MPG concerns? Manual/Auto? etc.

Doesn't have to have 4 seats, wouldn't mind a decent boot though. No MPG concerns, don't care if manual or auto - ideally manual if i'm honest.

[JQ]

I had a MINI R53 JCW which was brilliant fun and provided many more smiles than the Golf R that replaced it. On paper you’d think the Golf R would be a better car, it wasn’t, the MINI was like a go-kart.

[ZX10R NIN]

sgtbash said:

My e91 330D has gone, fancy a change.

Looking at:
FN2 Type R
Focus ST MK2
Subaru Forester Twin Turbo JDM


Any other suggestions? I'm open to most really.

Thanks in advance.

£4500 that is!

Here are some alternates.

Grande Punto Abarth:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...

Giulietta Veloce 170 not a hot hatch but a decent steer none the less:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...

Another warm hatch alternative is the Astra GTC SRI 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202092...

From your list it would be the Focus ST2/3 but I'd be looking for the facelift model:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207067...

[sgtbash]

ZX10R NIN said:

Here are some alternates.

Grande Punto Abarth:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206217...

Giulietta Veloce 170 not a hot hatch but a decent steer none the less:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206136...

Another warm hatch alternative is the Astra GTC SRI 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202092...

From your list it would be the Focus ST2/3 but I'd be looking for the facelift model:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207137...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207067...

Honestly thought the facelift was out of my range.. I do like the grey one 🤔

[FastEdd11e]

May I suggest an Impreza Wagon.
We've finally had to say good-bye to our 2005 Prodrive Wagon due to damage caused when I hit a bollard in Tesco.

They are buttons to run, incredibly reliable, and lots of fun.
Our wagon has 145k miles and the Prodrive pack makes all the difference.
It cost us £4500 5 years ago and has had nothing but new discs and pads on the front and 4 new tyres.

Worth a look.

[M.F.D]

Tread carefully with old Subaru EJ's on a budget. In comparison to the FN2, it would require a lot more maintenance.

Staying with the BMW vibe, you would get a 130i for around that, which is a great steer.

Golf V GTI likewise.

[Hippea]

FastEdd11e said:

May I suggest an Impreza Wagon.
We've finally had to say good-bye to our 2005 Prodrive Wagon due to damage caused when I hit a bollard in Tesco.

They are buttons to run, incredibly reliable, and lots of fun.
Our wagon has 145k miles and the Prodrive pack makes all the difference.
It cost us £4500 5 years ago and has had nothing but new discs and pads on the front and 4 new tyres.

Worth a look.

I agree, fantastic cars. I ran a 2002 bugeye wagon for 4 years, sold it last year and regret it. Difficult to find decent ones at all anymore

[sgtbash]

FastEdd11e said:

May I suggest an Impreza Wagon.
We've finally had to say good-bye to our 2005 Prodrive Wagon due to damage caused when I hit a bollard in Tesco.

They are buttons to run, incredibly reliable, and lots of fun.
Our wagon has 145k miles and the Prodrive pack makes all the difference.
It cost us £4500 5 years ago and has had nothing but new discs and pads on the front and 4 new tyres.

Worth a look.

M.F.D said:

Tread carefully with old Subaru EJ's on a budget. In comparison to the FN2, it would require a lot more maintenance.

Staying with the BMW vibe, you would get a 130i for around that, which is a great steer.

Golf V GTI likewise.

Hippea said:

I agree, fantastic cars. I ran a 2002 bugeye wagon for 4 years, sold it last year and regret it. Difficult to find decent ones at all anymore

Does this count? Collecting it tomorrow!


https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13470246

[JQ]

Great work OP, always had a soft spot for those.

Please update once you’ve had a drive.