What car should I buy? Small, fast, cheap, fun

SeaDaily

Currently on the search for a cheap, fast, spirited driving car.

I don't particularly need fantastic long-term reliability but I also want it to start most of the time that I need it. I don't expect to be doing much more than 5k a year and most journeys will be 10-15 minutes.

I want to be able to go out on a tear on the weekends around the country roads. Budget is anywhere between 2-5k.

I've been looking at a pretty wide range of options:

2006-2008 1.4 Golf Gt Sport 170bhp
2002-2004 Mini Cooper S
2006-2008 BMW 320d Coupe

Open to any other options in terms of small fast hatches along the lines of the suzuki swift sport.

Has to be a manual.

Any suggestions or other options I should be considering? The fun factor is the most important part.

selectamatic

1.4gt tsi170 engine is very unreliable. Proper mk5 gti's aren't too dear so they'd be a much better option.

Ep3 type r
Fn2 type r (probably won't suit the budget)
Corolla Tsport

Ones to consider too.

Cunning Alias

MK3 2.0 Mazda MX-5. (2005-)

You will get a soft top version under 5k. All 2.0s have LSDs.

colm_mcm

I’d avoid the 170 TSI anyway.

Is insurance a factor?

SeaDaily

selectamatic wrote: »

1.4gt tsi170 engine is very unreliable. Proper mk5 gti's aren't too dear so they'd be a much better option.

Ep3 type r
Fn2 type r (probably won't suit the budget)
Corolla Tsport

Ones to consider too.

I've been looking around and seeing a good few 1.4 gt TSI 170 for around the 2,500 mark. Any mk5 GTI in reasonable condition is around 5k and the 700 quid tax is a year is a bit off-putting.

How are those Corolla tsports reliability wise? I like the look of them and they are great value in terms of BHP/€.

SeaDaily

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’d avoid the 170 TSI anyway.

Is insurance a factor?

Thanks I'll steer clear so.

Insurance isn't a factor, I've been getting quotes for everything ranging from Cooper S's to mk5 GTI's to 320d's to Merc E200's. No quotes were less than 1k and none were more than 1.4k.

SeaDaily

Cunning Alias wrote: »

MK3 2.0 Mazda MX-5. (2005-)

You will get a soft top version under 5k. All 2.0s have LSDs and most will have a 6 speed manual

Will have to have a look at these. Never been keen on them really but certainly a driver's car through and through so may need to go and try one and see what I think.

colm_mcm

The Corolla T Sport are quite reliable, but as the Honda, you’ll need to drive the balls off it to get the performance. Not the same as a turbocharged car. Great craic though.

Would you look at a TT?

selectamatic

SeaDaily wrote: »

How are those Corolla tsports reliability wise? I like the look of them and they are great value in terms of BHP/€.

Normally pretty decent. Lift bolts are the main thing to look at so that the lift engages properly, gearbox crunching worth looking out for too. Outside of that as long as they're serviced reasonably often they're pretty solid. The 2zzge is a grand fun revy engine, that said it's no k20 but for the price it's fine.

Cunning Alias

SeaDaily wrote: »

Will have to have a look at these. Never been keen on them really but certainly a driver's car through and through so may need to go and try one and see what I think.

I have had a Gen7 Celica, IS250, Forester XT Turbo and 2 MX5s (MK1 and MK3). The MX5s are far and away the most fun to drive.

That said, I really loved my Celica and it was the weaker 140hp model. They made them till 2006 and you will pick them up cheap now. Might be worth a look.

Notch000

Audi TT
Rx-8
Mk5 GTI / Leon Cupra
Mini Coopers S
Mx-5 (may be not so fast but great fun)
Civic type R

All cheap & fast

Golf GT = Rubish
3 series diesel - WTF

Andrewf20

SeaDaily wrote: »

Will have to have a look at these. Never been keen on them really but certainly a driver's car through and through so may need to go and try one and see what I think.

I've a mrk 3 mx 5 1.8. It's nippy at low speeds but isn't that fast above 60mph. Great car. Corners super quick. Quite snappy with the short wheel base, so you need to be quick if the back steps out. I drove a lot of similar cars and went with this as it just feels a bit more special. I've the hard top as I have no garage.

Just check you fit in the mx5. I'm 6.2 and I just about fit in. Seat is fully back.

Cooper s is a rocket ship but I heard they are fragile.

E92 I found very disappointing. 325i. Felt numb and heavy and not that quick.

Mrk 5 gti is a hoot if you can find a straight one. I'd also look out for 1.6 fiestas as well.

blindside88

Corolla Tsport can be got cheap, there’s actually a decent looking one in the bangernomics thread.

Rx8 if you’re not too push about reliability
MR2 is fun to drive if you don’t need it to be in any way practical
MX5 or GTI could be a good all rounder

un5byh7sqpd2x0

If you can get a JCW Cooper S, take it with both hands...

SeaDaily

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Definitely been on the lookout for Audi TT's as well they just tend to be on the upper end of my budget.

The RX8 I'm going to steer clear of, I know I said I'm not too bothered about reliability but I think a rotary would be a step too far.

Thoughts on this Mini?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mini-cooper-s-cooper-s-low-miles-full-history/23795295?campaign=6

CR 7

Corsa OPC?

I was looking through the same options mentioned already at the time when I bought mine and i found it to be the most fun to drive.

Andrewf20

SeaDaily wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Definitely been on the lookout for Audi TT's as well they just tend to be on the upper end of my budget.

The RX8 I'm going to steer clear of, I know I said I'm not too bothered about reliability but I think a rotary would be a step too far.

Thoughts on this Mini?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mini-cooper-s-cooper-s-low-miles-full-history/23795295?campaign=6

I think that's the supercharged version which is seen as better from what I remember. Nice car and fresh nct is great. I'd check insurance due to its age. A 17 year old car might throw up some elevated quotes or you may find some won't quote at all. Might be an import so need to check that for insurance quotes.

Kumho ecsta tyres on it which is a good sign.

SeaDaily

Andrewf20 wrote: »

I think that's the supercharged version which is seen as better from what I remember. Nice car and fresh nct is great. I'd check insurance due to its age. A 17 year old car might throw up some elevated quotes or you may find some won't quote at all.

Actually got a quote for it already and it was the cheapest quote I'd got on any car before. Got the quote through Axa.

I'm not entirely convinced there is as strong a correlation between age of car and increased insurance premiums to the extent that people suspect. I keep meaning to ask my actuary friend how strong the link actually is.

Other than that obviously being 17 years old it is bound to have some problems but as far as I know those R53 supercharged minis are meant to be pretty good?

selectamatic

Clio sport 172 would be well in budget too.

The hot megane and newer Clio 182 sport would be creeping into the top end of the budget also.

They're supposed to be extremely fun cars.

Andrewf20

SeaDaily wrote: »

Actually got a quote for it already and it was the cheapest quote I'd got on any car before. Got the quote through Axa.

I'm not entirely convinced there is as strong a correlation between age of car and increased insurance premiums to the extent that people suspect. I keep meaning to ask my actuary friend how strong the link actually is.

Other than that obviously being 17 years old it is bound to have some problems but as far as I know those R53 supercharged minis are meant to be pretty good?

I heard the r53 is preferable alright but you would need to check up on the reliability issues to watch for. I'm not too up to speed on them.

I think the insurance situation depends on the person looking for a quote. A middle aged architect from a nice area with a professioal career wife on the policy would probably not get too loaded.