Cheap, Fun And Reliable Car

[feb 47]

I am looking at downsizing from the FSTi to something that is cheap to buy and maintain (max budget ~£3.5k or so), fun and reliable.

 

I am thinking of a Fiat Panda 100 (they range from £2.8k - £3.5k depending on mileage), my dad has had a 1.2 Panda 4x4 for the last 7 years and hasn't had any problems (touches wood).

 

A friend has suggested a Ka but that may be a too small and I think they rust a lot?

 

I prefer a relatively economical petrol car (must be able to average 35mpg easily in mixed driving) rather than a diesel, we already have a diesel in the house.

 

Reliability is important as it will be used to commute and I don't want a car with a million miles either.

 

ClioSports 172 are within budget but I don't know anything about them.

 

I test drove a Trophy a couple of years ago but I wasn't impressed (driving position and slack gear changes spoilt the driving experience).

 

Civic Type-R EP3 may be another choice but finding a good one might be tricky. Again I test drove one when I had my fist sorrento GTi and didn't like it. It had absolutely no torque whatsoever in the mid-range.

 

I may still have to revisit the above to see what I think if them now.

 

There is also the Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6 VVT which start at around that price and have good reviews.

 

What do you guys suggest?

[GLPoomobile 958]

Often quite fancied a Suzuki Ignis Sport for a frugal little warm hatch. Never driven one mind you.

[audiobull 6]

ive got a 2009 smart fortwo im selling. thats a fun and fast lil thing but only 2 seats. they go round corners like they are on rails and sound awesome. selling to fund a 205. the smart is too new for me i like things that clunk and click when you turn them or press them he he

 

1ltr, £20 tax a year. £30 to fill up. ac, panoramic roof

Edited April 20, 2014 by audiobull

[dcc 855]

golf gt tdi - you'll b more than surprised!

[audiobull 6]

all the vw tdi's are pretty dam quick

[will1991 11 1 Cars]

I was in this position about a year ago. If I hadn't needed a bigger car it would've been a Panda 100 - reviews are great and hard work getting them below 40mpg apparently.

[feb 47]

I don't want a diesel and I want something that I get in and makes my mood, so a VW diesel is out I am afraid. It just sounds boring, mind you I have not driven one.

 

I think the 120d is as good as it can get when it gets to diesels IMHO. Economic, fun, handles really well (50/50 weight distribution helps) and I've been spoilt with the the lateral support adjustability (inflatable) of the seats.

Edited April 20, 2014 by feb

[harryskid 193]

Spend a bit more, you might like this!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/peugeot/205/peugeot-205-gti-1-9-ultra-low-miles-immaculate-full-provenance-----------------1993/1895215

[audiobull 6]

Spend a bit more, you might like this!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/peugeot/205/peugeot-205-gti-1-9-ultra-low-miles-immaculate-full-provenance-----------------1993/1895215

nice cars them ;-)

[Rock Lobster 28]

I have a Clio 172 cup and for £2k ish it's fantastic fun, pretty quick and I get about 35 - 38 to the gallon with mixed driving, mainly a roads.

 

Parts are pretty cheap too!????

[jr83 1]

I've got a ep3 type r and to be honest its not that great. How about a Mx5?

[Harni 6]

Don't bother with a KA. They are one of them cars that are so bad they are good fun. Its great that you have to rag the tits out of them everywhere and they do go around corners fairly well for a s*itty little learners car but thats where the fun stops. The old Duratec engines are quite bomb proof (just keep an eye out for HG issues) but thats where the reliability stops. They rot to pieces big time and very quickly, Interior literally falls to pieces, seats are utter rubbish, brakes like to seize and they are shockingly bad in even the smallest of accidents. Oh and the boot is just laughable.

 

Golf GT TDi is a good shout but you don't get much for your money and when they go wrong, they are still bloody expensive to repair. Really do carry the VAG crap pricing and believe me, they are no more reliable than most cars out there even though most VW owners will have you think otherwise.

 

Corrola T sport? Never driven one my self but from what I'm told, they are very very reliable as you would expect from a Toyota and are a very capable car.

[Anthony 1,000]

If you don't need the practicality, MX5.

 

You'll get a nice low mileage late mk2.5 easily within budget and you'll have an utter hoot.

[davey205 7 1 Cars]

I went for a 1 female owner completely unmodified Saxo Vtr, apart from the expected rattles clangs and squeaks the poor driving position and bad image it hasn't put a foot wrong in my year of ownership.

I'm getting 46 mpg nearly all very short runs in town, I've never had it below 40mpg but I am a fairly careful driver with the odd "moment".

Edited April 21, 2014 by davey205

[eddie bullit 37]

We've had a mx5 mk2.5 for 5-6 years now. Utterly reliable and great to drive. I find myself talking it out before I do the mk5 golf GTI.

[feb 47]

A MX5 sounds like a good idea and it is something different and interesting.

 

I test drove a mk3 about a year ago and although not the quickest thing on the road it was great fun, involving and communicating.

 

What are the main differences between the mk2 and mk2.5 and are there any "special" edition models with LSD and Bilstein dampers?

 

The LSD is good to have, the dampers are not a must as they can be upgraded at a later stage I guess.

 

With the yen being low at the moment and wanting to avoid the rust from UK cars, is it worth importing a JDM one?

[aldworth33 45 1 Cars]

My mates got a golf gttdi and it's fast and does mental mpg, the old Ford ka's are cheap good handling simple motors.

[audiobull 6]

usually is a good idea but remember insurance will be slightly higher on an import unless you find a specialist. i guess mots will be the same minus the cat or emmisions. saw a lot of the mx5's buzzing around the track and they did look absolute fun. top down too.

[jackherer 543]

are there any "special" edition models with LSD and Bilstein dampers?

A UK spec MX5 1.8 Sport is the one you want. A mate of mine has a 2002 one that he has had for years with factory LSD, 6 speed and bilsteins. It is very entertaining and might be for sale if he hasn't sold it yet...

[eddie bullit 37]

Our Euphonic model has nice Enkei alloys, leather heated seats, good stereo and LSD. Can get a good in foir 2k +. Running one on Evo mag at the moment. PS go for a 1.8

[feb 47]

A UK spec MX5 1.8 Sport is the one you want. A mate of mine has a 2002 one that he has had for years with factory LSD, 6 speed and bilsteins. It is very entertaining and might be for sale if he hasn't sold it yet...

 

I'd be interested in that once I sell the FSTi, let me know more details and pics please.

 

Do mk2/2.5s suffer rust from inside out like mk1s?

[toodumbtosmile 1]

We had a mk2.5 1.6. Definitely go for a 1.8, 1.6 is painfully slow. Check sills and front crossmember. Had to get both sills repaired on a 5 yr old car.

[ATK 137 1 Cars]

I had a 2002 Clio 172. Fantastic car and great fun. As long as the cambelts been done.

[Pugleyrich 37 1 Cars]

Mk2s rust just the same as the mk1s. They are prone to rusting badly on the chassis legs at the front. They rot inside out and are often missed on an MOT. I just bought a 1.8 mk2 for £1100 which has just had chassis legs repaired, both sills and cambelt etc. There are bargains out there. All Mk2s and 2.5s will need a good looking over underneith

[feb 47]

What about a 1.8 VVTi MR2? Do these rust a lot too?

 

They are cheaper than MX5s with generally lower mileage. My friend has a semi-auto with paddle shift and loves it!

 

I'd prefer the manual one though.

 

Are they easy to drive on the limits of grip?