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[Closed] What small fun car on the cheap?

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[#2267924]

Looking at options for when the lease expires on my current car - we need a sensible family car now so I will get that on the lease, but I will need a runaround to get to work and back.

I simply want an old but fun car that will be used for short trips to work and back and won't need to take kiddies seats or anything.

Currently thinking a Fiat Siecento Sporting might be fun. Any other recommendations?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:06 pm
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Suzuki Swift Sport.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:07 pm
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Triumph spitfire


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:09 pm
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Suzuki Swift Sport.

Waaay too expensive - looking at around £1k

Nice car though - saw a subtly customised one in Asda (where else) the other day and it looked really nice.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:10 pm
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I had a Seicento Sporting many moons ago. They're ok, but gutless really and the build quality was poop. Panda 100HP? 206 GTI?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:11 pm
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-SportKa
-Fiesta Zetec-S (Mk 4.5 - 'old shape' mainly seen in blue with multi-spoke wheels)
- Clio Williams (not sure how cheap they are)
- Puma

EDIT - might be too expensive. Just seen your budget update.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:11 pm
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I used to run an old fiesta xr2 as a runabout it was a right laugh


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:12 pm
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What was that little Fiat that had the exhaust coming down the middle of the rear bumper?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:12 pm
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I saw no mention of budget...!

Older Fiesta Zetec
Mk2 Golf Gti
106 Rallye


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:12 pm
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i'd go french.

205 gti http://www.justgtis.com/
106 rallye


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:13 pm
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The emphasis is on cheap as chips - it is literally to be driven the two miles to work* and back and to be dumped on the road on a night.

*I do ride/run/walk to work but sometimes this isn't feasible which is why I need the car.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:14 pm
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old (square) mr2


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:14 pm
 momo
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Saxo VTS, same car as the 106 GTI, but usually cheaper to buy, many of the early ones came with the wrong engine, so had 130hp instead of 120hp.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:15 pm
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+1 Panda 100hp. Test drove one and loved it, ugly though. Going to get one next year.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:16 pm
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Saxo VTR
Mazda MX-3


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:19 pm
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Sorry just saw budget update


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:20 pm
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old (square) mr2

That's the one, the AW11. Makes you look an onanist, but fantastic fun. And within budget, dunnow hat kind of nick they'll be in though. Last year of manufacture was F reg, maybe the MKII MR2? Where they as good?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:20 pm
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I hired one of these a couple of years ago, and it was great fun.
[img] http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0QYbtgSlHQKr4Hvll7rLwMZrsX4c5uJceSKSuVqBizY9uZLfZ [/img]
So I imagine one of these must even more fun.
[img] http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6SuclwZcJ-tNIGESSdBk0JGZbglk0Vh9oeZdNdH4Z3CVVInypfQ [/img]

Failing that, a Spitfire 1500.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:21 pm
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grab yourself a fifteen year old Merc with a high milage and be pimpin' yo' bad self to and fro' work...

I just picked up a c220 sport with 193k on the clock for £300.. should be good for another 50k hassle free miles..


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:27 pm
 s
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MX5, you should be able to pick up a Jap import for that sort of money this time of year 😉

Might even make on it, if you sell it in the summer?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:28 pm
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106 gti for the win, mine was £1600 a year ago, with a few sensible mods (group n exhaust and an induction kit) seen good ones for £1200 and rough ones for a grand

rallye would be nice but not really many at that money that aren't sheds

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:28 pm
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Err, how about an MGF????

(I do have my 'hairdresser' image to live up to)


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:36 pm
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Gotta say the 106GTi looks a good suggestion...


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:36 pm
 cp
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2nd pug 106/205, saxo, fiesta.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:37 pm
 s
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If you are worried about your image, then buy anything dirt cheap & tint the windows 😉


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:41 pm
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106 gti for £1K?
It'll be dead, if it exists


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:42 pm
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series 2a landrover softtop; pre 1972 so zero roadtax and you can sell it for the same price in 5 years time


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:43 pm
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saxo vts - loved mine.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:44 pm
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A shed of an MG midget with 6 months MOT?

It'll be fun, leaky and unreliable, but will stil be worth £500 to someone in 6 months time.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:48 pm
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series 2a landrover softtop; pre 1972 so zero roadtax and you can sell it for the same price in 5 years time

Doesn't really fit the 'small' or 'fun' requirements though.

I am thinking pocket rocket, not industrial machinery.

(Ohh, and I have (part) owned a Landy myself - an ex-army LWB self converted diesel (converted to Rover V8).

Never again.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:49 pm
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The Alfa is no good, he lives 2 miles from work. How would he get it home?


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:53 pm
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😀

Apparently it's all part of the fun of owning one!


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:55 pm
 -m-
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Puma (an unmolested one). Loads about - they all have plenty of miles on them but they're cheap to run/maintain/service. We had a 1.7 that ran to 80K without missing a beat. Check the rear arches and the base of the B pillar (on the door shut line) for rust when buying.

Equivalent Fiesta would be an alternative, but a bit more boring...


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:55 pm
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or maybe a Kuga

*s*****


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 3:58 pm
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MX5 every time

I challenge anyone to find more reliable fun under £2k


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:00 pm
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Not a Kuga but you could get a decent Cougar for < than a grand. Not very small but a lot of car for the money and a very nice 'sports tourer' if you have to go more than 2 miles occasionally.

Nice one [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-FORD-COUGAR-V6-SILVER-2-5lt-/200552732283?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2eb1dfd67b ]On Ebay[/url] full leather, reasonable mileage - plenty more around that level.

ps. I've had one since April (2.0ltr - quick enough and 36mpg ave) and am [b]very[/b] happy with it.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:15 pm
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Any long journeys/client meetings will be in the family car so really don't want anything big.

Anyone know what the little fiat with the central exhaust is ????


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:19 pm
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MX5 - awesome. Owned three of them and will own another.
106 Ralleye (you might be lucky and find one for a grand). If not then a GTI would be a very good alternative.
Polo GT (mk3, might even find a G40 for a bit over £1000).
Saxo VTS/VTR if you can find one thats not been chavved up.

I'd stay away from Scicentos. The 'Sporting' isn't actually very sporting! Plus they're tiny. Plus a bean tin would feel less tin-ey.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:40 pm
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Someones mentioned above too, Zetec-S Fiesta from 1999/2000'ish. Meant to be good little cars. Not especially quick but huge fun to drive.


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:41 pm
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Sure you're not thinking of the Lupo MF?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:43 pm
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No... Not a Fiat Coupe, Barchetta (seen them for £1k LHD only)


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:44 pm
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Can you get a Puma for £1k. They're meant to be good fun!


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:45 pm
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Not gonna get a Lupo GTI for £1000. They start at £3500ish. Might get a Lupo Sport (same centre exit exhaust) for £1500?

Polo GTI (6N2 shape) are good cars. Plenty knocking about for sub £2k, all mod cons and as long as the pedalbox has been done and the gearbox is ok, pretty reliable cars. Loved our old one...


 
Posted : 09/12/2010 4:46 pm
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