There is lots of emphasis put on power and speed these days. The German car manufacturers in particular are always bringing out something that is bigger, faster, more expencive than the previous model.

What cars offer huge fun at relatively low speeds? My list below.

Mazda MX-5
Toyota MR2
Caterham 1.4 classic.
Citreon C2 VTS
Fabia vRS

All cars are cheap to buy and insure.

Any others to add that have (say) less than 150 bhp?

All the best.

Martin.

 

150bhp doesnt mean its slow if its only weighing in at 750kgs

 

OK, Fair point, leaving enginer power (and torque) aside , what cars offer big fun from little speed?

All the best.

Martin.

 

Go Karts
Slow and Fun are incompatible words in my world

 

Smart Brabus Roadster Coupe

 

We used to have fun with the works transit van, rear drive low weight over the back wheels and quiet country roads, no wild slides or anything, but it felt pretty good! Similar with an old Ford P100 pickup, used to be great for sliding round roundabouts

- Jon

 

I also think you should add original mini to the list, in cooper form perhaps.

- Jon

 

My Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TRXX R4 is the best car I have ever owned and has been with me 7 years now And its only 659cc

 

Pug 106 1.6 Rallye - 1.6 torquey 8v 100bhp engine coupled with light weight makes for a great b road tool!

 

I wonder whether a big part of high fun low cost is the driver? I used to get a lift to work in a mates Fiat Panda (850cc?) it was only 0.5 mile from the bottom of my road to the private dirt road, then 200 yards up the dirt road, but I have rarely been as scared in any other car! between taking off over speed bumps, handbrake turns and j-turns ... the same guy (who without any formal training other than passing his driving test) had a BMW 316 (the old box shape) and an 8v Mk2 Golf GTi and *really* knew how to drive them - and rarely legally! I had a spin round a local estate (in a highly un-pc fashion) at mainly over 60mph dodging mini speed humps and 'slow traffic' devices, round corners on 3 wheels, late breaking etc. He would have made a great getaway driver

Conversely I have been driven on a track by a young touring car driver at Thruxton in an MG ZS180 at a pace the car was barely able cope with, the only modification was the tires (slicks) ... again the driver was the key, he would have run rings around me had I raced him in the MG and me in the Porsche 911 turbo!

- Jon

 

fiat punto gt, i have had 2 of them over the years and VVV easy to get to 170 bhp safely

plant ur foot and watch the 14" wheels spin up :-)

 

Basically, anything with f-all weight, instant throttle response, reasonable power and pin-sharp handling. If it costs pennies and you don't care about it mechanically, that's an added bonus

 

Original Mini? Put a rally seat in it, lower the steering column and drive it like you're racing. No-one will notice. Great laugh.

 

agreed but imho the mk1 is the one to have, group n homologated shell, 100hp from a 1294cc engine and produces this power at 7200rpm! you could really feel it come 'on cam' above 5000rpm also 5th gear was like 4th in most other cars as it had a very close ratio gearbox. You could also get over 40 mpg out of one if you were a bit careful.

I always keep an eye out for a minter (incase there are any left!) it really is very good!

Andy

 

Suzuki Cappuccino, 650cc turbo, RWD, fully convertible or targa top, 2 seater, fantastic fun!

 

Impreza

 

any variation on the Citroen AX theme The ultimate in low weight=fun car

 

Nova SR/SRi/GSi/GTE

Small, nippy, fun to drive, revvy little lumps. You could drive them like a loon forever and they wouldn't blow up, good as long as you didn't fall through a rusty hole in the floor

 

I'll second that, I've got one too.

Or a Ford Ka, shockingly fun for 5k new.

 

Ford Mondeo 1.8!

 

Since I sold my Mr2 Turbo I've been pootling about in a Daewoo Matiz 800cc while I hunt for a good Impreza......and it's been a hoot! super short ratios make the most of the measly 50bhp on tap, it bounces about all over the place in the wind and it's got special edition "Korean Ditch Finder" tyres to make cornering interesting.

Still feel camp as a row of tents driving it though...

 

MG Midget - the 1275 version

 

ford ka-hilarious fun at legal speeds and i cannot get below 320 miles on a tank great engine braking and spot on chassis-once overtook a nissan 350z around a corner his face was priceless!
martin

 

Had one. Loved it. Soooooo much fun and you're right about it coming on cam.

I took the stripes off mine and fitted a stupidly loud mongoose exhaust and panel filter but apart from that it was standard. Brilliant, brilliant car...

 

Mini 1275GT..

Great fun, handles like a go-kart

 

Suzuki Ignis Sport - more fun than a C2 VTS and more exclusive. It is a little hooligan hatch and very much like the Impreza to drive!! I smile every time I drive mine, its fab!! 110bhp that feels more like 150!!

 

Ford Puma. Excellent handing and who needs loads of power when we have bends in this country

 

205 turbo diesel on gti shocks and springs
richie

 

I must introduce you to mine one day, it's, urm, rather rapid

 

Citroen 2CV - thrashed one down to Spain once and it was loads of fun - roll back the whole roof and wind up that 600cc engine. Once you get used to the huge body roll it actually handles well, and you can practice minumum braking to keep the momentum up (bit like driving a diesel) Just don't crash one