nickwrxstiV2

Right, my GF has a horrible old 306 diesel that she hates as she gets overtaken all of the time!! She's not a girl racer but likes fast cars.

So, a few requirements which need to be met -

Must (might not get all of them!) be -

* Less than £3000
* Nippy
* Cheapish to insure

Would be good if it was 1549cc or below for cheap tax.

Doesn't want a Peugeot again!

Any ideas?

Jam Performance

iTrader: (3)

yaris SR, very nippy and cheap to run

nickwrxstiV2

Just showed her a photo of one and she likes it! Her first question was 'how fast is it?'

nickwrxstiV2

Apparently it's too slow for her! 11.8 0-62mph!

She said that she wants something that is around 8-9seconds 0-62mph as she gets annoyed being overtaken, especially by women!!!!!!!

I realise that if this is the case, it will probably be in the higher tax band.

Any more ideas peeps?

nickwrxstiV2

Anybody know much about the 2001 Golf Polo 1.4 TDI?

VoteConservative!

They are slow. Look for 1.9TDI VAG units.

corradoboy

Good call Well kept secret

Superb mpg and easily chipped to acceptable performance

We have 2x Fabia vRS's, one being chopped for an Octy 2.0 TDi PD140, but both the remaining Furby and the Octy will be getting treated for near 200bhp and near 300 torques soon 60+mpg and cheap tax/insurance is just the icing

v8voodoo

MX-5...?

LG John

We faced a similar situation recently when our beater was destroyed and bought a Ford Puma. We paid £4k for ours but you can get them for 3 and less. It's nippy enough, nice to drive and the handling is outstanding - so much fun to chuck around.

SiDHEaD

MK5 Fiesta Zetec-S - tho its 0-60 time is crap as u have to go to 3rd for 60. Its pretty quick when u give it a poking - i run one as a beater. For some strange reason it can go round corners faster than my S2000 - but I dont think the suspension on my is standard - i can't remember my old one going round corners this fast.
FORD Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S, - Auto Trader UK

nickwrxstiV2

I wish I could persuade her on the Zetec-S front. My mym had a 1.25 zetec and that was a hoot to drive! My GF likes fast cars and loved driving my scoob, she loves driving my S2000 at the minute as well.

I think the 1.9TDI Polos are newer so they are out of her price range. I think the Golf TDIs are also out of her price range as well????

How reliable are the Zetec-Ss?

PS - MX5 is too much of a 'girls car' she said!!!!

mrtheedge2u2

I think you can not go wrong with a Puma 1.7.....

Phenomenal handling and a cracking car........

I have never met anyone who did not recommend them

LG John

I'd agree with that. The Puma is far closer to the 'fun' of my S2000 than my STI 5 is. In fact, quite often when faced with which car to take for a bit of banter I pick the Puma over the scooby despite the Puma wouldn't see where the scooby went in a straight line. It's for this reason, and others, that the Scooby will be for sale soon

Jamescsti

I owned a 1.6 zetec-s as well, think they are about 8.6 to 60 off the top of my head, but that is misleading due to needing to change to 3rd to hit 60.
Show her a pic of the Imperial blue one, looks fantastic.
I put 80k on mine in the time I had it and never had any serious problems, just usual wear and tear stuff.
They handle like a go-kart as well,
check out Ford Fiesta Zetec-S Owners Club for loads of info

ScoobyDoo555

Shame she won't look at a late 306 GTi6. Wifey LOVES hers

Dan

CrisPDuk

I mate of mine got given one for a couple of months as a fill in, until his new company car arrived.

He hated it

But then, he did celebrate his fiftieth birthday on the same day as he was born, and his dream car is a diesel E Class, so he's probably not a good judge

MrsD had a 1.3 Ford Ka for 3 years, that was a great car, same chassis as the Fiesta and the Puma, the only thing it needed was more power, so maybe have a look at a SportKa too

I'd also strongly recommend she looks at an MX5 too, MrsD currently drives a Mk1 1.8iS and we both love it. Get around the hairdresser image and they are the nimblest, most entertaining cars you can buy, for any budget

AlexJReid

Our 02 reg Puma has had a few corrosion issues, so the early ones may well be bad. Mechanically it's been fine, only thing that has been replaced is a a bush on the front that
causes a clonking noise when worn.

SportKa: had one of those too. GREAT handling and superb fun around a country lane, but awful engine with awful economy for the type of car. Decent amount of torque though.

Great fun although I don't think I'd keep a Puma over my STI 3. I kept checking to see if I've left the handbrake on when driving it.

Edit: I also wouldn't place too much emphasis on 0-60 times. In gear times is where it's at.

nickwrxstiV2

She likes the Puma a lot! Result! Only problem being is it's quite a bit more to insure that first thought as it's group 12! She pays £475 on a 1994 L reg 306 Diesel. They want £850 for the 1.7 Puma and £800 for the 1.4!!!!

VoteConservative!

how old is she?

AlexJReid

The £50 extra in insurance between the 1.7 and 1.4 is DEFINITELY worth it.
Never driven one but I would probably avoid the 1.4 and later 1.6 lower range models.

£850 is quite a lot though. Tried Elephant and Tesco?

nickwrxstiV2

She's 25, that quote was through Privelege which tend to be quite good.

VoteConservative!

have you tried direct line?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Get an old turbo Saab, three grand gets you 200 plus bhp, in the wet I managed to keep the front wheels spinning to 80 mph.

LG John

That quote is mental - my g/f was £360 at aged 24 with 3 points and me as a named driver. Her previous car was a 1.25 fiesta so she had no experience of more powerful cars. I'm sure she is with Elephant or Admiral - don't be put off; you should beat £800 by a mile! I've not driven the 1.4/1.6 but I'd guess the 1.7 is worth the extra. I find it to be 'just' quick enough although sadly it never feel urgent (like it WANTS to go), just peppy.

CrisPDuk

Never actually driven a Puma, but I do know enough about the 3 engines to tell you to definitely go for the 1.7

Funnily enough Alex we had corrosion issues with our Ka too, mainly the door bottoms and the tailgate and it was only three years old when we got rid

MooseRacer

Another vote for the Puma. Genuinely one of the best handling fwd cars of recent times.

nickwrxstiV2

I'll get some quotes later tonight when I finish work and post the results.

Thaks for the help guys!

nickwrxstiV2

Results of my insurance finds -

Direct line - £779
Elephant - £482

mrtheedge2u2

Is that on a 1.7? Garaged? yadda yadda yadda?

LG John

Elephant one is starting to head in the right direction. Try admiral as well (similar/same company but they often seem to try and out do one another). Has she got any NCD? I forgot to mention my g/f does which is maybe one reason hers was a quite a bit cheaper.