HankScorpio

Mate of mine is looking for a nippy 2nd car for the round town bits and pieces, kids to school, pickup a takeaway etc, with the occasional run out.

He has a jag x type for wafting around so not envisaged it'll be a long distance thing.

7.5k will get an 02/03 Mini Cooper S or an 05 Clio 182

Both have their merits but any big downsides?

How long before the 197's it sub 8k?

Anything else spring to mind?

Fantom

Civic Type R ?

stilover

Out of the Mini and the Clio, I'd say Mini Cooper S.

Both are very good handling Hot Hatches, so he'll have fun in both. I owned a 172, but hated it. I thought the engine was pretty gutless, and it didn't handle like I'd read about. Others praise it though. Whether or not the Cup chassis on the 182 make the difference or not I don't know.

The biggest gripes with the Clio was really poor build quality. Shockingly bad in fact. The other main gripe was the dealers, but as a second hand car, he probably won't be thinking of using main dealers anyway.

The Mini looks better too.

Other cars? I quite like the Suzuki Swift Sports. Get pretty good reviews. Obviously not as fast as the Clio/Mini, but will still be a hoot on a decent back road.

HankScorpio

Not so keen on the vtec.
A guy I used to work with just bought a Swift for his mum and really rates it even though it's not a sport. That money will get an 07 sport - worth thinking about.

I think the mini myself but it would have to have the nav or I think chrono pack that moves the speedo to the top of the steering column along with a tacho, couldn't live with that centre speedo.

McWRX

I have had a Type R and the missus has a cooper S. To be honest I got fed up of VTEC (loud, drank oil, gutless until 6250) as well... hence sold my car and bought another scoob.

The mini on the other hand I love driving. Looks good, good kit inside, a blast on back roads with a few roundabouts thrown in and more than enough power to keep up with some bigger engined cars out there. (supercharged 1.6). The noise is rather addictive as well

Good thing is... the mini will still be worth more after 3 years than a clio.

McWRX

Should also mention - tuning wise, the mini is good for 200bhp with a simple air induction, 15% pulley on the charger and cat back

HankScorpio

Cheers for that. I'll pass on the thoughts. Always nice to hear from an actual owner

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

Well i've got the RB320, & I have to say that I do like a blast in the Mrs' John Cooper Works Mini.

Like already said, the super-charger sound is addictive and it loves to be pushed. And with what, 210 bhp in such a small package, it surprises quite a few

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I hate to say it but, Mini, the Clio is built down to a price and a bit gutless unless revved, Cooper S is a premium product and supercharged so more relaxing to drive, if a little crap on fuel, depends whether you mind looking like a bird of Junior Estate Agent though.

HankScorpio

Worth seeking out a works and paying a bit more?

McWRX

Not in my opinion, as the works effectively only has the mods I listed above and you will be paying an easy 3k over the price of a normal cooper S.

The only thing it will have going will be residuals after the period of ownership.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I was well impressed with the Mini, did one of those Supercar days and got to drive it to get a feel for the circuit before being let loose in fancy things, handling is great, brakes good, interior nice, pulled well, in fact I canged my rather scathing tune and went from thinking they are a tools car (which they are a bit) to actually quite fancying one, the Clio ont he other hand was one I nearly bought from a Performance Dealers in Warrington, didnt get on with it at all, that said, saw one on the Anglesey circuit and it looked fast and planted.

wayno

iTrader: (3)

Had a coopers s 53 plate for about 10 weeks now, and has been abused every day. Can't fault it at all, and great fun to drive.

charlieogden

Had a clio 172 phz 1 a few years ago and loved it Cheap to run, very cheap to service ect. Renault dealers awful though... look at the 182 Trophys they should hold there money better?!? My rents had a cooper S supercharged one it was nice but the clio just looks like a clio if you know what i mean. There's a buying guide is this month performance car on the clio's to.

Charlie

Jimpreza

That sort of money would get a decent Rx8 but if he's not keen on vtec he probabaly won't get on with the gutless rotary either.