Sporty daily driver for £5K

Prophet · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:36

A friend asked me for ideas for a sporty daily driver with a 5K Budget and
upto 5 years old..

He understands it doesn't leave a huge range of cars but it doesn't have to be an M3

He's looking for a Astra/Golf sized car, not really practical to have a 2 seater.

Alex UK · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:39

Perhaps a Clio 172/182?

Scrutinize · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:44

Alex UK said:
Perhaps a Clio 172/182?

Yep, not much will come close to these in this budget. Even better, he could get an earlier Phase 2 172 with low mileage and fsh for 3 1/2 K leaving plenty of budget for running costs, insurance, holiday, etc.

Ricochet J · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:48

Kitted out ST170 maybe? Leather Recarro heated front seats, xenon lights, cruise control, cd changer

Prophet · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:49

mrk1@1 said:
Yep, not much will come close to these in this budget. Even better, he could get an earlier Phase 2 172 with low mileage and fsh for 3 1/2 K leaving plenty of budget for running costs, insurance, holiday, etc.

What's the reliability like. He'll be covering around 20K a year.

GinG · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:49

Could you not persuade to go bigger for ST220?

Prophet · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:50

GinG said:
Could you not persuade to go bigger for ST220?

He doesn't like Mondeo's. After being in my Zetec (I know it's not an ST) he said it's far too big for his needs.

Andr3w · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:52

High mileage type r?

siumatfung · 14 Jul 2009 at 12:56

mx5!!!!

leaskovski · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:03

siumatfung said:
mx5!!!!

Too small?

Prophet · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:03

siumatfung said:
mx5!!!!

Orange Peel said:
He's looking for a Astra/Golf sized car, not really practical to have a 2 seater.

failboat.jpg

bledd · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:04

willing to double the age?

ITR :cool:

-edit, just read the mileage

Dorje · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:04

siumatfung said:
mx5!!!!

Not read the thread? 2 seater isn't practical, wants a hatchback and is covering 20k miles per annum.

Booner! · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:14

Celica?

mjt · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:17

Leon Cupra 180?

Rhyzz · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:44

mjt said:
Leon Cupra 180?

Second that, fantastic value for money, especially the ones at around the £5k mark

GinG · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:44

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1058861.htm ??

edit: bah the age!!

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1129920.htm - it has sport in its name!

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1126848.htm

Alex UK · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:45

Orange Peel said:
He doesn't like Mondeo's. After being in my Zetec (I know it's not an ST) he said it's far too big for his needs.

If he's doing 20k per year then surely a Mondeo sized car is perfect for his needs?

Scrutinize · 14 Jul 2009 at 13:58

Orange Peel said:
What's the reliability like. He'll be covering around 20K a year.

Not too bad, usual french niggles but if you find a goodun it should go on for a few years. Used to get 40mpg on my 172 as well.

For that sort of mileage though, I would be looking at honda civics. You may even find a 1.8 VTi on a 2000 plate with low mileage (40-50k) for about £2-3k and these would fit the bill. Otherwise up the budget for a Type R.

The problem here is a 5k budget, 20k miles per year and the desire for a performance car.

Leon 1.8T could also be suitable

That mileage is going to be costly at the pumps with these sorts of cars.

waso_dude · 14 Jul 2009 at 14:00

Mazda 3?

High mileage MPS? 260bhp. awsome kitted

Or a 2.0l sport? - i got my 05 with 22k for 7k look at more mileage and your easy get one for 5k. and 150bhp its not slow.