Cheap Hatch (preferably nippy) Suggestions Please?

wd40

wd40

wd40

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19 May 2011
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Hi,

In a couple of weeks' time I'm moving to an area without parking nearby. This means I'm going to have to park at a friend's place and walk 10 minutes back to my place. It's on the road and it's not fair to expect him to keep an eye on the car - he's been generous enough. This situation should be for a year max - whereupon I can go back to owning something nice (my beloved Lancia is going up for sale! :-(

So, I need a hatch to stuff business items into. I'd prefer it to be fairly quick if possible, but reliability / trustworthiness is *far* more important. Nick-ability is a concern as it won't be kept within my eyesight. Insurance quotes have all been very similar for the following cars (I'm quite an old git btw):

Clio 172 Ph1 / Ph2 - have driven some and they're amazing fun. However, I do not need reliability worries, so am inclined to forget this car

Civic VTI 160bhp - an old car and difficult to find with good history. Horrible interior. Bullet-proof mechanics (have had Hondas in family for yrs)

Civic Type-R - expensive servicing, guzzles fuel. A bit nervous about leaving one at my mate's...

Civic 1.6VTEC 3-dr-granny-mobile. Slow, but cheap to run a good example. Cars with FSH are easy to find. Practical and very, very boring. The most likely one for me to buy...I'll only have it for 6-12 months, right?

Has anyone got a car they'd add to the list? I'm loathe to spend more than £2.5K on a car (Type-R is out, if truthful) that can't live under my nose. Driving-wise, Clio 172 is the favourite; but my mechanic owns one and reckons they're a bit time-consuming to look after.

Sorry for the long post. If anyone can suggest a contender, I'd be very grateful. Any Jap cars? Don't say a Toyota Starlet or Pulsar Turbo! Thanks in advance.
 
I'd go for the Civic 1.6 for some cheap motoring.

I got my ZS for the same reason, I couldn't keep it safe when parked near work. Thankfully it's been break-in free, hope you have the same luck :)
 
An inspired suggestion, BR - much appreciated.

I'd prefer a 3-door, but it seems the type-s in that vintage only comes in a 5-dr. It also seems that Type-Rs of that age go for similar money... The concern would be servicing and increased chav interest.

Mind you, the Type-S is plenty quick at 8.5s 0-60 and I'd like to think the chances of finding a non-thrashed 5-dr are better than a 3-dr.

Thanks. Type-S 5-dr is the favourite at the 'mo. 5 doors for stealth :-)

edit - the 5-dr has greater boot capacity with seats down (states obvious). Hmm...
 
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wd40 said:
An inspired suggestion, BR - much appreciated.

I'd prefer a 3-door, but it seems the type-s in that vintage only comes in a 5-dr. It also seems that Type-Rs of that age go for similar money... The concern would be servicing and increased chav interest.

Mind you, the Type-S is plenty quick at 8.5s 0-60 and I'd like to think the chances of finding a non-thrashed 5-dr are better than a 3-dr.

Thanks. Type-S 5-dr is the favourite at the 'mo. 5 doors for stealth :-)
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Servicing on a Type R is really quite cheap.. I'd ring around a few garages. Should be around £170 for a minor, £220-240 for a major..
 
Toyota Corolla T-Sport

Pre 04 they look quite ugly as standard and have terrible handling which can be recitified and are also available in 5 doors

Post 04 they look much nicer but only available in 3 door, the handling was sorted out too and the interior is improved
 
wd40 said:
An inspired suggestion, BR - much appreciated.

I'd prefer a 3-door, but it seems the type-s in that vintage only comes in a 5-dr. It also seems that Type-Rs of that age go for similar money... The concern would be servicing and increased chav interest.

Mind you, the Type-S is plenty quick at 8.5s 0-60 and I'd like to think the chances of finding a non-thrashed 5-dr are better than a 3-dr.

Thanks. Type-S 5-dr is the favourite at the 'mo. 5 doors for stealth :-)

edit - the 5-dr has greater boot capacity with seats down (states obvious). Hmm...
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Type S tend to be driven by people like me, a dad who still wants to overtake.

Had mine 6 months (ish) now and can get her to 40 mpg indicated (more like 38) or when I drive a bit quicker 28 mpg.
 
I covered about 70k in a 172 over about 5 years, it was no hassle and definitely not 'time comsuming' to look after!

No problems with reliability at all.
 
1500 on a good 306gti6

rest on insurance or cleaning it up.

Best hatch for dosh in my eyes, love mine :)
 
Ev0 said:
I covered about 70k in a 172 over about 5 years, it was no hassle and definitely not 'time comsuming' to look after!

No problems with reliability at all.
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Most 172 owners can't say the same though. Exhausts and gearboxes are both weak spots, and the general reliability of a standard 172 isn't brilliant.

Don't get me wrong, my 172 was the best car I've owned in terms of sheer fun, but I wouldn't be recommending one to someone for who reliability is paramount.
 
I'm going to look at a 50k / 2003 S-type 5-door later today. My head says 'yes', my heart says 'wtf?'. If I can get it for a good price, I can sell it on with minimal depreciation.

Trojan - your post is spot on re: my attitude towards 172 / 182 Clios. I've driven both. I preferred the Ph1 172 as it felt a touch more raw. However, I didn't like the slight 'clank' when sliding between 2nd and 3rd...odd for a 1-owner car with 55k and a FSH. I've looked at several Clios. We have a system here in the UK where you can look at a car's MOT history. When looking at histories for Clios, I noticed a fair amount of failures for quite expensive things like dampers. I would love to get a 172 as they're so lively and responsive, it's just that I don't think it's right for my lifestyle at the 'mo. I've had a Lancia for 20 yrs so I know what high maintenance cars are all about! Maybe I'm a bit traumatised from having to deal with the Cosa Nostra every time I need parts!

Thanks again.
 
Tizzer said:
Whats the running costs like on these?

Stupid question duhhh.:rolleyes:
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Depends if you buy a good one or not! Buying one thats been looked after and had parts replaced when they needed it shouldn't cost you too much. Not that great on petrol though, 20-30mpg on SUL.

Cambelt every 36k or 3 years, cost about £300 all in.

Clutch tends to last, heavy feel is due to plastic bushings wearing that the mechanism pivots on in the gearbox.

They can have a few electrical problems with sensors breaking at this age but its not a big issue.

Tyres are cheap being 15" wheels, 195/55 standard size.

Brakes are pretty cheap unless you want uprated pads, the handbrake always buggers up and will need some fettling for MOT each year.
 
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Mine's always needed something doing at MoT time but what 13 year old car wouldn't? it's never cost me big bucks yet. (Touch wood). I've had the clutch done and the cambelt but other than that it's been general maintenance. Tyres were £160 for a pair fitted but I did go for some of the newest Dunlops. I don't run mine on SUL and I can get close to 400 miles if i drive sensibly most of the time. Last fill was £80 though. :(
 
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Berger said:
Depends if you buy a good one or not! Buying one thats been looked after and had parts replaced when they needed it shouldn't cost you too much. Not that great on petrol though, 20-30mpg on SUL.

Cambelt every 36k or 3 years, cost about £300 all in.

Clutch tends to last, heavy feel is due to plastic bushings wearing that the mechanism pivots on in the gearbox.

They can have a few electrical problems with sensors breaking at this age but its not a big issue.

Tyres are cheap being 15" wheels, 195/55 standard size.

Brakes are pretty cheap unless you want uprated pads, the handbrake always buggers up and will need some fettling for MOT each year.
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Can't see how it can be any cheaper to run than a 172?
 
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