Spec me speed!

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Hello :)

It's coming up to two years since I bought the 205, and I'm definitely ready for something considerably quicker, especially since seizing the opportunity to drive my dad's Griff on every single dry day this year.

I've been offered £1200 for my GTI which isn't bad considering I paid about that for it originally and all I've done to it is put 10,000 miles on it and serviced it regularly.

I'm gonna budget £3,000 not including insurance etc. I have two years no claims and I'm nearly 22 so I'm in pretty good steed for something with a decent amount of power.

I've been toying with the idea of an early Evo/Impreza but I really don't know where to start. Which models are actually genuinely quick, but still going to be a decent, reasonably reliable buy for the money?

What are the alternatives?

I'd like something that sees 60 in less than six seconds. (I'm aware this isn't a brilliant indicator of overall performance, but at this stage in my life I'm interested in going round corners at great pace and being pinned back in my seat when accelerating. I'm not interested in cruising on the autobahn at 155MPH).

I'm all for harsh rides and minimal creature comforts. Having said that, a stripped interior and roll-cage is a step too far. The girlfriend would not approve. I want something that is going to excite me and handle as good if not better than the GTI. I'm open to ideas regarding RWD, AWD and FWD. I don't want a Sierra Cosworth. My bloody next door neighbour just bought one so I can't get one as well :(.

Cheers!

EDIT:

I've toyed with the idea of an MI16 engined 205 but I think I fancy a change. I want something with a turbo! I'd love an ITR, but they're double my budget and saving for one would take a long time for a student, so something in-between (but probably more powerful) will have to do!
 
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I was thinking about this! Thing is, I don't know where to start with these turbo Japanese cars. Same problem with the Impreza and Evo. There seem to be so many different models and versions and imports and UKDM and blah blah blah within my price range.

I don't know which ones are actually good cars that won't cost me the earth to keep on the road, and which ones are money pits or just plain bad variants of the car.
 
It's a 1.6 on a G plate in Graphite Grey :)

67,000 miles on the clock. 300BHP.

Not really, but the mileage is real :D I'm not in a particular rush to sell, because I don't know what I want next! Hence the thread :)
 
Alfa 155 Q4, I know, there aren't any for sale anywhere, ever, and they're more like Delta Integrale money, probably more.

6s to 60, under £3k and turbocharged is a hard one.

Uno turbo comes in at 7.3s to 60, you already have a 205GTi, Renault 5 I'm not sure on the 0-60 but the hot start problems would be a pain.
 
I must say under 6 seconds to 60 3k sounds exactly like an MR2 Turbo to me. I guess RWD will be a welcome change.

Whats the difference in handling between the mr2 n/a and the turbo?
 
I hope you realise the running costs of quick cars is substantialy more than an old 205 GTi? Insurance, fuel and parts will all be in a different league.

Anyway, I'll offer the Fiat Coupe into the suggestion box, along with a Celica GT4
 
Dogbreath said:
I hope you realise the running costs of quick cars is substantialy more than an old 205 GTi? Insurance, fuel and parts will all be in a different league.

Anyway, I'll offer the Fiat Coupe into the suggestion box, along with a Celica GT4

Yeah I'm aware of this. I'm not getting a Fiat Coupe I really don't like them.
 
Evo 1/2 look amazing, i fancy one of these in the future just because their old skool looks and no nonsense design i find far mre appealing than anything new.
 
Now this is what I'm walking about! I love the early Evos, but is it right to assume that they're all as quick as I want for under £3K? Any particular examples to show me? I've looked on Pistonheads and had little joy.

Also, what are running costs like on the early ones? Am I right to assume that I don't have to worry about AYC on these ones?
 
[huzeeee] said:
Evo 1/2 look amazing

No, they dont, they look absolutely awful. The 1 and 2 look like bland, boring, horrible Japanese Minicabs that some chav has nailed a spoiler onto. Really bad looking cars.

It wasn't until the Evo IV that Mitsubishi finally managed to make the Evo look distinctive and damn, damn good.
 
[TW]Fox said:
No, they dont, they look absolutely awful. The 1 and 2 look like bland, boring, horrible Japanese Minicabs that some chav has nailed a spoiler onto. Really bad looking cars.

It wasn't until the Evo IV that Mitsubishi finally managed to make the Evo look distinctive and damn, damn good.

Totally agree!
 
Yeah, they do look awful. But, I'm interested in performance for 3 grand! :)

How do the 200sxs handle? I'm probably being judgmental, but looking at them, they don't look particularly 'poised' if you get me? They look like they'd be quick in a straight line and that's it. Prove me wrong please because I do like the idea of one!
 
In that case buy an old Lada or Skoda to which someone has fitted a big engine :p

Whats the stock performance figures for the early evo's then?

Tbh a 200sx or MR2 turbo can't be far behind and look far far better!
 
[TW]Fox said:
No, they dont, they look absolutely awful. The 1 and 2 look like bland, boring, horrible Japanese Minicabs that some chav has nailed a spoiler onto. Really bad looking cars.

It wasn't until the Evo IV that Mitsubishi finally managed to make the Evo look distinctive and damn, damn good.

Totally disagree!

The 1 and 2 were all about relatively understated performance, from then on they were all about seeing how many bits you could stick on and how many holes you could cut in the bodywork! :p

Admittedly the newer ones are faster, but, for me anyway, they lost the charm of the earlier ones.
 
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