What cheap quick-ish car next?

[timmy2take]

My insurance has more than doubled since I had a disagreement with some ice recently.
So unfortunately a scoob is out of the question for the time being.

I was hoping to use my engine again, and put it in another one in the future, which I may still do, but think I've got to build up my no claims again first, before it becomes viable.

Not really sure what other car offers such good bang for the buck.
One of the main things I liked about the scoobs are the parts are readily available and usually at a good price too, and the reliability, bar the one I bought from SVA.

Clio 172 Cups are good fun, but straight line speed doesn't seem to quite cut it.

Was thinking maybe a Seat Leon cupra may be good fun?

Newer cars all seem so heavy and don't quite pack the punch of older motors with power to weight.

I had a 230bhp Glanza for cheap a few years ago, which was a handful but it lasted 3 days before going pop. Luckily I didn't lose anything on it, due to all the goodies on it. But being 30 something I can't see myself in one again.

Mr2 Turbos were really good motors, but seem to have shot up in price, along with most other things with fuel being "low" at the moment.

What would others recommend?

[swrx2810]

Depends on your budget, Civic Type R are good cars to drive, good handling. Astra VXR? Corsa VXR? Mazda RX8? Depends also what your after, fast car or good handling? 328 BMW?

[timmy2take]

I had a Civic Type R, I found it embarrassing. All the noise and no go really. At least the Clio cup wasn't far off it, but was a bit more sleeper like, and handled better too.

Not too keen on the Corsa VXR, but may look into an Astra.

RX8 are too thirsty I think, and not dated well. Would love a RX7, but not understanding the engines and knowing anyone that can work on them is a bummer. Plus insurance don't seem to like me in jap imports at the moment. Well certainly not an impreza limited I looked to insure.

An e46 m3 maybe fun, but again seem to have shot up a couple of grand since last year. Even with the recent ice incident it's only £100 more to insure than my type r.

[MSR2012]

Audi S3?

[Banstead Stig]

I think I'd add the Fiesta and Focus STs to the long list. The earlier versions are probably reasonably inexpensive.

The Fiat Panda 100HP is apparently a great handling, fun car but obviously lacks grunt, so may not fit the bill.

Honda S2000? Might not be all that cheap to insure. Nissan 350Zs aren't silly money now and they're good fun. I loved mine. I sold it when I was 29; insurance was about £450 at that time for me.

[Rdlangy1]

Fiesta ST or Astra VXR are both good fun Fiesta I would say handles better

[NL03Scooby]

Leon Cupra R mk1, I had one for a couple of years and loved it. 225 bhp and plenty of poke down low to pull in any gear. The engine is the 1.8 turbo lump from Audi and with a good interior, 18inch wheels, Brembo front brakes and parts readily available I'd say it's a good choice! Just don't get one that suffers from leaking doors...!

[Moley_WRX]

Fiesta ST is a great car.

[munk]

i would have gone civic type r for reliabilty and general all round fun, fit a vtec controller and bobs your uncle. pretty good little cars allthough maybe high insurance due to loads of little scrowts owning them?? potential future classic same as 205 gtis i reckon!

[Scott.T]

Cooper S

[Ginola]

E46 330i

[scotty]

A nova fitted with a 1.2 shallow bore engine its fecking quick trust me i owned one back in the day .

[thepieman]

Originally Posted by Scott.T

Cooper S

Change the supercharger pulley wheel and add an Alta air intake makes it a very fun little car not that its not bad in standard form

[urabusMY94]

Originally Posted by thepieman

Change the supercharger pulley wheel and add an Alta air intake makes it a very fun little car not that its not bad in standard form

Thinking of going this direction myself as >200bhp is possible apparently.

What's the effect on the torque/mpg?

[alfa male]

Mazda 3 MPS

[munk]

Originally Posted by alfa male

Mazda 3 MPS

that really isnt a bad shout!!

[Pirate1066]

I'd vote for cooper so easy to tweek and good out the box,loads about and easy on pocket for spares, I changed my daily 09 reg 320d ms port tourer for a 59 reg cooper clubman handles much better when I'd ditched the run flats enjoying it far more than the bmw even though it's a bmw lol

[Moley_WRX]

It also depends on your budget. What do you consider cheap?

[nikkinokkinoo]

Originally Posted by alfa male

Mazda 3 MPS

Underrated very capable car. V fast.

[timmy2take]

Looking at anywhere between 1-7k as not sure what to throw at one.

Not sure I could bring myself to pay 5.5-6k for a Mazda that is quite as fugly as it is.

Cooper S is a bit hair dressers for my liking.

Think I'm just struggling and being picky as I know I'm going to struggle pound for pound getting the fun factor that my type r gave me.

[Red Baron]

Saab 9-3 Aero, 240bhp out of the box, 2 door, 4 door or estate and available with or without a roof, pick up a low mileage, mint example for £3k.

[Rdlangy1]

S2000? Del Sol?

[Sti mayhew]

Will be selling my very clean s2000 soon, 68,000 on the clock on a 53 plate.
Give me a shout if your interested

[Frenchie]

So what's next on your list Craig???

[RobEvo5]

Audi S4 2.7 Bi-turbo. Great cars in standard form with just a remap but ideally get one of the plenty modded ones with RS4 turbo and intercoolers, remap and 400+bhp and 400+torques and will give you the biggest smile you are likely to ever enjoy. Insurance not bad as its not Jap and not considered a boy racers car.

If you like Jap over German then Toyota Celica GT4 St205 4WD, hold value well, go well look hard and stand out from the crowd.

Both great cars and had both but Insurance on E46 M3 and S2000 are horrendous, and far worse than a Scoob..

[Sti mayhew]

Originally Posted by Frenchie

So what's next on your list Craig???

Erm not 100% yet, defo going to want to see your Scooby though mate