Hot hatch for less than £2000

joneve · October 2018

This is a bit of a pipe dream currently but can anyone recommend a ‘hot hatch’ (even in loose sense) for less than £2k?

mileage isn’t an issue
age obviously isn’t an issue

there’s a small chance we’ll need to buy a ‘runaround’ second car to get to and from work (about 15 miles each way), and if I have to drive it the majority of the time, then I want something a bit fun.

Ive always yearned for a Clio 182 Cup, so that’s on my radar, but looking for other suggestions too.

Only real caveat is that if possible, I’d like it to be relatively reliable, which I appreciate can be a lottery with older cars. But if they’re renowned for their reliability, even into old age, then that’s a winner.

Sporky · October 2018

I believe fast, reliable, and cheap, are three corners of a triangle.

shugz · October 2018

Megane 225? Build quality of a Tudor Crisp but fast and a bit more refined than the Clio. 2k might be scraping through the turds though.

Old Golf 1.8T of some sort. Try and get one without the manual throttle cable as those can be tuned a bit more aggressively.

Fabia vRS might be a shout too if you don't mind burning chip fat.

Cheers
H

munckee · October 2018

Seat Leon cupra

the_jaffa · October 2018

Fiesta ST. The older version. 150bhp in a little car and should be available for your budget. Handle really neatly

Dominic · October 2018

munckee said:

Seat Leon cupra

That's a good call

Gassage · October 2018

Mk1 Impreza. End of thread.

robgilmo · October 2018

B6 Passat Estate, leather interior, decent stereo, loads of room, diesel, 50+ MPG, eats up the miles, comfy, lovely to drive, looks good with dents and scratches, doesnt matter about the kerbed alloys cos its a big school run taxi full of half eaten sweets, stones and bits of dried up foliage.
I have one for sale if your interested!

DrJazzTap · October 2018

My gut is telling me anything that cheap especially a hot hatch would be fucked.

robgilmo · October 2018

You might get a Saab Aero for that money.

robgilmo · October 2018

They seem to have come down in price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-AERO-HOT-COUPE-2001/113298672430?hash=item1a61208b2e:g:d~8AAOSwgYdbvOfk

Not a hatch but rapid all the same. I had one of these for a good few years before I went all sensible, fairly reliable and quick as a quick thing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-SAAB-9-3-93-AERO-2-0T-210-BHP-12-MONTHS-MOT-HPI-CLEAR-XENONS-CRUISE/223181597662?hash=item33f6a8ebde:g:G8YAAOSwAnhbExEA

Even the soft tops are getting cheap these days.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-SAAB-9-3-2-0T-Aero-2dr/263969276028?hash=item3d75cb807c:g:VDQAAOSwb4Vbs1CA

menamestom · October 2018

Does it need to be a hatch? If not an MX5 might be an option.

The MG ZS 180’s were supposed to be good. The 2.5l 6 cylinder engine is nice. Not many anout now though.

joneve · October 2018

menamestom said:

Does it need to be a hatch? If not an MX5 might be an option.

The MG ZS 180’s were supposed to be good. The 2.5l 6 cylinder engine is nice. Not many anout now though.

ideally big enough to get the boy and his car seat in, yes, just in case.

Appreciate that fun, age, reliability and cheap probably aren't all achievable. It doesn't even need to be a 'hot hatch', just something with a bit of nip would be fine. I had a Seat Toledo FR previously, which is the most fun car I've ever owned, so a Leon FR or Cupra would be a welcome choice as well.

Deadman · October 2018

Look for an older 330 diesel BMW, spend £150 on a stage 1 remap and blow all the competition away with your superior torque levels.

Hattigol · October 2018

menamestom said:

Does it need to be a hatch? If not an MX5 might be an option.

The MG ZS 180’s were supposed to be good. The 2.5l 6 cylinder engine is nice. Not many anout now though.

I think the OP is male, which would rule that out.

stickyfiddle · October 2018

You don't need a hatchback. Get an MX5 mk2

Anyone who says they're for girls has a small willy.

bloodandtears · October 2018

proton satria?? A neighbour of mine has two for racing..

FX_Munkee · October 2018

stickyfiddle said:

You don't need a hatchback. Get an MX5 mk2

Anyone who says they're for girls has a small willy.

Shhh We don't want the macho meatheads to know that MX-5's are more fun than their Mondeo's. They might start buying them and push the prices up.

If you're looking at a MK2 MX-5 check very carefully for rust in the rear sills and the front chassis legs.

joneve · October 2018

stickyfiddle said:

You don't need a hatchback. Get an MX5 mk2

Anyone who says they're for girls has a small willy.

I need to get a car seat in the back, which rules these out

I'd have one in a heartbeat though. The Eunos Roadster was my go to car in Gran Turismo.

nick79 · October 2018

You could pick up a Renault Clio 172 or 182 for that money, but it wouldn't be my choice. They are quick and fun, but not the most reliable. I seem to recall gearboxes disintegrate quite often, among other things.
My money would probably go on a Fiesta ST150, to be honest the engine doesnt really feel like anything special, but they are reliable and handle well.
Another possible would be a Mini Cooper? Not sure what 2k would get you but probably worth a look?

Bridgehouse · October 2018

Mx5 Mk2 will need to be one that’s had the rust done. It’s not “if” it rusts but when - and it’s terminal if not sorted.

Clio is a possible but careful for self-eating engines, and the ST150 is a good call.

Most sensible answers are Swift as it’s also bloody reliable but finding one in budget will be a chore..

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Hot hatch for less than £2000

Comments