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Fun car for U21s?
JC - 18/9/19 at 08:40 AM

Hi All,

My Son is coming up to 21 next year. He has been driving his Toyota Aygo since his 17th birthday but now fancies something a little more fun.....but not expensive to buy (£2k wish) or insure....

His suggestion, and mine was a 1.6 MX5 - but veto'd by Domestic Control!

He doesn't like Fiesta's or Suzuki Swift...

What else can you recommend - ideally with ABS? I'm up to speed with the 'hot' hatches but have lost track of which of the 'warm' alternatives are fun!

Thanks

JC

swanny - 18/9/19 at 08:59 AM

Fiat Panda 100hp?

43mpg.
0-60 9.5 seconds
top end 115

nick205 - 18/9/19 at 09:54 AM

Is this to replace the Aygo?

I have to admit I'm not really up on warm or hot hatches these days.

Have you/he looked at the SEAT models?

Built on VW platforms (when you open the bonnets all the engine bits have Audi and VW logos on them). I've had several SEAT's over the years from Leon Cupra TDI to Alhambra SE. All have been reliable and done good service. Prices are usually keener than Audi and VW models as well.

Keep us posted on his progress.

theduck - 18/9/19 at 12:00 PM

Twingo 133?

loggyboy - 18/9/19 at 09:21 PM

Cost of car will pale in to insignificance compared to insurance.
So start there, just get loads insurance quotes on various hot cars. Its not always the group that makes them expensive to insure, its their stats. So something obscure like the twingo, ibiza cupra (inc tdi version), c2 vts, fiesta st150.

JC - 18/9/19 at 09:33 PM

Panda 100HP is a great shout.

He has (will have,,,) 2 years NCB so insurance is getting better - £700 for a 1.6 MX5 for example. The emphasis is on fun - the little Aygo is fun in a limited power/grip kinda way. I had a C1 and enjoyed it, I think he wants a revvy, fizzy fun handling car rather than outright speed. Like the old Peugeot 106 Rallye I guess..

nick205 - 19/9/19 at 08:41 AM

Peugeot 106 Rallye was a good little car, but then I'm a bit of a fan of Peugeot's of that era. Had 2 205 1.6 GTIs when I was younger and have a 205 1.9 GTI tucked away now. For me what does it is the light weight of the car. Cars these days seem to have got heavier and heavier and manufacturers have upped the BHP to compensate.

JC - 19/9/19 at 03:22 PM

Nick, I agree. I loved my 205GTi - Miami Blue 1.6 with full leather!
Lightness is one of the things that makes his current Aygo good fun - maybe a search for the lightest car would be a good place to start!

RichardB123 - 19/9/19 at 03:33 PM

Buy a nice mk4 golf 1.8 GTI turbo for less than 1k and spend the rest on insurance.

This would be his first proper car (speed wise)
They are very reliable, good to get parts for and good for modifying.

nick205 - 19/9/19 at 03:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JC
Nick, I agree. I loved my 205GTi - Miami Blue 1.6 with full leather!
Lightness is one of the things that makes his current Aygo good fun - maybe a search for the lightest car would be a good place to start!



I'd certainly be noting kerb weights (think that's the term) in making the choice.

Quinten - 19/9/19 at 03:39 PM

My son (20) bought a Mini Cooper S (54-plate R53) for his first car and the insurance without a blackbox was a surprising £1500 for the 1st year and £1200 for the next.