Options On A Small But Fun Run-About

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Looking to keep the high miles off the family car and the pug, and have a wee short list going. I like small cars that are easy in the city, but obviously to be as fun as possible.

 

Options so far are

 

Lupo GTi

 

​

 

They're so dammed expensive, the MUST be good!

 

Twingo VVT

 

 

Apparently lots of fun for being fully clothed... Gordini in the pic is quite rare

 

Fiesta ST

 

 

Good write ups, cheap, easy - like some girls I know

 

Clio 172

 

​

 

This one is bottom for a reason, I test drove a full fat version and wasn't too impressed, could have been a bad example though..

 

Any pointers from those with experience?

 

Cheers

[Harni 6]

The fiestas of that era that you have put a pic up are terrible for interior build quality and aren't that quick. My GTi6 walked all over one and apparently they are more powerful! Also we had some fiestas of that shape at work from new and they just literally fell to pieces!

[Batfink 201]

Where are you based? I have a Lupo in the workshop with kW coil overs and my custom manifold. It's probably running around 135bhp and is certainly brisk. It's a big car inside for the front occupants due to its windscreen angle. It's a small German car so don't expect it to be like a 205. It solid and refined with a light steering feel and effortless clutch. The car handles nice. Front heavy so uses front tyres if you hoon a lot on corners but certainly enjoyable and responsive. 6 speed gearbox is the one to have as it's tougher. I have to get a few bits sorted on this so it's ready for sale so I could take you for a test drive so you can get an idea if it's a car you could like

Edited November 21, 2013 by Batfink

[tartanbloke 35 1 Cars]

I had a Fiesta ST in 2007 and it was no quicker that a standard 1.9 GTI but the 205 has not thrown its gearbox all over the road within 5,000 miles unlike the ST.

[welshpug 1,666]

you already have the 205, so personally I wouldn't go for the sporty variants, I'd get a base model runabout thing.

[farmer 328 1 Cars]

When I upgraded my "new" car I went for a DS3 1.6 diesel.

 

Cheap to run and £20 a year road tax, an ideal partner to go with my 205.

[AlexRS2782 136 1 Cars]

The Fiesta ST isn't that fast tbh, and isn't particularly great on fuel either if you're using it in a city aspect like you mention.

 

If you were determined to get an ST, i'd be looking at the Zetec-S TDCI and get it remapped as the extra torque makes them a good bit of fun, although again not massively fast, but with the benefit of a much cheaper tax bracket than the petrol ST is in.

[cheesegrater 43 1 Cars]

Mx5!

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

106 GTI

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

twingo cup

[mowflow 67]

Cooper S (although I guess it's not THAT small)

[ORB 227 1 Cars]

I never thought that this would be such a hard question, but it is.

 

I can't even answer!

[MiniGibbo 142]

Fiesta is 150hp, reasonably nice place to be but not quick.

 

Clio has a terrible driving position and isn't that great a place to be.. Quite boring IMO.

 

Never experienced a lupo...

 

For a daily though I'd be looking at a polo 1.6 blue motion

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Asking for advice on what fun car to get, people recommending diesels, blue motion and none from his list!? Very helpful

 

I'm very qualified to answer this having driven none of those. But I'd have the twingo (pref not in that colour scheme!)

[welshpug 1,666]

Asking for advice on what fun car to get, people recommending diesels, blue motion and none from his list!? Very helpful

 

 

 

 

you mean common sense?

 

tbh, with the added expense of a 6th car, especially of the type you are considering, you would be better off just accepting the minimal depreciation of extra mileage on the daily and the 205, just bloody use them!

 

or really are you just wanting to replace the 205 but don't want to sell it?

Edited November 22, 2013 by welshpug

[mowflow 67]

My definition "family car" is the one that you put miles on and don't give a s*it about. I struggle to understand wanting to keep it good as my wife and kids will destroy it anyway.

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

The ST isn't getting any good comments so I think there's no future in that. Cheers guys

 

 

Where are you based? I have a Lupo in the workshop with kW coil overs and my custom manifold. It's probably running around 135bhp and is certainly brisk. It's a big car inside for the front occupants due to its windscreen angle. It's a small German car so don't expect it to be like a 205. It solid and refined with a light steering feel and effortless clutch. The car handles nice. Front heavy so uses front tyres if you hoon a lot on corners but certainly enjoyable and responsive. 6 speed gearbox is the one to have as it's tougher. I have to get a few bits sorted on this so it's ready for sale so I could take you for a test drive so you can get an idea if it's a car you could like

 

I'm in Aberdeen mate, there are many many miles between us, but it's a very kind offer. I might be around humberside couple of days around the holidays but will be on 16 hour days so no time to browse motors really. What kind of money you looking at for it bud?

 

you already have the 205, so personally I wouldn't go for the sporty variants, I'd get a base model runabout thing.

 

I can't do it mate, I need something to happen in a car when I smash the pedal down. I had a 1.2 punto and wanted it burned at the stake... Gave it away after few months

 

Mx5!

 

I have one which is badly neglected, great little motors. Will get into it once the weather improves. Love the 1800 engines in these

 

I never thought that this would be such a hard question, but it is.

I can't even answer!

 

Lol, you feel my pain. I only have room for a couple more so need to be good buys...!

 

 

 

 

you mean common sense?

 

tbh, with the added expense of a 6th car, especially of the type you are considering, you would be better off just accepting the minimal depreciation of extra mileage on the daily and the 205, just bloody use them!

 

or really are you just wanting to replace the 205 but don't want to sell it?

 

Not at all, the 205 is a ball ache to drive in the town. I have city in front of me and country roads behind me, 205 is for when I'm going thatta way man!

 

My definition "family car" is the one that you put miles on and don't give a s*it about. I struggle to understand wanting to keep it good as my wife and kids will destroy it anyway.

 

I see your point, but it's a big motor, especially when you're trying to squeeze into silly little spaces. Comfy though!

[welshpug 1,666]

dunno what you mean, I drive my 205 through town every day nice and small, pretty nippy

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

This is typical of the deals on Twingos;

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301124891868/sort/default/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/page/1/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/ab210nw/keywords/twingo%20sport?logcode=p

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

and this would be typical ish for a Lupo, the prices vary wildly, not sure why

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311190004995/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/lupo/page/1/keywords/gti/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/ab210nw/fuel-type/petrol/radius/1500/make/volkswagen?logcode=p

[Batfink 201]

Prices vary wildly due to spec. There are two variants. The first ones came with the 5speed from the polo and they were fragile. The later versions came with a 6 speed box. Beyond that I'm not sure of the differences. Some have sunroofs, multi CD players, full leather and other gizmos. Mileage affects the price a lot with genuine low mileage ones fetching good money. Not many were made which makes them desirable.

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Have you tried one mate? Or the Twingo?

 

Because of the rarity I don't seem to be able to find local to jump in and test drive... pain in the neck.

 

Thanks tho, 6 speed sound the better option.

[Batfink 201]

My brother owns two lupos and I've driven a fair few due to work. I drove a twingo 133 briefly though I cannot remember anything about it lol. Consider it like the Clio as that's its underpinnings. The cars are quite similar in that you sit reasonably high and straight. Pedals are light and effortless. the Lupo is higher specced I think. Comes with xenons as standard which are brilliant. I've always found the Lupo quite pleasant inside and well built. Handles well, plenty of mods available for them, straight forward to work on most of the time. Bad points. Has a smallish fuel tank, any gti that's had a bonnet replaced will have a steel one as alloy bonnets are discontinued. All the weight is at the front so if you drive the car hard it will wear front tyres a lot quicker than rears but that's to be expected for a fwd hot hatch. I'd only buy the 6 speed. 2002 or newer. Oh boot is laughably tiny as they gave all the room for the occupants.

[Batfink 201]

The twingo is pretty much similar spec to the Clio 182 but with the smaller engine. It's more difficult to maintain due to having to remove more parts to access as they pushed for less engine space and more cabin room. It didn't excite interior wise. Modern feel to it but nothing stands out. It was a customer car so I only drove it to check I had fitted the suspension correctly so didn't push it. Handling I'd expect to be on par with the 172 and 182. I think I'd rather my old 172 ph1 over the twingo as that was a bit quirkier. The Renault engines lack that fun of coming on cam though due to their vvt so I find them fast but soulless.

 

For looks and interior I'll say the Lupo wins, styling the Lupo, handling I bet the twingo will trump here with the cup pack option but the Lupo is a capable car. Performance should be about the same with the twingo a little faster in standard form.

 

I've not tried to tune a twingo other than fitting new suspension, but the Lupo works very well on Bilstein and eibachs if you need a bit of suspension travel. Most people fit coilovers. KW is very nice. Does a good job of dampening the rougher roads. A lot of people up rate the rear arb to get better turn in. I make probably the best manifold on the market for it. 10 bhp over standard :-). No real power gain in an exhaust but standard will restrict if you tune the engine a lot. on tuning for the gti engine you can do the usual cams, air filter, supercharger or 1.8t conversion lol

I'll have a sit In one tomorrow and see if anything else comes to mind

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Fantastic info mate, big thanks! I was leaning towards the twingo but will have to scratch my movember some more I think...