Options On A Small But Fun Run-About

[McDude 33]

I know the Fiesta ST was thrown out of the mix earlier on in this thread, but can I throw it back in?

 

I owned one from new and I have never owned a car with such phenomenal turn in. They aren't super quick, but they are a hell of a lot of fun. I chucked that thing around the lanes day in day out; it had fantastically predictable lift off oversteer too.

 

The interiors are super lavish, but they are hard wearing and I don't buy the 'literally fell apart' arguement because they are actually rather well screwed together. Ones of this era are a little dull to look at but I'm not sure you'd called out any lookers!

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

You're right mate, looks are of little importance.

 

I need a test driving campaign, but the Lupo and Twingo are hard to find...!

 

Cheers, enjoy your weekend.

[claypole1360 6]

My wife runs a 206 gti. These are dirt cheap to buy with low miles and if you love the power, then go for the 180. It returns about 250miles on a fifty quid tank over country and town driving and has enough grip and go to keep it interesting.

I know its not fashionable but touching wood, nothing has gone wrong in 27,000 miles and it now sits at 53,000 miles.

It has Peugeot lineage, half alcantara seats, climate, cd autochanger and auto lights/wipers.

Seems a no brainer as long as you accept that it aint no 205 and it isn't the last word in dynamics.

Two penneth - Calvin

[Dizzee stuff 33 1 Cars]

Not the smallest car but what about a Skoda Fabia VRS old shape diesel.??

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

A friend of mine is selling his twingo 133 cup and its mint

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

What's the price on the Twingo mate, and where is your mate based? Is there an ad online somewhere?

 

I'm looking to test an ST at a dealers this weekend and if it's nice fun that should make the search easier.

 

I'll take a look at the 206's thanks bud

 

There's a VRS down the road from me mate, it's just ever so slightly too big tbh, almost 306 ish rather than supermini.

 

Cheers

Edited December 4, 2013 by PeterGriffin

[Harni 6]

 

There's a VRS down the road from me mate, it's just ever so slightly too big tbh, almost 306 ish rather than supermini.

 

 

 

Unfortunately you will find that a lot with more modern cars. Look at the 208 for example. Thats supposed to be smaller than the 308 which is the replacement for the 306 (no s*it!) yet the 208 is quite a bit bigger than the 306! Same with the old and new minis. They just keep getting bigger!

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

I'm no further along with this little conundrum. I thought I'd fixed it by spying out the Citroen C2 VTS, they're roughly 1/2 the price of the Twingo RS (my preferred option) but having been for a very short test drive in a C2 yesterday - (salesman came with me) it didn't light any fires to be honest. It climbed the revs in a polite kinda way, felt firm but forgiving, not that I could bend it round any corners. Big disappointment to be honest.

 

Lot of people saying the C2 and the Twingo need another 30bhp crow-barred into them to be proper fun, maybeez I'm just expecting too much from them.

 

There's still no Twingos in my area so am looking to take a fiesty ST out next couple of days, and keep my eye out for a clio 172.

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

my mates twingo

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/renault/twingo/renault-twingo-133-renaultsport-cup-------------2010/1924447?isexperiment=true

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Looks the biz mate but I couldn't bring myself to pay £6k for a toy. That's kinda what killed the Twingo idea...

 

There's a Saxo local and a 106 in Glasgow so might poke about them and see what's what.

 

Cheers

[davey205 7 1 Cars]

Probably going to get flamed here but I went for a unmodified Saxo VTR as a daily, gets well over 40mpg and handles like a racing car !!

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Weren't they a bit lower power wise, 100 bhp or summat?

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

Get a 106 Gti while they're cheap.

[welshpug 1,666]

90 or 98, but about the same weight as a similarly specced 205, good bit less than the other cars mentioned, though you might as well just go straight for the vts, similar weight again but most are easily 125-130 bhp whilst still being decent on fuel.

Edited January 6, 2014 by welshpug

[Mac Crash 78 1 Cars]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mini_Cooper_S_1964.jpg

 

 

Best small car ever made... and ever will be... even in basic 848cc form it's better than every car mentioned in this topic, with the exception of our 205, which does come a close but distant 2nd sorry, couldn't resist that

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Finally, to close this out - bought a nice clean Clio 172 FF, despite my earlier concerns. I think the first one I test drove was just a raft. This one drives like new, got it for just under 2k, pulls like a train and sits very well on the road.

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/renault-clio-sport-172/1044556460

 

The rational behind it was;

 

If I want my spine shaken out - I've got a pug, hence needed to be relatively comfy.

Twingo's are too expensive

A C2 VTS couldn't pull the skin off a gravy.

Fiesta ST a little too solid - see spine comment above.

Saxo - couldn't find a good one local - same with the 106.

 

Thanks for all the comments.

 

Next - an old Merc S-class...

Edited January 14, 2014 by PeterGriffin

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Good choice Richard

 

I've recently broken one if you require any bits.

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

I'll have a look mate, thanks.

 

Haven't been all over it with the proverbial comb yet but will let you know.

 

It's currently sat miles away sulking about it's immobiliser - I think I waited too long to start it after opening the doors and confused it. Or possibly poured screenwash into a loom under the scuttle plate. Immob seems a common problem, might by-pass it.

[Para 82 2 Cars]

Hi Peter Griffin, I hope you're ok now when Brian returned safely back home. I will be glad to join this chat as I am currently in front of the same dilemma . Small, FUN car with something special.

 

I've asked the same question on different forum and this is what they suggest me. I know you bought one already but have a look at this, it might be helpful to other members in the future.

 

 

Fiat Panda 100HP

 

 

 

Mitsubishi Colt CZT 1.5 Turbo

 

 

 

Suzuki Swift Sport

 

 

 

Suzuki Ignis Sport

 

 

 

 

Mini cooper S

Honda Beat

Lupo GTI

Polo GTI

Twingo GT or better RS if you can find one

Clio Sport ( the best I would say from all the above)

Edited January 14, 2014 by Para

[PeterGriffin 20 1 Cars]

Hello mate,

 

The panda I did consider, but never looked very hard. The Colt got a bit of a panning from Tiff, the swift gets a hard time for not being very swift, never seen one of those Ignis things.

 

Cooper S the works is supposed to be good fun, Lupo GTi is quite expensive, Polo GTi too slow. My final decision was actually the Twingo but couldn't spend that kind of money ( >£4k ) for an occassional motor, hence buying the Clio.

 

But I think it needs to suit the purpose first and foremost, to fit in between a hard driving 205 and bigger comfier cars, the Clio was spot on really.

 

But if 2 seats are enough for you, consider an MX5..!

 

I'm off to check reviews for Pandas

 

Cheers

[Para 82 2 Cars]

Clio is not really bigger then 205 in any way, they tiny inside you will find your elbows outside the door each time Other then that they are great little cars, I would love Clio Cup !

[alan-1991 0]

I have a fiesta ST and its a fantastic car. The turning circle is a pain ( a 3 point turn in that car is like a 5 point turn). Had mine two years and its just ticked into 97k. It's still going strong but ill be changing it in the next wee while.

[Roon 29 1 Cars]

VW bora 90 hp model.

 

17's drive it like a 205 round corners and it goes proper sideway while returning 55 mpg.

 

I love my bora.

[andy-mac 4]

made a good choice there the clio's good wee cars and great fun

[johnsimister 10]

I've just bought a Fiat 500 Twinair. 875cc, two cylinders, sounds like an original 500 but goes rather better with turbo, 85bhp and 107lb ft. It's hilarious, and road tax is free. Real world economy is about half the official claim, but you'll have a good time in the process.

 

Still have the 205, btw. And probably always will.

 

John