Smaller sporty shite

[AlsoMike]

I've been contemplating changing my car a lot recently, not that there's anything wrong with my 205 Auto, I've just got a hankering for something with a manual box that would suit a bit of 'enthusiastic' driving.

 

Because I resent paying road tax, and prefer to pay as little of it as possible, I'm going to try and find something in the lower band, consequently with a smaller engine.

 

So, fellow shite-ists, what can you think of that fits the bill? Just needs to be under 1549cc and have sporting pretensions. Examples that are actually for sale somewhere would be a bonus!

 

My immediate ideas were:

 

Peugeot 205 XS

 

 

Metro GTi

 

 

Thoughts?

[scooters]

XS for me- if you can find one!

[Alexg]

I can vouch for Metro gti...

 

 

Good - Fun, fast, light, Q-Car, easy to make quicker

 

Bad - Rusty, HGF, getting rare, gaining in price

[dollywobbler]

Honda Civic.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-HONDA-CIVIC- ... 0627003559

 

Either this or the slightly later generation. My 1991 1.4GL went like stink and topped 40mpg easily. Great to drive, though the steering was a touch light and not particularly confidence inspiring (especially when I bunged some shit budget tyres on it!).

[barrett]

What are AX GTs like? they never seem to get mentioned on here, but I think they look pretty good and I've heard good things about them from people who have owned them in the past.

[155V6]

+1 for the Metro GTI

[AlsoMike]

What are AX GTs like? they never seem to get mentioned on here, but I think they look pretty good and I've heard good things about them from people who have owned them in the past.

Aren't they a similar (or even the same) engine setup as the 205 XS? Another one to add to the list I think.

[warren t claim]

Obviously if you love 205's but need one with a manual gearbox......

[Cavcraft]

+1 for the 205 XS.

 

AXs are a hoot but feel quite tinny.

 

I'd also nominate:

 

Nova SR (if you can find one) or a 1.5TD. Rot like God knows what and decent standard ones are doing good money.

 

Proton Satria 1.5 Sport. Ace fun.

 

Honda Civic a good call but don't over look the Ballade. It looked grim but the 1500 ones go like hell and are about the ultimate 'q car'.

[pompei]

Cinq Sporting? 1100 cc, 54 bhp, not particularly fast but great fun. some people have put Punto 1242 motors in for added oomph - not sure how easy a conversion it is but there are certainly plenty of Puntos about.

[dollywobbler]

What are AX GTs like? they never seem to get mentioned on here, but I think they look pretty good and I've heard good things about them from people who have owned them in the past.

Aren't they a similar (or even the same) engine setup as the 205 XS? Another one to add to the list I think.

Check you fit before you buy! The driving position is much, much more cramped in the AX, with seriously offset pedals. They are cracking little motors though by all accounts.

[pandamonium]

Perodua Nippa.

[MrDuke]

What are AX GTs like? they never seem to get mentioned on here, but I think they look pretty good and I've heard good things about them from people who have owned them in the past.

Aren't they a similar (or even the same) engine setup as the 205 XS? Another one to add to the list I think.

Check you fit before you buy! The driving position is much, much more cramped in the AX, with seriously offset pedals. They are cracking little motors though by all accounts.

If they're anything like the early 106 (pretty sure they're near identical underneath), the steering wheel will be totally offset as well, making for horrible back discomfort on long-ish journeys. Also, I remember the pedals being tiny and spaced about half an inch apart, which is great if you have size 4 feet or smaller.

[Pillock]

Polo G40.

 

112bhp standard, 130bhp easy to get. You pay good money for one, but you'll get good money back. 1272cc

[Station]

I'd have the Metro GTi anyday, even with IMMINENT HGF.

[ChinaTom]

breadvan shaped MK II Polo GT

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

breadvan shaped MK II Polo GT

The Mk2 Polo GT wasn't imported to the UK.

[r.welfare]

Facelift one (90-94) was. But try finding one!

 

How about a 3-door Rover 214, in late SEi spec? Might be a bit big though.

[ashmicro]

+ another 1 for the Metro GTi. Great fun.

[Pete-M]

I'd go for the AX GT as they're most excellent little buzz boxes.

 

The Metro I'd avoid with extreme prejudice as they're nice enough little things when they're working right, but a pain in the arse most of the time.

 

205 GT is a fun thing, but not as much fun as a Rallye.

 

The AX pedals are about the same as Pug 106 ones. Very close together, but you seen learn to avoid the brake when going for the throttle or clutch.

[peter9000uk]

IIRC the AX GT is some stupidly high insurance group for some reason.

[ashmicro]

IIRC the AX GT is some stupidly high insurance group for some reason.

because it's quite fast, and if you hit a fly it will fold up like a rusty beer can.

[AlsoMike]

IIRC the AX GT is some stupidly high insurance group for some reason.

because it's quite fast, and if you hit a fly it will fold up like a rusty beer can.

Insurance group doesn't bother me too much, I've got a few years no claims behind me now.

 

Safety-wise I'm sure any small fast car is going to present a similar problem wouldn't you think Ash?

[Guest]

Hyundai Accent MVi (angry catfish sort, not the cheap-feeling replacement).

[ashmicro]

IIRC the AX GT is some stupidly high insurance group for some reason.

because it's quite fast, and if you hit a fly it will fold up like a rusty beer can.

Insurance group doesn't bother me too much, I've got a few years no claims behind me now.

 

Safety-wise I'm sure any small fast car is going to present a similar problem wouldn't you think Ash?

Absolutely. However, the AX is lighter than most, and therefore less "substantial" if you get my meaning. My mate had a (then) new AX GT for years. Thankfully, he never crashed it, but 2 not very big blokes were able to hold the back of the car off the ground while he changed a wheel.

[ashmicro]

Uno Turbo? Can't be expensive, surely.

[face]

Starlet Glanza/GT Turbo - not that cheap and some crappy ones about, but low tax bracket and very quick and should be tough as old boots too.

 

Also a shout for the Nova SR and AX GT........if you can find a decent one of either of those. Great fun both of them.

 

Fiesta Zetec-S is another good fun car - this shape:

 

 

Getting cheapish now too

[r.welfare]

^ 1600 engine so cheap tax fail.

 

How about a 1.4 Puma?

[cobblers]

106 1.4 XSi. Cheap to buy (£500 will get a reasonable one, £250 gets one that needs the usual 4" square patches on the chassis legs behind the headlights for the MOT) and are a lot easier to find than an AX gt. More or less the same car, though.

 

The pedals are offset to the left, but it took me about 10 minutes to get used to. I've got size 10 feet and wear big SK8R shoes and never had a problem.

 

The steering wheel seems to be positioned fine, perhaps they lined it up right on a 106.

 

Parts are dirt cheap (apart from the gearbox, it's sought after so £150 worth. Stick a box off a 1.1 Saxo on for £30) and they are piss easy to work on. They are injection so nice to live with and good on fuel providing you don't go flat out everywhere.

 

If you get a taste for a bit more power, get a Saxo VTS/106 gti engine, ecu and loom for £200 ish (I was trying to sell one for £250 for ages and didn't get any takers) and you'll have a really capable motor (low 7s 0-60, 125 ish flat out). It's an easy swap, comfortably done in a day. My last one took about 4 hours.

 

Whether you tell the doovla about the engine size increase is your prerogative

 

The main disadvantage is that the 106owners forum is the biggest bunch of moronic fuckwits I've ever encountered. There are a few good eggs, but the vast majority are people who can't read more than the title and first line of a thread before replying in txt spk asking a question that you've already answered.

I only really used it for the for sale section, but even that infuriates me. It moves so fast that stuff falls off the first page in about 90 minutes - Not because there is loads for sale, but it moves so fast that people bump threads every 3 hours, which makes it move fast, so people bump threads.

It's that bad I've put stuff on eBay instead. eBay!

[messerschmitt owner]

Daihatsu turbos are great wee things ...