Unfortunately I think steering clear of letters like "VTS" and "GTI" are the best bet for affordable insurance. (That's what I did for a few years to build some NCB)

However, I found that my Scoob insurance was more difficult to get because I hadn't owned "fast" cars before...

(Even though the car I had was nearly as quick as it's GTI version )

BTW I'm still only 23, so it needn't be for that long...

[Edited by dnb - 12/11/2002 5:02:30 PM]

 

Just wondering, what is the best car for a 20yr old with one year ncb, wants a car 1.4-1.6, as quick as possible about 3-5 years old for £6k max.

Was thinking a pug 106 GTI or maybe saxo vts, is there anything else to consider? He's at that difficult age where it would be too much to get a 2.0 16v and 1.4 N/A would be crap.

tx

 

I'd get some quotes for a 106 GTi or Saxo VTS first...

For a 20 year old male, with only 1 years NCB it aint gonna be cheap at all!

But, I can say that the 106 GTi is a great car and I had one for a couple of years.

 

If insurance is too much for the GTi, how about the Quicksilver (I think it is 1.4 or 1.6, but looks great.

Richard

 

106 Rallye should be cheaper and faster

 

How about a very modded mini 1380 cc and very very fast, if intrested, mail me, it has had 10k spent on it and was in mini magazine Jan 2000.
Cheers
Colin

 

Tell him to consider waiting till 21 and stretching to a new VTS/R (assuming they are still doing the current deals) The dealers are happy to give big discounts and the free insurance saves you another grand or so in the first year. If you get through that year claim free you get a 6 year no-claims bonus and your renewal quote will be 'bite their hand off' low. I'd saved up £1600 to pay for the insurance for my VTS and I was quoted £600 with protected NCD....well, well, well worth it and the insurance deal is the only reason I have an Impreza (which is insured by Citroen Insurance)

 

Etheridge-Bird -

The Quicksilver is a 1.4, with 75bhp.

Nippy, but nowt fantastic, although does look a LOT like a GTi and is really cheap to insure.

- - - - - -

Mark Champion -

Well, the Rallye may be a cheaper car to buy, but the insurance aint that different and they are definately not as fast. They are also *very* basic and have nothing in the way of extra's. Great car though!

- - - - - -

Saxo Boy -

Good plan, but he may not want to lash out on a new car just to get the free insurance.

 

i bought a fiat punto gt, bit the bullet and paid the insurance !

Brill little car and i still miss it !

 

my bro wont listen to me he has to have somethin fast, but not too boy racery, i know the GTI/VTS are but a GTI is less of one i think as there arnt many around, i bet that the insurace would be over £1500 for it though!

 

Saxo VTR..

I'll get flamed for saying this but I *prefered* it to the VTS, 8v head meant it was far more eager in cross country driving where on short straights you were in the power rather than wait for the higher power band of the VTS.

Factor in VTR group 6, VTS group 14 and it makes even more sense.

(+ cheaper to buy, you get to keep the glovebox you lose on the VTS (only place to put a CDchanger) and no ABS.. which I prefered on a small car)

In the grand scale of things not "fast" but definately "fun".

 

Your right, you will

I've driven both and agree with you that the VTR is a very good car for the money and insurance group. But the stats can be misleading, in that it seems to only be a difference of about 1.5s 0-60mph. When I got my VTS I used to listen over and over to VTR drivers saying they will 'stay within touching distance' of an S up to 100mph, etc. I'd nod and agree cause I knew no better. Then there was Crail My VTS was standard and I raced a number of standard R's and modified R's. There was no contest at all, the S destroyed them by waaaaaay more than I though it would. I pulled more of a lead on the R's than PPP'd Impreza's did on me

Since then I've been a fighter for the VTS cause and can wholly understand why its group 14. Simply, it is a lot faster!! Keeping it on the boil in the twisties was very easy (easier than vtec) and the MK2 VTS with the 15 inch wheels and 195/45 tires would hold far better in the corners too. A lot of people think the 8v has more grunt low down but it doesn't if you floor an S and R at 1000rpm then till 3000rpm they will be neck and neck, by 4000rpm the S would start to pull ahead and then from there to the redline it would streak away. If you only drive in and around town then the VTR is a brilliant choice but if you get out on twisties, motorways or any place where you can go over 40mph then there can be no comparison IMO.

The VTR is a great car, especially for the money but its not an VTS by any manner of means. It's like comparing a sport and a turbo! I know there are a lot of enthusistic sport owners on this site and that they handles well, etc but race a turbo and you'll get your *** handed to you on a plate (John F excluded).

I know the VTS seems to have a dodgy image but I kept mines standard and I get waaaay more disapproving looks when I pass grannies in the scooby than when in the VTS....supsect that might be the decat

If your brother wants a cheap hot-hatch then his choices IMO are clear, VTS/106 GTI, 205 GTI, 306GTI, CRX (the really fast VTEC one), etc. Insurance is going to be the killer though That's why I suggested the free thing.

 

Never raced it, never said it was faster, just more fun.

Never took it on track, it was not about going fast, it was about enjoying driving, something I find more important than 0-60 times or laptimes.

If you are keeping a VTS on the boil through the sort of roads I enjoy then you have no \ little mechanical sympathy.

I like 8v heads, I hate 16v heads. Took me ages when shopping for the sax (98) to find something fun that was 8v. I managed to skip 16v heads altogether and have a 20v turbo now, at least as gutsy as the 8v engines were, if not more so.

Just my opinion, you understand

 

Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 ... Great handling, and supprisingly enough oompph... Grp 8 insurance and with chip, exhaust and K&N sound and goes very well !

 

Weird! I found 8v guttless and boring?! Each to their own I guess The VTS would rev all day long provided you let the oil warm up first and serviced it correctly, etc. My favourite trick in the VTS was to find a big empty roundabout and go round near the grip limit with your right foot on the gas and your left foot touching the brake. One you got near the max lateral grip you could use each pedal as a digital switch. Press the brake more = lots of oversteer, press the accelerator more = lots of understeer. Lots of fun but not so good on tires

 

Why not try to get an RS2000 or a RS Turbo?

Im 20 and this is my RS2000

 

I think the rs2000 is too much for him, my mates got one and they are good cars but are expensive to run, his one eats tyres and breaks all day long and bro's only got 1y ncb.

As for the vtr ive been in one many times i think that they are good cars but my bro dont want one as a few of his mates have got one. I think he should get a 106gti but hes not sure as he thinks that they are too small in size.

some people are never happy!! lol

 

I'd go for a Punto GT Turbo, mine sounded very nice with only a filter, DV and Exhaust and they handle so badly he'll be put off going fast round bends so you won't have to worry about him crashing! Hardly anyone knows they are turbo'd so you can surprise everyone, they are a hel of a lot rarer than VTR/S's and the like (I had mine 15 months and only ever saw 2 other GT's although I did see a lot of Sportings).

[Edited by jamin - 12/13/2002 10:16:13 AM]

 

mozzaITA -

I agree with you, the 106 GTi is a superb choice and I loved mine.

The 106 and Saxo are the same shell, so if he thinks the 106 is too small, it's only the same as a Saxo.

No probs for me though, I am 6'3" tall, with size 11 feet, but I had 2 years of happy motoring in my 106, with no probs.

 

Kosy,

Looks nice, only I think someone's sneaked a wardrobe door onto the back of your roof

 

Ibiza GTi or Cupra?

 

Honda Civic 1.6 VTi ?

faster than a Saxo VTS..........bullet proof mechanicals and not very obvious but damn quick with the VTEC engine

 

I loved my Ibiza GTi 8v. Classic shapes look better than the newer ones too, so should easily get a 16v for a 6k budget. 8v (115bhp, but only about 900kg)=Gp 11 ins; 16v (150bhp) =Gp 16.

 

Get a nice Mk1 MR2, very reliable and quicker point to point than most hot hatches.

 

I used to have a VW G40....

750 kilos 145 bhp Supercharged (no lag just instant torque!) 1.3 engine....

A flying machine!

I loved it to death bought it from new canned it every single day
including hill climbs + Special stages and a faultless 115000 Kms

Shocked the sh*t out of most people!

Negative points.... Brakes a bit scary!

Plums.

P.S. If I found a good one I'd buy another!

 

Ive got a corrado G60, not a huge fan of the engine but does develope good torque. Polos G40's are really old now!

 

True they are old..... that's why I sold mine.

But I wish I hadn't!

The last G40 Polo was made in 1994 but they are one solid beast!

Got 137 mph out of mine on a track day!

If I see one on the road I always treat them with respect!

A definite wolf in sheeps clothing!

 

Another good suggestions I raced the non-vtec one and thrashed it no problem. I then raced the VTEC one at Crail...not knowing the difference and couldn't understand why it was eating me alive despite looking standard Very quick and understated looking.

 

got any pictures of a civic VTI???

 

Does he want a 306 GTI-6 on a 1999 V plate for approx £8000.00?

China blue, electric sunroof, aircon, leather/alacantra seats, smart wipers etc etc, 34K miles, 1 owner, MOT and tax until Sept 03, new Bridgestone SO2 tyres.

Selling it very soon to finance new MY03 WRX.

Andy.