Help me buy a 2nd car

flimper · Post by **flimper** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:45 am

Looking to replace the Mini Cooper before it dies and I want something fun to use during the winter when the M is tucked up, something that I wouldn't be ashamed to go to a meet in

Must haves:

Max engine 1.6l
Petrol & Manual
Max 70k miles
Max Price £6k
Better power to weight than the Cooper (110+)
2008 or newer

On Shortlist so far:
Cooper S
Abarth 500
DS3
Twingo 133
Suzuki Swift Sport

Any thoughts or experiences with the above would be a massive help

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:57 am

I owned a 2008 Twingo for a couple of years and it was nothing short of incredible. So simple, light and nippy. Great fun little car.

Also heard nothing but great reviews of the Swift

JDavis21 · Post by **JDavis21** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:33 pm

I had a swift a few years back, and it was good. But currently run a Twingo 133 as my second car - and it's often a strong debate whether to take the Z or Twingo for a drive, it's that good! Picked up the Gordini edition with leather seats, bluetooth, cruise and climate control to make it more bearable.

I even fitted some 15" wheels and sticky tyres for a track day at Snetterton, didn't miss a beat or burn a drop of oil and provided smiles and lift off oversteer all day

flimper · Post by **flimper** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:46 pm

JDavis21 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:33 pm I had a swift a few years back, and it was good. But currently run a Twingo 133 as my second car - and it's often a strong debate whether to take the Z or Twingo for a drive, it's that good! Picked up the Gordini edition with leather seats, bluetooth, cruise and climate control to make it more bearable.

I even fitted some 15" wheels and sticky tyres for a track day at Snetterton, didn't miss a beat or burn a drop of oil and provided smiles and lift off oversteer all day

Have to admit to the Twingo being at the head of the list at the moment, are there any common faults to look out for/expensive jobs that should have been done at this sort of age?

JDavis21 · Post by **JDavis21** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:55 pm

flimper wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:46 pm Have to admit to the Twingo being at the head of the list at the moment, are there any common faults to look out for/expensive jobs that should have been done at this sort of age?

Pretty much just looked for good service history and a recent cambelt and dephaser change for anything under 70k miles. Bought mine on 62k, for £3300, with main dealer service history and recent cambelt change (with proof) from an independent garage. Hasn't cost me a penny yet, 8 months later, 7k miles and 1 track day.

Most of the steering wheels have an issue with peeling, but £125 later at Royal Steering wheels and that's sorted.

With your budget a facelift might be nice, or a Silverstone edition for that extra Renault Sport rarity!

Adil_3 · Post by **Adil_3** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:09 pm

flimper wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:45 am Looking to replace the Mini Cooper before it dies and I want something fun to use during the winter when the M is tucked up, something that I wouldn't be ashamed to go to a meet in

Must haves:

Max engine 1.6l
Petrol & Manual
Max 70k miles
Max Price £6k
Better power to weight than the Cooper (110+)
2008 or newer

On Shortlist so far:
Cooper S
Abarth 500
DS3
Twingo 133
Suzuki Swift Sport

Any thoughts or experiences with the above would be a massive help

Strange but what about an mx5 2.0l and slap a turbo on

flimper · Post by **flimper** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:21 pm

Max engine 1.6 as want the missus to have a go in it, and to get insured if needs be (she can't drive currently)

DPG · Post by **DPG** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:37 pm

I had a 2007 Swift Sport which was great on the backroads and pretty cheap to run.

Was hard work on the motorway though, really needed a 6th gear.

jamie_z4 · Post by **jamie_z4** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:27 pm

fits the criteria and with a remap will see 200bhp!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-116i-spo ... Sw8KRcjM-e

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:50 pm

Having run several Mazda's along side my Weekender for the past 20 years. I can happily recommend the little Mazda2. Plenty quick and chuckerble enough for this ///M driver.

Mine even has a tow bar on the back for added multi tasking ability.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:22 pm

We just bought a 13 plate Fiesta Titanium 1.6 TDCI, zero road tax 60+mpg and loads of toys

Capa · Post by **Capa** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 11:38 am

The cooper will break. Ironically I'd recommend the fiat over it. I have a mate who has an abarth 595 essesesesseeesessss and he's borderline obsessed with it.

I wouldn't mind a go in the Twingo. I've heard good things and Renault know how to make a decent hatch.

Until I read the last line I was resolutely going to push a low mileage 1.6 205 GTI.

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:16 pm

Can you stretch a bit to a Fiesta ST-2?

Mister T · Post by **Mister T** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:28 pm

MrPT wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:16 pm Can you stretch a bit to a Fiesta ST-2?

Really good shout, but hard to find under £7k

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:31 pm

Mister T wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:28 pm
MrPT wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:16 pm Can you stretch a bit to a Fiesta ST-2?
Really good shout, but hard to find under £7k

I know, I just ended up AutoTrader bingeing for the past 15 minutes...

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