A MOTORS expert has urged drivers to check out five cheap but quick cars they can pick up right now – including a much-loved Vauxhall.
Car-buying guru JB has revealed his choice of whips young drivers can buy as their second set of wheels, with a focus on inexpensive thrills.
YouTubeCar expert JB has shared his best quick but cheap motors that can be insured on a budget[/caption]
Volkswagen Golf GTI
GettyThe iconic Golf GTI is the motor that popularised hot hatches[/caption]
Considered to be the ultimate sporty hatchback, the Golf GTI is “renowned as the car that popularised hot hatches,” says JB.
With a punchy 2-litre, turbocharged inline-four engine that makes 216bhp, it can hit 0 to 60mph in just over six seconds – meaning you get plenty of bang for your buck.
JB said that a good model can be bought for around £10,000, with the car nut pointing to a 2014 model he found with around 100,000 miles on the clock coming in at £9,899.
JB added: “I think it’s super important that at some point in every car person’s life they own or at least experience a Golf.”
Renault Clio RS
GettyRenault’s hot hatch packs some serious punch – and is deliciously stylish[/caption]
The fourth generation Renault Clio RS was the first of the French brand’s iconic superminis to have a turbocharger attached to its 1.6 litre motor – giving it 197bhp and a 0 to 60 acceleration at around the same time frame as the Golf GTI.
JB said: “It is a lovely little car with great performance – the only major benefit over the older gens for me is that it’s newer – so it has a few more modern features.”
The better news is that the RS can be picked up for around £10,000 with around 60,000 miles on the clock – with the only downside being the struggle to find replacement parts for it.
JB added: “They are very specific to the RS, so it’s more expensive to get replacement parts for.”
Vauxhall Corsa VXR
VauxhallFew current hot hatches look as impressive as the Corsa VXR[/caption]
Rivalling the RS is the Corsa VXR, which also boasts a 1.6-litre, turbocharged engine that matches the Renault for output.
JB says that insurance for the Corsa is “very similar” to the Clio while it
matches the RS for output – while also being equipped for both performance and comfort with “pretty much everything tailored to work for both.”
The petrolhead added that a balance of £8,000 to £10,000 could put you in the driving seat of a 2014 model with just 35,000 miles on the odometer.
Mini JCW
GettyThe JCW Mini has a seriously impressive bodykit[/caption]
The Mini JCW is built for mini thrills, referred to as “essentially the most go-karty of the bunch” by JB given it’s built from factory with some incredibly strong parts – especially in regards to handling.
Another with a 1.6-litre turbocharged motor – it can also match the cars mentioned above for acceleration and the price of insurance.
Essentially a Cooper S “with more engine output and some additional features to make it a bit punchier”, the JCW comes with an eye-catching bodykit and larger brakes.
These can be bought for a very reasonable £6,000 at the bottom, while £10,000 is enough to grab a 2012 model that’s done 70,000 miles.
Volkswagen Polo GTI
AFPThe Polo has become a firm favourite among Brits[/caption]
Whether its Golfs or Polos, Volkswagen really do seem to rule the roost when it comes to hot hatches.
A personal favourite of JB – who urges drivers to consider the post-2014 facelift model that came with the larger and far more reliable
1.8-litre turbocharged motor – the Polo GTI is good for insurance too.
In fact, a 21-year-old can get a reasonable quote without a black box installed.
Furthermore, £9,000 to £10,000 can get you behind the wheel of a 2016 example with “around 80,000 miles.”