New lad here - Looking to upgrade from an Escort a.s.a.p

[LiamGTR]

Hi all

I currently drive a 1.4 Ford Escort:


But i've just landed myself my ideal/dream job as a casual at the moment and hope to take it on full-time when the oppurtunity comes.

So with that, and the money that comes with it, i'm looking to upgrade to something like this... am I in the right part of the forum?:


But in yellow, one of my mates when I was at college had one, slightly modified, and it was gorgeous! (and a hell of a lot quicker than my 1.4 Ford Escort! )

BUT the problem is, I dunno where to look for a good one, what problems to look for... AND HOW TO GET MY INSURANCE DOWN!?!? These cars are getting me quotes in excess of £3k!? What the hell? Ok i'm 19 with 3 points (TS10) but still... .£3k? I'm only looking at the 1.6 engine max, speed isn't thati mportant to me I just want to atleast be able to do motorway speeds easily with the car sounding like it's screaming, lol.

Also what are these cars like to modify? Nothing major i.e. just a few touches on the outside, interior, and MAYBE little tinker with the engine (probably not)

Any general advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Liam.

[STEVIE]

Hi mate what you really want is a megane 225 replica dirt cheap insurance with being a 1.4
look here
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=14061


steve

[LiamGTR]

£4500
1.4
Replica

Lol no thanks just sounds like a more expensive version of what I already have (1.4 GTi Replica). I am still undecided on what I want, but if any Megane it wll only be the Phase I

[davelowe]

Get a phase II 1.5dci on an 03/04 plate. Shouldn't break the bank on insurance or to buy. You can get a remap to up the performance. It won't disappoint in terms of torque and BHP. The tax is only £35 too on some engines. In my opinion the phase 1s look, how to put this diplomatically, crap.

Try something like this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Insurance group 3. Can it get much cheaper?

[STEVIE]

£4500
1.4
Replica

Lol no thanks just sounds like a more expensive version of what I already have (1.4 GTi Replica). I am still undecided on what I want, but if any Megane it wll only be the Phase I

Ye but your escort never looked as good as my megane even when it was new
Dont buy a phase 1 dude they look old fasioned like your escort

stevie

[ChrisM]

Meg 1 phase 2 nice looking coupe.
Cheap insurance for the 1.4 16v but a little noisey at 70mph the wifes has excellent pick up low down in the box. Good solid car we have had no problems with it hardly in 7 years bit like a clockwork mouse, get in it in the morning and off it goes, replaced 2 drive shafts (CV boot coming adrift - common place) and front wheel bearings, this car is by far better built than my Meg 2 CC, and I bet I will be in this car when my Meg 2 goes due to its poor quaulity.
Great little car, I belive the 1.6,s suffer a bit with pencil coil probelms, once you know about them you can sort them, I bought the CC due to the Meg 1 Coupe's reliability WHAT a mistake.
There is a lovey Red V reg I think Coupe for £1600 at a garage near me on Anglesey, well worth it, and not that hard to repair by the looks of them.