Just so I can empathise with the OP slightly:-
I started out with a Corsa 1.5 diesel ... without a turbo.
It maxed out at [figure removed] on a decline, "slipstreaming" a cavalier down a dual carriageway and took forever to get there.
but it did 50mpg all day, every day and cost buttons to run.
The chassis was woolier than a christmas jumper and it's spec made a track car look loaded with creature comforts.
but after 5 years of it I walked away with a clear licene and 5 years no claims, straight into a V6 coupe.
I could have started whacking alloys n junk on it, big exhaust etc, but it would have still been a heap. It was MY heap, granted, and friends had faster / 'nicer' motors, but then they had to pay out twice as much for tyres, fuel up twice as often etc.
So while their wallets kept getting emptied by their AX's, XR's etc I was able to walk straight into Newmarket Motor Co and just buy my next car outright with change for a sub, headunit and front speakers.