get an old shape astra. as in a 2001/2002 model. you can get low insurance and a 2.2 ltr 140hp (actually around 145hp) there fast and have lots of grip. cheap to insure aswell at grp 12 i think. they use the same ecotek engine as the 2.2 vx220 150hp.
get an sri with the factory irmsher kit not the gay one though it has to look a certain way i.e...
http://www.orkneycarsales.co.uk/VDATA/Misc/Sri/sri2320.jpg
or simular try for a black one aswell with a GSI boot spoiler.
alternativley you can get a very nice bertone coupe for 7k ins group 16 2.0 turbo 197 hp remap or course would be a must. but you could still get that in 2.2 form.
even the 1.8 sri astra of old is speedy.
all cheap to insure and run apart from the turbos.
get the 2.2 then
hope this helps !
im in the same boat £450 amonth for the 172 in total way too much. but im in a dliema sell now for 7k and pay my 7k finance off totally so to start fresh. sell in two years, 4yr old 53 reg 172MKII with 48k or there abouts by that time im sure i could sell for £4k maybe £4500.
even £3k would mean that i have £3000 in my bank towards a new car but if its £4k then all i have to do is borrow £4k over and that should get me a £8000-£8500 car by that point hmm.. il have a low milege 182 then thanks or maybe just get a £4k car without a loan i.e citron xsara VTS or simular.
[Edited by meggerman on 23 May 2005 at 3:43pm]