Hi guys.
I have just passed my driving tests here in the UK and I am really into hot hatchbacks like the clio, 106 or maybe a fiesta. Does anyone have any experience with these types of cars as I am hoping to lighten it up with a few gizmos like an air intake or other things.  

If maybe you don't know about hatchbacks, I was also considering a civic or crx but it has to be 1.3 or less for insurance purposes. In the Uk, a new driver like me will have to pay £995 ($1995) for a 1.3L.

Thanks  

You won't find much help here in that field unfortunatly.

Avoid the honda's, their strength rely on VTEC which isn't availible on the 1.3L's.
A 1.3 CRX/clio/fiesta put out about 50HP at the crank.
A 106 1.3L doubles that, and since it weighs so little it can compete with 1.6L/2.0L golfs and civics.

You can slap on some quality tires, some decent suspension upgrades, and have a lot of fun until your ready to upgrade or make enough money to go nuts on the peugot.  

Honda fit!  

Thanks a lot of helping me out a little.

I did actually narrow it down to the Clio and the 106. Its good to hear that the peugeot is a good choice. I test drove one yesterday that I was looking on Auto Trader and the ride was a bit bumpy, but it was a little more fun and faster than the clio, more response.

I'll have a good think about it and I will probably go for it. Perhaps when I save up a little, I could buy new springs for the suspension. Cheers.  

The bumpyness is a good thing, it's an indication of stiff suspension = often better handling. My golf is bumpy as hell compaired to a TDI or CL model cause the springs are stiffer.

Course, this isn't always true, but in a car that light expect to be jolted around a little anyway.  

When it's bumpy, could that show that the suspension is still in good condition or some kind of counter-balance because it has done 90000 miles on the clock and was used on country roads a lot?  

If the suspension was bad it would keep bouncing after you hit a bump, if the suspension was good you would probaly feel a sharper jolt, but the car would stop bouncing after you hit the pothole.  

Well I've narrowed it down to two cars. What do you think. 92 Celica All Trac or 93 MR2 Turbo? Both are 5 spds. Any suggestions?