...... and don't think anyone's having a pop at ya.

A lot of people dish out advice like this, and it's easy to when you have loads of cash, but I've been where you are, I don't have loads of money yet, and wanting a performance/modified car for cheap money when I had a little cost me big time.

My "cheap" 3k saff I bought in 1998 ended up costing me a LOT of money trying to make it into something nice.

Just be sensible - buy something Japanese, as it'll be quick, fun, and wont cost the earth.

An RS Turbo powered Mk5 5 Escort is just about the worst car I could think of for the money.