ST24 would still be cheap tax mate, although you will be lucky to get 20mpg, but no one is getting good mpg with petrol prices at the minute, so it aint that bad really. the major problem with them is the plastic impeller water pump, they are prone to failing when the miles get up, although there is an aftermarket water pump with a metal impeller, its about £50, i fitted one to mine, and its not a difficult job. apart from that, there pretty good engines. another option if you like the rsap look would be a mk2 zetec-s, they have the rsap kit and the 16" version of the escort gti rims, they look the part, but are a 2 litre black top zetec, so cheap tax and running costs. you might be surprised with an ST200, with the price of petrol, they have dropped in price, so you might get a £2k bargain.