Don't like replica's to be honest, costs ALOT to get one that looks tasty.

Personally I would way up the folowing...

Replica costs
base Car, kit, wheels, suspension, exhaust, trim(?) respray and bodywork - got to be in the region of 2-3k and then add on insurance (as said, may not be far off that of a genuin rst).

RST
You can get one needing a little work from 1k, spend 2 - 2.5k and get a ready to roll S2 than will whip your mates, looks the nuts and be the real macoy.

Another alternative is a car like the MK6 escort that are cheap, easy to style and come in a range of engine sizes to match your insurance needs.

In the main, many of us have done the replica route and looked back thinking "jesus, all that money wasted, I could have got a real one".