Back in 2007 I had just bought a brand new Toyota Aygo. My friend bought a Porsche 928 for around the same money. Coming back around the M25 he was struggling to keep up with me. Please, buy new – or nearly new. Even something like a 2017 Ford Fiesta ST will give you a lot of fun, won't cost the earth and shouldn't be a load of hassle.
Of course Mat knows all this and is just looking for new ways to advertise his discount cars, which aren't old and knackered.