I got insured on bigger more powerful cars for less than little 1.2 shitboxes, because they tend to be owned by older more mature and better drivers.
My first car was a 2003 BMW 318i - Not exactly fast, apaz did 0-60 in 9.7 I believe, but it was more the fact it was comfortable and safe as a first car
Had leather seats, climate/cruise control too Damn nice first car
2nd car is now my Z at the age of 20 and insurance is literally £20 a month more than the BMW was, for a total of about £1700 a year.
You just have to shop around for unusual cars that people don't tend to crash much
A while ago Churchill neglected to recognize certain performance badges, which my mate took advantage of to insure a Mondeo ST for the same price as a standard Mondeo. Think it was around £900 and he was 19 at the time. The moral is to never rule out a quick car, insurance companies sometimes "forget" certain cars are quick!
And if he was involved in an accident and the insurer goes along and notes it's an ST not a standard Mondeo and says he isn't covered...?