I think the time has come for me to shortly part ways with the Celica, I've had it approaching 3 years now and I don't really drive it as it's supposed to be driven (i.e 90% of my driving is motorway), the complete lack of refinement and overpowering noise at motorway speeds is starting to wear thin and it's complete inability to get over 22-25mpg no matter how I drive.
I have compiled the usual list of requirements...
1) Something a bit more modern than my 1995 celica.
2) Something that won't get hit by excess moron CO2 tax.
3) Has reasonable poke (thinking 0-60 < 8s)
4) Can do reasonable MPG on my many motorway trips (35ish)
5) Reasonably comfortable, yet also handles pretty well.
6) Has Aircon
And a couple of 'would be nice if...'
1) It was a hatchback
2) It wasn't FWD (although, I'm not terribly fussed)
3) Has toys (cruise, trip computer etc)
4) It wasn't another turbo nutter jap coupé with bog all rear seats
My budget will be about 6k absolute maximum, I drive roughly 10,000 miles a year and insurance isn't that much of an issue.
My performance / economy requirements (by reading other threads on this forum) seem to plant me in the VAG 1.8T or BMW 6cyl range, the cars I really like the look of like the Seat Leon Cupra R, BMW 330ci and Audi S3 are all off the top end of my budget.
Other ideas include the Focus ST170 (maybe a bit thrashy?), Clio 1x2 (My mate's isn't that good on the mway), Mondeo V6 / ST220 (drinks a bit) and the Octavia VRS (not really a fan of the styling thou).
Anyone offer some assistance?
I have compiled the usual list of requirements...
1) Something a bit more modern than my 1995 celica.
2) Something that won't get hit by excess moron CO2 tax.
3) Has reasonable poke (thinking 0-60 < 8s)
4) Can do reasonable MPG on my many motorway trips (35ish)
5) Reasonably comfortable, yet also handles pretty well.
6) Has Aircon
And a couple of 'would be nice if...'
1) It was a hatchback
2) It wasn't FWD (although, I'm not terribly fussed)
3) Has toys (cruise, trip computer etc)
4) It wasn't another turbo nutter jap coupé with bog all rear seats
My budget will be about 6k absolute maximum, I drive roughly 10,000 miles a year and insurance isn't that much of an issue.
My performance / economy requirements (by reading other threads on this forum) seem to plant me in the VAG 1.8T or BMW 6cyl range, the cars I really like the look of like the Seat Leon Cupra R, BMW 330ci and Audi S3 are all off the top end of my budget.
Other ideas include the Focus ST170 (maybe a bit thrashy?), Clio 1x2 (My mate's isn't that good on the mway), Mondeo V6 / ST220 (drinks a bit) and the Octavia VRS (not really a fan of the styling thou).
Anyone offer some assistance?
