My lame "What car to get next" thread.

eidolon

eidolon

eidolon

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I'm not sure why I'm asking as this thread will no doubt descend into an argument about BMWs and somebody will have a go at Fox for once recommending a Mondeo in 2005 however here goes anyway.

The Facts.

  • I'm looking to replace the Boxster. Not because I don't like it or can't afford it, simply because I rarely use it to its full potential (3000 miles in 9 months) and it seems to shame to have a £20k car that does 8 miles per day at an average speed of 20mph.
  • I fancy a bit more space to carry my bikes around.
  • I want something that's still fun to drive but that doesn't necessarily mean that it has to do 0-60 in 5 seconds, it just has to have an element of fun for those rare occasions when I get to drive those nice country lanes around Castle Combe.
  • I like hot hatches
  • I like chuckable cars, they suit my driving style best. RWD heavy cars are therefore not to my taste.
  • I like cars that I can tinker with occasionally, despite being 34 I still enjoy upgrading the stereo/alloys etc. (no big bodykits though)
  • I want it to be reasonably comfortable. I'd class my old Type-R as being comfortable enough so as long as the exhaust isn't deafening it should be ok.
  • I don't want it to fall apart on me, must be fairly reliable and less than 5yrs old.
  • Budget is £10k. I don't really want to spend much more than that due to the amount I use it

My Thoughts So Far

Renault Clio 197
Pros
* Can be bought for as little as £8k now.
* Fun, chuckable, cheap to run
* Plenty to choose from

Cons
* French build quality
* Quite fat for a Clio (1200kg I think)
* Thirsty apparently compared to previous model

197.jpg


Renault Clio 182 Trophy

Pros
* Handling! The Clio Trophy lapped the track 0.3 of a second faster than a Ferrrari F430 (Autocar magazine test)
* Cheapish to buy (about £7.5-£8k)
* Cheap to run (probably 30+ MPG and cheap servicing - apart from the sach damper rebuilds)
* Nice recaro seats
* Nice Turini alloys

Cons
* Only 500 ever made. About 450 of them left therefore hard to find one never mind a mint condition one.
* French build quality so it's going to rattle like hell.
* Not 100% sure I like red.

trophy.jpg


Renault Clio 182 FF

Same as Trophy but easier to find. Handling not quite as good and seats are pretty crap.

182.jpg


Honda Civic Type-R

Bit of a left field one here seeing as I've already had one.

Pros
* Better built than the French cars.
* More reliable than the French cars
* VTEC
* Nice recaro seats (in final models)
* Lovely gearbox


Cons
* VTEC
* Already had one.

ctr.jpg


So then OCUK, it's over to you. Feel free to pick apart my suggestions or to add some of your own.
 
Type-R, just for the gearbox IMO. 10K could get a pre modded facelift or you could get one for ~7K and then add some progressive springs, camber adjusters and full fast road setup for a great handling car.

The only downside is the power will remain the same. Spending ££££ might get you to 240bhp but the real change is power delivery. £700 second hand K-Pro, £??? full Toda exhaust (not over the top at all) and £400 Gruppe M or ITG intake + mapping.

I think the Type-R will suffer the least depreciation from that group, especially if you get the Premier/Final edition. It's also a car you should know very well, but this may be a turn off if you're hankering new.


Next suggestion, what about a Mk1 MX5 to tinker with? Mods seem cheap enough in comparison to other cars, the roof can come down and you could come in well under your budget to use the spare for something else.
 
How about a Honda Integra DC5? Bit more 'special' than the civic, more powerfull with LSD etc.

Might struggle to get one the age you want for 10k though..
 
197 I think from those. The others are great but the fact the 197 is newer will mean you'll be able to keep it a bit longer etc.
 
I wouldnt look at an ST tbh, the big 2.5t upfront doesnt really make it chuckable, not like a Hot Hatch should be.

Megane F1 thingymajic would be my choice if you only do limited miles, or the quickest LCR they did.
 
how much are clio v6s now?

from what ive seen, the 197s really arnt that special. my old golf has been all over them like a rash in the past, they really didnt seem special. a 182 on the other had would clean the floor with me.

what about one of those megane turbo things?
 
DC5 is doable for 10k, might need to be a year older than the spec but should still be a facelift model.

Also out of age would be the S2000, but other members with £1k plus of bushes and geo work is a bit off putting if you want to do it in budget. Not a hatch either, but meh.
 
Mk5 Golf GTI? It will be the most comfortable/refined and easiest to live with of all the cars above and still good fun on the right road.
 
What about an Impreza STI?

You could get a 350bhp import STI with the stronger engines and upgradability to around 450bhp on standard internals if the bug caught you.

This is a UK car, but just to illustrate the point:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1402178.htm (change the red mudflaps)

Hugely capable car and will wipe the floor with the others mentioned already. You mentioned you like tinkering with cars, so this gives you the scope to modify it if you choose to.
 
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R26 Megane would be where my money would go a superb handling car if you can live with the Clio like build quality. Clio Trophy would be next on the list my friend has one and it is road legal go kart.
 
Focus ST - Quite like them but don't think they're all that chuckable from what I read.
Leon Cupra-R - New ones are out of budget and old ones are ugly.
Integra - Out of budget for age I require.
R26 - It's a possibility, but aesthetically they're a bit marmite.
MX5 mk1 - Not all that practical for my bikes, less space than the Boxster
Clio V6 - Same as MX5
Mk5 Golf - At top end of budget, but why do they all have flippin tartan seats?
S2000 - Same as MX5/Clio V6
Impreza - Too chav for me. My ex was a police officer and she had to deal with regular incidents of people being robbed at knifepoint for them.
Evo 8 - Same as Impreza really.

So far the Megane is the only one I'd really consider and it's probably slightly over budget.

Keep the suggestions coming though :)
 
S2000 is worth a try ? It combines a CTR with the Boxster.

Edit - Oops too slow, you can get bike racks though.
 
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