Dilemma

Alex*TLR

Alex*TLR

Alex*TLR

Associate
Joined
5 May 2008
Posts
462
Right, I currently drive a mk2 1.6 MX5. Got it on Gaz coilies, few other bits n bobs for it etc, love the handling of it.

Trouble is I currently do 200 motorway miles a week, obviously this is completely stupid and in-practical car to do it in, don't get me wrong, I love the occaisional chance I get to abuse it and actually use its great chassis and RWD etc.

Have been looking at changing it for a "hot hatch", my main concern though is loosing RWD. So far I've looked at:

Mini Cooper S (r53 with 200BHP mods) - loved the noise/engine/handling/quality feel. Didn't like - its still a mini, its "cute", the price.

Renault Clio 182 - Loved - performance. Didn't like - looks/lack of tech (massive engine in tiny car), overall feel.

EP3 Civic Type R - Loved - noise, handling, revs, looks, colour (black or red, not silver), the "scene" (similar to the MX5 JDM crew etc). Didnt like - FWD.

Just wondered if anyone else had done a similar change, or had any opinions/recommendations? I do think I might be getting too hung up on the RWD thing, part of it being I've only ever had a micra 1.0 or Polo 1.4 16V 6n as my FWD "experience".

Any other options to look at? Must be able to manage 35MPGish, fun, affordable for £6k and have a bit of "modability".

I realise in a perfect world I'd just have a mk1 mx5 turbo, but don't want a 20 year old 2 seater turbo as a 200 mile a week car :P, will have it as a weekend toy after uni!

Cheers

Alex
 
Can I break from convention and actually recommend a BMW for once? I never normally do it yet still get slated for it anyway..

BMW 325Ti.

Hatch? Check.
Hot? 192bhp, Check.
RWD? Check.
 
[TW]Fox;16297838 said:
Can I break from convention and actually recommend a BMW for once? I never normally do it yet still get slated for it anyway..

BMW 325Ti.

Hatch? Check.
Hot? 192bhp, Check.
RWD? Check.
Click to expand...

Such an ugly car though.
 
A commute of 20 miles each way, on the motoway, could be much worse. You probably get to work quicker than I do on my 6 mile commute through a town (unless I'm on the bike of course ;) )
 
Am I the only one who is completely confused as to why you'd change to a Hot-Hatch? 200 motorway miles in a buzzy Type R is going to be just as bad, if not worst than, a MK2 MX5.

I mean seriously, why change? I cannot see any of the cars mentioned so far being a massive revelation in comfort or mile munching compared to a MK2 MX5, which when compared to something like a MK1 is a pretty big, well screwed together "Comfortable" car (I'm not sure what the ride is like on the GAZ though). I know plenty of people who happily do large motorway miles in their MX5s and never really complain. Unless you need loads of space to lug stuff about, I can't see the justification, certainly not for a hot hatch...
 
Alex*TLR said:
EP3 Civic Type R - Loved .. handling.... Didnt like - FWD.
Click to expand...

So you loved the handling, but......didn't like the fact that it was FWD :confused:

Post contradicts itself. If you loved the handling then why does it matter which end the power is going to?
 
[TW]Fox;16298898 said:
It doesn't contradict itself at all.

I loved the FTO's handling but didn't like the fact it was FWD, either.
Click to expand...

Why?

Like I said in my edit above, if you love the handling then why does it make any difference what end the power is being fed to?
 
DreXeL said:
Why?

Like I said in my edit above, if you love the handling then why does it make any difference what end the power is being fed to?
Click to expand...

Perhaps he doesnt like some of the traits of FWD? Perhaps he prefers RWD? You can think both of these things whilst appreciating the handling of some of the better FWD cars.
 
[TW]Fox;16298914 said:
Perhaps he doesnt like some of the traits of FWD? Perhaps he prefers RWD? You can think both of these things whilst appreciating the handling of some of the better FWD cars.
Click to expand...

True, but if the FWD traits bugged him that much then how could he 'love' the handling?
 
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Why couldn't he? :confused:

Are you saying that in order to love something you must be infatuated with every aspect of it and dislike nothing at all about it?
 
I'm simply saying that if a car handles great, then it handles great, irrespective of the platform. I have never been driving a great FWD and thought 'this would be much better if it were RWD'. If you enjoy the way a car handles you are enjoying the car for what it is, conversely if you are constantly thinking 'I wish this was RWD' then you are not fully enjoying the car for what it is. And if that's the case, then how can you say you 'love' the handling?

It just doesn't make sense to me, if he had said something along the lines of 'it handles great for a FWD, but I prefer RWD' then it would make more sense.
 
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But its the case that most great handling cars which are FWD handle well DESPITE being FWD not because they are FWD. I honestly cannot understand why you are having to much difficulty with this.

Do you love your wife? Is she totally flawless?

I suspect the answer to this question is 'Yes' and 'No' in that order, but I'm not going to sit here and say OMG IF YOU LOVE HER YOU CANT DISLIKE STUFF ABOUT HER LOLZ'.
 
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