Need New Car Advice!

Logsi · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:44

I really think it's time to sell up and get a new car.

I've been driving the same car for over 4 years and while i love it to bits. It's just gutless and insurance now permits me to get something with a little bit more poke! It's starting to show it's age also.

The car in question is a pre facelift 06 plate 1.4 Fiesta Zetec Climate.

I have always said throughout the ownership of this car, "I really want a Fiesta ST next", i still kinda want a Fiesta ST but i feel if i was to get a Fiesta ST there is so many other hot hatches that are much more capable and actually better than the ST.

That brings me onto a Clio sport. I don't like the Clio 172 or 182. I'm not a great lover of french cars and most i've driven have been awful with little feel when driving.

Golf GTI? Too expensive and insurance is expensive. Scene tax is bad mmmkay.

I started to think about maybe moving away from hot hatches as that's the typical choice for anyone of 21.

Looked at BMW's and i really don't know what to go for at all. Don't like Audi's.

Then i started to think about Mazda MX-5's. It's different and as i read more into them they look like they can be a massive amount of fun! The 2nd Generation 1.8 with the LSD in particular. What's good about the Mazda is that a family member works at a ford garage that also sells Mazda's so would be able to get cheap services, parts and MOT's.

Have i overlooked any gems that might be worth a look at?

EDIT - I think around £6K is a good mark!

Ant84 · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:47

A budget would be helpful.

Logsi · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:48

Ant84 said:
A budget would be helpful.

Edited!

Relentless81 · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:52

That looks tidy on the Super T's, love those wheels, pain in the backside to keep clean though

Logsi said:
Have i overlooked any gems that might be worth a look at?

Honda Civic VTI's (Bit old now and scene tax applied) or Type-R's are a lot cheaper these days for early models
Toyota Corolla/Celica T-Sport's up to 2006
Seat Ibiza/Leon Cupra
Mazda RX8 (High running costs but quite cheap to buy now)

The Golf apparently from what i've read, has a hell of a lot less feel than the Clio 172/182 of which are highly regarded as great handling fun to drive cars

Ant84 · 12 Oct 2010 at 17:57

I can only really comment on the 172/172 Cup/182 from your list as I've owned two and driven all three. They are absolutely superb cars for the money. The straight line performance is impressive enough but the handling and feel of the car is brilliant. If you have no illusions about build quality (they're not even as bad as people seem to think), then you'll get real value for money. I had no reliability issues in two years of ownership, for example.

Then again, if you don't like French cars then it's a moot point I guess. If you can get over that, then give one a test drive, you might be surprised.

[TW]Fox · 12 Oct 2010 at 18:01

The main point I see here is that you feel your car is beginning to show its age. It's 4 years old and you've owned it from new.

Buying a £6k performance hatch is going to mean buying a car thats older than yours and has had multiple less than careful owners. Most people are ok with this but trust me, compared to the stuff your budget gets you, your car is not showing its age, and if you think it is, you are going to be bitterly dissapointed when the new car halo wears off.

Logsi · 12 Oct 2010 at 18:10

[TW]Fox;17559853 said:
Buying a £6k performance hatch is going to mean buying a car thats older than yours and has had multiple less than careful owners. Most people are ok with this but trust me, compared to the stuff your budget gets you, your car is not showing its age, and if you think it is, you are going to be bitterly dissapointed when the new car halo wears off.

That is very true.

I don't necessarily want a performance hatch. Just something that is a little bit faster. My car is perfect for me apart from the lacklustre performance. My main gripe with the car isn't it showing it's age as such but the performance.

Regarding the Clio, i think i might have to take a trip down to the nearest Renault dealer and see.

Ant84 · 12 Oct 2010 at 18:21

Logsi said:
That is very true.

I don't necessarily want a performance hatch. Just something that is a little bit faster. My car is perfect for me apart from the lacklustre performance. My main gripe with the car isn't it showing it's age as such but the performance.

Regarding the Clio, i think i might have to take a trip down to the nearest Renault dealer and see.

I'm not sure if £6k is 182 Trophy money nowadays as I haven't checked for a while, but if you could find one that's been looked after within your price range then it would be well worth a look.