Warm/Hot Hatch, 5 Door, ~35MPG, <£2K
- Thread starter danza
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
[TW]Fox;20468968 said:
But it is slow, and the equivalent to the Leon (ST170) leaves much to be desired (power/fuel consumption).
That and loads of the Focus switchgear is out of the preceding Escort, which is not a good thing. The Leon is far more grown up and better stuck together. That and the air vents aren't in an OCD-trippingly bad position.
I have no doubt that the Focus handles well though. I just can't really stand them (yes, I've poked around several).
I have a golf 1.8t, its on 180k ive put 40k of abuse on it and its been remapped since 90k. New clutch at 160k and the water pump started leaking last weak. Had at 18 months.
2k meant it had climate and heated leather recaros and cruise.
£175 for cambelt, all rollers, tensioners, water pump, all oe parts, diy. Cheap to live with
Combined it get 31mpg with crap traffic for 2 hours a day. Motorway is 38mpg. All calculated properly as the obc on these are compulsive liars
2k meant it had climate and heated leather recaros and cruise.
£175 for cambelt, all rollers, tensioners, water pump, all oe parts, diy. Cheap to live with
Combined it get 31mpg with crap traffic for 2 hours a day. Motorway is 38mpg. All calculated properly as the obc on these are compulsive liars
The door bulb being dead is actually more likely to be a faulty door module... can cause issues with locks, interior lights not operating when that door is open, alarm issues...
Decent cars though, I miss my Golf (much the same as a Leon) a bit as it had more toys, it did me well really but they can be niggly cars, pot luck
Decent cars though, I miss my Golf (much the same as a Leon) a bit as it had more toys, it did me well really but they can be niggly cars, pot luck
The door bulb being dead is actually more likely to be a faulty door module... can cause issues with locks, interior lights not operating when that door is open, alarm issues...
Decent cars though, I miss my Golf (much the same as a Leon) a bit as it had more toys, it did me well really but they can be niggly cars, pot luck
I read about the door latch mech. Not bothered if that's what it is. It might just stay as it is if it is the latch (although I'll obviously check the bulb).
Head unit is being a PITA and is stuck in safe mode. Need to have a read up on what to do to cure it.
Yes, your Focus dislike seems a bit bonkers, especially given you have / had a thing for MG ZR's which - compared to a Focus - are ancient with a truly awful (imo) interior.
Anyway, seems like you have dropped on with the Seat, enjoy it - which is more than you'd have done with an MG I think.
Anyway, seems like you have dropped on with the Seat, enjoy it - which is more than you'd have done with an MG I think.
Mine moves each mirror independently, that doesn't sound right to me?
Stock ones are utter garbage anyway, and adapter fascias are cheap. Just stick a decent single DIN HU in it
Mine moves each mirror independently, that doesn't sound right to me?
Stock ones are utter garbage anyway, and adapter fascias are cheap. Just stick a decent single DIN HU in it
Read about the weird mirror behaviour on Seatcupra.net. Some people seem to suggest it's normal?
I'll give the HU a week to buck up its ideas, otherwise something better's going in.
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Apr 2003
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- 8,160
I chose one of these over the focus a few years ago. In SRi guise, they are much better than the regular MK4 astra as you get proper sports seats, elec mirrors, air con, cruise control on the 03/04 plates and revised suspension plus a bit more kit which isn’t saying much by today’s standards but the regular astra MK4 was very sparse. You can consider the 2.2 although due to gearing and the additional weight of the engine, there is very little to gain from the extra BHP. These were the last of the quickish naturally aspirated Astra SRIs though as by the MK5 they started piling on the LBs which hit performance and fuel economy. In the MK4 astra the 1.8 16v 123ps engine was great, in heavier cars inc the Vectra and MK5 astra it feels woefully underpowered even though it was revised to 138bhp.
Last made in 2004 (04 plate with the 54 plates being the MK5), I picked mine (04) up in Jan 07 with 20k on the clock. Finding one now in good nick is getting harder. With 80k miles mine books at £800 trade and you see these going for 1k-2k privately or at small dealers.
The whole ‘reliable, cheap, quick triangle – pick 2’ comes into play here though. These cars have a number of common faults, but consumables are cheap. Older models suffered from rust on the arches.
Mine has been a goodun which was helped due to the fact by the end of the MK4 life they had gone through quite a few revisions inc on the 1.8 engine although the throttle body still cokes up a bit at least there is no EGR to worry about. Mine also had a little bit of manufacturer’s warranty remaining at the time.
If you go for one, you absolutely want the lowest mileage and newest one possible as these do not age well unless they are meticulously looked after and even then, the SRI tends to be owned by the boy racers so will have been well caned.
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Soldato
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As someone has mentioned, Civic 1.8 VTI, you'll get a good one and around £500 change
Congratulations on reading the thread. No, seriously, well done.
Sounds like a completely dire car worth avoiding then?
Having to meticulously look after a classic is one thing but a Vauxhall Astra?
Soldato
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I obviously did read it if I knew someone had mentioned it, obviously I've missed something but Jesus how does it feel to be a woman and bitch about the most pathetic little things!
It's okay, I don't mind. It's not like he suggested a Corolla.
I'm sorted now - picked up a Leon Sport.
So to clarify then you are suggesting he sells the Leon Cupra he has just purchased and instead buys a Civic? I mean you read the thread so you know he's now purchased a car?
Soldato
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I lied, sue me I didnt read the second page
Danza I nearly did, five door pre facelift T-Sport. Would have been my choice over the Leon if I'm honest
Danza I nearly did, five door pre facelift T-Sport. Would have been my choice over the Leon if I'm honest
You need to leave the stereo alone for half a day or possibly a bit longer, once in safe mode the head unit is locked out and you have to wait for it to allow you to out the code in again. Its a pain.
I lied, sue me I didnt read the second page
Danza I nearly did, five door pre facelift T-Sport. Would have been my choice over the Leon if I'm honest
And if I'm honest, I did actually consider one as an option. There just aren't many apparently decent examples around my budget (well loads of 3 doors, but hardly and 5 doors). I don't think it'd have satisfied the MPG requirement easily either.
Cheers Skii, I thought as much. Hopefully it'll play ball this evening.