Want a change from a MK 7 Fiesta st

killem · 15 Dec 2019 at 22:31

Due to potentially getting a 4-5k P.A pay rise soon and having an endowment policy pay out £54.000 in Jan I am toying with the idea of replacing my 4 year old fiesta ST.

I am in love with the styling and tech in the new CLA from mercedes and have short listed the CLA 250 AMG line premium plus. but have a feeling I may just miss the fun factor of the ST. I am waiting for the local mercedes dealer to get a demo in for a test drive.

I have also short listed the following

Hyundai I30n fastback
Honda type R
Golf R

these don't grab me on styling but should be more engaging to drive than the mercedes.Sadly the AMG CLA 35 is just too expensive as I want to reinvest a lot of the endowment policy so will only have the PX value of my fiesta and around £5k cash for upfront cost and can do a monthly payment of 400-500. I could do a 2 year lease on the CLA 35 for £13K but leasing just feels like lost money, but probably is not if Im going to take the depreciation hit buying new.

Can get the CLA 250 with spec I want for £32000 - 33000 ( range of broker quotes)

So what I need to know is whats the best thing to do. Lease or buy and if any one has any other sugestions for cars I should short list.

No BMW's please as I work for a logistics company who operates their import center so drive them every day and all though I get discount through their partner scheme I find them unispiring in looks.

and could a Mod change what to want in the thread title please.

Rilot · 16 Dec 2019 at 08:39

Sorted the thread title for you.
Does the car have to be brand new? You could get a lot more for your money going 2nd hand. A CLA45 is within your budget at 2 years old.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...cars&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=relevance&page=8

LiE · 16 Dec 2019 at 08:49

Sounds like you want a hot hatch, how about a Mercedes hot hatch then? The A35.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

a1ex2001 · 16 Dec 2019 at 08:58

Go second hand buy a car that is loads more fun and enjoy it! New cars are for the rich and the crazy in my books!

SarGara · 16 Dec 2019 at 08:58

If you are considering hatchbacks and worried about missing the fun factor then with that sort of budget it would be rude to overlook one of the best rated Meganes:

Megane 275 Trophy-R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...RENAULT&sort=price-desc&price-from=500&page=1

Nasher · 16 Dec 2019 at 09:44

Not many cars are as fun as the Fiesta ST tbh.

Tune the Fiesta instead

[TW]Fox · 16 Dec 2019 at 11:19

Rilot said:
Sorted the thread title for you.
Does the car have to be brand new? You could get a lot more for your money going 2nd hand. A CLA45 is within your budget at 2 years old.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201909112086143?model=CLA CLASS&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&aggregatedTrim=AMG&radius=100&postcode=rg108bw&advertising-location=at_cars&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&sort=relevance&page=8

But a 2 year old CLA is the previous generation model which is a fairly nasty car.

LiE · 16 Dec 2019 at 11:59

[TW]Fox said:
But a 2 year old CLA is the previous generation model which is a fairly nasty car.

Agreed, it’s no patch on the new one.

Rilot · 16 Dec 2019 at 11:59

Ahha, fair enough.

Ryan-3 · 16 Dec 2019 at 12:04

Leasing is lost money, but all cars in this price range are whether you buy outright, lease, PCP..

I say i30N. Keep the hot hatch driving appeal but have something that doesn't look mental like a CTR or dull (until it's stolen) like a Golf R.

Bug One · 16 Dec 2019 at 12:56

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I'd rather spend that kind of money on something that's not going to increase in value. That could pay for a bigger house, extension.

killem · 16 Dec 2019 at 13:16

Nasher said:
Not many cars are as fun as the Fiesta ST tbh.

Tune the Fiesta instead

That is an option if I can work out how to get a smother ride on our dilapidated roads.

[TW]Fox said:
But a 2 year old CLA is the previous generation model which is a fairly nasty car.

This. New model is highly rated but not the old. The amount of comfort and tech in the new models A class and CLA's for the price is amazing. I get to drive all the BMW range as well as the Jaguar landrover range and Bently, Rolls, Mclaren and Aston Martins so I get to compare the competition and above.

After posting last night I am now thinking of staying with the fiesta for a year and see if I can pick up a ex-demo or second hand CLA 35 next year. I can then take a extra holiday and I am thinking Vietnam for the F1 GP in April.

Rilot · 16 Dec 2019 at 13:21

That sounds like a good plan. If the Fiesta is still fun and reliable then waiting a year to get the car you want is no great chore.

killem · 16 Dec 2019 at 13:32

Rilot said:
That sounds like a good plan. If the Fiesta is still fun and reliable then waiting a year to get the car you want is no great chore.

Fiesta's great fun but being 48 I sometimes desire a smother ride and comfort. I had a Alfa Guiletta Clverleaf before the fiesta which was a good ride but only fun at stupid speeds and I need a license for my work. The fiesta breezed through its 4 year service and Mot last week so have no concerns over reliability.

Thanks for changing the thread title.

weathmatth · 16 Dec 2019 at 15:13

What about the Fiesta ST's bigger brother, the Focus ST?

killem · 16 Dec 2019 at 16:32

weathmatth said:
What about the Fiesta ST's bigger brother, the Focus ST?

Due to having stupidly long legs and the focus having a large center console I can not drive a focus for long periods. as the edge of the center console is where my left leg wants to be and it rubs. I had the new focus as a hire car recently so I found out it was not suited. Looks wise I find them bland as well.

weathmatth · 16 Dec 2019 at 16:50

killem said:
Due to having stupidly long legs and the focus having a large center console I can not drive a focus for long periods. as the edge of the center console is where my left leg wants to be and it rubs. I had the new focus as a hire car recently so I found out it was not suited. Looks wise I find them bland as well.

Was it a ST focus hire car? The ST seats tend to be slightly taller, at least that's what I found when I bought mine. Im 6ft4 and fit perfect, and cover 25k a year. I would have to disagree about the looks as well, I think they look better than the golf and civic (civic is very marmite), but looks are personal and many on here would disagree with me

killem · 16 Dec 2019 at 17:13

No it was a basic model Focus. I'm 6Ft6 but with long legs.Yeah the civic and golf dont really do it in the looks department for me aswell.

Nasher · 16 Dec 2019 at 17:19

I always found the driving position odd in the STs. You need short legs and long arms

I think the problem comes from them slapping sports seats inside the standard car without changing anything else (same with most hot hatches).