Anything remotely fun around the 20k mark?

sigma said:
The issue is that it's an Alfa so is it going to fall apart? I've not looked at it in depth in terms of common issues and reliability ratings.
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Mine has been solid, I did break down back in December but that was due to a security device I had fitted shorting out. They're a little temperamental electronics wise, as in, the slightest sensor error will throw a lot of warning lights but won't see you breaking down.

I would say it's worthwhile getting the Q2/rear LSD and adaptive suspension (think it's called Performance pack B, but they've changed their configurations so much). I don't have it on mine, and wish I did - mainly for softening the suspension on the absolutely awful roads we have.

I'm not sure what 20k gets you, but would try and get a MY20 or later for the improved interior.
 
mjt said:
Golf GTI is more fun than an R isn't it?
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In day to day driving it probably is. My route is the school run, local traffic roads with a dual carriageway blast to work and at times the motorway to visit family.
I doubt I would ever put down the power. Even the MK5 R32 would offer more drama but maintaining them is another matter these days.
 
Nasher said:
I wouldn't buy a Ford now with all the engine issues they have been having with wet belts etc. The Korean cars are all chain driven and proving much more durable.
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I thought it was just the tiny 1 litres that were wet and had all the issues, my workmates girlfriend has one and reckons it's a £1000 service every 30,000 miles(on a fiesta) :eek: .
 
theone8181 said:
I thought it was just the tiny 1 litres that were wet and had all the issues, my workmates girlfriend has one and reckons it's a £1000 service every 30,000 miles(on a fiesta) :eek: .
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It's not that bad! Without looking it up specifically, I'm sure it's ten years or 100,000 miles or something similar.
 
theone8181 said:
I thought it was just the tiny 1 litres that were wet and had all the issues, my workmates girlfriend has one and reckons it's a £1000 service every 30,000 miles(on a fiesta) :eek: .
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Not sure why that would be, servicing guide doesn't mention anything crazy at those miles.

Belt isn't until 150k on the 1.5t.

Mine was cheap as chips to run.
 
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SPG said:
I30N if you can find one for 20k but then I might be a ragged to heaven :)
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Do like them in the signature blue. Chap on my road has one and there is also an i20n that goes past me on the drive to work and always turn head as very rare amongst the commute traffic.
They seemed to have kept their value very well and not budged a lot even when looked in the past.
 
I think you need to have a bigger think about what you really want as some of the cars in this thread are so different.

A 540i and a Hyundai i30N are so different. Someone who drives a 540i would find the Hyundai to be cheap, horrible inside, noisy, unrefined and generally quite horrible. Someone who drives a Hyundai i30N would find the 540i to be dull, large, too big for country roads and simply not that fun. I cannot imagine either owner being happy with the other car - they are so different. I'd have the 540i as everything in the Hyundai would annoy me, but the reverse is probably true for people who like true hot hatchbacks?

The 540i isn't a sports car - it's a smooth, comfortable, quiet, refined and quick long distance car. You can barely hear the engine and there is little real sense of acceleration. This is what makes it so good for some people but not so much for others.
 
[TW]Fox said:
The 540i isn't a sports car - it's a smooth, comfortable, quiet, refined and quick long distance car. You can barely hear the engine and there is little real sense of acceleration. This is what makes it so good for some people but not so much for others.
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I don't think a 540i is the car for the OP beyond the presence of the B58 under the bonnet - not only is it out of budget but it will also be missing the 'event factor' he desires, in a way that the M140i or a 340i/440i with MPPSK wouldn't, because it's designed to be a grown up car for people who want sensible performance, whereas the others still cater to the market of grown ups who haven't really grown up :p
 
ddoubleep said:
In day to day driving it probably is. My route is the school run, local traffic roads with a dual carriageway blast to work and at times the motorway to visit family.
I doubt I would ever put down the power. Even the MK5 R32 would offer more drama but maintaining them is another matter these days.
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The power mine has can only really be safely exploited on dual carriage/M ways or empty non suburban roads. It's completely docile in the Eco driving mode, does near 40mpg, it's really easy and comfortable to drive at a sedate pace. In Race mode it's... :D
 
Kenai said:
I don't think a 540i is the car for the OP beyond the presence of the B58 under the bonnet - not only is it out of budget but it will also be missing the 'event factor' he desires, in a way that the M140i or a 340i/440i with MPPSK wouldn't, because it's designed to be a grown up car for people who want sensible performance, whereas the others still cater to the market of grown ups who haven't really grown up :p
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The problem with the 340i though is that the interior is rubbish, its like a big 1 Series inside.
 
[TW]Fox said:
The problem with the 340i though is that the interior is rubbish, its like a big 1 Series inside.
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In comparison to a newer generation 5 series that's out of budget, yes, probably.

In comparison to other cars at the budget and being discussed like a VW Golf, Hyundai i30, Kia Stinger or Honda Civic I wouldn't say it's 'rubbish' at all. The Alfa Giulia is probably comparable.
 
Kenai said:
In comparison to a newer generation 5 series that's out of budget, yes, probably.

In comparison to other cars at the budget and being discussed like a VW Golf, Hyundai i30, Kia Stinger or Honda Civic I wouldn't say it's 'rubbish' at all. The Alfa Giulia is probably comparable.
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Might as well just get the M140i or the M240i then, which will be more fun and have largely the same dashboard. Which is my point. It's just feels like a larger version of those rather than a clear step up.
 
Cristian said:
If you want fun and event a fwd hatch shouldn't be it.
W204 c63 AMG face-lifts are easily within budget and the main reason to get one is that it's the the last hurrah before downsizing and electric comes along. Fantastic sounding v8 stuff, great presence but still sensible servicing and parts availability. (fuel economy obviously not great but at low mileage shouldn't really be an issue).

The more sensible and economical option would be something B58 engined - anything from a m140i to 340i, 440i and even with a bit of patience 540i (massive jump in interior quality and comfort). This is an absolutely legendary engine with untouchable balance of sensible / performance / tuning potential that makes any other 4 cylinder car look very pedestrian by comparison.
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Huh? Depends what you want but hot hatches have always been the most fun car to drive for me.

Short wheel base and ample power makes them great for twisty roads.
 
They are fun and chuckable daily driving things. They'll always be there in one form or another though. If you want an event car I think it getting a v8 with its associated sound and presence is a limited time opportunity which is definitely worth considering.

I agree with Fox that the scope is way too broad though. Someone considering a 540i touring wouldn't even dream of looking at a 4 cylinder hatchback, same with someone who can get something v8 engined.
 
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