Car advice (7.5K - 9K)

Bakedgoods

Bakedgoods

Bakedgoods

Capodecina
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31 Dec 2003
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Barrow-In-Furness
Morning all,

It's very nearly new car time and I just want to make sure i've not missed out of anything. My budget is between 7.5K and 9K (let's be honest, it's going to be closer to 9).

I want a quick, good looking and relatively modern and low mileage car, I want it to feel pretty new. Practicality isn't really an issue.

Insurance will be difficult, anything aboive group 17 is probably out of the question, i'd be more comfortable group 16 and lower. (21, 1 years NCB and experience).

The shortlist....

RX8 231: 2004-2006, under 40,000 miles

This is my choice at the moment. I understand the running costs, I love the looks of both the interior and exterior. Performance is a little dubious (Mazda's claims in relation to reality) but will be a big jump up for me. Low, sporty rear-wheel drive appeals massvely.

Focus ST

I've noticed these have started to creep into this price range now. Decent performance, not bad looks, practical, nice enough interior. Not too sure about the running costs though. I can imagine tyres/petrol being similar, but unsure about servicing and consumables?

Megane Sport 225 Cup

I like the looks, the performance seems pretty good, the interior is better than the Clio but not up to scratch with the rest. I'm unsure about this would, I would prefer the F1 Team version but this is possibly out of the price range, i'm also uncertain about the insurance.

Clio 182/197

There's a few 197's creeping into this range but they are the bottom of the barrel, and to be honest i'm not a huge fan of the new looks and I don't think the Cup is quite cheap enough yet. I could however get a 182 for this price easily, but I would be reluctant to spend lots of money on the old model now. Decent performance, good looks, interior sucks.

Fiesta ST

Much prefer the interior here to the Clio, a little on the slow side but insurance reflects this. Some performance mods could see it on par with the Clio, and the insurnace would probably match it after these i'm guessing. Cheaper to run than the others which is a bonus.

Seat LCR, Audi TT, BMW 3 series

These are on the fringes but i'm pretty certain I wouldn't bother with any of then, with the exception of possible the LCR, but it's unlikely.
 
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Out of those.. the Focus ST.

Can I also suggest the Mini Cooper S.. it will be a slightly older model but there are some nice examples to be had for that much, but you can easily get a facelift model (So 54 onwards) :)
 
Cooper-S, missed off by accident. At this budget i'm not sure i'd want to. They seem to be a a bit older than the others with typically an extra 20,000 or so miles. (I know this isn't the end of the world). I would just rpefer something a little more fresh.

Type R - Insurance is too expensive. Could always spend less on the car and more on the insurance, but I would rather not do that.

I just want something pretty quick, good looking, sporty and not stupidly expensive to insure. Practicality isn't a big issue, I could even manage with only 2 seats (I had looked at the VX220, but it's way too expensive to insure).
 
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Wardie said:
Type R - Insurance is too expensive. Could always spend less on the car and more on the insurance, but I would rather not do that.
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I was under the impression that it was group 17, same as the LCR and 225... Just a suggestion though, it may be that insurance companies see it as a less favourable car to insure! :-)
 
Do you have to spend your entire budget? I ask as that's a lot of dosh for a 21, unless you're rich which is great.

If you don't I think the Clio 172 is a good option, especially as you will be saving quite a bit. You can pick up a full fat for around 4K. The build quality won't be as great as the other cars you have listed.

If it was me, I'd probably go for a comfortable all rounder like a 3-series (get's flame coat) or maybe a LCR.
 
For me from that list would probably be the Focus ST, probably gives you the best combination of all worlds, although if practicality isnt an issue why not consider something 2 seater and convertible? S2000/Z4/350z?
 
Id want an RX8, but would be put off by the silly engine - if Mazda had the option for a piston engine rather than the silly rotary one which really isn't very practical because of the running costs - so I'm going with Focus ST as well :D
 
RX8 231 - burn a lot of oil, bit too 'screamy' for my taste

Focus ST - nice car, probably my pick of the bunch

Megane Sport 225 Cup - slightly less comfortable than the others, my Clio cup didn't have aircon so worth checking if you go down that line

Clio 182/197 - 197 is very flat to drive and IMO not very exciting. 182 is a lovely car, especially the trophy. Renaults however do have a bit of a reputation of poor build quality. Having owned two I never found a particular issue.

Fiesta ST - better off with the Focus IMO

Seat LCR, Audi TT, BMW 3 series - Out of these definitely the Seat
 
Oh one car you missed and they I really like the look of is the Alfa Romeo GT - no idea what people's views are on these, and I have never owned an Alfa and have no idea if it deserves its poor reliability reputation but someone on here must know...
 
EP3 CTR is group 15 with Churchill insurance wise. I can't see others being much more or less but they used to be the get away drivers favourite for a while.
 
SoliD said:
For me from that list would probably be the Focus ST, probably gives you the best combination of all worlds, although if practicality isnt an issue why not consider something 2 seater and convertible? S2000/Z4/350z?
Click to expand...

S2000 is too expensive to insure and the othrs aren't in the budget really. Good suggestions though, things like a BMW 3-series don't appeal that much, I can get something like that when I'm older :)
 
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I'd have the Focus ST on that list, I dont care if the RX8 is the most awesome car ever I would resent paying Toyota Supra Twin Turbo running costs for BMW 325i levels of performance. The RX8's are ridiculous to run cost wise.
 
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