car choice - opinions please

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Hi guys, I have finally narrowed my next car down to 2 options - a 306 gti6 or an astra sri turbo. Both these cars are in the highest group I can realistically afford (group 15). I have 5-6k to spend on them. Which car would you choose if you were in my position or is there another car I should be considering? The main criteria for the car is that it has to be relatively fast and handle fairly well, space is not important as long as it has a boot of some kind :) Thanks for your help.
 
Octavia vRS (MKI) 1.8T 180bhp.

Should be quite a few nice examples in your price range.

If it has to be between the two cars you have posted then I would go for the pug 306 every time.
 
oweneades said:
Octavia vRS (MKI) 1.8T 180bhp.

Should be quite a few nice examples in your price range.

If it has to be between the two cars you have posted then I would go for the pug 306 every time.

Ive had a look at the octavia but the problem is its group 16 which insurers dont seem to want to give me a quote on :p 15 is the highest I can go it seems at the moment - 22 with 1 year on licence.

What would make you in favour of the 306 over the astra?
 
Do you have any NCD discount? I'm 21 with only 2 years experience (when I bought the car) and they would insure me on an MR2 which is IG16 (Direct Line, with 1 years NCD) and that was only £750FC

Have you thought about anything Jap? You're old enough to be sensible with a powerful car, i.e. Honda Prelude, MR2 etc?
 
One thing would put me off the GTi-6 is the poor electrics. I had a 306 1.6 Meridian and used to frequent www.pug306.net. Quite a few GTi-6 owners with ECU problems etc... and non GTi-6 owners - like me!

Other than that great cars. The choice car between the Astra and 306.
 
I would def' avoid the 306.

The Astra Turbo's are ok - But maybe consider something like a Leon Cupra 1.8T - Or even a Golf 1.8T
 
Hi, thanks for the replies. I will not have any NCD unfortunately as I am only a named driver on my current car but have not made any claims so maybe this will be taken into consideration by some insurers? I wouldnt mind a jap car although I read somewhere that performance jap cars are not favourites amongst insurers? The mr2 is unfortunately out of the question as I dont yet trust myself with a rwd car with a bit of power as I have only passed for a year - would prefer something fwd first so I can get used to the increase in power over my current 1.8 focus.

I was a bit worried about the 306 electrics as it does seem to be a common problem amongst french cars and from your posts seem that it is an issue with this car aswell - I may stay clear of this. What also puts me off about the 306 is the cam change every 40k or so as I drive 80 miles a day to work.

Will look at the leon and golf but I seem to recall the astra was quicker than both - not sure about the handling though.
 
306 GTi-6 would be my choice simply from a handling point of view.

If you're considering alternatives the Octavia VRS as already mentioned is worth considering if you can find somewhere to insure you. When I was trying to get quotes the VRS didn't come up too bad.
 
Virdi said:
I would def' avoid the 306.

The Astra Turbo's are ok - But maybe consider something like a Leon Cupra 1.8T - Or even a Golf 1.8T

I was just about the recommend the same car. Seat Leon Cupra 1.8T - lovely cars, well built, if you look under the bonet most of the components are actually good quality VW or Audi parts.
 
TBH, I'm not exactly sure what the difference is, except the R has a body kit, generally looks nicer. I don't think there is a huge amount difference.

I believe it has the Audi TT 1.8T 225BHP engine.

Check out the reviews here.

EDIT: I suggest you read this thread too.

It looks like there might be a few different components, including the brakes, but the difference isn't actualy too noticable.
 
Last edited:
Ladforce said:
is there much difference between the cupra 1.8t and the cupra r or are they pretty much the same car in terms of components?

Well yes - There is a fair bit of difference.

The normal Cupra has a different engine and Turbo than the 'R'.

Normal Cupra is 180BHP and the 'R' is 225BHP.

The R also has big Brembo brakes and 18" alloys. The engine on the 'R' is still a 1.8T but it has a bigger Turbo and twin Intercooler setup.

The 225 Engine that comes in the 'R' is the same as the Engine in the Audi S3 and Audi TT (225)

...oh yeah - and the early Cupra R's had 210BHP.. just like the early Audi S3's.
 
Alfa 147 2.0 :D

Insurance group 14, 6k should get you a nice one, like mine :p :p

Either that or the Leon as has been suggested (although that's IG 16).
 
tonyyeb said:
One thing would put me off the GTi-6 is the poor electrics. I had a 306 1.6 Meridian and used to frequent www.pug306.net. Quite a few GTi-6 owners with ECU problems etc... and non GTi-6 owners - like me!

Other than that great cars. The choice car between the Astra and 306.

I am a long standing member of the GTI6 forum and an ECU fault is VERY rare on them :confused: Sensors such as the MAP yeah, fair enough - but not the ECU.

The GTI-6 is a fantastic car though if you have 5 - 6 k I would look for a more newer car. Perhaps a VAG 1.8T which you can have a ninga remap.
 
the 147 looks really nice but its 9 seconds to 60 so a little slow compared to 7.5ish from the other cars.

thanks for the link, it seems the cupra is a serious contender in this price/insurance range - will have to look into getting a test drive somewhere. Shame its so different from the cupra r though but I guess its quite a bit cheaper.
 
MrMatteh said:
thought he said quick :p

:p

When it looks as good as it does, who wants to go quick? It looks good on the hard shoulder too ;)

The GTI-6 is only half a second quicker to 60, and the astra, well, it's an astra :(
 
Bri said:
:p

When it looks as good as it does, who wants to go quick? It looks good on the hard shoulder too ;)

The GTI-6 is only half a second quicker to 60, and the astra, well, it's an astra :(

Keep dreaming ;) the 6 in stndard form can hit 60 in 7.2. I myself with just a panel and decat have done it in 6.9 with the back seats out
 
Nathan said:
Keep dreaming ;) the 6 in stndard form can hit 60 in 7.2. I myself with just a panel and decat have done it in 6.9 with the back seats out

Did you try it with the back seats folded down, I hear that makes it even quicker :D

I've not driven, or ever been in a 6 tbh, my flawed info was from parkers :rolleyes: A little more research shows that this was for a fully laden car. Apparently Peugeot did this to keep the IG down to 16 :D
 
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