GT-Four replacement opinions?

Hate · 24 Dec 2009 at 16:31

Right,

I'm currently idly looking at possible replacements for my ST205 Celica (again) and looking for some opinions

My budget is variable - currently thinking of spending about 7-10K on a car, requirements are reasonably fast (200ish hp, 0-60 7ish, Celica is 300HP and about 5.5ish), reasonably economical (mpg of 30+ or thereabouts on a run, Celica is currently 250 miles to £60) and a bit more refined and nicer to sit in than a mid 90's jap coupe.

FWIW other cars on my potential list are an BMW E46 Ci Sport, Audi S3 (the old 1.8t), Audi A3 (newer one, 2.0T, 3.2 and 170 TDI as a wildcard), Mondeo ST220 & MK5 Golf GTI.

Basically I'm no longer interested in having a droning drainpipe exhaust, very firm suspension and a thirst when I don't really drive the Celica like it deserves anymore. Most of my driving is motorway so I want something that's newer, more refined with a good turn of speed should I fancy it, I would also prefer to *not* have FWD but I realise that does limit my choices somewhat so I'm not totally ruling it out.

Practicality is a reasonable concern, I carry people about sometimes and the rear bench in the Celica is a bit of a squeeze, I also like the Celica's hatchback as I've managed to move a 200L fish tank and cabinet in it!

I've not test driven anything, in fact as far as I've gotten is sat in Minxy's new A3 and had a nose around the old S3 but I plan to get a few drives in the new year.

I've been changing my mind every 5 minutes over the last few months but a change in circumstances means I could up my budget a little to cover the cars that I've always liked, so OcUK - what pearls of wisdom do you have for me?

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 16:36

Although we're coming from different points, it sounds like we have similar requirements - comfortable, decent economy, practical but with a decent turn of pace for about 10k. I've settled on a 330d

Hate · 24 Dec 2009 at 16:49

iaind said:
Although we're coming from different points, it sounds like we have similar requirements - comfortable, decent economy, practical but with a decent turn of pace for about 10k. I've settled on a 330d

Pretty much yeah, but another part of me wants the sound of a 6 cyl engine to play with!

paradigm · 24 Dec 2009 at 16:57

Hate said:
Pretty much yeah, but another part of me wants the sound of a 6 cyl engine to play with!

330d is a 6-cylinder

Hate · 24 Dec 2009 at 16:57

6 cylinder petrol

I've never heard what a 6 cyl diesel sounds like to be honest.

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:28

Peerzy · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:30

Even a 330i driven carefully should get 30MPG shouldn't it? Would come in budget as well.

[TW]Fox · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:32

And now post one without a £1000 exhuast on it

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:32

Peerzy said:
Even a 330i driven carefully should get 30MPG shouldn't it? Would come in budget as well.

Depends if you'd be able to drive it carefully - I'm not sure the nature of the car would encourage many people to nurse it!

Peerzy · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:33

iaind said:
Depends if you'd be able to drive it carefully - I'm not sure the nature of the car would encourage many people to nurse it!

Hard to really rag the car if you're driving it on the motorway a lot. It is possible I've heard and would fit the bill of being a 6cyl petrol and iirc they are a bit cheaper than the 330d.

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:33

[TW]Fox;15592205 said:
And now post one without a £1000 exhuast on it

Not sure if this is standard? Looks like it...

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:34

Peerzy said:
Hard to really rag the car if you're driving it on the motorway a lot. It is possible I've heard and would fit the bill of being a 6cyl petrol and iirc they are a bit cheaper than the 330d.

Absolutely - would probably be the one to reccomend, I was just saying I had the same requirements and came to the decision of a 330d. Either would fit the bill quite well, depending on driving style etc

Clarkey · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:35

What's that ridiculous coo'ing noise on the overrun? That silly exhaust only serves to amplify the diesel-ness of it :/

Peerzy · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:40

iaind said:
Absolutely - would probably be the one to reccomend, I was just saying I had the same requirements and came to the decision of a 330d. Either would fit the bill quite well, depending on driving style etc

Even a 325i is 7seconds to 60 and although the MPG might be pretty much the same as the 330i they must be even cheaper to get hold of.

[TW]Fox · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:44

iaind said:
Not sure if this is standard? Looks like it...

Errr no it quite obviously isn't!

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:46

Clarkey said:
What's that ridiculous coo'ing noise on the overrun? That silly exhaust only serves to amplify the diesel-ness of it :/

Turbo noise isnt it?

[TW]Fox;15592275 said:
Errr no it quite obviously isn't!

No? Looks farily standard but its hard to tell and I haven't yet driven one so I cant really judge from the noise. Cant find any others, from outside anyway.

Dr Who · 24 Dec 2009 at 18:49

Still sound like a sack of spanners

[TW]Fox · 24 Dec 2009 at 19:00

iaind said:
No? Looks farily standard but its hard to tell and I haven't yet driven one so I cant really judge from the noise. Cant find any others, from outside anyway.

Tailpipe sticks out too far and it has ridiculous aftermarket wheels on it. It's not standard.

Get rid of the diesels from this thread please he wants a nice petrol car

iaind · 24 Dec 2009 at 19:03

[TW]Fox;15592341 said:
Tailpipe sticks out too far and it has ridiculous aftermarket wheels on it. It's not standard.

Get rid of the diesels from this thread please he wants a nice petrol car

Fair enough then!

330ci is definitely the best option anyway, the point I was trying to make was that dervs dont have to sound too bad

[TW]Fox · 24 Dec 2009 at 19:04

I agree, the 530d sounds pretty cool under hard acceleration. But the 530i just sounds better