Help me decide!

-Mike-

-Mike-

-Mike-

Soldato
Joined
22 Dec 2002
Posts
10,165
Location
Minehead
Hey all,

Well I finally have a semi reasonable amount of money to work with after what has been a frankly crap year with too many bills to settle.

I've got 6k to play with and whatever pittance they will give me for my Bora.

I want something fun, the cheaper the better and most importantly I want a petrol car. I cba with diesel clutches, dmf's injectors and everything else anymore.

I've been looking at CTR's, clio 172/182's, fiesta ST's and the like. I'm six foot tall, I know I fit in a clio after owning a blessed DCI for a year (only 1k in repairs in that year woo!).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you :)
 
Out of your list, CTR, Fiesta ST isn't even close to the others, and I just don't like clio's, even if OCUK seem to love them.
It may be time to think broader mind you, some fantastic cars can be had for 5-6k.
 
Owned an ST. Decent car with affordable running costs. Good looks with decent performance.
Make sure you look at facelift models with tech pack. Your budget can net you a decent one and you will have plenty of change.

Clios are quicker than the ST but that's about it. Your budget would net you a nice example and essentially mean you get your pick of the market. From what I understand, cambelts are the thing to look out for. I drove both and prefered the ST.

Currently own the CTR. Love it. Handling is next level compared to the other two and the engine has heaps of character. Best gearbox of the three also.
A facelift example ep3 can be had for £4500 with lowish miles. For that budget you want full history and ideally a car with some upgrades. The ac model is the one to go for.

certainly don't consider spending the whole budget on any of those options. you should use the money from your current vehicle and no more than 4k of your money.
 
I think I preferred the way the 182 handled to the Type R, both were good but the Clio was very good. I certainly wouldnt describe the Civic as 'the next level' in handling compared with the Clio. The Clio felt more chuckable and more fun and with better feedback through the wheel etc. The Civic had, IMHO, a better engine.
 
[TW]Fox;22875042 said:
I think I preferred the way the 182 handled to the Type R, both were good but the Clio was very good. I certainly wouldnt describe the Civic as 'the next level' in handling compared with the Clio. The Clio felt more chuckable and more fun and with better feedback through the wheel etc. The Civic had, IMHO, a better engine.
Click to expand...

see, I would agree to an extent given both cars in their stock form.

my civic has a FRSU which cost £150 and transforms the feedback you get from the whole vehicle. this does edge it away from the clio in the handling stakes imo. £150 is hardly breaking the bank.

the 172 I drove was a complete nail so discounting that and only considering the 182 I have driven, I do like the clio. but for me, the seating position was uncomfortable for my height and I didn't like the way the car felt to drive.

all personally preference I guess but considering the OP mentioned his height [and with it being around the same as mine] I thought it best to mention.

I would just drive all three as internet conversation will only result in opinion.

also, just as a real world comparison, my Civic averages 21-29mpg whereas my Fiesta ST used to net 28+

the main gripe with the ST is that it needs a 6th gear. it is geared well but a 6th would make long jouneys a lot more pleasant and also improve the economy.
 
Out of the three I would be picking the Civic. Clio is probably a lot of fun, but the civic is just as good, and probably offers better reliability and a much nicer interior.

Have you thought about other cars in this similar bracket? Leon Cupra? Or you not wanting turbo power?
 
Surely if you are considering an Oder Clio it must be a Trophy? I'm fairly confident that if handling is important a Trophy will come out better than all above. Not sure how much they are these days, but still one of the sweetest handling cars I've driven.
 
Civic. Japanese. /thread

Clio - Bound to have some sort of issue while you own it and cost you cash

Ford - Reliable... but more common than civics?

I agree with everyone here, CTR would be good. Someone I know just got a type r and they love it.
 
rexehuk said:
Civic. Japanese. /thread

Clio - Bound to have some sort of issue while you own it and cost you cash

Ford - Reliable... but more common than civics?

I agree with everyone here, CTR would be good. Someone I know just got a type r and they love it.
Click to expand...

Why would a car being a common sight on the roads be a bad thing?
 
rexehuk said:
Not a bad thing... but do you want something everyone else has? Nicer to drive something a bit different...

Unless you like the sheep style following :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

Got to say, I see far more EP3 Civic Type R's around my area...

Kind of an invalid point really
 
rexehuk said:
Invalid based on location. I don't see a great deal around here... so yes it's valid, maybe not from where you sit.

:)
Click to expand...

I highly doubt there was a great difference in total sales between the 2 cars. It's hardly Aston Martin DBS v Mondeo TDCI is it?
 
rexehuk said:
Not a bad thing... but do you want something everyone else has? Nicer to drive something a bit different...

Unless you like the sheep style following :rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

I agree with the sentiment that it's nice to drive something a bit alternative, however I think this may apply to things like classic cars etc - rather than what are, for the most part, generic hatchbacks. Surely there's a good reason that there's plenty of a certain car about, that being that they're good cars?

To the OP: Drive all the cars you have on your list, pick whichever you prefer. It's purely subjective :)
 
rjkoneill said:
see, I would agree to an extent given both cars in their stock form.

my civic has a FRSU which cost £150 and transforms the feedback you get from the whole vehicle. this does edge it away from the clio in the handling stakes imo. £150 is hardly breaking the bank.
Click to expand...

What is an FRSU and how does it change the handling of the car?

The Clio I drove was a brand new 182 with about 500 miles on it, I can imagine one with ruined springs and dampers doesnt handle as nicely.
 
[TW]Fox;22876293 said:
What is an FRSU and how does it change the handling of the car?

The Clio I drove was a brand new 182 with about 500 miles on it, I can imagine one with ruined springs and dampers doesnt handle as nicely.
Click to expand...

Fast Road Set Up.

IIRC it's different springs with a proper geo setup.

Though OP, get a CTR :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom