Looking for an upgrade

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,365
Location
Derbyshire
Afternoon OCUK.

As 2 months time I will be 23, 2 years ncb, driving for 6 years and will be living in the second best area code. The car will be kept in a private multi-storey covered in cameras, so getting it bashed isn't likely to happen.

I drive a 2000 1.0 micra. It has been brilliant and cost me 1 hour of labour to fix in the 6 years I have owned it. However, it is time for an upgrade.
I start getting paid each month and within 2-3 months I can top-up my car savings to have £5000. In 6 months I could have £8000 though.

I don't really need a car but I am torn between keeping the Micra as it is mechanically perfect, or to upgrade through nothing but pure want. I would be doing about 3000-5000 miles per year, so diesel can sod off.

I would like something with a touch of poke to it, aircon, electric windows - Not exactly narrowing it down am I :p.
I have had insurance quotes on many hot hatches and the only ones that came in over £1000 were imprezas (£1600 for the 300hp STI).

I have been looking online at the first generation Skoda Octavia VRS. The insurance comes in at a decent £750ish (£200 less than a Golf GTI!) and the car is significantly cheaper, yet has the same powertrain. I have also looked at Golf GTI's MK4, Leon Cupra MK1 (inc. R), Civic Type-R, Mondeo ST220. I have also looked at Jettas as they seem to be a 'Golf Saloon' yet are very reasonably priced.
The Mazda 3 MPS is going in the bin as I am not paying £450 to tax a car, but I have no issues with £250 tax ones.

I want a car that is fun with decent reliability.
I have test driven nothing at the moment.
 
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R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
3000miles p/a = under 58miles per week.

5000miles p/a = under 97 miles per week.

Your mileage per week is less than mine yet I don't use my car at all from Monday to Friday.

It seems a tad low to put it mildly! ;)
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I live on Campus and have no need to drive to work. I would drive 5 miles a week to Tesco and possibly the 80 mile around trip to home may be twice a month.

In 6 years the Micra has done 22,000 miles and one of the years I worked 5 days a week in one place then Sundays somewhere else that was an 80 mile around trip, which means some years I only did 3000 PA.
 
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lordrobs said:
A man with impeccable taste ;)

I love my one but that is because of the mix of practicality and performance on a budget. If you don't need the practicality of a hot hatch how about something like an MX-5?
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I am 6ft 3 and a bit chubby, so no MX5 I am afraid!
I have briefly considered the idea but I would want a hardtop (a soft top convertible is just madness in the UK!) and these cost a fair bit more.

daveydave said:
Is that really a deal breaker??

Any extra 50/60p per day...
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Almost half my monthly income on tax just seems mental. Especially when it pays for a small white circle in my windscreen that does absolutely nothing.

TheDean said:
We've already seen one prominemt Motors member chage 'for the sake of it' and he isn't happy, and trying to flog it off. My advice - stick with the Micra till it dies!
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I had the Micra at 17. I said I will keep it until University ends. Then I did a year and changed course, just one more year extra. Then I did a placement.

The time has come where I have put up with a slow, uncomfortable car all my driving life and just want something nice for once.
Everything works on the Micra, if I keep it until it dies it could be another 5 years.....
 
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Begbie said:
Clio 182 :p

Focus ST must be in that price range also?
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Members on here have posted about their Clios and it seems they need a lot of repairs each year to keep on the road.
I have also heard they are uncomfortable for tall drivers.

An ST Focus can be had for £7000-8000 for a 2007 one.

I forgot to mention, I point blank refuse to purchase a Peugeot, a Citroen or a Vauxhall :p.
 
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Is a MK1 Octavia a good bet? A relative's (who is very good hand-on with vehicles) son had a Leon Cupra MK1 with the 1.8T engine and it was a nightmare, but I don't know the condition nor mileage of the vehicle. I have heard the 1.8T is pretty reliable though.

I just see the Octavia as really good value almost-hot car, that looks good yet with a VAG drivetrain it should be pretty good at not breaking. I have looked at Leon's online and it seems they have various niggling issues.
 
Malc said:
MR2 Mk2 Rev3 4 or 5 (late 1994 onwards) You should fit in one of these.
Won't I be in a never-ending battle to keep an old car on the road including paintwork and rust issues?

Seat Leon Cupra/Cupra R
These are pretty much the same as the Skoda :p. The Cupra version of the Leon I would consider but surely it has the same issues as the Skoda and heard they leak like a sieve.

Clio 172/182 (I think the cup models have expensive suspension components so maybe avoid those?)
Heard they are crap for tall drivers and break a lot, yet are very good fun.

Civic Type R
I like the look of these and are known to be reliable, however the ones I look at (online) for £3000-£4000 are all 9 year old high-milers with peeling paint and/or dents.
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I have commented on the above. I have no idea if I am being far too picky or if I can genuinely expect a fantastic condition CTR for £3000-£4000 with good bodywork, reasonable mileage and A/C.
(I have never bought a car before, the micra has owned by the parents for a short time before me).
 
lordrobs said:
Sounds like a good budget for an Octy vRS to me, might even get cruise and a few other goodies if you are lucky ;)
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Am I being unreasonable by being picky over the condition of the car or do I need to get a grip and realise an 8 year old car is going to have dents/scratches on. It seems few people properly care for their cars :(.
I have to attack the roof of my Micra with a buffer each year to get it to turn from pink to red again. Should I avoid red cars?
 
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