New car help?

[ Ry ] · 17 Dec 2011 at 19:30

Hey guys, I'm after a new car. Around £2000 to spend, might be able to push it to £2500. I'm after something relatively hot, been having a look at Clio Sport 172s and ST170s. Only sticking point is, whatever I get needs to be able to fit a set or two of golf clubs in the boot.

I'm 24 and 5 years no claims so insurance isn't a problem, economy isn't important either really aslong as it is over 35mpg for long journeys.

Any recommendations?

act smiley · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:25

I bought an Alfa 156 with the 2.5V6 recently with a similar-ish set of criteria (can't stand golf!).
The maths I've done to check the fuel economy so far aren't very accurate but works out as low 30s on the motorways thanks to a 6th gear, but in general use rather than just cruising along you won't see that due to being distracted by the pedal that makes the lovely noises. From a practicality point of view, the boot is fairly big but the back seats don't go down on the saloon, there's just a ski-hatch thing behind the armrest.

OK, it'll need more looking after than some of the alternatives but I love it personally - it looks and sounds great, the steering is slightly over-assisted for my tastes but has good feedback and while its certainly not as quick or all that much of a proper sportscar it feels like a stretched out hot-hatch on B-roads.

shoes · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:28

forget the st170 then, it's very slow on paper and not frugal in the slightest (and this is coming from a focus owner who loves his - 1.6, mind)

As for other hot cars, i'll let the knowledgable ocuk crowd help you out.

(I've just bought a BMW 328 coupe - E36 - massive boot, buckets of power and returns over 45mpg on a run. Returns 25 when you thrash it! - may be worth looking at. )

[TW]Fox · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:32

45mpg on a run from an M52? 25mpg when 'thrashing' it? What on earth?

I think your OBC needs calibrating!

shoes · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:42

Quite possibly tbh

Edit: How would I get such a thing done? Is it something an inde could do?

[TW]Fox · 20 Dec 2011 at 23:50

There is a hidden menu on some of them where you can change the conversion factor.. not sure how on the E36. Best thing to do is reset the MPG and brim the tank at the same time. Then drive around, then brim the tank again. You can then calculate exactly the fuel used and exactly the MPG and compare it to the trip comp, telling you how far its out by.

acemastr · 21 Dec 2011 at 07:47

shoes said:
forget the st170 then, it's very slow on paper and not frugal in the slightest (and this is coming from a focus owner who loves his - 1.6, mind)

As for other hot cars, i'll let the knowledgable ocuk crowd help you out.

(I've just bought a BMW 328 coupe - E36 - massive boot, buckets of power and returns over 45mpg on a run. Returns 25 when you thrash it! - may be worth looking at. )

For contrast, my 330 gets 23mpg in general, 28 on a run down the A1, it touched 30 for a mile or so then quickly went back to normal

paradigm · 21 Dec 2011 at 09:20

My E36 325i would struggle to see 30, 28 was typically how I got on, and that was mostly extra-urban (but not motorway).

shoes · 21 Dec 2011 at 10:12

[TW]Fox;20843940 said:
There is a hidden menu on some of them where you can change the conversion factor.. not sure how on the E36. Best thing to do is reset the MPG and brim the tank at the same time. Then drive around, then brim the tank again. You can then calculate exactly the fuel used and exactly the MPG and compare it to the trip comp, telling you how far its out by.

Good batting thinkman - I brimmed it 2 days ago and reset the trip meter, I'll do this when it gets to 100ish miles.

acemastr said:
For contrast, my 330 gets 23mpg in general, 28 on a run down the A1, it touched 30 for a mile or so then quickly went back to normal

paradigm said:
My E36 325i would struggle to see 30, 28 was typically how I got on, and that was mostly extra-urban (but not motorway).

It looks like fox is right then!

melchy · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:32

You'll struggle getting a set of clubs into the 172's boot without putting the rear seats down.

kidloco · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:51

Same with ST170, you can get a set of clubs in at a push, but sod all room for trolley etc. Plus just dont get a ST170 full stop. There not quick, terrible on fuel and the running bills are double the price of a standard 2l focus as they share a few parts from the RS (shame there not the good parts).

Glad I got rid of mine when I did.

bledd · 21 Dec 2011 at 13:58

MR2
MX5

Only two seats in each, but don't forget them..

BlastRadius · 21 Dec 2011 at 14:07

Honda Civic Type S (EV1). Just so happens I have one and it fits a set of clubs and a trolley in the boot, acres of space for rear seat passengers. 160BHP, 35mpg easily 40+ if on a good run. £2500 should get a decent pre facelift or a high mileage facelift (facelift gets cruise control and VSA).

[ Ry ] · 22 Dec 2011 at 23:00

Thanks for the replies, a friend has recently bought a ST170 and isn't happy with it so I'll throw that one out of the window.

Thought about putting the seats down and getting the Clio but wouldn't mind being able to leave my clubs in the boot as I play a few times a week.

I'll check out the Civic.

Any other recommendations? Anything other than hatchbacks?

Cheers guys.

[ Ry ] · 2 Jul 2012 at 18:01

Apologies for the bump but I ended up not getting a car at this point.

Having finished now Uni, having very little money and now the strong possibility I have just got a job I'm back in the hunt for a car. After something that is cheap to tax/insure and will return a good MPG as the commute would be ~80miles a day. Something around the £1000 mark?

On a very related note, how likely would it be that a dealer would allow me to pay monthly for a car that was say £2500-3000?

shoes · 2 Jul 2012 at 18:05

Bank loan if going for finance.

2001ish focus 1.6 for your grand otherwise.

[TW]Fox · 2 Jul 2012 at 18:24

[ Ry ];22261674 said:
Apologies for the bump but I ended up not getting a car at this point.

Having finished now Uni, having very little money and now the strong possibility I have just got a job I'm back in the hunt for a car. After something that is cheap to tax/insure and will return a good MPG as the commute would be ~80miles a day. Something around the £1000 mark?

On a very related note, how likely would it be that a dealer would allow me to pay monthly for a car that was say £2500-3000?

You are far far better off buying a £1k car with money you have than buying a £2.5k-£3k from a dealer on a dealers own finance package. Especially as your average £2.5k car from a dealer isnt twice as good as a £1k car!

[ Ry ] · 2 Jul 2012 at 20:44

Right ok, cheers Fox.

In terms of miles and economy would it be better to go for the 1.6 petrol or the 1.8 diesel?

[TW]Fox · 2 Jul 2012 at 20:52

You want the least faff and hassle and the best chance at a decent condition car. To me that says 1.6 petrol. Everyone wants a diesel.

[ Ry ] · 23 Jul 2012 at 19:23

Well, apologies for another bump but I found and purchased my newest car... a W reg, 306 HDI (AC) for the grand sum of £750 with 6 months tax and 12 months MOT.

It's tidy inside and the outside is a tad rough but you don't spend £750 on a car to look at how pretty it is. If I get 12 months out of it doing 80+ miles a day on the commute to work I'll be a very happy chappy.