New/Modern reasonably priced cars that are great to drive

commited

commited

commited

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Dublin, Ireland
Following a thread on another forum, apparently I've never driven a decent modern car with power steering, only really bad ones, thus clouding my judgement. :rolleyes:

Anybody any suggestions as to what cars are good to drive, are fairly cheap to buy <£15k new and smallish engine (<1.6l). I'm looking for steering feel mostly.

So far I've been told the Focus and Fiesta are brutal - 2 cars which I thought were highly rated in their class, thus sort of used them as a benchmark. I didnt really enjoy either of them. If there are better - please help :D

EDIT - just to make it clear - looking for "average" cars with standard suspension.

Mark
 
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Skoda Fabia VRS? Should get one new for less than 12k. Volkswagen/Audi Group PD Diesel Engine with 130BHP, Insurance group 9 and fairly mental in gear acceleration for the power/engine size. Depreciation has been pretty good to them too.

Highly recommended imo. Shouldnt cost much more than a 1.6 to insure and will return higher MPG.
 
My idea behind the whole 1.6 was just to try an exclude the performance models.I deffo cant afford to tax/insure anything like a Fabia VRS in Ireland, I'm more looking to test drive an "average" car to see if I've been all wrong with my hate of power steering etc.

How would the boggo Fabia compare? I drove a 1.2 about 2/3 years ago and liked how quiet it was and how solid it felt, but I nearly fell asleep driving it!
 
To be honest I've not driven any car with power steering that came anywhere close to any without. 996 GT3 was probably the best, but still miles off non PAS...
 
I don't understand the difference between electrical power steering and mechanical power steering, but mine feels a lot better to drive with mechanical than most others I've driven with electrical.
 
That's what I was afraid of hearing.
From everything I've read, the Focus seemed to be the best, thats why I drove one (older model). Was quite disapointed.

Maybe I'll give the new model a shot - is it any better?
 
If you didn't like the Focus then there's not a huge amount to choose from as this is renowned as being one of the best!

The old shape Passat is very dull to drive. The current shape is said to be somewhat better as is the current Golf (the Mk 4 Golf isn't)

Perhaps try an Astra? Mazda 3?
 
The new Focus is a tad softer and more refined than the old Focus.

The old Focus is the one thats reknowned as one of the best handling front drivers around - certainly far better than a car of its type really ought to be, and a real pleasure to throw around.

I had my suspicions as to the motives of this thread - seemed a bit odd but you've confirmed what I thought, it's simply an opportunity for you to rubbish modern cars and say how much better the dross we had 20 years ago was :)

The Focus is an excellent handling car with plenty of feedback and great steering feel. If you disagree, well, it was either broken, you've not actually driven one, or you have a strange taste in cars :p

What is it you look for in a car?
 
I've been itching to try a Golf 5 GTI after all the cafuffle I've heard about them, but I'm afraid that I'll like it too much :o
Is the astra decent to drive now? The old one was awful! Never thought of trying a Mazda 3.

How do people find this speed adjustable power steering that most cars seem to be fitted with now. When driving my mothers car, I've just found that all it just never seems to work properly and always gives a different feel to the steering.
 
What is it you didnt like about the Focus becuase in terms of feel, feedback and pure handling the new Astra, new Focus, new Golf, etc etc are not going to surpass it. Where they are better is in areas like interior quality, feel, etc..
 
commited said:
That's what I was afraid of hearing.
From everything I've read, the Focus seemed to be the best, thats why I drove one (older model). Was quite disapointed.

Maybe I'll give the new model a shot - is it any better?
Click to expand...

I loved the way the old Focus handled. The new one is good too but didn't enjoy it as much.
 
[TW]Fox said:
I had my suspicions as to the motives of this thread - seemed a bit odd but you've confirmed what I thought, it's simply an opportunity for you to rubbish modern cars and say how much better the dross we had 20 years ago was :)
Click to expand...
Ah Fox, always quick to judge with pre-imposed opinions of other people :)

Just for your reference, this wasnt a "rubbish modern cars" thread - here is the thread that I spoke about that sparked this thread: linky

I never said the Focus was awful, I just expected it to give the same feel and feedback as all of the non PAS cars I've driven and I was disapointed. If it's as good as it gets for what I can afford, then I have better in my opinion.

What I look for in a car will vary with my situation, but currently, it's reasonable performance, reasonable economy, but most of all smiles per mile and something I can be proud of and maintain myself. It is one of my main hobbies after all. The only things my current car cant do for me are move furniture and take 5 people - things I have to do rarely, and I have fully insured access to my parents cars so not an issue.

EDIT - I'm hoping to get a spin in a New MINI Cooper at the weekend - should I expect it to be better than the Focus? (I've driven a MINI before but it had stupid eleventy million inch wheels and i didnt go above 30)
 
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Should be as it's meant to be more driver focused

Give it a try - see what you think

EDIT: Although old now, the 306 is a great drive (the 307 isn't)

Perhaps try an MG ZR/ZS/ZT?
 
Are the MGs meant to be good?
306 seems to be a common car that is claimed to "flatter" the driver. They are getting pretty cheap though...
 
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