The choose GT3 a new car thread.

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 16:35

Hi I will be looking to buy my new car sometime between April and June. I am wanting to spend around £6k on a car (+/-£500) and around £2k on insurance. I will have a years no claims, held licence a year and if needs be I will wait till June when I'm 19 if it saves a lot on the insurance.

I was initially looking at spending more, but figured that I don't want to be in masses of debt, so looks like CTR is out of the question for now.

My prioritys in order when looking at cars are:

- Handling / Chuckability
- Power / Speed
- Looks / Image
- Comfort / Toys

Now to me, the pefect choice would be a Clio Cup, seen quite a few 2002 models for this price, and some 2003 models with slightly higher mileage still under £7k. I have had an insurance quote from Admiral for £1700 fully comp which seems like a fantastic deal for someone with such little experience as I have, adding my mum to the policy saved £400 mind!

The question is, what other cars would you consider? I don't want a RWD car yet as stacking it within a week would be quite likely

A Seat Ibiza Cupra would have been another choice, but in std form they are quite a bit slower, don't handle as well and are more of a lazy drive compared to the highly thrashable clio

I don't need/want a big car, and altough an Impreza would be nice - I've got no chance of insuring one.

Demon · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:08

I think to get your handling criteria in the Clio is a sound choice..

But remember that this type of supermini can catch you out with lift off oversteer, you know, where you go into a corner a little 'hot' then back off the throttle, and it snaps into oversteer...

What you call slightly softer cars still handle amazingly, and can be much more forgiving, and thus far easier to learn to drive on the limit.. which is what it's all about..

The driver makes the biggest difference in cars, having the confidence to push it counts for a lot..

Saying that the Clio is still a good buy... if you are sensible, no problems..

Cheap bargains.. that will give you a 'new' car, comfortable, forgving, yet capable of being mental when required and 'upgradeable'

..

1. Astra Coupe Turbo, 0-60 6.9, 150MPH, will see off most things in a straight line, and handles superbly, with some forgiveness, easily available for £5.5K upwards, and group 14/15 insurance, easily chipped, and plenty of aftermarket stuff available..
2. Seat Leon Cupra - the 180BHP version, but again easily chippable, and handle decently.. comfy, toys, etc, etc, and easily in budget...

loltim · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:10

Honda CRX VT

if you don't mind an older car, you can get a good example for £2500. Insurance will be under £2000.

150HP ish VTEC engine, 0-60 is around 7 seconds and you just dont see many around, unlike the Clio.

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:23

I know about lift-off oversteer, and currently drive a car which is a lot more prone to it than a Clio Sport, although it is a lot slower of course. Although what is this you say about me needing to be sensible

Quite like the look of the Astra, be interesting to see what they drive like. Considered a LCR when I was looking at spending a bit more, perhaps the normal Cupra would be a good cheaper alternative. The only thing that seems to be an issue with these types of car is that most dealers are reluctant to let me have a test drive in any of these cars, which I can understand but it is a little frustrating.

Should have said, I want a newer car, nothing older than my current car say. (1999) Those CRX's are ok, but two of my mates have them and they are old - and theres hardly any clio 172's round here, let alone cups.

Ev0 · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:25

You say you want comfort/toys, then say you want the cup, does not compute

If you want the nicer seats, air con (the climate control cups won't be in budget

) then go for a mk1 172. Has different suspension geometry to the standard mk2 which some people say is better, nice OZ wheels (not as nice as turinis though), abs, nice seats with side airbags and only 15kg heavier than a cup. Plus well within budget, just don't buy a silver one as it seems everyone has a silver one.

Also look at the 306 GTi-6, another cracking car and as good if not better than the Clio (some people prefer the clio, some the 306, you gotta drive both I think).

Astra coupe turbo is a good buy as well, seen 02 platers for 6500 with decent miles, good engine.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:38

Clio 172 is one of the finest hot hatches ever.

It sounds like its your type of car, if I was like yourself it would be top of my list

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:38

Ev0 said:
You say you want comfort/toys, then say you want the cup, does not compute

If you want the nicer seats, air con (the climate control cups won't be in budget ) then go for a mk1 172. Has different suspension geometry to the standard mk2 which some people say is better, nice OZ wheels (not as nice as turinis though), abs, nice seats with side airbags and only 15kg heavier than a cup. Plus well within budget, just don't buy a silver one as it seems everyone has a silver one.

Also look at the 306 GTi-6, another cracking car and as good if not better than the Clio (some people prefer the clio, some the 306, you gotta drive both I think).

Astra coupe turbo is a good buy as well, seen 02 platers for 6500 with decent miles, good engine.

Sorry just to clarify, I meant that was the order of prioritys i.e comfort/toys is last on the list! And Turinis for the win - although they are a bugger to clean!

Not bothered about seats as long as they are supportive, airbags and all that crap. Also not a great fan of the phase one mk2 clios styling.

Don't really want a 306, don't really know why but it just seems with a £6k budget its a bit of an old car - If I had half the budget, then perhaps

[TW]Fox said:
Clio 172 is one of the finest hot hatches ever.

It sounds like its your type of car, if I was like yourself it would be top of my list

Cheers Fox, was expecting rather a different reply from you :cool:

Any tips for getting a test drive in one though? Cos when you posted that thread about getting a test drive in a 182, I tried and they pretty much laughed in my face.

Ev0 · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:45

GT3 said:
Any tips for getting a test drive in one though? Cos when you posted that thread about getting a test drive in a 182, I tried and they pretty much laughed in my face.

Go to another dealer that isn't an idiot imho. Just go in, have a chat, explain your situation etc and they should be fine with it. Just walking in saying "I want to drive that one" probably won't work though

Check here for some good deals, picked mine from there.

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:49

Ev0 said:
Go to another dealer that isn't an idiot imho. Just go in, have a chat, explain your situation etc and they should be fine with it. Just walking in saying "I want to drive that one" probably won't work though

I booked it online, cleaned and polished my car, dressed smartish, went in when my mum was picking up her brand new top of the range Grand Scenic. Had a chat about the various Clio Sports then asked for a test drive in one as I was considering one as my next car and simply got the reply "I can take you for a drive in one perhaps".

Oh and I'm registered on cliosport, but never posted. Keeping an eye on a couple in the for sale section.

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2006 at 17:52

Take your Dad.

Seriously. It sounds lame but do it, they'll let you drive anything.

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 18:07

What are the downsides to buying a full-fat mk2 172? I know they have naff wheels, but I could get some turinis anyway. But theres a few at similar prices to the cup with more to choose from and obviously you get the leather/suede, xenons etc. Anyone know exactly how much more they weigh (considerably or not), and what the exact suspension differences are?

[TW]Fox said:
Take your Dad.

Seriously. It sounds lame but do it, they'll let you drive anything.

That would require a 200 mile round trip to Preston

But I think I'd let my dad test-drive one than me myself, he's a certified nutcase! When he test-drove mine for me as I hadn't passed my test, he had it sideways round a roundabout with the salesman in the car haha

[TW]Fox · 29 Jan 2006 at 18:10

I know the feeling - when I told my mate I had the 530d Sport for a day he said 'Shame your Dad was in the car' - pffft I cannot remember the last time I drove a car as quickly as I did with him giving advice

Ev0 · 29 Jan 2006 at 19:39

Think the cup is about 90 kilos lighter iirc, could be wrong though.

GT3 · 29 Jan 2006 at 23:56

Well I've just done an insurance quote on a regular 172 and the mk1 172, and they both come out about £300 p/a more than the Cup. So that's that then

Tesla · 30 Jan 2006 at 00:01

MX-5?

I am currently devising ways to get one as with 1yrs NCB insurance isn't actually too bad at all.

Sam · 30 Jan 2006 at 00:08

What kind of quotes are you getting on the 172 cup , i found when i tryed i was getting silly silly figures

Sam

GT3 · 30 Jan 2006 at 00:11

Tesla said:
MX-5?

I am currently devising ways to get one as with 1yrs NCB insurance isn't actually too bad at all.

I don't doubt its handling ability, but its RWD = high probability of death with my driving style. Also, although not very often I do like to travel with more than 1 passenger in the car.

Sam said:
What kind of quotes are you getting on the 172 cup , i found when i tryed i was getting silly silly figures

Sam

About 1700 with Admiral. Thats at 19 with 1ncb, no pass plus. Oh and my old dear added on because that seems to save about £400 ish. To some this may seem a stupid amount, but considering I'm paying more than that at the moment third party on a Saxo VTR it isn't bad.

Trojan · 30 Jan 2006 at 02:40

A Clio 172 of some kind is definately my recommendation. Personally I went with a ph1 172 in your situation as I wanted to get what I felt was the best value for money. You get the leather, AC and ABS of the ph2 172, whilst maintaining a similar weight to that of the Cup. Throw in the fact that you can pick a ph1 up from £4000 and it was a no-brainer for me.

Evo have a good buyers guide to the 172 in the magazine this month by the way, definately worth reading if you're considering a 172. It's aimed more at people interested in the ph1, but does mention the ph2 and the Cup as well.

Ev0 said:
just don't buy a silver one as it seems everyone has a silver one.

I've never understood this reasoning, would you also say this about blue Clio Cups?

GT3 · 30 Jan 2006 at 03:39

Trojan said:
A Clio 172 of some kind is definately my recommendation. Personally I went with a ph1 172 in your situation as I wanted to get what I felt was the best value for money. You get the leather, AC and ABS of the ph2 172, whilst maintaining a similar weight to that of the Cup. Throw in the fact that you can pick a ph1 up from £4000 and it was a no-brainer for me.

Evo have a good buyers guide to the 172 in the magazine this month by the way, definately worth reading if you're considering a 172. It's aimed more at people interested in the ph1, but does mention the ph2 and the Cup as well.

I've never understood this reasoning, would you also say this about blue Clio Cups?

Cheers Trojan, the phase 1 172s are a good compromise I admit but I really am not keen on the front end styling coupled with the fact that they cost more to insure for me makes them a no-no for me.

Cheers for the heads up on Evo magazine, I will pick up a copy tomorrow.

And as for blue Clio Cup's, I think it may be quite difficult to buy one in any other colour!

Trojan · 30 Jan 2006 at 03:47

GT3 said:
And as for blue Clio Cup's, I think it may be quite difficult to buy one in any other colour!

Difficult but not impossible

Around 100 were made in Silver as a special edition IIRC.