Thinking of swapping......need help and advice!!

lukechad

lukechad

lukechad

Soldato
Joined
25 May 2004
Posts
8,925
Location
Burton-On-Trent
Hi guys, well its been 12 months since I had a new car so I want another :p

Nah seriously the Astra has been fine for the past 12 months and I have no real complaints about anything. Over the past few days ive been toying with the idea of selling it on and getting something new. Car sales are down in the UK so there are some better bargains to be had.....right.....now to my plan.

Hopefully (ideally), looking at getting a Civic Type R, roughly 2003/2005 age with sub 50k on the clock, something along the lines of this...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/564476.htm

I know there are few Civic owners on the forums and wanted opinions, honest ones on what the car is like to own, not just performance but also ride and running costs.

I however am still open to suggestions to what else I can get with roughly the same spec, looking to spend about 7k on the car itself, obviously insurance will increase so set aside extra cash for that.

Thanks for any help or advice guys!
 
As far as I know the Civic in question was produced from a Y reg (2001) thru to 55 (2006) In that case then Im not sure about affording the facelift model, I think personally id prefer a pre facelift model with less mileage than a newer one with more. If that makes sense. I could poss stretch up to 7.5k if something special came along. CTR was just an option for me, its a car I love, never had the chance to go in one yet though.
 
Yeah seen the 30th Ann ones about too, to be fair I think the facelift looks lots nicer so probably would fork out for one of them instead of the pre facelift model. :)
 
If you're buying one with around 50k on the clock, make sure it's had the 50k service as that one is a biggy (£500+).

Running wise, it's not too bad. You'll get 20-25mpg with a few sprited drives but can also get 34/35 on a steady motorway run.

It's a car you need to 'drive' to enjoy. Learn where the power is at the different ref ranges and which gear you need to drop to so you can get straight to v-tec.

Servicing is every 12.5k although most owners will do an oil change after 5-6k. Check the oil every fill up so you don't run low. Due to the nature of the car (high revving) it can burn some oil.

One thing i don't like it the way it can tram line and hug every little hole and groove in the road. Some say it can be cured a little with different tyres though.

for £7k you should be able to get a facelift (53 onwards). I'm going to be selling my 2005/54 plate in the next couple of weeks with 33k on the clock....hoping to get around £9500.
 
Ok, all sounds fine to be there, I get about 35 in the town at the moment in my 1.6, I do drive that quite hard at times too, you have to with only being a 1.6 it takes some revving to get it moving. As for the oil I check mine twice a month anyway as the astra uses oil quite a lot too!

Thanks for your help and advice mate, I appreciate it, I assume its like the astra needing a new cam belt at 40k, lots of people get rid of the CTR just before the 50k services!

The CTR is just one of the options im looking at. The insurance and running costs are the 2 im keeping a closer eye on (thats including services etc) not ruled out Clio Sports or other nippy small cars.

Any other suggestions guys, just been a conversation between myself and reality bites so far!
 
lukechad said:
Ok, all sounds fine to be there, I get about 35 in the town at the moment in my 1.6, I do drive that quite hard at times too, you have to with only being a 1.6 it takes some revving to get it moving. As for the oil I check mine twice a month anyway as the astra uses oil quite a lot too!

Thanks for your help and advice mate, I appreciate it, I assume its like the astra needing a new cam belt at 40k, lots of people get rid of the CTR just before the 50k services!

The CTR is just one of the options im looking at. The insurance and running costs are the 2 im keeping a closer eye on (thats including services etc) not ruled out Clio Sports or other nippy small cars.

Any other suggestions guys, just been a conversation between myself and reality bites so far!
Click to expand...

the reason the 50k service is so much is because they do open engine surgery. i think it's the tappet spacings they do.....someone with more engine knowledge will know.

to be honest, if you're not bothered about the premiere versions, a prefacelift would do just as well. that one you listed looks ok, but i'd aim to pay a little less that that.
 
Clio 182 Trophy, You will get a 55 plate for the same money as say a 52 plate CTR and you will be having more fun ;) The clio isnt built quite as well but is a real hoot !
 
Yeah, as discussing on msn now the 182 is a serious contender, i think ive decided between the two, got to weigh up all the pro's and cons for each, then start looking seriously at whats on the market. Build quality seems to crop up time and time again for the clio's!
 
lukechad said:
Yeah, as discussing on msn now the 182 is a serious contender, i think ive decided between the two, got to weigh up all the pro's and cons for each, then start looking seriously at whats on the market. Build quality seems to crop up time and time again for the clio's!
Click to expand...

the civic isn't that great either......rattles and plastic everywhere :o if you look after it though, they are bullet proof......will take a hiding!
 
I think its time to go away and think further on this and do some maths.

If other Clio owners are out there or CTR with any help or advice then id really appreciate it :)
 
For the money, I think the trophy is the better car. Admittedly i've not owned either, but the 182 is quite nice inside and apparently a blast to drive. The Type R is also apparently good to drive, but i've heard of three seperate people (all early 30s mind) that the shine wears off after a few months and they couldn't wait to get rid because of the bone-jarring ride.

I never new the facelift one shown there was how it came out of the factory! I assumed it was people spending birthday money in halfords. Don't like the pre-chavved facelift at all :(
 
I know where my money would go... but then I made the same choice last time :p

If you want a go in mine Luke, I'm sure I could pop down to Burton.
 
Thats very very kind of you el! Appreciate it mate, may hold you to that, I mean im just playing with ideas first of all and doing the maths, then when I do decide I will start looking at the market at that point. Obviously all the way to burton is a trek and a half for you mate, and as its for my benefit id be willing to drive up and see you!

Will keep in touch about that!! :)

Need rough ideas what my cars worth too! Then I can work out what I need to add roughly to make up the 7-8k budget.
 
Not been in a type R or a 182.

But the LCR is fun, really fun and incredibly quick too.

My money would be on the LCR.

Or if you can't afford it the face lift cupra.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom