Upgrade

PurplePhoenix · 7 Dec 2015 at 21:07

Hi Guys,

I am looking to upgrade from my 2008 1.2l Fiesta that I had since I was 19. Looking for something that is quicker, better technology inside, AUX/ Bluetooth. Prefer to have 3 door over 5 door. Budget would be about 7k.

Would like a GT86 but insurance is a bit high for being only 21 and cant justify spending all my money on a car.

Any ideas ?

Dr House · 7 Dec 2015 at 21:18

Maybe a newer faster fiesta?

LiE · 7 Dec 2015 at 21:34

Fabia Vrs ?

Examples http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512059233012
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511078511044

mccarf · 7 Dec 2015 at 22:03

MX5? Since they've been around for longer than the GT86 you could pick a nice one up for 7k.

PurplePhoenix · 7 Dec 2015 at 22:33

Dr House said:
Maybe a newer faster fiesta?

My sister just got one, was something on my list but don't want to copy her.

LiE said:
Fabia Vrs ?

Examples http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512059233012
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511078511044

will take a better look.

mccarf said:
MX5? Since they've been around for longer than the GT86 you could pick a nice one up for 7k.

My dad has a MX5 and insurance is silly money for some reason for me on his car.

Conscript · 7 Dec 2015 at 22:34

mccarf said:
MX5? Since they've been around for longer than the GT86 you could pick a nice one up for 7k.

I know it's almost a forum cliché, but this was going to be my suggestion. If the OP is already interested in a GT86, it would be an excellent alternative and currently more affordable. I'd imagine 7K could find you a decent MK3.5 by now.

However, you say you want something with better technology inside, and I'm not sure you get that with an MX5. The Mk3.5 has an AUX socket, but I don't know about Bluetooth - and I'm not sure there's many other toys really. Cruise control and heated seats perhaps? That said, you could always set aside part of your budget for a decent aftermarket head unit which will probably have Bluetooth functionality built in and allow for SD/USB interfaces as well.

EDIT: Oh. Thought insurance might not be too bad on an MX5. Nevermind

PurplePhoenix · 7 Dec 2015 at 22:42

Conscript said:
I know it's almost a forum cliché, but this was going to be my suggestion. If the OP is already interested in a GT86, it would be an excellent alternative and currently more affordable. I'd imagine 7K could find you a decent MK3.5 by now.

However, you say you want something with better technology inside, and I'm not sure you get that with an MX5. The Mk3.5 has an AUX socket, but I don't know about Bluetooth - and I'm not sure there's many other toys really. Cruise control and heated seats perhaps? That said, you could always set aside part of your budget for a decent aftermarket head unit which will probably have Bluetooth functionality built in and allow for SD/USB interfaces as well.

EDIT: Oh. Thought insurance might not be too bad on an MX5. Nevermind

Only car I want is a GT86. Wanted one since launch date. Not sure to go 5-7k deposit and finance the rest for a 2012 GT86. But I do have cash to buy one without finance though.

I have been thinking about a vectra vxr but they are a little old now.

Dav4 · 7 Dec 2015 at 22:57

Focus ST

rodenal · 8 Dec 2015 at 05:11

A vectra vxr is a bit of a step away from a gt86 (and a bad idea BTW) and can't possibly be better to insure at 21 than an mx-5?? - What is it you want from a car?

If you like the gt86 and insurance is by some miracle doable on the vectra but not the Mazda then what about a 350z? Otherwise z4 or S2000, but for some reason the Honda does seem to come at an insurance premium

If you like hatches the ST is good but hilariously overpriced and £7k will land you bang in no man's land with it. IMO a mk5 gti, a3 or even fn2 are a much better buy, and vastly better looking than a pre facelift focus at the money

Being a bit more realistic perhaps the 1.6 petrol in the zetec s fiestas is a good little engine, step up from what you have whilst ibsuspect being far more sensible insurance wise.

Clearcut · 8 Dec 2015 at 08:17

mccarf said:
MX5? Since they've been around for longer than the GT86 you could pick a nice one up for 7k.

Isn't the OP male?

Cleisthenes · 8 Dec 2015 at 08:28

350z?

Has heated seats, nav and steering wheel controls. Plus they're great for putting double din units in.

e: Might be an idea to specify if you need 4 seats, big boot etc

roadie · 8 Dec 2015 at 16:15

FN2 Type R?

Dav4 · 8 Dec 2015 at 16:36

rodenal said:
If you like hatches the ST is good but hilariously overpriced and £7k will land you bang in no man's land with it. IMO a mk5 gti, a3 or even fn2 are a much better buy, and vastly better looking than a pre facelift focus at the money

How the hell are ST's hilariously overpriced :confused:

i purchased a few months ago a 2006 ST225 in the most wanted colour "performance blue" with 1 owner, full Ford s/h with receipts, 70k miles on for £5000 and its in mint condition for its age.
A Vxr, GTi, Type R etc of the same spec would have cost closer to 6k. And wasn't the ST of that generation of hot hatches considered the best all rounder by Top gear and fifth gear.

iaind · 8 Dec 2015 at 17:02

If the Golf GTi is in consideration, then 7k is very good money for an Octavia VRS. Pretty much the same car with a better boot and way cheaper due to lack of scene tax

xs2man · 8 Dec 2015 at 17:36

Dav4 said:
How the hell are ST's hilariously overpriced i purchased a few months ago a 2006 ST225 in the most wanted colour "performance blue" with 1 owner, full Ford s/h with receipts, 70k miles on for £5000 and its in mint condition for its age.
A Vxr, GTi, Type R etc of the same spec would have cost closer to 6k. And wasn't the ST of that generation of hot hatches considered the best all rounder by Top gear and fifth gear.

I think he is meaning that you can get that same generation of ST from around £4k, maybe less. All the way up to around £11k before you get onto the newer model. So if you ARE spending £7k, then your right bang in the middle of model that started over a decade ago (so 10+ year old tech).

You might get newer tech in another model for the same price. Hence it being in "no-mans-land".

rodenal · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:05

Dav4 said:
How the hell are ST's hilariously overpriced i purchased a few months ago a 2006 ST225 in the most wanted colour "performance blue" with 1 owner, full Ford s/h with receipts, 70k miles on for £5000 and its in mint condition for its age.
A Vxr, GTi, Type R etc of the same spec would have cost closer to 6k. And wasn't the ST of that generation of hot hatches considered the best all rounder by Top gear and fifth gear.

Calm yourself as:

xs2man said:
I think he is meaning that you can get that same generation of ST from around £4k, maybe less. All the way up to around £11k before you get onto the newer model. So if you ARE spending £7k, then your right bang in the middle of model that started over a decade ago (so 10+ year old tech).

You might get newer tech in another model for the same price. Hence it being in "no-mans-land".

Absolutely - £7k does not put you into "nice" facelift territory and i'm afraid the pre facelift looks like far too old a car (to my eyes) to be spending what I'd personally consider decent money.

A £7k golf, A3, civic or even vxr since you mention it still looks far fresher than the older ST. On the other hand if you can really get a reasonable one for £4-4.5kish then it would seem like a bit of a bargain car.

As it so happens I wouldn't personally buy an FN2 again either as it's got such an annoyingly terrible ride that even on my reasonably short commute it bugs the life out of me.

I wouldn't spend £7k on a mk5 gti as the tartan seats seriously upset me and leather is fairly rare. In terms of age for the money it's poor and the cash won't guarantee you a good one. Edition 30's are also lol money which is what you really want

A3 pretty much as the above

Astra VXR just no

Octavia VRS would be a maybe.

An A3 or even A4 with the 3.2 could be reasonably good value but they don't look to have shaken the old VR6 chain issues.

Even moving up a size of car into the 3 series / A4 size of car I think £7k presents a budget where you're getting pretty poor value almost everywhere. I say this from a position of looking to spend somewhere between £7 and £9k on a medium sized estate and absolutely struggling to see anything at all that is even nearly as good value as the civic (I know that's contradictory, I still wouldn't buy another) even if I try and make do with a "hot hatch" sized car with more doors.

If you can do with 2 seats and want a roof the 350z is really quite appealing.If you want to be sensible at least try one of the 1.6 fiestas i've mentioned above (I don't think you have enough for an ecoboost)

fastwunz · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:43

Polo gti?

Frozennova · 8 Dec 2015 at 21:02

PurplePhoenix said:
My sister just got one, was something on my list but don't want to copy her.

will take a better look.

My dad has a MX5 and insurance is silly money for some reason for me on his car.

Have you tried any specialist insurers for quotes on an MX5?

I'm insuring mine with Brentacre for half what anyone on the comparison sites will quote me, they'll even insure it with a turbo and 250bhp less than any mainstream insurer will quote for a standard car

mccarf · 8 Dec 2015 at 21:29

rodenal said:
If you want to be sensible at least try one of the 1.6 fiestas i've mentioned above (I don't think you have enough for an ecoboost)

I think if the MX5 insurance is silly then this is probably a good option. I can't see how any hot hatch will be much better than an MX5 for insurance. A 1.6 fiesta is still going to feel like a rocket ship since you're used to a 1.2 .