Help me pick a new car!

Help me pick a new car!

Author
Discussion

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Hey all.

I've currently got a MK2 Focus ST 225. I'm looking to get a new car in the next 18 months so I'm starting to look and save for whatever it is that will be my next car.

My budget will be around £15,000. I'd preferably like something with lowish mileage, decent power and stylish looks. I would ideally want something with a bit more power than I have now, not too old and with a good mod platform, but not too lairy in its looks. I was looking at the Nissan 370Z, but it's a bit too loud for my liking. I haven't done too much with my ST because it's already 10 years old now and, although low in mileage (45K) I feel that as it starts to get older I could end up spending money on bits and pieces more regularly and I don't want to sink a lot of cash into it. 2 door is fine, and 4 seats is essential.

I was thinking about the Audi TTS, any thoughts on this model? I'm open to anything so fire away!

Thanks.

Blanchimont

4,076 posts

121 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
PhilUK said:
Hey all.

I've currently got a MK2 Focus ST 225. I'm looking to get a new car in the next 18 months so I'm starting to look and save for whatever it is that will be my next car.

My budget will be around £15,000. I'd preferably like something with lowish mileage, decent power and stylish looks. I would ideally want something with a bit more power than I have now, not too old and with a good mod platform, but not too lairy in its looks. I was looking at the Nissan 370Z, but it's a bit too loud for my liking. I haven't done too much with my ST because it's already 10 years old now and, although low in mileage (45K) I feel that as it starts to get older I could end up spending money on bits and pieces more regularly and I don't want to sink a lot of cash into it. 2 door is fine, and 4 seats is essential.

I was thinking about the Audi TTS, any thoughts on this model? I'm open to anything so fire away!

Thanks.
Megane RS?

Can get a year old 265cup for that money.
A little over budget, but plenty available in budget.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-64-Renault-Megane-2...


ETA: These go to well over 300hp with just a map.
The Cups come with an LSD too.

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
That's not a bad option actually. I'm not 100% on the looks though. How are they to mod? Lots of options?

Blanchimont

4,076 posts

121 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
PhilUK said:
That's not a bad option actually. I'm not 100% on the looks though. How are they to mod? Lots of options?
I'm not sure, I know with just a remap, they can go to 310/320hp. Other than that, I'm not sure. The great thing about my RS is that it feels almost N/A. It pulls like a bd to the Redline.

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Blanchimont said:
I'm not sure, I know with just a remap, they can go to 310/320hp. Other than that, I'm not sure. The great thing about my RS is that it feels almost N/A. It pulls like a bd to the Redline.
Okay cool. Can I ask some questions seeing as you have one? smile

What is LSD? And do you know what year this model started at? Any problem years or major issues? I see there's a 250 version, which one is the 265, the Cup?

Thanks.

SwedishSoul

745 posts

101 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
LSD is a limited slip diff ( a trick differential )

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
SwedishSoul said:
LSD is a limited slip diff ( a trick differential )
Ah okay.

Any other suggestions?

sjj84

2,390 posts

218 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
You say 4 seats is essential? That pretty much rules out the TT, have you ever tried sitting in the back of one?

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
Yea, I have. It's fine for what I need. I rarely take more than one person and it fits a baby seat fine and we have another car so I'm fine with the space.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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Some not-so-usual suspects...

MINI JCW

Mazda RX-8

Alfa Romeo 159

Mustang (say 2011, 2012)


PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
unsprung said:
Some not-so-usual suspects...

MINI JCW

Mazda RX-8

Alfa Romeo 159

Mustang (say 2011, 2012)
In terms of the Mustang, you mean an import?

Mannginger

9,032 posts

256 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
Couple of thoughts:

M3 / 130 (not sure a 135 would be in budget yet?)
Integra Type R
XK8
Monaro VXR
GT86 / Subaru BRZ (Maybe not with the power requirements however)
996 C2 (Mileage may be an issue here)

SwedishSoul

745 posts

101 months

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
I like the idea of the Monaro, but the insurance is a little high. The same with the M3 and Mustangs. I'm not a fan of the BMW 130i shape, but I like the 135i. That could be within budget and the insurance isn't massively high.

So far, the 135i and the Megane RS are looking like contenders.

clarki

1,312 posts

218 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
If you're going to do the odd trackday then the megane IMO.

If not, i'd go TTS with the S-Tronic 'box. Impressive car tbh.

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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Hatchback Subaru impreza wrx sti

BMW E46 M3/z4mc

Porsche gayman

Toyota Gt86 with a turbo conversion

Jag XKR

Also what colour is your Focus? 3door? ST3? If yes to these then I'm looking to get another one if you want an easy sale.

Edited by rb5er on Saturday 13th February 14:33

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

126 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
clarki said:
If you're going to do the odd trackday then the megane IMO.

If not, i'd go TTS with the S-Tronic 'box. Impressive car tbh.
Yea. This is what I'm thinking. The 135i looks like a nice car, although seems to be automatic and quite heavy. Do they come as manual too, does anyone know?

rb5er said:
Hatchback Subaru impreza wrx sti

BMW E46 M3/z4mc

Porsche gayman

Toyota Gt86 with a turbo conversion

Jag XKR

Also what colour is your Focus? 3door? ST3? If yes to these then I'm looking to get another one if you want an easy sale.

Edited by rb5er on Saturday 13th February 14:33
I think the running costs of a Porsche and Jag would be a bit too high! And the M3's insurance is ludicrous for me.

3 door blue ST2. Not looking to sell for over a year really as I want to pay the loan off before I get another one.

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
Not like the hatchback imprezas?

Innowaybored

896 posts

106 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
Mini Cooper S

Then save the rest of your money.

If you want something that looks stunning, is getting rare but isn't that quick then a Alfa 159 Ti with Bose upgrade. This would save you thousands on your budget as well.

IF you want something quicker but equally rare and a real Q car then Saab 9-5 Aero. Spend a bit more on the sound system because the stock one is rubbish. These are laughably cheap at the moment.

hufggfg

654 posts

192 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
quotequote all
PhilUK said:
Yea. This is what I'm thinking. The 135i looks like a nice car, although seems to be automatic and quite heavy. Do they come as manual too, does anyone know?
I have a 135i, I have the DCT (which replaced the torque converting auto in mid-2009) but they did also make a manual throughout the production. I have to say the DCT is a very impressive gearbox. MUCH better than a regular auto, though of course not quite as involving as a manual.

I'll probably be selling my car some time in the next couple of months, and would prob be at around your budget, that said, I personally don't actually like it as a car much (part of the reason I'm selling). While it's certainly very competent, fast, luxury etc, I just don't find it in any way fun. It's fast in the way people would refer to as "effortless", which isn't really what I like in a car. The 135i (as opposed to the lower spec cars) still have hydraulic steering which is of course good for feedback, but I just don't find the car excites me in any way. I end up just driving it around as you would any barge, rather than what I would think of as a sports car (probably because it isn't!).

I don't want to entirely turn you off one, but I personally would (for example) enjoy a Megane Cup a lot more, despite it being a "worse", "slower" car.