RE: Future proof: PH Blog

[GreenArrow]

I think in terms of affordable metal, the best days are past for pure enjoyment and feedback at non license losing speeds. However, the Megane Cup, Fiesta ST and Toyota GT86 would be on my list...Mazda MX-5 still looks to be fun and current Porsche Cayman/Boxster also on my list of cars I'd love to own. Add the Lotus Evora to that. Every time I see that car, it awakens desire!!

But actually if I had the dosh there's plenty of stuff out there now I'd jump at, from the last decade, i.e. Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS Mk1, Mazda RX-8,Honda S2000, Clio 200 Cup...etc.

[Clivey]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

The thing that interests me is how future proof are the new ever more clever technology in modern cars?
As someone mentioned previously, a Clio rs200 (for example) is a vastly simpler car to its flappy paddle gearbox wearing replacement.
Maybe in 10 years time we'll be viewing Bmw's turbo engines in the same vain as the Rover k series?

This is my concern.

Firstly, turbo engines, start-stop and extra emissions gubbins. Next you've got the fancy double-clutch gearboxes and electric handbrakes...then the built-in ICE with fake iPad screen and fake exhaust noises (when that gets dated and stops working, the whole interior's going to look st, quite frankly).

[rogerhudson]

It will have give at least a small nod towards hybrid electric, it can't be a diesel and it must be new and Euro5 compliant or you won't be able to drive it in town. The future looks bleak.
The autonomous driving plugin electric Porsche will be the future. Or a self-driving Tesla?

[Kolbenkopp]

F-Type, Evora, 4C, i3, Tesla S and 3, the new RWD Alfas. Most promising the Jag probably, undeserved, but they have very bad residuals here. Not sure an Evora or 4C will ever get really cheap (in decent enough condition) as very limited supply.

IMO, values of the electric stuff will depend a good bit on how the infrastructure (charging points etc.) develops. If that progresses slowly, the vehicles will continue to have niche appeal only. Obviously, real world battery costs will be a big factor as well.

[Zad]

The rush into turbo-charged engine is a cunning one by manufacturers. Just as dual mass flywheels have made cars uneconomical to repair beyond 7-8 years old or so, I suspect worn out turbos will bring that down by another year or two.

Assuming my income increases, then The F-Type is definitely on my radar, but then so are the Fiesta ST (I predict it will become a classic in the Pug 205 mould) and the UK spec Mustang.

[HonestIago]

dapearson said:

HonestIago said:

I quite fancy a £12-15k M135i in a few (3-4?) years time. Should be reliable and look pretty fresh still. Nothing else modern (in a sensible price range) has quite the want-one factor for me. If you have a superman-spec 5dr auto then please look after it!

I see where you're coming from. I went for a long time without a nice, interesting, fast road car. Nothing interested me since i got rid of my last Clio 172, so i opted instead for mostly diesels and track cars. The wife's old cooper-s was good though. Test drove the M135i and fell in love enough to get one.

Having driven mine for 8k miles now, i'd say they're hard to beat as an all-rounder. We've averaged 33 mpg and it's been faultless, and it goes like stink! Ours is superman spec, but a manual. Sun protection pack finishes it off nicely. It's one hell of a car, and once they do drop down to sub £15k will be a performance bargain.



Edit to add: Some more pics here if anyone is particularly interested in how the Superman colours look: http://s222.photobucket.com/user/davidpearson38/li...

Edited by dapearson on Friday 1st August 12:11

Lovely looking example! What made you go for manual? I just have it in my head I'd want the auto, despite only having manuals thus far. I'd probably try both. Impressive fuel economy you're getting for a car of that size/power, same as my Clio Trophy!

Edited by HonestIago on Tuesday 5th August 08:31

[dapearson]

HonestIago said:

Lovely looking example! What made you go for manual? I just have it in my head I'd want the auto, despite only having manuals thus far. I'd probably try both. Impressive fuel economy you're getting for a car of that size/power, same as my Clio Trophy!

Edited by HonestIago on Tuesday 5th August 08:31

My wife hates autos. We had a 328i auto a long time ago and she hated that, since then autos are a distinct no-no.

Personally i think the engine would suit an auto, though i've no idea why it's an 8spd box as you only need 3 or 4 gears.

The manual box is an absolute delight to use, though smooth changes in the first two gears are quite tricky.

The pedals are well spaced for heel/toe, and i take pleasure in driving "properly".

As a daily commuter i would imagine it would be a very nice thing with the auto box, but i do like manuals.

I guess it depends what you're going to use it for. In some ways it's more of a cruiser than it is a hot-hatch. If i had something like a civic type-r sitting in the garage, and wanted an M135i, i'd be a bit gutted if i traded the civic for one, because there's not a huge overlap between the two cars. On a smooth, sweeping A-road the M135i is brilliant, but throw in some bumps, tighter corners, gradient changes, etc and it does get a bit wobbly above 8/10ths. I think of it as a short wheelbase 335i rather than a grown up hot hatch as some have called it.

The engine is a masterpiece though - amazing torque from 2k rpm upwards, a lovely noise above 4.5k rpm, screaming as it gets to 7k rpm. Yet slot it into 6th at 70-80 mph and it gobbles up dual carriageways. If you really tried and cruised at 60 mph, you'd see 40 mpg out of it easily. Brisk driving sees about 29-30 mpg. We haven't reset the trip for about 5k miles and ours is on 33 mpg. Amazing really.

I love starting it in the morning. It makes such a nice noise, which some may find surprising given all the hype surrounding the "amplified cabin noise" stuff. It really sounds good from the outside too! See here for noise when starting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJFfv8lQCsk&li...

Lovely car. We both love it. The only problem i can see is what to replace it with in a few years. Anything else will surely be slower, or more thirsty, or less of an event, or have fewer toys!

Edited by dapearson on Tuesday 5th August 11:36

[tonyb1968]

Well I will probably stick with my flawed but great fun RCZ R (its not badly flawed but suffers a few of the issues that the standard RCZ suffers), on the road its fantastic, on a recent trip from the north of England to North Wales, i averaged 45mpg at the speed limit, so much fun

I think I would also look at (if it ever comes out) an Audi RS1, I am not a great Audi lover but this may tempt me, that and the latest Renault Megane RS 275 (though having had such bad service from Renault in the past, leaving the sump plug unscrewed on my R19 16V back in the day, doesn't inspire confidence with the dealers).

I think that the Skoda Yeti 4x4 could be there also, shame it will probably be one of the diesels, the 2ltr isn't my favourite derv engine in their range.

[Robert Elise]

Clivey said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

To be honest, I again agree but it's still ten times better than the FWD, turbo inline-4 alternatives to me!

So yes; unfortunately, new and recent cars don't hold a lot of appeal for me. - Yes; there are still some high-end sports and supercars that may be wonderful but they're also irrelevant as I'd need a miraculous change in fortunes to experience them.

I paid with my own money for a GT86 for these reasons. And i think it'll last many years, despite some well highlighted flaws. It's still one of the most involving cars to drive available; you seek out B roads and have fun. After the initial power surge of today's white-hot hatches and supercars they become somewhat un-involving. A 458 needs to see a track, then you're involved... Back to the OP, i think the demand for weekend 'involvement' will remain strong and rwd manuals will hold their value. Lotus and TVR are holding their value very well because of limited supply and i think the GT86 will do ok after initial depreciation. Nobody wants a 30k GT86 as they want power, bragging rights and soft-touch fascias in a new daily.

Fuel costs and tax will play a role too. Simple, light fun cars for the weekend can still make sense. Thirsty V8s with large VED less so, unfortunately.
2.5 Boxsters are great too. Many would criticise the engine, but actually it's sweet and powerful enough on public roads to enjoy that fine chassis.

Edited by Robert Elise on Thursday 7th August 10:27

Edited by Robert Elise on Thursday 7th August 10:27

Edited by Robert Elise on Thursday 7th August 10:28

[Clivey]

^

Haha, quotes a little mixed-up there but I agree re. lightweight cars with low VED.

[Cotty]

is1 said:

GT86/BRZ will be the one for many.

Yep that's one im looking out for