Upgrading from a hot hatch without hurting the wallet...
Discussion
I currently own a Renaultsport megane, a car that has 250bhp and a 0-60 time of around 6 seconds, 0-100 around 14. I have around 15k to possibly think about something a bit more powerful. I have no required bhp figures but just want something noticeably faster in straight line speed
I may be asking the impossible but I want to look for a car with similar maintenance/repair costs to the Megane, but as much as I am tempted by a high end german car (M,AMG,Porsche) I probably can't afford to maintain one. Not sure on costs of running a JDM car? Are there any viable options?
Thanks
James
I may be asking the impossible but I want to look for a car with similar maintenance/repair costs to the Megane, but as much as I am tempted by a high end german car (M,AMG,Porsche) I probably can't afford to maintain one. Not sure on costs of running a JDM car? Are there any viable options?
Thanks
James
Edited by James91250 on Tuesday 1st September 21:20
t955daytona said:
If you think a 996/997 will have similar maintenance costs to your Megane you are going to be in for a shock. New rear tyres every 6000 miles or so, my annual servicing and replacement bits were circa £1500 a year and I did some work myself.
No I wish, I didn't think that. All I meant was I'm up for a bargain and happy to pay for repairs if I can get a 997 911 for 15kcharltjr said:
Why not upgrade the car you have? A remap and some suspension work will make it even better for a lot less cost.
I don't think anyone is blown away with a remap, most seem to just mention it has the power there in all gears, guess I need to drive a remapped Megane or maybe testdrive a 275. Good idea though.The VX220 turbo seems very reasonable on servicing and maintenance, is the roof 100% waterproof because I've seen a suggestion is isn't :/ and I don't have a garage
With a bit of searching you might find a Corvette in budget. Going to be pretty much the only car of this ilk with running costs as low or lower than the Renault. Pretty speedy too and lots of easy upgrades if you want more power.
If LHD doesn't put you off then there is also the Fbody's (Camaro/Firebird). Stock trim you are talking 5'ish seconds to 60mph and about 11 sec or under to 100mph with 160mph+ top end.
Quite a few other Yank options too. Getting harder to find, but you might nab a supercharged 2003/4 Mustsng Cobra for your budget. Ford Lightnings should be doable too.
Best thing about cars like this is the bang for buck. They really shouldn't cost more than a Ford Focus to run. And usually have brilliant residuals.
http://youtu.be/Mh6BG1-80NM
If LHD doesn't put you off then there is also the Fbody's (Camaro/Firebird). Stock trim you are talking 5'ish seconds to 60mph and about 11 sec or under to 100mph with 160mph+ top end.
Quite a few other Yank options too. Getting harder to find, but you might nab a supercharged 2003/4 Mustsng Cobra for your budget. Ford Lightnings should be doable too.
Best thing about cars like this is the bang for buck. They really shouldn't cost more than a Ford Focus to run. And usually have brilliant residuals.
http://youtu.be/Mh6BG1-80NM
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 1st September 22:03
300bhp/ton said:
With a bit of searching you might find a Corvette in budget. Going to be pretty much the only car of this ilk with running costs as low or lower than the Renault. Pretty speedy too and lots of easy upgrades if you want more power.
If LHD doesn't put you off then there is also the Fbody's (Camaro/Firebird). Stock trim you are talking 5'ish seconds to 60mph and about 11 sec or under to 100mph with 160mph+ top end.
Quite a few other Yank options too. Getting harder to find, but you might nab a supercharged 2003/4 Mustsng Cobra for your budget. Ford Lightnings should be doable too.
Hmmm, never really considered an American car, not sure if I like the idea or not. The Corvette is a pretty bad car until the 6th gen came out and that's out of budget (or do I read JC articles too much). I guess a v8 mustang is in budget too..If LHD doesn't put you off then there is also the Fbody's (Camaro/Firebird). Stock trim you are talking 5'ish seconds to 60mph and about 11 sec or under to 100mph with 160mph+ top end.
Quite a few other Yank options too. Getting harder to find, but you might nab a supercharged 2003/4 Mustsng Cobra for your budget. Ford Lightnings should be doable too.
Are parts going to be pretty expensive for these cars?
James91250 said:
Hmmm, never really considered an American car, not sure if I like the idea or not. The Corvette is a pretty bad car until the 6th gen came out and that's out of budget (or do I read JC articles too much). I guess a v8 mustang is in budget too..
Are parts going to be pretty expensive for these cars?
Corvette's have generally been brilliant cars in there own rights. The C5 which would be in budget is a very capable performance car. Are parts going to be pretty expensive for these cars?
American cars aren't to all tastes. But don't simply write them off because a mate of a mate of a friend of someone they once heard of said something about them.
As I said the biggest thing is the performance vs running costs. And in the UK they tend to draw as much attention as a Ferrari does.
I've owned my Camaro for about 10 years now. Servicing is cheap and easy. It's cost on top of that £2.67 for a hazard switch, £15 for a radiator cap and the panhard rod broke with I upgraded to an adjustable tubular one. This included tubular LCA's and poly bushes. Cost about £200.
That's pretty cheap motoring for something that weighs the same as BMW M3 and makes more power. It's also a lot of fun to drive.
This is a C5 z06. You might get one near to your budget but they are usually a bit more. They differ with a different body style, higher output V8 and more track focused setup. That said a regular C5 isn't a million miles away and you can always mod them.
http://youtu.be/KXTZw_Ni51Y
http://youtu.be/KXTZw_Ni51Y
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