Upgrading from a hot hatch without hurting the wallet...

[JockySteer]

James91250 said:

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

Edited by James91250 on Tuesday 1st September 21:20

Might be in a good position to help you mate - I actually upgraded from a (tuned) Megane 250 Cup to an SLK 55 AMG. Got the SLK for under 20k and it is a monster in a straight line compared to the Megane. My meg had 315bhp and 368 lb/ft when I sold it so on paper, the jump isn't that big, but in the real world is a huge eye opener. One thing I will say though, is that I haven't been able to have as much 'fun' in the SLK as I did in the Megane. That could say something about my ability or what I find fun in a car, but I could be at the limit or at least very close to it in the Megane whereas the Merc demands a lot lot more respect.. when the rear starts to walk away from you and you don't mean for it to happen, it is a bit startling! At that point of course I enter God mode and save myself

Did a lot of research as well in to running costs, servicing etc and I feel confident in the SLK I picked up that it's suitably reliable and well looked after. I'd just say whatever you go to upgrade to, do your research and go in eyes open into running costs/consumables etc.

You will miss the Megane though

Edited by JockySteer on Wednesday 2nd September 00:34

[Boydie88]

If you're worried the VXT is too hardcore, how about a VXR8? I don't think the running costs are too high on the LS3 engines.

FWIW, I've had an NA VX for 4 years. The soft top is leak free on mine but each car is different.

[p1stonhead]

Id get the best E46 M3 I could. Running costs shouldnt be that bad if you get one with a solid history.

[Burrito]

p1stonhead said:

Id get the best E46 M3 I could. Running costs shouldnt be that bad if you get one with a solid history.

This is a exactly what I did. Megane 225 to E46 M3.

It is more expensive to run though: repairs, servicing, fuel, insurance are all higher, but not massively so. And this will be offset by strong residuals.

[TheJimi]

If you've got the storage space, I'd buy two cars.

Say 10k on a well setup Westfield or similar, and 5k or less on something sensible yet interesting for the daily grind.

Failing that, just buy an EVO of some description.

[Ultrafunkula]

I'm pretty mch in the exact same position, but coming from a tuned MK2 focus ST. Cars I have shortlisted include: Cayman S, Nissan 370Z, Audi TTS, Audi S5 (V8) and possibly an Impreza STI. I had considered the BMW 135i M sport too, but not a fan of BMWs so went off it, but it would be perfect otherwise. Had some silly ideas too like Clio V6 or a Skyline R33 GT-R so who knows...

[TheJimi]

Re the dude above talking about driving his Megane 250 Cup on or near the limit; you either have no idea what the limit actually is, or you're driving like a head case with zero margin for error on the public road.

Sorry to get all preachy, but even a warn hatch now has ridiculous levels of mechanical grip. To properly get that chassis moving about, you need to be going balls to the wall with a lot of commitment - certainly more than would be safe on a public road.

IMO...

[SuperVM]

Burrito said:

p1stonhead said:

Id get the best E46 M3 I could. Running costs shouldnt be that bad if you get one with a solid history.

This is a exactly what I did. Megane 225 to E46 M3.

It is more expensive to run though: repairs, servicing, fuel, insurance are all higher, but not massively so. And this will be offset by strong residuals.

I was going to suggest this, plus you should be able to get a good one for around £10k and then have £5k to run it for a fair while.

[giblet]

I'm in a slightly similar boat, looking to upgrade in the new year from my Galant VR4 (~300 bhp and a 0-60 of around 5.6) to something quicker with mroe toys. My budget is slightly less at 10-12k, so far the only quick car I've found in that budget that seems fairly reliable and has the scope for relatively easy further upgrades and sensible running costs is the E55 AMG.

[JockySteer]

TheJimi said:

Re the dude above talking about driving his Megane 250 Cup on or near the limit; you either have no idea what the limit actually is, or you're driving like a head case with zero margin for error on the public road.

Sorry to get all preachy, but even a warn hatch now has ridiculous levels of mechanical grip. To properly get that chassis moving about, you need to be going balls to the wall with a lot of commitment - certainly more than would be safe on a public road.

IMO...

Maybe I should re-phrase it - 'at the limit of my ability'

[300bhp/ton]

giblet said:

I'm in a slightly similar boat, looking to upgrade in the new year from my Galant VR4 (~300 bhp and a 0-60 of around 5.6) to something quicker with mroe toys. My budget is slightly less at 10-12k, so far the only quick car I've found in that budget that seems fairly reliable and has the scope for relatively easy further upgrades and sensible running costs is the E55 AMG.

Not sure what you consider more toys, but might want to look at supercharged Jags. The XJR and the S-Type R. A pulley change with the right fuelling will see them make really good power too.

[giblet]

300bhp/ton said:

giblet said:

I'm in a slightly similar boat, looking to upgrade in the new year from my Galant VR4 (~300 bhp and a 0-60 of around 5.6) to something quicker with mroe toys. My budget is slightly less at 10-12k, so far the only quick car I've found in that budget that seems fairly reliable and has the scope for relatively easy further upgrades and sensible running costs is the E55 AMG.

Not sure what you consider more toys, but might want to look at supercharged Jags. The XJR and the S-Type R. A pulley change with the right fuelling will see them make really good power too.

By toys I mean sat nav, heated/cooled seats etc. I've looked at the X350 but I'll be getting whatever I end up buying converted to LPG. The supercharged AJV8 has too many issues to convert it properly without throwing silly money at it. I owned an X308 XJR and loved it though despite 16mpg. The M113K in the E55 has more power as standard, chuck £1500 at it and you can see 600+ bhp!

[James91250]

JockySteer said:

Might be in a good position to help you mate - I actually upgraded from a (tuned) Megane 250 Cup to an SLK 55 AMG. Got the SLK for under 20k and it is a monster in a straight line compared to the Megane. My meg had 315bhp and 368 lb/ft when I sold it so on paper, the jump isn't that big, but in the real world is a huge eye opener. One thing I will say though, is that I haven't been able to have as much 'fun' in the SLK as I did in the Megane. That could say something about my ability or what I find fun in a car, but I could be at the limit or at least very close to it in the Megane whereas the Merc demands a lot lot more respect.. when the rear starts to walk away from you and you don't mean for it to happen, it is a bit startling! At that point of course I enter God mode and save myself

Did a lot of research as well in to running costs, servicing etc and I feel confident in the SLK I picked up that it's suitably reliable and well looked after. I'd just say whatever you go to upgrade to, do your research and go in eyes open into running costs/consumables etc.

You will miss the Megane though

Edited by JockySteer on Wednesday 2nd September 00:34

I used to have a roadster/sports car and loved it, but I know what you mean, in the wet I was caught off guard more than once.
What did you think of your remapped megane? I'm guessing you had exhaust, intercooler, air filter and map?

Edited by James91250 on Wednesday 2nd September 17:56

[James91250]

TheJimi said:

If you've got the storage space, I'd buy two cars.

Say 10k on a well setup Westfield or similar, and 5k or less on something sensible yet interesting for the daily grind.

Failing that, just buy an EVO of some description.

I will soon be in the position that I only really use the car on evenings and weekends so only need 1 to be fair! Would love a Westfield or similar one day though

I don't really like the image of an Evo or Impreza

[James91250]

Ultrafunkula said:

I'm pretty mch in the exact same position, but coming from a tuned MK2 focus ST. Cars I have shortlisted include: Cayman S, Nissan 370Z, Audi TTS, Audi S5 (V8) and possibly an Impreza STI. I had considered the BMW 135i M sport too, but not a fan of BMWs so went off it, but it would be perfect otherwise. Had some silly ideas too like Clio V6 or a Skyline R33 GT-R so who knows...

Yea and still too expensive a 135m, they have a lot more depreciation to go yet. I'd love one of those

[edc]

giblet said:

I'm in a slightly similar boat, looking to upgrade in the new year from my Galant VR4 (~300 bhp and a 0-60 of around 5.6) to something quicker with mroe toys. My budget is slightly less at 10-12k, so far the only quick car I've found in that budget that seems fairly reliable and has the scope for relatively easy further upgrades and sensible running costs is the E55 AMG.

I paid £10k for a C55 AMG to be my sensible practical car.

[giblet]

edc said:

I paid £10k for a C55 AMG to be my sensible practical car.

I like the C55 but it's a bit too small for what I need and the lure of another supercharged V8 is too much, especially with the addition of a pulley upgrade and remap further down the line.

[JockySteer]

James91250 said:

JockySteer said:

Might be in a good position to help you mate - I actually upgraded from a (tuned) Megane 250 Cup to an SLK 55 AMG. Got the SLK for under 20k and it is a monster in a straight line compared to the Megane. My meg had 315bhp and 368 lb/ft when I sold it so on paper, the jump isn't that big, but in the real world is a huge eye opener. One thing I will say though, is that I haven't been able to have as much 'fun' in the SLK as I did in the Megane. That could say something about my ability or what I find fun in a car, but I could be at the limit or at least very close to it in the Megane whereas the Merc demands a lot lot more respect.. when the rear starts to walk away from you and you don't mean for it to happen, it is a bit startling! At that point of course I enter God mode and save myself

Did a lot of research as well in to running costs, servicing etc and I feel confident in the SLK I picked up that it's suitably reliable and well looked after. I'd just say whatever you go to upgrade to, do your research and go in eyes open into running costs/consumables etc.

You will miss the Megane though

Edited by JockySteer on Wednesday 2nd September 00:34

I used to have a roadster/sports car and loved it, but I know what you mean, in the wet I was caught off guard more than once.
What did you think of your remapped megane? I'm guessing you had exhaust, intercooler, air filter and map?

Edited by James91250 on Wednesday 2nd September 17:56

Absolutely loved it and totally transformed the car from stock. The increase in power and performance was no struggle for the chassis which goes to show how sorted the Megane is. I had a map, filter and exhaust (for maximum pops!) done at K-Tec Racing and ran it hiccup-free for over 10k miles until selling to K-tec.

I really think many many more powerful cars would struggle to keep up/stay ahead of the Megane, especially when tuned.

[edc]

giblet said:

I like the C55 but it's a bit too small for what I need and the lure of another supercharged V8 is too much, especially with the addition of a pulley upgrade and remap further down the line.

That's fair enough but sounds like you know what you can get for the money anyway. I'm not intending to mod mine as I'll save the mods for my other car

[justanother5tar]

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.

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

I love yank cars. That supercharged truck sounds fking awesome.