£8K on a Hot Hatch
Discussion
Focus ST would probably be my choice out of the ones you mentioned. Not at all bad in standard form and tons of potential, that's relatively easy to unlock. A cousin has one at 330bhp and almost 400lb/ft torque. Oh and a not too subtle de-cat exhaust. It's a bit of a blunt instrument in terms of the way it delivers it's enjoyment, but it's no less of an occasion for it, and the sound is something else.
The EP3 would be my second choice, but in all honesty if you are going for a Type R in part because you love the V-Tec, then you really ought to experience one of the older Type-Rs. The V-Tec is so much more aggressive in the older models (EK9/DC2 Integra/Accord R etc) and I personally think they offer far more of a sense of occasion. I had an EP3 & DC5 owner purchase my Accord Type R, he'd never driven any of the older models and the look on his face at the V-Tec changeover (yo) in the ATR on the test drive said it all!
Plus they all have LSD as standard, something you miss on the UK EP3. Whether you'd want to go for an older model is another question but you'd get a tidy DC2 Integra or EK9 civic for that, and both are significantly more 'Type-Rish' than the EP3- even if not as outright fast.
A DC5 Integra would be the other option if you wanted something newer than the older Type Rs and could cope with a bit less practicality than the EP3. At least then you get the LSD etc. I imagine these should just about be in budget now, it's been awhile since I looked at their prices.
You mention at the end the point about an RX8 / 350z, which suggests you might not need the practicality of a hot hatch (the 350z has no back seats). If that is the case, then in addition to either of those mentioned it could also be worth considering an S2000- a screaming Honda V-Tec engine & a decent RWD chassis, with the ability to drop the roof to get the most out of that engine noise
That said, I still preferred my DC2 Integra to the S2000 as the latter did feel a considerably bigger and heavier than I was expecting, and wasn't nearly as focused as the (lighter!) Integra. But then they are designed to do different things.
Though to be honest if you are considering 2 seater sports cars or RWD coupes as well, it opens up a whole host of other options at £8k!
The other hatches on the list don't really do much for me personally, although I wouldn't mind driving one of the lightweight Meganes at some point as I do like the 172/182 Clios, aside from their annoyingly high driving position.
So sum up, for me it would be:
-Focus ST (for the easy access to silly power!)
-EP3 (for the Honda engine, but I'd still rather an older Type R ahead of it)
-Or if not a hot hatch, lord knows as there is too much choice at that budget!
The EP3 would be my second choice, but in all honesty if you are going for a Type R in part because you love the V-Tec, then you really ought to experience one of the older Type-Rs. The V-Tec is so much more aggressive in the older models (EK9/DC2 Integra/Accord R etc) and I personally think they offer far more of a sense of occasion. I had an EP3 & DC5 owner purchase my Accord Type R, he'd never driven any of the older models and the look on his face at the V-Tec changeover (yo) in the ATR on the test drive said it all!
Plus they all have LSD as standard, something you miss on the UK EP3. Whether you'd want to go for an older model is another question but you'd get a tidy DC2 Integra or EK9 civic for that, and both are significantly more 'Type-Rish' than the EP3- even if not as outright fast.
A DC5 Integra would be the other option if you wanted something newer than the older Type Rs and could cope with a bit less practicality than the EP3. At least then you get the LSD etc. I imagine these should just about be in budget now, it's been awhile since I looked at their prices.
You mention at the end the point about an RX8 / 350z, which suggests you might not need the practicality of a hot hatch (the 350z has no back seats). If that is the case, then in addition to either of those mentioned it could also be worth considering an S2000- a screaming Honda V-Tec engine & a decent RWD chassis, with the ability to drop the roof to get the most out of that engine noise
That said, I still preferred my DC2 Integra to the S2000 as the latter did feel a considerably bigger and heavier than I was expecting, and wasn't nearly as focused as the (lighter!) Integra. But then they are designed to do different things.
Though to be honest if you are considering 2 seater sports cars or RWD coupes as well, it opens up a whole host of other options at £8k!
The other hatches on the list don't really do much for me personally, although I wouldn't mind driving one of the lightweight Meganes at some point as I do like the 172/182 Clios, aside from their annoyingly high driving position.
So sum up, for me it would be:
-Focus ST (for the easy access to silly power!)
-EP3 (for the Honda engine, but I'd still rather an older Type R ahead of it)
-Or if not a hot hatch, lord knows as there is too much choice at that budget!
Squirrelofwoe said:
Whether you'd want to go for an older model is another question but you'd get a tidy DC2 Integra or EK9 civic for that, and both are significantly more 'Type-Rish' than the EP3- even if not as outright fast.
A DC5 Integra would be the other option if you wanted something newer than the older Type Rs and could cope with a bit less practicality than the EP3. At least then you get the LSD etc. I imagine these should just about be in budget now, it's been awhile since I looked at their prices.
These would be my choices, how old do you want to go? Could get some tasty older metal for that budget A DC5 Integra would be the other option if you wanted something newer than the older Type Rs and could cope with a bit less practicality than the EP3. At least then you get the LSD etc. I imagine these should just about be in budget now, it's been awhile since I looked at their prices.
I'd say the 250 Megane if you can stretch the budget & the ST if you can't both are cracking cars.
Saying that I've just seen this a RS250 Cup
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Or this nice ST-3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I think you need to book some test drives.
Or this Leftfield choice the R32 (55 Plate so no £500 road tax) Golf with that sweet V6
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Saying that I've just seen this a RS250 Cup
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Or this nice ST-3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I think you need to book some test drives.
Or this Leftfield choice the R32 (55 Plate so no £500 road tax) Golf with that sweet V6
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 10th February 18:05
I have seen few RS250's, I see one for just under 8K on Auto trader, luckily I'm in no rush right now (Unless the MX5 craps itself)
Part of me wants to hang on and russle up a little bit more money, and go for a budget of 10K, I fear that would only make the choice harder, by the MX5's next MOT due in Sept, I could definitely get 10K
I really like the shape of the EP3's, the one I tested was really fun to drive, and still had an old school feel to it, I'll keep it closely in mind
A friend of mine has an R32, and he swears by it, I'd like to see a decent 2.0 Audi S3 creep down to the £8K mark, they seem to be sticking to about 10K above.
With 7-8 to spend the ST is seeming like the sensible all round choice,
Anyone got any thoughts on the Astra/ Corsa VXR or the Mazda MPS?
Thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate it!
Part of me wants to hang on and russle up a little bit more money, and go for a budget of 10K, I fear that would only make the choice harder, by the MX5's next MOT due in Sept, I could definitely get 10K
I really like the shape of the EP3's, the one I tested was really fun to drive, and still had an old school feel to it, I'll keep it closely in mind
A friend of mine has an R32, and he swears by it, I'd like to see a decent 2.0 Audi S3 creep down to the £8K mark, they seem to be sticking to about 10K above.
With 7-8 to spend the ST is seeming like the sensible all round choice,
Anyone got any thoughts on the Astra/ Corsa VXR or the Mazda MPS?
Thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate it!
I bought a Mk5 GTi over the R26, worst decision I've made, kept the Golf for 9mths which is the shortest I've ever kept a car, very nice but very boring.
Considered a Focus but just couldn't live with the image, shoot me down in flames if you must but it was my money & that was my choice.
DC5 must be a good option if they're in budget.
Considered a Focus but just couldn't live with the image, shoot me down in flames if you must but it was my money & that was my choice.
DC5 must be a good option if they're in budget.
R26 plus bork fund (which you'll need) and go faster fund (which you'll want)
To be fair, the phase 2 seems less prone to catastrophic and repeated failures than the phase 1 but you'll still want a couple of grand tucked away in case the worst happens.
It's also worth making sure you're within a reasonable distance of an rs specialist (ie be near Leeds) unless you want to be driving a long way for work.
Brilliant cars though, they really are stunning on a b Road, handle motorway duties very well (pretty good on fuel too) and aren't a pain in town either.
If I didn't love my cup I'd have binned it at the first 4 figure bill, or the second, or the third...
To be fair, the phase 2 seems less prone to catastrophic and repeated failures than the phase 1 but you'll still want a couple of grand tucked away in case the worst happens.
It's also worth making sure you're within a reasonable distance of an rs specialist (ie be near Leeds) unless you want to be driving a long way for work.
Brilliant cars though, they really are stunning on a b Road, handle motorway duties very well (pretty good on fuel too) and aren't a pain in town either.
If I didn't love my cup I'd have binned it at the first 4 figure bill, or the second, or the third...
I had a corsa Vxr when they first came out, and owned it for 3 years and did about 50k miles. I still regard it as one of my favourite cars I've owned. It's not the best handling car, nor the fastest but it was one of those cars I would always make an excuse to go out and drive. Mine had the Remus exhaust on that popped and banged on gear changes great fun.
Wheel bearings and the a/c pipe splitting are the common faults on early models ( not sure about now).
I've also driven a golf gti which I felt was a dull car with a poor interior. Ended up buying an Audi A3 with the same engine and dsg gearbox, a nicer place to sit but again a boring drive, plus the fact i bought a dog of a car has put me off owning an A/S3 of that era again.
Wheel bearings and the a/c pipe splitting are the common faults on early models ( not sure about now).
I've also driven a golf gti which I felt was a dull car with a poor interior. Ended up buying an Audi A3 with the same engine and dsg gearbox, a nicer place to sit but again a boring drive, plus the fact i bought a dog of a car has put me off owning an A/S3 of that era again.
FN2 owner here over the past 2 years and 25,000 miles its been faultless, the ride is firm but on the plus side when you throw it into a corner it just grips and goes. Its fast enough to be fun, sounds great when the vtec kicks in (yo) huge boot and nothings gone wrong or fallen off, just service it and fill it up with petrol. Should have bought one years ago rather than reading negative stories about it on the internet.
I'm in a similar position and I'm going to go for an Astra VXR ring edition. They've been a guilty pleasure for years and having driven one they're far better than reported too.
I'll add an intercooler and map which will give circa 300bhp and 350lbft then finish it off with an quaffe diff and rear arb. That should see it being a fun daily with occasional track use.
I'll add an intercooler and map which will give circa 300bhp and 350lbft then finish it off with an quaffe diff and rear arb. That should see it being a fun daily with occasional track use.
Poopipe said:
R26 plus bork fund (which you'll need) and go faster fund (which you'll want)
To be fair, the phase 2 seems less prone to catastrophic and repeated failures than the phase 1 but you'll still want a couple of grand tucked away in case the worst happens.
It's also worth making sure you're within a reasonable distance of an rs specialist (ie be near Leeds) unless you want to be driving a long way for work.
Brilliant cars though, they really are stunning on a b Road, handle motorway duties very well (pretty good on fuel too) and aren't a pain in town either.
If I didn't love my cup I'd have binned it at the first 4 figure bill, or the second, or the third...
Technically I do have a few extra thousand set behind, but I'm limiting to £8K as to not leave myself short if something does go wrong (or in the Focus ST case, heading to Mountune)To be fair, the phase 2 seems less prone to catastrophic and repeated failures than the phase 1 but you'll still want a couple of grand tucked away in case the worst happens.
It's also worth making sure you're within a reasonable distance of an rs specialist (ie be near Leeds) unless you want to be driving a long way for work.
Brilliant cars though, they really are stunning on a b Road, handle motorway duties very well (pretty good on fuel too) and aren't a pain in town either.
If I didn't love my cup I'd have binned it at the first 4 figure bill, or the second, or the third...
Unfortunately I am nowhere near Leeds haha, and my local Renault dealerships don't have the greatest customer service reviews
Just out of curiosity, what happened to your Megane?
I know all of these cars have their common faults, but I've done some searching and couldn't find a solid awnser on the Megane
Born Too Slow said:
Technically I do have a few extra thousand set behind, but I'm limiting to £8K as to not leave myself short if something does go wrong (or in the Focus ST case, heading to Mountune)
Unfortunately I am nowhere near Leeds haha, and my local Renault dealerships don't have the greatest customer service reviews
Just out of curiosity, what happened to your Megane?
I know all of these cars have their common faults, but I've done some searching and couldn't find a solid awnser on the Megane
There is a decent Renault Sport specialist near Glastonbury/Streete, I know it's a bit of a trek but he gets rave reviews & the work he's done on my 172 has been spot on inc. belt change. Unfortunately I am nowhere near Leeds haha, and my local Renault dealerships don't have the greatest customer service reviews
Just out of curiosity, what happened to your Megane?
I know all of these cars have their common faults, but I've done some searching and couldn't find a solid awnser on the Megane
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