The best jap hatch for my budget

[s m]

CX53 said:

moorx said:

I don't find it overly noisy, and most of my mileage is on motorways. I should point out, though, that my Celica is a 140 not a 190/T-sport. It has a 6 speed box and sits quite happily at just below 3k RPM at 70mph. Fuel consumption is pretty reasonable too (both the Celica and the MR2).

That's good to know, thanks. 3k rpm would be fantastic, current car sits at 3800 at 70 which isn't great, but then pressing on above 70 it becomes unbearable!

Thought about the Corolla T Sport too, as my OH has a 1.6 Corolla and it's brilliantly reliable and practical, but the handling is rubbish, and I gather it's not that much better on the T Sport - probably better going for a Celica with either engine I imagine!

Celica 140 info

The noise on both models is recorded at various speeds - in the 190 test below the 140 test, noise levels are
Compared to an Astra Coupe Turbo




Celica 190 info










Celica 140 evaluated at Rockingham on a Handling/Fun day




Lap time comparisons

[ZX10R NIN]

So OP have you sorted a shortlist?

[CX53]

s m said:

Celica 140 info

The noise on both models is recorded at various speeds - in the 190 test below the 140 test, noise levels are
Compared to an Astra Coupe Turbo




Celica 190 info










Celica 140 evaluated at Rockingham on a Handling/Fun day




Lap time comparisons

Sorry, only just seen this! Thank you for that, i learned to drive in an Astra Coupe funnily enough, it was my mums car, so that's a decent comparison for me!

[Foul Bob]

ZX10R NIN said:

So OP have you sorted a shortlist?

I test drove a Mazda 3 today, the 2.0 sport. Fantastic spec, quite a nice drive too, not slow but certainly not quick by any means, not that I really need quick! This is the front runner at the moment, but this car in particular was a bit tatty where it had been used by a mum with small kids, so I'm looking for a nicer example.

I've noticed though that for half the price of a nice 3 sport, I could have the Corolla or celica 190 with a bit more power, sacrificing on the spec though. I suppose it wouldn't be too much trouble to fit some decent audio and some brighter headlight bulbs to try and improve things. Still looking out for these too.

Had a go In a Civic 1.8 type S yesterday too, the spaceship shape. It had a great panoramic roof, new clutch recently, and it was nice to drive but it was too harsh a ride for my liking, so that's out of the running.

I've found it to be a bit awkward trying to get test drives at this end of the market as if I do find one locally it's usually a private seller, but I'm in no real hurry so I'll keep looking.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go for the Celica or Corolla with the money saved you could add these choice items to make the daily drive more pleasant:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenwood-Car-CD-DVD-USB-D...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Infinity-Reference-6-5-1...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Infinity-Kappa-62-11i-16...

To help with the NVH & better acoustics

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RATTLEMATT-x-20-SHEETS-C...

[Foul Bob]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the Celica or Corolla with the money saved you could add these choice items to make the daily drive more pleasant:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenwood-Car-CD-DVD-USB-D...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Infinity-Reference-6-5-1...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Infinity-Kappa-62-11i-16...

To help with the NVH & better acoustics

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RATTLEMATT-x-20-SHEETS-C...

Thanks for the links, I guess there's not too much point worrying about the spec in cars like these where most things can be fitted aftermarket

What are the reasons you'd choose the toyotas? I like the idea of less chance of rust you get in the Mazda's, and can be had cheaper...

A spanner in the works now, my girlfriends 206cc was written off today by some idiot uninsured driver. Not a huge issue as its only a shed, but annoying nonetheless and she was attached to the old thing. She's put a deposit down on a grand vitara which has plenty of room for our bikes etc

This means I could look at cars less practical now too, which may slightly open up options a little, but still after something that won't be annoying as an every day car. There's a Toyota Corolla 190 for sale at a very reasonable price which I plan on trying to look at in the next couple of days. In the mean time however, I'm still spending a lot of time on eBay & autotrader!

Edited by Foul Bob on Sunday 5th June 17:45