Up to 9k "special" second car
Discussion
Yep, same engine as far as I'm aware. Veloce, Sportiva and QV line are the highly spec'd versions without going to the Cloverleaf or Quadrifoglio which I believe are only on the 1750 engine.
Some of the later cars are only 150bhp but a bit cheaper tax. There are also 1.4 none Twinair engines that are only 120bhp.
There's a lot of rough dross out there, the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason.
Some of the later cars are only 150bhp but a bit cheaper tax. There are also 1.4 none Twinair engines that are only 120bhp.
There's a lot of rough dross out there, the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason.
jfdi said:
Yep, same engine as far as I'm aware. Veloce, Sportiva and QV line are the highly spec'd versions without going to the Cloverleaf or Quadrifoglio which I believe are only on the 1750 engine.
Some of the later cars are only 150bhp but a bit cheaper tax. There are also 1.4 none Twinair engines that are only 120bhp.
There's a lot of rough dross out there, the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason.
Mmm, think we might of found a winner. Found one locally straight away looks decent, not red (I like Italian cars in red) but still looks very high spec and well looked after. Some of the later cars are only 150bhp but a bit cheaper tax. There are also 1.4 none Twinair engines that are only 120bhp.
There's a lot of rough dross out there, the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason.
If it's white then check for mis-matched paint, they appear to have been made in numerous shades of white which no-one appears to be able to match up. I think I've seen all the available shades available across just the 2 white cars I viewed. Mines a red one 
Also check the rear carpets for damp, found a few with leaking rear door seals.
Also check the rear carpets for damp, found a few with leaking rear door seals.
jfdi said:
If it's white then check for mis-matched paint, they appear to have been made in numerous shades of white which no-one appears to be able to match up. I think I've seen all the available shades available across just the 2 white cars I viewed. Mines a red one
Also check the rear carpets for damp, found a few with leaking rear door seals.
Grey, seems to have quite a few extras on it. Also check the rear carpets for damp, found a few with leaking rear door seals.
A Renault Megane is probably your best bet, they drive really well. The Alfa is ok, but the Renault blows it away when it comes to driving (I've owned both).
No one is going to be looking at you in either car to be honest, unless you put some daft stickers on it or drive like a tw@t.
No one is going to be looking at you in either car to be honest, unless you put some daft stickers on it or drive like a tw@t.
2.0T Infiniti Q30 Sport, these are the same car as the A250 AMG Engineered:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403308...
Giulietta Quadrifoglio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404078...
RS Clio Nav Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403117...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403308...
Giulietta Quadrifoglio:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404028...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404078...
RS Clio Nav Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403117...
I've ruled out the Quadrifoglio simply because they are all TCT and I want manual, I was hoping to go see a QV-Line yesterday that basically had the Quadrifoglio kit on it but the 1.4 170 engine instead but it had sold within minutes of going up for sale.
I'm hopefully off to see a Speciale today which is the 1.4 150 engine, its in red, manual and has some of the Quadrifolgio kit on it including the all important bucket seats, turns out the 150 and 170 engines are the same apart from standard mapping so a quick trip to Autolusso and it will have 185 italian horses without fitting any additional hardware.
Tax is low, insurance is low and it looks the part.
The fiesta ST-Line hire car went back yesterday, this was our baby seat fitted behind the driver seat
Going to buy a second seat for the second car, the other second seat we have which we havent used for ages, is now too small, see if I can find a Recaro one thats takes up a lot less space.
I'm hopefully off to see a Speciale today which is the 1.4 150 engine, its in red, manual and has some of the Quadrifolgio kit on it including the all important bucket seats, turns out the 150 and 170 engines are the same apart from standard mapping so a quick trip to Autolusso and it will have 185 italian horses without fitting any additional hardware.
Tax is low, insurance is low and it looks the part.
The fiesta ST-Line hire car went back yesterday, this was our baby seat fitted behind the driver seat
Going to buy a second seat for the second car, the other second seat we have which we havent used for ages, is now too small, see if I can find a Recaro one thats takes up a lot less space.
sam.rog said:
Biased but you’d get a really nice fn2 civic type r for that money. A late model with an LSD from factory will be less than tour budget. A low milage championship white will be under budget and you might sneak a mugen 200 if you use the full amount.
Massively underrated cars. Not as fast as the turbo hatches but last of the old school n/a hatches with the best gearbox fitted to a normal car.
I have a full size recaro isofix child seat in the back and there’s plenty of room. The door openings are large and the seat slides far forward meaning It’s easy enough to get my 2 year old in.
If you want to modify then a decent induction kit, manifold and 200cell cat and a re map should get you 230ish HP but gain it in the mid range which makes the car fantastic, they also increase the rev limit to 8600rpm. No other “non honda” hatch can match that.
A must in my opinion is a set of eibach springs. It sorts the ride out. Factory springs are too firm. The eibachs are progressive and iron out the small imperfections whist keeping the car controlled at higher speeds.
2nd this, had mine 9 years now and still enjoy driving it. Also it's been extremely reliable.Massively underrated cars. Not as fast as the turbo hatches but last of the old school n/a hatches with the best gearbox fitted to a normal car.
I have a full size recaro isofix child seat in the back and there’s plenty of room. The door openings are large and the seat slides far forward meaning It’s easy enough to get my 2 year old in.
If you want to modify then a decent induction kit, manifold and 200cell cat and a re map should get you 230ish HP but gain it in the mid range which makes the car fantastic, they also increase the rev limit to 8600rpm. No other “non honda” hatch can match that.
A must in my opinion is a set of eibach springs. It sorts the ride out. Factory springs are too firm. The eibachs are progressive and iron out the small imperfections whist keeping the car controlled at higher speeds.
the-norseman said:
justin220 said:
How about a MK4 golf R32? Or a high miles mk5?
Scirocco R might just about be in budget
I'd go for the Megane
Always fancied a MK4/5 R32 but like you say most are very high mileage now and think the tax is stupid on them.Scirocco R might just about be in budget
I'd go for the Megane
Having had a daily V6 with insane tax dont really want to go down that avenue again.
The 130i is also as reliable as BMWs get, you can fit blingy 135i calipers if you want and M Sport versions have decent seats with million-way adjustment and inflatable side bolsters, without being super-bulky and restricting rear car seat space.
No, it’s not glamorous, the tax is more than you want - though still £300-odd less than the R32 - but it’s an analogue but practical and affordable six-cylinder option.
Edited by RoVoFob on Saturday 27th April 08:51
the-norseman said:
I've ruled out the Quadrifoglio simply because they are all TCT and I want manual, I was hoping to go see a QV-Line yesterday that basically had the Quadrifoglio kit on it but the 1.4 170 engine instead but it had sold within minutes of going up for sale.
I'm hopefully off to see a Speciale today which is the 1.4 150 engine, its in red, manual and has some of the Quadrifolgio kit on it including the all important bucket seats, turns out the 150 and 170 engines are the same apart from standard mapping so a quick trip to Autolusso and it will have 185 italian horses without fitting any additional hardware.
Tax is low, insurance is low and it looks the part.
The fiesta ST-Line hire car went back yesterday, this was our baby seat fitted behind the driver seat
Going to buy a second seat for the second car, the other second seat we have which we havent used for ages, is now too small, see if I can find a Recaro one thats takes up a lot less space.
If you want a manual version of the Quadrifoglio go for the Cloverleaf it's the manual version of the former:I'm hopefully off to see a Speciale today which is the 1.4 150 engine, its in red, manual and has some of the Quadrifolgio kit on it including the all important bucket seats, turns out the 150 and 170 engines are the same apart from standard mapping so a quick trip to Autolusso and it will have 185 italian horses without fitting any additional hardware.
Tax is low, insurance is low and it looks the part.
The fiesta ST-Line hire car went back yesterday, this was our baby seat fitted behind the driver seat
Going to buy a second seat for the second car, the other second seat we have which we havent used for ages, is now too small, see if I can find a Recaro one thats takes up a lot less space.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401235...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404088...
I'm going to go against the grain here but I don't think the 130i feels special at all.
I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
Edited by rotaryjam on Saturday 27th April 20:12
rotaryjam said:
I'm going to go against the grain here but I don't think the 130i feels special at all.
I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
I've driven both the 130i and alfa gta and neither felt as special as the Z4 si roadster I owned, I just think the hatchback thing slightly dilutes the experience.I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
Edited by rotaryjam on Saturday 27th April 20:12
rotaryjam said:
I'm going to go against the grain here but I don't think the 130i feels special at all.
I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
Depends what you consider special. You couldn’t pay me to drive most turbo’d four-pot front-wheel-drive hot hatches, which make up many of the other options raised, as they’re inherently generic, which detracts from them being special.I recently had one with the factory carbon intake and performance exhaust and was shocked at how quiet it was inside - just too much sound deadening. It also didn't handle as playfully as I expected, probably due to lack of LSD.
I've had a 147 GTA and they sound much better and are more of an event. They have a super quick steering rack which is fun, but they handle like crap.
Maybe a 130i with an aftermarket exhaust and LSD is the answer
Edited by rotaryjam on Saturday 27th April 20:12
A rear-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated six-pot already offers a pretty different experience, which many petrolheads would consider special, albeit quite grown up. Sure the Alfa offers more drama, but also far worse fuel economy and practicality, which were two of the OP’s priorities. Life is about compromises, so the OP has to choose which compromises are the right ones for them…
The main issue with 130is was the awful run-flat tyres most had from new and some still have. These destroy both the ride and the handling but can at least easily be replaced. And the handling can be significantly improved with a relatively inexpensive set of Bilstein B12 suspension. It’ll never be a Pagani in the special stakes, but for the OP’s budget they could get a decent 130i and have plenty of change to make it how they want it.
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