The hottest 5dr hatch (or small saloon) for 7k?
Discussion
Chaps and chappesses, I'm struggling to choose my new car. Help?
There is a baby. Current car (Mini convertible) isn't suitable. I need 5 doors (4 in saloon)and a proper boot. I also want something engaging to drive. It needs to be happy in town but I'd also like something I can take to a track pretty much stock and still have a good time. Budget is 7k but I'm more than happy to spend less.
My criteria from most important to least:
Chassis/handling - the more engaging and responsive, the better. Driving pleasure is essential.
noise - I can deal with 4 cylinders, but it needs a grumble or shout. V6 is preferred.
driven wheels - prefer rwd, but i know there are some cracking fwd cars out there.
mpg - high 20's + around town
power - if the chassis and noise are good, I'll take something slow - ish.
I keeping coming back to an e46 330i, but they all have many, many miles on them. Newer 3's just dont appeal. A mk2 Golf GTI would be lovely, but they are getting very leggy too these days and I'm not sure I'd like baby in the back if I were to be involved in an RTA.
So, decent chassis and noise followed by reasonable safety and mileage.
Ideas?
There is a baby. Current car (Mini convertible) isn't suitable. I need 5 doors (4 in saloon)and a proper boot. I also want something engaging to drive. It needs to be happy in town but I'd also like something I can take to a track pretty much stock and still have a good time. Budget is 7k but I'm more than happy to spend less.
My criteria from most important to least:
Chassis/handling - the more engaging and responsive, the better. Driving pleasure is essential.
noise - I can deal with 4 cylinders, but it needs a grumble or shout. V6 is preferred.
driven wheels - prefer rwd, but i know there are some cracking fwd cars out there.
mpg - high 20's + around town
power - if the chassis and noise are good, I'll take something slow - ish.
I keeping coming back to an e46 330i, but they all have many, many miles on them. Newer 3's just dont appeal. A mk2 Golf GTI would be lovely, but they are getting very leggy too these days and I'm not sure I'd like baby in the back if I were to be involved in an RTA.
So, decent chassis and noise followed by reasonable safety and mileage.
Ideas?
As much as I'd love a 130i, a good one is out of budget. It would be my first choice.
The Leon Cupra R isn't something I'd though of but looks an interesting proposition. There is one near me so I'll go and have a look.
E36 M3 also appeals, but the 4 doors are few and far between, especially in acceptable condition.
330i is still a contender.
ST isn't something I'd considered either. Worth a look too.
Thanks.
The Leon Cupra R isn't something I'd though of but looks an interesting proposition. There is one near me so I'll go and have a look.
E36 M3 also appeals, but the 4 doors are few and far between, especially in acceptable condition.
330i is still a contender.
ST isn't something I'd considered either. Worth a look too.
Thanks.
I've changed my mind from the Golf. Having a extended test drive in the one I was going to buy left me less than certain that I wanted it. It just didn't excite me. I think the 15 mins on my initial drive passed by through rose tinted glasses. A very good car, but not 'special'.
In a stunning turn of events, I've elected to ditch the hot hatch idea and go for something more 'warm' instead. I've come to the conclusion that I can't have the car I want (S2 Elise) and trying to find something similar with 5 doors and a boot is just not going to happen. It's like that Samoan(?) shot put chap who ran in the 100m because he couldn't partake in his own event. Still an Olympian, but built for different purposes.
I may have the opportunity to purchase my Elise in Feb next year, so I'm going to try something that should keep it's value for just under a year or so and be cheap ish to run.
I'll hand in my PH membership card on the way out. (Or maybe saving money on fuel and insurance for a year in order to help fund an Elise in the future might redeem me.)
In a stunning turn of events, I've elected to ditch the hot hatch idea and go for something more 'warm' instead. I've come to the conclusion that I can't have the car I want (S2 Elise) and trying to find something similar with 5 doors and a boot is just not going to happen. It's like that Samoan(?) shot put chap who ran in the 100m because he couldn't partake in his own event. Still an Olympian, but built for different purposes.
I may have the opportunity to purchase my Elise in Feb next year, so I'm going to try something that should keep it's value for just under a year or so and be cheap ish to run.
I'll hand in my PH membership card on the way out. (Or maybe saving money on fuel and insurance for a year in order to help fund an Elise in the future might redeem me.)
Edited by WetPaint on Monday 21st April 19:11
Hell27 said:
Wet paint, the best thing you can do is try and get over your dislike of the e90 BMW 3 series. It pretty much ticks all your boxes - you can get a quick little 320d or 320si that will address the round town mpg, plus the 325i, 330i and 330d give the six cylinder noise and grunt that you're after. Rear wheel drive. Get an m sport and some decent alloys and you might get to like the look too. Loads for sale of all models mentioned at your budget and less than 70000 miles
I'm looking into this with an open mind. I'll see how I get on. I'm reluctant to go 4pot petrol or diesel, but research suggests the 320d is quite a good engine, but will obviously not tick the 'noise' box. Mpg's appear as low on the I6's as they do on the MPS and ST though so I may have to compromise. Again. Damn this thread. Drove a Focus Zetec today. Didn't like it much at all.
Edited by WetPaint on Tuesday 22 April 18:35
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