Daily diver, occasional track car?
Discussion
Serious question.
Sold my old Golf runnaround, now looking to fill the gap.
I have a great Chimaera that gets used occasional use and quite a lot of T/D's.
And a Disco 2 for all the hard work.
Firstly, I really miss the small car for running up to London and around my jobs when I am not using my bike.
Secondly, wouldn't it be great to have an alternative for those wet and dismal winter track/airfield days.
Something practical, swift but obviously not hardcore.
Something you can bundle a few children in when necessary.
2 cars spring to mind that I really like.
First, Golf Mk4, GT TDI 150.
Second, Focus ST170.
Not a million miles apart, just a few mpg and mph in it.
Budget; £5k
Am I asking too much?
Oh, I have never had a jap(car) in my life and I am not about to start!
Sold my old Golf runnaround, now looking to fill the gap.
I have a great Chimaera that gets used occasional use and quite a lot of T/D's.
And a Disco 2 for all the hard work.
Firstly, I really miss the small car for running up to London and around my jobs when I am not using my bike.
Secondly, wouldn't it be great to have an alternative for those wet and dismal winter track/airfield days.
Something practical, swift but obviously not hardcore.
Something you can bundle a few children in when necessary.
2 cars spring to mind that I really like.
First, Golf Mk4, GT TDI 150.
Second, Focus ST170.
Not a million miles apart, just a few mpg and mph in it.
Budget; £5k
Am I asking too much?
Oh, I have never had a jap(car) in my life and I am not about to start!
Clio sport 172 cup or a 182 (cup pack) has cruise control etc etc.. for the money its just an excellent car.
And will leave the 2 choices behind (and a lot more expensive metal on the track), an return 35+ mpg easy.
And don't over look the jap stuff..
And will leave the 2 choices behind (and a lot more expensive metal on the track), an return 35+ mpg easy.
And don't over look the jap stuff..
Edited by joe_90 on Tuesday 6th July 21:37
Impreza WRX or STI if they are in the budget. I know you said no Jap cars but they are hard to go past for something practical, safe and reliable that can cope with any and all conditions and driving styles.
If you feel like modifying the car then there is no limit to what you can do with them to.
Honestly though anything has to be better than a Focus or Golf....yawn....
If you feel like modifying the car then there is no limit to what you can do with them to.
Honestly though anything has to be better than a Focus or Golf....yawn....
The reason I suggested a Focus or Golf is that the car will be used most days for running around town as well as the odd longer journey.
Both are comfy drivers and go reasonably well with the advantage to the Golf for economy, ( I clock up 30K + a year in various vehicals).
I meet surveyors and clients regularly and need to radiate the correct imige, (if that's at all possible
).
I like the idea of the Clio and if I could find an Impreza at the right price that wasn't blinged, that could be an option.
I just remembered, I have had a jap box, an imported Forester with 240 brake, I did like that but the seats were rubbish!
Keep the suggestions coming.
HCM.
Both are comfy drivers and go reasonably well with the advantage to the Golf for economy, ( I clock up 30K + a year in various vehicals).
I meet surveyors and clients regularly and need to radiate the correct imige, (if that's at all possible
).I like the idea of the Clio and if I could find an Impreza at the right price that wasn't blinged, that could be an option.
I just remembered, I have had a jap box, an imported Forester with 240 brake, I did like that but the seats were rubbish!
Keep the suggestions coming.
HCM.
HCM,
in my humble opinion, if you are going to track the car, you WILL want to spend some money on upgrades.
I have tracked daily driver boxes in the past and they always have one or more Achilles' heel. Be it soggy suspension or inadequate brakes. Maybe look for a daily where upgrades are plentiful and not too pricey?
How about a Skoda Octavia VRS?
in my humble opinion, if you are going to track the car, you WILL want to spend some money on upgrades.
I have tracked daily driver boxes in the past and they always have one or more Achilles' heel. Be it soggy suspension or inadequate brakes. Maybe look for a daily where upgrades are plentiful and not too pricey?
How about a Skoda Octavia VRS?
surrey7er said:
HCM,
in my humble opinion, if you are going to track the car, you WILL want to spend some money on upgrades.
I have tracked daily driver boxes in the past and they always have one or more Achilles' heel. Be it soggy suspension or inadequate brakes. Maybe look for a daily where upgrades are plentiful and not too pricey?
How about a Skoda Octavia VRS?
Something like this?in my humble opinion, if you are going to track the car, you WILL want to spend some money on upgrades.
I have tracked daily driver boxes in the past and they always have one or more Achilles' heel. Be it soggy suspension or inadequate brakes. Maybe look for a daily where upgrades are plentiful and not too pricey?
How about a Skoda Octavia VRS?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Yeah, there's plenty about and they are within budget.
that 1.8T engine is pretty nice too (used to have one in an Audi)
Another car worth a mention could be the fabia VRS? supposed to be a pretty decent little thing to hustle. Great MPG too...
I cant believe I've recommended 2 Skodas on one what car thread!
that 1.8T engine is pretty nice too (used to have one in an Audi)
Another car worth a mention could be the fabia VRS? supposed to be a pretty decent little thing to hustle. Great MPG too...
I cant believe I've recommended 2 Skodas on one what car thread!
Clios are looking good.
This is tempting though;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SKODA-FABIA-VRS-1-9-TDi-200-...
This is tempting though;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SKODA-FABIA-VRS-1-9-TDi-200-...
Is a Clio big enough for your needs? If so I'd go for it. Or maybe a mk1 Octavia VRS or some sort of sporty-ish 3 Series?
I went through exactly the same dilemma myself a few months back. Coincidentally, like you, I was tempted by the idea of a Focus ST170. I used to work for Ford and I'm quite fond of my current poverty-spec Focus runaround, so I'm by no means one of the haters, but I was hugely dissapointed by the ST170. The standard Focus is so competent for a no-thrills runaround that the ST170 doesn't really add a lot. It is usefully quicker, but it doesn't feel it; it lacks the excitement that other warm Fords like the Puma and the bubble-era Fiesta ST cram into a relatively mundane package. In contrast, the Clio felt like a bit of an event, genuinely rapid and perfecetly comfortable once I'd played with the seats.
FWIW here were my conclusions:
Corrado VR6 - real character, surprisingly practical, potentially huge costs though
Clio 182 - fantastic drive, plasticy interior but I can live with that, boot too small for bikes etc
Peugeot 306 GTI-6 or Rallye - Almost perfect, just try finding a good one for a sensible price
BMW 328 Sport - handles well, cruises well, quite quick, perfect were it not for lack of bike space
Seat Leon Cupra - manky cabin, drove well enough but didn't look or feel at all special
Porsche 944 S2 - surprisingly practical, but too conspicuous to park in a dodgy area of London everyday and potentially expensive-ish to fix, also olde worlde de-misting, lack of aircon, crap headlights etc.
BMW M3 - too expensive to run as a sensible car, same boot issues as the 328
Peugeot 205 GTI - good ones are getting expensive, quite fragile, no leather/AC etc for road use
I went through exactly the same dilemma myself a few months back. Coincidentally, like you, I was tempted by the idea of a Focus ST170. I used to work for Ford and I'm quite fond of my current poverty-spec Focus runaround, so I'm by no means one of the haters, but I was hugely dissapointed by the ST170. The standard Focus is so competent for a no-thrills runaround that the ST170 doesn't really add a lot. It is usefully quicker, but it doesn't feel it; it lacks the excitement that other warm Fords like the Puma and the bubble-era Fiesta ST cram into a relatively mundane package. In contrast, the Clio felt like a bit of an event, genuinely rapid and perfecetly comfortable once I'd played with the seats.
FWIW here were my conclusions:
Corrado VR6 - real character, surprisingly practical, potentially huge costs though
Clio 182 - fantastic drive, plasticy interior but I can live with that, boot too small for bikes etc
Peugeot 306 GTI-6 or Rallye - Almost perfect, just try finding a good one for a sensible price
BMW 328 Sport - handles well, cruises well, quite quick, perfect were it not for lack of bike space
Seat Leon Cupra - manky cabin, drove well enough but didn't look or feel at all special
Porsche 944 S2 - surprisingly practical, but too conspicuous to park in a dodgy area of London everyday and potentially expensive-ish to fix, also olde worlde de-misting, lack of aircon, crap headlights etc.
BMW M3 - too expensive to run as a sensible car, same boot issues as the 328
Peugeot 205 GTI - good ones are getting expensive, quite fragile, no leather/AC etc for road use
Clio 172cup.
Awesome little things!
mine did 40mpg on way out to Nurburgring recently!
and on track it goes really well to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8OYQtse7zo
All set up by Mark fish motorsport. VERY VERY reccomended!
great little fun cars!
Awesome little things!
mine did 40mpg on way out to Nurburgring recently!
and on track it goes really well to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8OYQtse7zo
All set up by Mark fish motorsport. VERY VERY reccomended!
great little fun cars!
golf gt tdi on a track? are you having a laugh? a focus st170 wont be much better either.
you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
rb5230 said:
golf gt tdi on a track? are you having a laugh? a focus st170 wont be much better either.
you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
The point was that I regurarly track my TVR and therefor the car I am looking for has to be comfortable, not embarrasing on the track and not a great guzzler either!you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
I want it for occasional track use. Of course, we all want the fastest car possible but to fit other criterea it ain't possible, is it?
My ideal car would be Golf sized, as quick as my tiv, handle like a Caterham and do 30mpg, is that asking too much?
haircutmike said:
rb5230 said:
golf gt tdi on a track? are you having a laugh? a focus st170 wont be much better either.
you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
The point was that I regurarly track my TVR and therefor the car I am looking for has to be comfortable, not embarrasing on the track and not a great guzzler either!you say you dont want a jap car but i went from selling a focus st3 for £12k and picked up my impreza rb5 and other than the interior quality i could not be happier.
i will definately buy more jap cars in the future.
you can get an impreza 2000 turbo for about £3k now too which will be just as practical but about 100 times more fun and fast than either of your ideas.
I want it for occasional track use. Of course, we all want the fastest car possible but to fit other criterea it ain't possible, is it?
My ideal car would be Golf sized, as quick as my tiv, handle like a Caterham and do 30mpg, is that asking too much?
haircutmike said:
My ideal car would be Golf sized, as quick as my tiv, handle like a Caterham and do 30mpg, is that asking too much?
Yes.Sub 6 seconds to 60mph and 30mpg is a big ask in itself, but combining that with practicality is pretty difficult and then asking all of that to handle like a 550kg racing car isn't going to happen.
What you can get is something that's a nice, comfy, practical every day car, without being completely useless or irritatingly slow on the track.
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