Really don't know what to buy!

[Marki3]

Hi guys,

Been a reader of piston heads for a long time, but I've always been quite strong minded about the cars I've wanted to buy...I'm a bit of a brand snob if I'm honest, but not as you'd expect...i.e. I couldn't bring myself to buy a BMW or a Merc, an Alfa is much more my thing.

However I've got a bit of free cash and fancy a new (2nd hand) car. I've decided a hot hatch is the way to enjoy cheap thrill and with some practicality thrown in.

But I just don't know what to buy. I like the unusual; I hate driving along and see a car identical to mine behind me at the traffic lights. I'd have an Alfa 147 GTA, but my target is 30mpg, I struggled to get 30mpg out of my 2.0l 156.

Basically what I want is a car that I can fit my kid in the back (1 year old, with a bulky car seat) and a buggy in the back. Although the wife's car is the 'kiddy car' I do need to be able to get them in and out every now and again. Bags of performance, minimum 30mpg (I realise that when the red mist comes down and I spend a week thrashing it I won't get 30mpg, but on normal week I get 38mpg out of my current 1.8l MG ZS) and something that stands out but isn't seen every time you stop at the traffic lights. All for a reasonable £10k.

I realise this is a lot I've run out of ideas. So far I've been to see an Astra VXR, which was nice but I think was too small. I doubt I'd be able to fit anything in the back seats when the drivers seat was in position. The Civic Type R, which was really nice, but poorly equipped and I know a few people that have had them and said they are a nightmare to own, very edgy and a horrible drive when you're not in the mood for hard driving. VW Golf GTI, which again was nice, but on the test drive I saw 3 GTI's and a total of 8 VW's. I've been trying to find a Mazda3 MPS near me without much luck, they look a bit understated thou.

I'm genuinely stuck, there doesn't seem to be a car out there that will satisfy my criteria.

Sorry for the far too long post. Just trying to show my frustration.

Please suggest something I might not have thought of.

Marki3

[Crusoe]

come over to the german side, 130i would suit you fine or a 325i compact if it needed to be a hatch.

Edited by Crusoe on Friday 24th September 11:11

[Simbu]

If you don't mind the styling how about a Cooper S JCW?

Or maybe a Leon FR / Cupra?

[Marki3]

No offence here but I think i'd have to dig out my eyeballs before I could look at a 1-series on my driveway. Isn't the Cupra basically a Golf GTI but more expensive 2nd hand? I struggle to spot the Cupras in a crowd. They look almost exactly the same as the bog standard cheapest (reference I think it is) except for the wheels.

Edit, I don't think the buggy would go in the back of a Mini Cooper. I might be wrong on that thou. But I think they have a boot the size of my wifes handbag.

Edited by Marki3 on Friday 24th September 11:16

[Alfa numeric]

I'm biased, but how about a Renaultsport Megane? You can get a 5 door version and in stop start traffic (and without stop/start) I see about 27 mpg.

If back doors aren't an issue then the R26 is a great deal of fun.





mine's for sale...

[Marki3]

Alfa numeric said:

I'm biased, but how about a Renaultsport Megane? You can get a 5 door version and in stop start traffic (and without stop/start) I see about 27 mpg.

If back doors aren't an issue then the R26 is a great deal of fun.





mine's for sale...

Do Renaults still have a reputation for falling apart? I've always written off the french car makers since my sisters experience with the orignal Clio and my mates 106 both of which literally fell to peices in front of your eyes...I told you I was a bit of a brand snob which i'm not proud of, I get it from my father, who would proably disown me if I bought a Ford

[martin mrt]

Marki3 said:

No offence here but I think i'd have to dig out my eyeballs before I could look at a 1-series on my driveway. Isn't the Cupra basically a Golf GTI but more expensive 2nd hand? I struggle to spot the Cupras in a crowd. They look almost exactly the same as the bog standard cheapest (reference I think it is) except for the wheels.

Edit, I don't think the buggy would go in the back of a Mini Cooper. I might be wrong on that thou. But I think they have a boot the size of my wifes handbag.

Edited by Marki3 on Friday 24th September 11:16

Your looking at an Astra VXR and CTR but call a 1 series ugly?

Horses for Courses and all that but for the money the 130i is probably the best bet for your criteria, and believe me the more you look at them the nicer they are, the drive is fabulous too

[Alfa numeric]

Marki3 said:

Alfa numeric said:

I'm biased, but how about a Renaultsport Megane? You can get a 5 door version and in stop start traffic (and without stop/start) I see about 27 mpg.

If back doors aren't an issue then the R26 is a great deal of fun.





mine's for sale...

Do Renaults still have a reputation for falling apart? I've always written off the french car makers since my sisters experience with the orignal Clio and my mates 106 both of which literally fell to peices in front of your eyes...I told you I was a bit of a brand snob which i'm not proud of, I get it from my father, who would proably disown me if I bought a Ford

I've never had anything go wrong with it in 2 1/2 years and almost 30k miles except for a dead battery in the first six months. There's a rattle somewhere deep in the dash that occasionally makes itself heard but otherwise it's in bettter nick than my brother's 57 plate Mondeo. Maybe the folks at Renaultsport rebuild them when they get the shell from Paris...

I see it as a descendent of the turbo F1 cars and Maxi 5's tearing round Monaco in the 80's- therefore it's got a motorsport heritage better than Ferrari!

[Marki3]

It's all personal preference I suppose. I've never been a fan of the new shape BMW's.

I hated the new Civic when I first saw it, but gradually grew to like it. Can't say the same for the BMW 1-series.

[300bhp/ton]

Marki3 said:

Hi guys,

Been a reader of piston heads for a long time, but I've always been quite strong minded about the cars I've wanted to buy...I'm a bit of a brand snob if I'm honest, but not as you'd expect...i.e. I couldn't bring myself to buy a BMW or a Merc, an Alfa is much more my thing.

However I've got a bit of free cash and fancy a new (2nd hand) car. I've decided a hot hatch is the way to enjoy cheap thrill and with some practicality thrown in.

But I just don't know what to buy. I like the unusual; I hate driving along and see a car identical to mine behind me at the traffic lights. I'd have an Alfa 147 GTA, but my target is 30mpg, I struggled to get 30mpg out of my 2.0l 156.

Basically what I want is a car that I can fit my kid in the back (1 year old, with a bulky car seat) and a buggy in the back. Although the wife's car is the 'kiddy car' I do need to be able to get them in and out every now and again. Bags of performance, minimum 30mpg (I realise that when the red mist comes down and I spend a week thrashing it I won't get 30mpg, but on normal week I get 38mpg out of my current 1.8l MG ZS) and something that stands out but isn't seen every time you stop at the traffic lights. All for a reasonable £10k.

I realise this is a lot I've run out of ideas. So far I've been to see an Astra VXR, which was nice but I think was too small. I doubt I'd be able to fit anything in the back seats when the drivers seat was in position. The Civic Type R, which was really nice, but poorly equipped and I know a few people that have had them and said they are a nightmare to own, very edgy and a horrible drive when you're not in the mood for hard driving. VW Golf GTI, which again was nice, but on the test drive I saw 3 GTI's and a total of 8 VW's. I've been trying to find a Mazda3 MPS near me without much luck, they look a bit understated thou.

I'm genuinely stuck, there doesn't seem to be a car out there that will satisfy my criteria.

Sorry for the far too long post. Just trying to show my frustration.

Please suggest something I might not have thought of.

Marki3

On a lower budget an MGZS180, esp the last of the line facelift version would do pretty much what you are asking for.

Honda Accord Type R another good bet with some space.

BMW's aren't a bad bet, how about a classic e30 M3? You seriously won't lose money due to residuals on one of these. Other e30's are nice and even an e36 328i, but all way below your budget and I guess older than you are meaning. But the e46 just doesn't look as good to me and not a fan of the 1 Series hatch looks either.

So how about a 3 door hatch/coupe?

£10k will get you one of these.



Fast, very good drive, look fab, hold their money well, solid build, rare and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.

Other options could be a 4x4 like a Defender or Wrangler. Not a hot hatch I admit, just fun, different and in budget while being practical.

[Marki3]

I did look at the monaro I very nearlly went to go and see one, just before I convinved myself to do so I checked insurance and tax. I was laughed at by my insurance company where I would have to consider taking out a loan to pay for it each year! £435 car tax + extra fuel costs put that firmly in the 'no go' pile. Unfortunate really since I was quite taken with it. I don't do a massive number of miles, but it's enough for me to want 30mpg so I don't feel like i'm constatly standing at a petrol pump.

I did consider the MGZS180, but i've currently got the MK2 ZS120+ with the 180 bodykit, so it would be an almost identical car except the engine. I fancy a bit more of a change than that. I'll show my ignorance now and ask what that is a picture of? I don't recognise it.

[300bhp/ton]

Marki3 said:

I did look at the monaro I very nearlly went to go and see one, just before I convinved myself to do so I checked insurance and tax. I was laughed at by my insurance company where I would have to consider taking out a loan to pay for it each year! £435 car tax + extra fuel costs put that firmly in the 'no go' pile. Unfortunate really since I was quite taken with it. I don't do a massive number of miles, but it's enough for me to want 30mpg so I don't feel like i'm constatly standing at a petrol pump.

I did consider the MGZS180, but i've currently got the MK2 ZS120+ with the 180 bodykit, so it would be an almost identical car except the engine. I fancy a bit more of a change than that. I'll show my ignorance now and ask what that is a picture of? I don't recognise it.

It's a JDM spec DC5 Integra Type R. It's got the 2.0 220PS VTEC motor, but unlike a Civic this has a LSD and focused suspension and steering. Very much a drivers car, but has a big boot and rear seats the same as most 3 door hatchbacks do.

30mpg should be possible (maybe a bit better), but good performance and driving dynamics.

[winshent]

You should check out the MK1 Focus RS..

It might struggle to do 30mpg.. more likely 26- 27mpg but is relatively cheap to insure and they have solid residuals, so you will get most of your money back.

They are a great car for both a B road blast and also on track, and IMHO really stand out from the crowd..

[anonymous-user]

What about a Stilo Abarth Schumacher GP? very different to the standard Abarth as it has suspension tuned by Prodrive a different exhaust and a manual gearbox!

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

300bhp/ton said:

Marki3 said:

I did look at the monaro I very nearlly went to go and see one, just before I convinved myself to do so I checked insurance and tax. I was laughed at by my insurance company where I would have to consider taking out a loan to pay for it each year! £435 car tax + extra fuel costs put that firmly in the 'no go' pile. Unfortunate really since I was quite taken with it. I don't do a massive number of miles, but it's enough for me to want 30mpg so I don't feel like i'm constatly standing at a petrol pump.

I did consider the MGZS180, but i've currently got the MK2 ZS120+ with the 180 bodykit, so it would be an almost identical car except the engine. I fancy a bit more of a change than that. I'll show my ignorance now and ask what that is a picture of? I don't recognise it.

It's a JDM spec DC5 Integra Type R. It's got the 2.0 220PS VTEC motor, but unlike a Civic this has a LSD and focused suspension and steering. Very much a drivers car, but has a big boot and rear seats the same as most 3 door hatchbacks do.

30mpg should be possible (maybe a bit better), but good performance and driving dynamics.

Do they still have electric power steering, or do they have a hydraulic system.

That's the only thing that would put me off one tbh.

Honestly don't know, I personally prefer the DC2, but the DC5 makes sense if you want newer. I don't recall reading any negative comments about the DC5's steering though.

[V88Dicky]

Marki3, how many miles a year do you cover?

I'd suggest that if it's less than say, 8k, then there's no point worrying about MPG.

The difference between a 25mpg car and a 30mpg car over said miles would be negligible. About £270 per year in fact.

[Marki3]

Like the look of the Stilo have to honest. Not something I'd even considered.

I do upto about 15k miles a year.

[UncappedTag]

Even the Focus ST 2.5T is capable of 35 on a run . Having owned one it fits the criteria perfectly

[Marki3]

You're the 3rd person the recommend the Focus ST 2.5T. It's tempting I might try and see one this weekend. Never been much of a Ford man myself.

[ManOpener]

Marki3 said:

You're the 3rd person the recommend the Focus ST 2.5T. It's tempting I might try and see one this weekend. Never been much of a Ford man myself.

You won't get 30mpg out of one unless you drive it off-boost everywhere. The two people I know with them (standard and mapped) average 24 and 26mpg respectively. That's mixed driving, perhaps 50% motorway, 30% A-road and 20% town.

Edited by ManOpener on Friday 24th September 13:59