First "real" car

[thenorth]

I recently landed my first proper job after uni and have been saving as much as i can to buy myself something a bit sportier and luxurious than my £500 mk2 punto banger. My commute is 35miles a day 25% B roads and 75% A roads but have a longer route home that involves 85% B roads when i feel like a hoon.
the only limiting factor is that i must fit a mountain bike in it with both wheels off so no mx5's etc

i have been doing some research into some options mainly clio 182 , ep3 ctr, seat leon cupra (R?) ,Audi TT 225 ,Bmw 3 series E46

are there any options i am overlooking?

if you where in my position what car would you be buying?



Edit :£5.000 to spend .

Edited by thenorth on Monday 6th December 21:56

[thenorth]

I recently landed my first proper job after uni and have been saving as much as i can to buy myself something a bit sportier and luxurious than my £500 mk2 punto banger. My commute is 35miles a day 25% B roads and 75% A roads but have a longer route home that involves 85% B roads when i feel like a hoon.
the only limiting factor is that i must fit a mountain bike in it with both wheels off so no mx5's etc

i have been doing some research into some options mainly clio 182 , ep3 ctr, seat leon cupra (R?) ,Audi TT 225 ,Bmw 3 series E46

are there any options i am overlooking?

if you where in my position what car would you be buying?



Edit :£5.000 to spend .

Edited by thenorth on Monday 6th December 22:00

[AMST09]

Can you get a bike in a TT??

[anonymous-user]

Impreza wagon...

[Matt UK]

What's the budget?

Could you afford a Focus ST?

[thenorth]

I have had a look at a TT with the seats down and i recon it could take a single bike quite comfortably.

Impreza is serious insurance territory £3000 for me just not worth it.

I have around 5K to spend so an focus ST will be out of budget i think.

[CanadianScot]

Out of those I think I'd be going for a Leon Cupra R. They're quite big inside, seem relatively reliable, look good (IMO) and being a 1.8T you have a vast list of tuning options if you felt so inclined.

[zcacogp]

944 S2, or possibly turbo.

You won't look back, and that budget will get you a good one.


Oli.

[robsco]

Without wanting to sound like a fanboy of my own steed, have you considered an Alfa 156? In the 2.5 V6 guise, you'd have your grunt and I doubt you'd find a car with a more enjoyable engine. And you'd have a good boot to get the bike frame in, they are a very practical car in fact. If you're feeling brave, you could even squeeze yourself into the GTA for 5k... 3.2 V6, 250bhp. Glorious.