Civic Type-R, New Impreza or RS Focus?

[Nistelrooyschin]

Company car is up in six months time. Looking to do a scheme where I finance me own new car and they give me an allowance on top of my wages. Bit of a tax dodge thing I think.

Anyways want something a little more sporty this time, what do you think I should go for?

The New Impreza, the Civic Tyoe-R or an RS Focus?

[trackdemon]

If you're limiting the choice to one of those three then Focus as a 'focused' (sic) drivers car, Scooby as an all rounder, CTR as cheap kicks in a straight line...

[bennno]

seat leon cupra R at 15,995 less a discount is better than scooby if you need rear doors.

rs is the nuts but supposedly a bit wearing and keen to accelerate in to the nearest hedge if you dont have a serious grip on the steering wheel. hate the interior but love the car

civic type r i think is really nice, but gets a bit more expensive with air con and metallic added

Golf R32 is worth considering at not much more than the RS and a bit less garish

OR new Mazda RX8 is a bargain at £19,995 !!

Bennno

[Marumba]

I bought a CTR last the Xmas before last. I wrote it off six months later. I have pics if anyone wants to see 100mph crash damage!

I did love many things about the CTR, but started to think it should have been more. The gearbox is fantastic, the location is great. The engine is great - stick an induction kit on and you will not stop laughing when the engine goes over 6,000rpm! It's wild. Brakes... I didnt think they were that special but never seemed to fade.

Steering is a little dull but you get used to it. Suspension is something I wasnt too happy with. The car felt nervous under heavy braking, as if the rear was stepping out. Overall it is a great experience and I suggest everyone try a Type-R at some point in their lives. Some people moan about having to thrash the engine to get going but what to F1 drivers do!? People complain about not being able to grab overtaking opportunities because they're not on cam. Forget it. It takes a split second to change gear in the CTR, so very fast. Think of CTR gear changes as a switch between normal driving and overtaking mode.

My insurance company is paying out but I wont be getting another. I've been there done that. It just didnt as good as it should have been. It is without question fast, it is great all the way through to silly speeds but when it does bite (and I know it does!) it really snaps.

Scooby? I'd steer clear because it's too normal. Probably easier to drive fast though. Focus? Never driven one but I understand it's gosh darn fast. Just doesnt do it for me though. RX-7, IntegraTR or S2000 next for me.

[schueymcfee]

I asked the dealer about a Focus RS and he was talking a 14 month wait.

He had one locked up in the garage and said I could take a look as long as I didn't touch.

I heard there may be a Real Focus Cosworth coming though with 4 wheel drive and 300bhp.

[ultimapaul]

Have a look at the Accord Type R too! I had one and loved it when in the right mood, yet would bumble along in London traffic all day long. As said, everone needs to drive a Type R at least once in their life, when they get into the 'zone' you just have to smile.

Watch what the tax man does to your so called car allowence. You will get taxed at full rate, maybe even 40% if it takes you over the threashold, so it may not be the tax dodge you think.
Being able to pick a proper car will help compensate(sp?) though.

[rich-uk]

I've test driven the Type-R, absolutly fantastic engine and gearbox, shame about the rest of the car.

It's great fun when you cane it using all the revs, but how often do you get the chance to do that?

Test drove an Elise S2 straight afterwards and decided an Elise with the Type-R engine and gearbox would be the perfect sports car! I've heard it's been done too

There's always an Audi 1.8T quattro or a s/h S3 or maybe an Alfa Romeo. Depends on how much room you need, an Elise? a MINI Cooper S? s/h TT or Boxster.

You could get a nice A4, or if you're a bit nuts, get the new 180bhp Peugeot 206...

Drive them all, as close together as possible, it's the only way to choose!

[Farmer]

bennno said: seat leon cupra R at 15,995 less a discount is better than scooby if you need rear doors.
------------------------------------------------
Er .....Most Scoobs have rear doors!
plus with all due respect would wipe the floor with a Leon great car though it is,
---------------------------------------------------
OR new Mazda RX8 is a bargain at £19,995 !!
------------------------------------------------
Very much agree here though , should be a cracker