Which car for other half up to £3k

[thrashermax]

Right, need to replace VW Bora for mt wife. We need:-

Petrol
We have 2 kids, so good size back seat
Something quicker than 1.6 Bora!
Preferably over 180 BHP
Leather
All for around £3k

I've been thinking of Audi S3, Toyota Celica... any ideas

[TameRacingDriver]

Yes, E36 328i Sport. Perfect for your needs especially in saloon or estate form, although the coupe is by no means unusable either. Fairly fast, comfortable, reasonably good on fuel, ~ 200 bhp, lovely engine noise, smooth, and decent handling for a big car.

[C.A.R.]

Audi S3 will probably be a bit high on insurance/maintenance as well as not being a great example for that kind of money. Why the S3? Not just a 1.8T? Therefore what about a Golf, Skoda Fabia/Octavia or Seat Leon?....

I've owned a Celica 190 for all of 12 weeks, but with our plans for next year including the pitter-patter of tiny feet and a 40 mile commute every day it's already for sale. I don't regret owning it one bit, it's fantastic to drive, economical outisde of 'lift' (Toyota version of VTEC, essentially) and it has more than enough poke for overtaking should you wish to exploit it.

Inside it's spacious, but it's really a 2+2 than a 4-seater. The rear buckets don't really suit anyone over 5'6" as above that your head is in the boot compartment (literally) making long journeys uncomfortable.

However, the rear seat is suitable for child seats (having had two nephews in there at once) and the boot is huge (big enough for a wheelchair and shopping...) although it does lack ISOfix points.

Personally I'm on the lookout for something more economical and it's taken me weeks to decide on a Golf Diesel, which is hardly going to be a touch on the excitement my last car offered! (MK1 MX5)

[JaegerLeCoultre]

a (leggy) Audi A4 1.8T Sport quattro 180 fits that bill however i'd get an E46 330i for the handling.

[nottyash]

thrashermax said:

Right, need to replace VW Bora for mt wife. We need:-

Petrol
We have 2 kids, so good size back seat
Something quicker than 1.6 Bora!
Preferably over 180 BHP
Leather
All for around £3k

I've been thinking of Audi S3, Toyota Celica... any ideas

Celica back seats are not that good, and i take it you meant the 190 T sport version.
Doubt you will se an S3 for 3 grand.
I reckon an Octavia 1.8 VRS will be as good as anything at that price. Remap it and away you go

[djt100]

If she likes the Bora then just get the V5 version
or save £2000 and go for a Seat Toledo V5, essentially the same car with a seat badge on.
( no idea on BHP but can't be far off the 180 mark )

[JaegerLeCoultre]

djt100 said:

If she likes the Bora then just get the V5 version
or save £2000 and go for a Seat Toledo V5, essentially the same car with a seat badge on.
( no idea on BHP but can't be far off the 180 mark )

+1 on the Toledo

V5 is 170 - you can also get the Toledo 1.8 20vT Sport 180bhp! Problem solved!

[VeeDub Geezer]

How do you find the Bora?

Why not swap to the 2.3 20v V5 or 2.8 V6 4Motion model? Should be able to find them in budget?

The 1.8T is also good and would only require a remap to meet your bhp requirement.

Mk1 Leon and mk1 Octavia are also good value for money. Again, the popular 1.8T can be remapped easily.

The Octavia can also be had with a Haldex 4wd system.

[louiebaby]

I'm sure it's not the most inspired choice, but how about:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

???

[KrazyIvan]

How about something a bit left field from all the obvious BMW/Audi/VW stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3460589.htm



As a side note, the back seat space on a Toyota Celica is friggin tiny

Edited by KrazyIvan on Monday 12th December 14:40

[rajkohli81]

'99 C43 AMG
'99 E36 M3 Saloon Coupe or Cab
'00 S4
'04 RX-8
'02 330i
'04 9-3 Aero

only the 330i will offer reasonable MPG in my opinion

[thrashermax]

nottyash said:

Doubt you will se an S3 for 3 grand.
I reckon an Octavia 1.8 VRS will be as good as anything at that price. Remap it and away you go

Seen some S3s around 3.5k, good shout on the Octavia

[thrashermax]

VeeDub Geezer said:

How do you find the Bora?

Why not swap to the 2.3 20v V5 or 2.8 V6 4Motion model? Should be able to find them in budget?

The 1.8T is also good and would only require a remap to meet your bhp requirement.

Mk1 Leon and mk1 Octavia are also good value for money. Again, the popular 1.8T can be remapped easily.

The Octavia can also be had with a Haldex 4wd system.

Thank you for the post, she gets on well with bora except the speed!

Edited by thrashermax on Monday 12th December 15:11

[thrashermax]

louiebaby said:

I'm sure it's not the most inspired choice, but how about:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

???

Thanks, wouldn't have considered that but looks good,especially at that price!

[thrashermax]

KrazyIvan said:

How about something a bit left field from all the obvious BMW/Audi/VW stuff

http://www.pistonheads.com/xsales/3460589.htm



As a side note, the back seat space on a Toyota Celica is friggin tiny

Edited by KrazyIvan on Monday 12th December 14:40

Accord, nice car but too big, need Golf sized car.

[thrashermax]

C.A.R. said:

Audi S3 will probably be a bit high on insurance/maintenance as well as not being a great example for that kind of money. Why the S3? Not just a 1.8T? Therefore what about a Golf, Skoda Fabia/Octavia or Seat Leon?....

I've owned a Celica 190 for all of 12 weeks, but with our plans for next year including the pitter-patter of tiny feet and a 40 mile commute every day it's already for sale. I don't regret owning it one bit, it's fantastic to drive, economical outisde of 'lift' (Toyota version of VTEC, essentially) and it has more than enough poke for overtaking should you wish to exploit it.

Inside it's spacious, but it's really a 2+2 than a 4-seater. The rear buckets don't really suit anyone over 5'6" as above that your head is in the boot compartment (literally) making long journeys uncomfortable.

However, the rear seat is suitable for child seats (having had two nephews in there at once) and the boot is huge (big enough for a wheelchair and shopping...) although it does lack ISOfix points.

Personally I'm on the lookout for something more economical and it's taken me weeks to decide on a Golf Diesel, which is hardly going to be a touch on the excitement my last car offered! (MK1 MX5)

Thank you, informative, she's had the Bora for 5 years now, kids are 6 and 9. She'll probably keep next car for 4-5 years so maybe back seats not ideal as my son keeps growing at an alarming rate!

[V88Dicky]

Again, a bit leftfield, but nevertheless quite a bit of poke for the money, and well built and reliable also;


ps. The pub in the background does top food!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...


Also available in some colours;



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

And another colour ;



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

These seem good value these days.

[C.A.R.]

Corrolla is basically a Celica with a practical bodyshell anyways! Think the Celica sits lower to the ground but mechanically they are identical.

Corrolla = Smart persons' Celica. Only problem being that they are dull as fook! Especially to sit in...

[V88Dicky]

C.A.R. said:

Corrolla is basically a Celica with a practical bodyshell anyways! Think the Celica sits lower to the ground but mechanically they are identical.

Corrolla = Smart persons' Celica. Only problem being that they are dull as fook! Especially to sit in...

You know, you are right. They look very Audi-ish or VAG-ish interior wise;




Still, nothing wrong with their driving dynamics.

[Decky_Q]

To the guy selling his celica 190, why did you not consider the celica 140? not much in performace for normal driving and my 140 is the most frugal car Ive ever owned!

OP what about something very different?
voila-
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...