Opinions please...

[Foxall]

Hi everyone, as you can see by my post count im new here.
I'm just after peoples opinions on a few cars that im stuck between purchasing, hopefully there is some owners / past owners of said cars on here

Im only young(ish), 23, but have already owned a few cars during the last 6 years, perhaps my favourite two are these:



I currently own a 2011 Fiesta Zetec S TDCi after thinking cheap to run motoring was for me, it really isn't!

So, the choices at the minute:

Focus RS MK1
Clio V6 Phase 2
Audi S3 2006/7

I really am struggling to decide, i wish i could have all 3 (and more)
Anyone have any experience with any of the above cars, or any alternatives i may not of thought of?
My budget is around 15k, it has to be used daily but not covering massive miles, and most of all it has to be a bit different.
Im a difficult customer i know, but im sure some of you can help me before my brain explodes
Cheers
Ian.

[Robsti]

Clio V6 job done!

[poing]

Robsti said:

Clio V6 job done!

This all day long out of the 3 you have listed. That's assuming you can live with the lack of rear seats and limited luggage space.

Failing that something like a Honda S2000/BMW Z4M if you can get insurance.

[Toltec]

So your choices are-

Oh wow, a Focus
French but mental
Sorry did I fall asleep?

Mental it is then

[mybrainhurts]

Foxall said:

im sure some of you can help me before my brain explodes

Fear not, I don't intend to combust...

[Robb F]

I'd be more tempted by a MK1 RS tbh

[andye30m3]

I'd go for the v6 clio out of your short list

[winshent]

Does it have to be a hot hatch? Otherwise the obvious question why is an M3 missing from your list?

Focus RS is a great little car, I've been running mine for 4.5 years.. have a read of this thread..

Don't know anything about the Clio V6.. But i'd rather go for a two seater roadster or coupe..

[Eighteeteewhy]

Robb F said:

I'd be more tempted by a MK1 RS tbh

Yep me too, not understanding all this love for the Clio....

[Foxall]

winshent said:

Does it have to be a hot hatch? Otherwise the obvious question why is an M3 missing from your list?

Thanks everyone for your quick replies.
In answer to the above, an M3 was on my list but the insurance is over £1000 more than any of the other 3, and i assumed there would be no way it could be worth that much a year extra?

The RS is around £700, Clio V6 - £1100, Audi S3 - £1000. M3 came out at £2300 for a 05 plate!!
This is probably an awful lot of money for insurance for most on here, i hate being young ha!

[GTASmallville]

or why not a mint 147GTA? They are better than what people think and rather quick oh and they are more powerful than what the 'official' figures say

[Foxall]

GTASmallville said:

or why not a mint 147GTA? They are better than what people think and rather quick oh and they are more powerful than what the 'official' figures say

I love GTA's 147 and 156 variants, oh the noise . I have driven many having worked for Alfa Romeo for 4 years before my current job, and they are good fun.
I just don't think i could own one having seen only the 'bad side' for so long, it scares me haha.
To be fair it was mainly suspension issues, lower arms and ARB but i can't be bothered replacing them all the time, they just seem so weak.

[winshent]

Foxall said:

The RS is around £700, Clio V6 - £1100, Audi S3 - £1000. M3 came out at £2300 for a 05 plate!!
This is probably an awful lot of money for insurance for most on here, i hate being young ha!

If insurance is driving your decision, there are some insurance companies who offer two seater specific policies, that are much cheaper than the norm..

For example, I was quoted £650 (inc 5 track days) for a Z4MR, whereas my Mondeo TDCI is £600..

My RS is £575 with all mods declared..

[Urban Sports]

What about something like a Focus ST or a Civic Type R?

[Foxall]

winshent said:

If insurance is driving your decision, there are some insurance companies who offer two seater specific policies, that are much cheaper than the norm..

For example, I was quoted £650 (inc 5 track days) for a Z4MR, whereas my Mondeo TDCI is £600..

My RS is £575 with all mods declared..

Interesting stuff, i had no idea. I will have a search and see what i can come up with, thanks

[Chas88]

winshent said:

If insurance is driving your decision, there are some insurance companies who offer two seater specific policies, that are much cheaper than the norm..

For example, I was quoted £650 (inc 5 track days) for a Z4MR, whereas my Mondeo TDCI is £600..

My RS is £575 with all mods declared..

I'm 23 and drive a TVR Chimaera with business use included and my insurance is under £1000.

[Foxall]

Urban Sports said:

What about something like a Focus ST or a Civic Type R?

You say this in jest im sure, but i have seriously considered another Type R but with a supercharger
As for an ST, it was fun but not again

[Urban Sports]

winshent said:

If insurance is driving your decision, there are some insurance companies who offer two seater specific policies, that are much cheaper than the norm..

For example, I was quoted £650 (inc 5 track days) for a Z4MR, whereas my Mondeo TDCI is £600..

My RS is £575 with all mods declared..

Who are these companies you speak of?

[winshent]

Urban Sports said:

Who are these companies you speak of?

Both Henderson Taylor and Competition Car Insurance gave very competitive quotes on the Z4M i nearly bought..

[Ian974]

CCI gave me decent quotes too
I'd be considering the likes of an s2000 or an s2 elise with that budget probably (or indeed an M car if you can find decent insurance prices), but of the cars on the list, it'd be the clio v6