Best B road blaster for less than 3k

[CHIEF]

Ok thinking out loud here, after a great if somewhat slow and wallowy blast on some Sussex roads at weekend I've come to the conclusion I need radical rethink as to what I want out of a car seeing as my mileage has come down and I'm questioning if I need a diesel barge.

So I'm asking can the PH massive find me a B road blaster that would put the 'Fun Factor' back into these great roads?

Ok I've compiled a list of what it needs and I'm sat here does a car exist?

Fast ish I.e sub 20 seconds to 100

Good grip, composure and handling.

Not too thirsty

Sears 4 (ok 2 and a baby)

Torquey and punchy out of bends.

I've compiled a list and there are a few that fit the list apart from maybe the last item as they all tend to be rev happy hot hatches.

Here is what I've come up with:

Pug 306 GTi 6 Great car but getting a bit dog eared now

Focus ST170 Handles superb but maybe a bit rev happy and not as quick as similar hot hatches.

Clio 172 Again a great blaster but maybe a bit lacking in low down urge.

Ibiza 1.8 Turbo FR will provide the oommph but not sure handling wise these are up to the job. Maybe out of my budget.

Leon Cupra - As above but more so as to cost.

Impreza. Ticks all the boxes but after owning one of these would financially cripple me (again)

Skoda Fabia VRS great punchy engine but not sure about doing diesel power plus initial
Purchase cost.

Ok peeps I'm at a loss.

Over to you.

Cheers.

[zb]

I can help you out, the Mk1 Fabia vRS is a lot of things, a B road blaster it isn't (certainly not without a lot of work).

Edited by zb on Sunday 8th January 20:19

[Luke167]

You'll get a very good 306 Rallye for that money, close thread!

[wackojacko]

RS Clio 172 you won't beat for the money in terms of B road blasting.....

St170 I found has very lazy throttle response when heel n toeing, gearbox takes some getting used to.

306 rallye's to me just look ever so dated now.

[SystemParanoia]

MGZS 180 ?

[Codswallop]

If you can find a good one, a Honda Accord Type R would be a great handling option.

306 still looks great aswel imo. Good shout with the MG ZS too

[Dave Hedgehog]

S3?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3531959.htm

[mgmrw]

A well looked after 3door MG ZR 160 trophy in 3door.


Best handling car I've had the pleasure of abusing and cheap to maintain!


But I may be biased

[mattiselvis]

Another vote for the 306. The most exploitable car I've ever driven.

[cat220]

If you can find a decent one then get a DC2!

[rufusgti]

The 172 has loads of low down grunt for a 2.0 16v. I was suprised.
Has to be the best B-road blaster for under 3k.

[Tonberry]

E36 328 Sport

[FRA53R]

The 172 has a surprising amount of low down urge but it's nothing compared to a turbo motor. Don't do for a mk1 fabia, yes they're quite quick but diesel on a back road just doesn't work. I'd imagine that since you have a young child that safety is of paramount and whilst your looking for space your also looking for fun. How about a megane 225 you'll get plenty of fun and the space and security for your family:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3491279.htm

or if you're going leftfield how about one of these:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3332046.htm

I had a mate with one and he swore by it amazingly nimble for it's size and very quick aparently.

[CHIEF]

Hmmm a Honda would be gpod but surely a 3k DC2 is really at the bottom end of the budget plus not sure if it would have the punch out if corners that Id love.

[CHIEF]

Hmmm a Honda would be good but surely a 3k DC2 is really at the bottom end of the budget plus not sure if it would have the punch out if corners that Id love.

[slipstream 1985]

rufusgti said:

The 172 has loads of low down grunt for a 2.0 16v. I was suprised.
Has to be the best B-road blaster for under 3k.

agreed, a while ago i tested back to back a ctr (breadvan shape) and a clio 172. the 172 pulled far better from mid range

[Cookievts]

I know they doesn't appeal to the red bull drinking, well built company directors within the pistonheads ranks but for 3k you could pick up a mint 106 GTI or Citroen Saxo VTS (flame suit on) and have alot of change left over for mods, both corner well and with uprated suspension, brakes and basic breathing mods they are proper little flyers and trackable if thats your thing!

[diddly69]

CHIEF said:

Hmmm a Honda would be good but surely a 3k DC2 is really at the bottom end of the budget plus not sure if it would have the punch out if corners that Id love.

It would have the 'punch' if you kept it revving like a mentalist, the way it should be

[Hoygo]

Definitely go and test drive a 172 if you haven't,possibly a cup.

A great B-road blaster ,you can't beat a good one for the money.

[Baryonyx]

diddly69 said:

CHIEF said:

Hmmm a Honda would be good but surely a 3k DC2 is really at the bottom end of the budget plus not sure if it would have the punch out if corners that Id love.

It would have the 'punch' if you kept it revving like a mentalist, the way it should be

Indeed, where I've heard of people complaining about a lack of torque in Type R's, or someone complaining that they lack punch out of corners, it seems that they often corner all wrong. In the wrong gear, with the wrong position, entering too fast and having to brake mid corner...driving it like that will not display the Type R's talents. Get your lead into the corner right, slow in and select the right gear and the punch coming out of the bend is brilliant.

The DC2 and EP3 particularly so, the EP3 strikes me as being very composed in the corners. As mentioned though, £3000 will definitely be looking at the tattiest of tatty Integras.