£4k-Clio 182, TT 225, E46 330ci,EP3 CTR, Cooper S, Fiesta ST
Discussion
Have got my next car choice down to those in the title, all with positives and negatives no doubt. It will be a daily driver and the plan is to keep it for a couple of years. I also have an MX5 as the weekend toy.
From the list in the title, with £4k to spend (on the car alone), which would you have and why?
From the list in the title, with £4k to spend (on the car alone), which would you have and why?
Lefty said:
Have a read of this months evo - they have a £4k buying guide!
Personally, I'd buy a classic Impreza or Celica GT4 over any of those.
Will pop to newsagents in a mo, thanks. Would rather something more modern and more economical, have spent ages deciding and think the above is the final shortlist. I currently drive an Impreza.Personally, I'd buy a classic Impreza or Celica GT4 over any of those.
£4k buys a lot of 330ci these days, should manage to get a facelift with a bit of searching around. Won't be far off the TT/ep3 economy wise either. It has the best engine/noise, is rwd and pretty straightforward to fix. Its just a damn good car. The others have highlights but are compromised one way or the other.
For a car to keep hold of I'd consider an e36 m3 too.
For a car to keep hold of I'd consider an e36 m3 too.
I have had a, 330ci, TT 225 & a 182
182 - Very fast, odd driving position, not a great image and a bit cheap inside, though doesn`t have good levels of spec, try to find one with the cup packs. Decent mpg for speed too.
TT 225 - Probably the quickest out the bunch. It feels more "special" than the others. As for image forget what people say it`s a good car IMO and a nice place to sit.
330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
182 - Very fast, odd driving position, not a great image and a bit cheap inside, though doesn`t have good levels of spec, try to find one with the cup packs. Decent mpg for speed too.
TT 225 - Probably the quickest out the bunch. It feels more "special" than the others. As for image forget what people say it`s a good car IMO and a nice place to sit.
330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
Edited by T16OLE on Saturday 17th August 14:03
T16OLE said:
I have had a, 330ci, TT 225 & a 182
330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
My e36 (manual) 328 averages around a real 27-28mpg, and i do a LOT of stop start, through town driving. on a run it will get 36mpg pretty easily, im sure a 330 would be capable of higher mpg returns due to newer technologies and double vanos ect.330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
Edited by T16OLE on Saturday 17th August 14:03
T16OLE said:
I have had a, 330ci, TT 225 & a 182
182 - Very fast, odd driving position, not a great image and a bit cheap inside, though doesn`t have good levels of spec, try to find one with the cup packs. Decent mpg for speed too.
TT 225 - Probably the quickest out the bunch. It feels more "special" than the others. As for image forget what people say it`s a good car IMO and a nice place to sit.
330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
Excellent response and you have probably owned my top 3 (may have to send a pm your way at some point). The TT cabin does look a nice place to be and I must say I miss the feel of a nice coupe. What average mpg did you see out of the TT?182 - Very fast, odd driving position, not a great image and a bit cheap inside, though doesn`t have good levels of spec, try to find one with the cup packs. Decent mpg for speed too.
TT 225 - Probably the quickest out the bunch. It feels more "special" than the others. As for image forget what people say it`s a good car IMO and a nice place to sit.
330ci - Make the nicest noise, looks the most sophisticated and grown up, possibly the most reliable, its more of a cruiser IMO, buy a decent one though there are plenty of pigs around. I had an auto which suits the engine nicely, but likes a drink 25mpg will be normal with low 30`s on the motorway that`s a 350 mile range.
I`d suggest the 330ci, followed by a TT with the 182 last. I sold the 182 about 6 months as it became a bit tiresome. That said the 182 in without doubt the most fun, the handling is in another world and would embarrass some expensive metal in the twisties.
see my car history from a couple of years ago for a more indepth "review" and of couse photos
Edited by T16OLE on Saturday 17th August 14:03
orangesrule said:
My e36 (manual) 328 averages around a real 27-28mpg, and i do a LOT of stop start, through town driving. on a run it will get 36mpg pretty easily, im sure a 330 would be capable of higher mpg returns due to newer technologies and double vanos ect.
The difference comes down to manual and auto. The E46, 320i, 325i & 330i have as near as makes no difference the same fuel economy. My old 325i (manual) would do similar mpg as yours, even touch 40mpg on a run. But the auto sucks the life out of the mpg. I ran it for 2 years over 20k, it will not do more than 34/35mpg and thats going 60mph. My 330d manual on the other had is averaging 47mpg and can push near 60mpg at 60mph.wilbo83 said:
Excellent response and you have probably owned my top 3 (may have to send a pm your way at some point). The TT cabin does look a nice place to be and I must say I miss the feel of a nice coupe. What average mpg did you see out of the TT?
Thanks, honestly I cannot remember what it would average (it was about 5 years ago 
) but it would do late 38mpg (ish) on the motorway, no cruise on the one I had which didnt help the mpg
If you buy a clio your steering wheel will inevitably be shredding its skin, I had mine re-trimmed.
Edited by T16OLE on Saturday 17th August 14:30
I've been in your position a few times in recent years & the ST, Cooper S & Type-R don't even get a look in compared to the other 3.
I enjoyed 330ci ownership, mine was an auto and as a previous poster said it does suit the engine really well. Reasonable economy given the performance on offer, nice straight 6 noise when extended.
Well screwed together but to my eyes now looking a little dated inside.
Running cost wise in the time I had it - service, rear tyres & a water pump, oh and a new key!
Clio 182, well really not my thing in many respects. Yes the handling was good if you were driving in a spirited fashion- crashy at all other times. Woeful driving position, really drab interior - poor quality & poor ergonomics. Even the engine was a bit 'meh' a bit lacking in day2day performance, similar to a Type-R in that you have to thrash it everywhere which for me became tiresome quickly! Along with the wrong image(for me)you won't be surprised to hear it was sold after 3months!
TT 225, still looks good today to my eyes, decent performance but with no soundtrack to speak of. Surprisingly practical/useful space with the rear seats folded. Small side windows meant some passengers found it claustrophobic. Decent quality interior.
VAG perceived reliability not quite accurate, lots of annoying faults/niggles during 12months of ownership - all of the parts were available from motor factors, much cheaper than the main dealers but I didn't like compiling a stack of parts invoices!
Enjoy the search & you may/may not relate to any of the above when you drive some!
Good luck!
I enjoyed 330ci ownership, mine was an auto and as a previous poster said it does suit the engine really well. Reasonable economy given the performance on offer, nice straight 6 noise when extended.
Well screwed together but to my eyes now looking a little dated inside.
Running cost wise in the time I had it - service, rear tyres & a water pump, oh and a new key!
Clio 182, well really not my thing in many respects. Yes the handling was good if you were driving in a spirited fashion- crashy at all other times. Woeful driving position, really drab interior - poor quality & poor ergonomics. Even the engine was a bit 'meh' a bit lacking in day2day performance, similar to a Type-R in that you have to thrash it everywhere which for me became tiresome quickly! Along with the wrong image(for me)you won't be surprised to hear it was sold after 3months!
TT 225, still looks good today to my eyes, decent performance but with no soundtrack to speak of. Surprisingly practical/useful space with the rear seats folded. Small side windows meant some passengers found it claustrophobic. Decent quality interior.
VAG perceived reliability not quite accurate, lots of annoying faults/niggles during 12months of ownership - all of the parts were available from motor factors, much cheaper than the main dealers but I didn't like compiling a stack of parts invoices!
Enjoy the search & you may/may not relate to any of the above when you drive some!
Good luck!
Cooper S for me. The noise from the supercharger is addictive and they're brilliant fun to drive, and with the low down torque the performance is far more accessible than most N/A hatches. A lot of people knock them because of the image, but if that doesn't bother you then go for it.
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