New to PH - Some advice?

[BenEaton91]

Hi guys,

I currently have an MG ZR 160.

I am 22 and have had 5 cars (I think?) 1.2 Fiesta Zetec, 1.2 Clio Extreme (Extremely slow), 1.4 Saxo Furio, 1.8 MG ZR 120, and now 1.8 MG ZR 160

I also have a 1.1 Saxo Desire which is for my girlfriend (first car)

I want a new car, I want something nice looking and pretty quick

I have looked at Astra VXR, Focus ST-3, Golf R32..

VXR could be more of a head turner in my area (be it a good or a bad thing) due to only seeing 1 in my town, once.
Focus ST benefits from more space in the back, and/or 5 door option for more passenger space (prefer no rear passengers but y'know)
Golf R32, looks and sounds so sexy! Apart from the twins at the back, less noticeably a 'sports' car (again, be it a good or a bad thing)

Any recommendations on these cars? Or also any other cars that I haven't thought of?

I am hoping to test drive VXR this weekend, and hopefully an ST if there's one local

Cheers guys
Ben

[ging84]

MX5

[David87]

Mégane R26.

[BenEaton91]

MX5 - I've been told they are the 'best' in their class, and fun to drive. But, lacking power. Unless I was to find (or fund) a turbo MX-5?

Megane R26 - Good shout, although I do want something the missus likes, and she doesn't like the rear end of them

[Gdgd]

Just my 2p...

VXR - looks sounds and goes (in a straight line) great but a soft car, always something wrong.
ST - Would be my choice over the VX and can be brought to life with a remap.
R32 - Just too dull looking for me (each to their own)
Type R - My choice of the bunch (thus why I own one) - Great machines if you're rev happy.

[LukeR94]

Gdgd said:

Just my 2p...

VXR - looks sounds and goes (in a straight line) great but a soft car, always something wrong.
ST - Would be my choice over the VX and can be brought to life with a remap.
R32 - Just too dull looking for me (each to their own)
Type R - My choice of the bunch (thus why I own one) - Great machines if you're rev happy.

To add to this chaps post, If you want to cure the softness of the VXR you can get DAPS springs and a stiffer rear anti roll bar for no more that £400. They transform the car. and the engine is very reliable if maintained properly.

I own a Astra VXR so I am a little biased.

[TheDoggingFather]

What about a straight Golf GTi? Maybe an Edition 30? A small amount of tuning and it would be right up there.

[New POD]

Honda Accord 2.4 Estate. Bit left field, but people will think you've grown up.

156 2.4 20V diesel chipped ?

[Matt UK]

Not sure of your budget, but an early e46 M3 could be a nice motor for a bargain price.

I reckon that straight six will go down in history as a landmark engine for the common man.

[Motorrad]

BenEaton91 said:

Hi guys,

I currently have an MG ZR 160.

I am 22 and have had 5 cars (I think?) 1.2 Fiesta Zetec, 1.2 Clio Extreme (Extremely slow), 1.4 Saxo Furio, 1.8 MG ZR 120, and now 1.8 MG ZR 160

I also have a 1.1 Saxo Desire which is for my girlfriend (first car)

I want a new car, I want something nice looking and pretty quick

I have looked at Astra VXR, Focus ST-3, Golf R32..

VXR could be more of a head turner in my area (be it a good or a bad thing) due to only seeing 1 in my town, once.
Focus ST benefits from more space in the back, and/or 5 door option for more passenger space (prefer no rear passengers but y'know)
Golf R32, looks and sounds so sexy! Apart from the twins at the back, less noticeably a 'sports' car (again, be it a good or a bad thing)

Any recommendations on these cars? Or also any other cars that I haven't thought of?

I am hoping to test drive VXR this weekend, and hopefully an ST if there's one local

Cheers guys
Ben

New to PH? Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Default answer to your question is you're looking 'wrong wheel drive'.

Of your choices I'd buy the Ford but then again I'm biased- negatives on the Vauxhall being that it isn't a Monaro and the R32 that a remapped 2.0T is as quick if not faster, lighter and more fun.

[BenEaton91]

Cheers for all the replies

I haven't made any more progress towards a new car yet unfortunately..

I think a test drive of the Focus ST and Astra VXR should give me a better idea of what I'm looking for

In the meantime,

I maybe getting my hands on a 1994 e36 320i Coupe.. for £100

It has no MOT and is SORN, as it has been sat on the drive for a while

£100 - But it's a fixeruper!

Hopefully getting it from a friend at work, who has 8 cars on his property and just wants some moved due to space

I know it will need new brakes/pad on all 4 corners, I'll drain the oil and replace (engine and gearbox)

Is there anything to advise to look out for when restoring a car from a stationary driveway life?

This is not intended to be MY car, I am hoping to restore it to MOT standard (or better) and selling on. It has done around 100,000 miles apparently, but for a BMW that's not the end, nor with it being a V6

Cheers again

[deltashad]

As hs been said already.
MX5
Octavia/fabia vrs
M135i
TVR
335d

My bet would be the M135i right now. Then rent it to PH at a discount from whoever is responsible for the procurement dept of PH. and live happily ever after

[SMcP114]

Having owned everything on your list apart from the Golf, I'd suggest you add an EP3 Civic Type R onto the list. I personally rate them higher than anything else mentioned.

I've had 4 VXR's, and two ST's including one at 370bhp. I'd take a Civic with the most basic mods over them all.

[BenEaton91]

Yeah, a colleague of mine has one.. The direct throttle is awesome.
He said about having to learn to drive a bit differently, cos as soon as you're foots moving down, it's accelerating hard!

Will have a look at them too

[Frenchie87]

If your slighty mad, you can add an Alfa 147 GTA to the list.

[Urban Sports]

BenEaton91 said:

I maybe getting my hands on a 1994 e36 320i Coupe.. for £100

It has no MOT and is SORN, as it has been sat on the drive for a while

£100 - But it's a fixeruper!

Hopefully getting it from a friend at work, who has 8 cars on his property and just wants some moved due to space

I know it will need new brakes/pad on all 4 corners, I'll drain the oil and replace (engine and gearbox)

Is there anything to advise to look out for when restoring a car from a stationary driveway life?

This is not intended to be MY car, I am hoping to restore it to MOT standard (or better) and selling on. It has done around 100,000 miles apparently, but for a BMW that's not the end, nor with it being a V6

Cheers again

That's an extremely rare car with that engine it should make a fortune.

[sjohnstone39]

Urban Sports said:

That's an extremely rare car with that engine it should make a fortune.

Great contribution

[Urban Sports]

Cheers.

[jamieduff1981]

Does the next car need to be a hatchback?

[Superhoop]

Mazda3 MPS is worth a look - I've had a couple, and they're definitely good fun!!