So many options, so little knowledge...
Discussion
Hey all. I hope this is in the appropriate forum. 
I've been driving a 02 Fiesta 1.2 for a couple of years and it's getting boring.
I'm looking to upgrade and get a bigger car. I ride a bike on track and I hate having no power on the road. My budget is £3-4k and I live in London. Insurance isn't too much of an issue.
I'm not a crazy driver, I've no points on my license but I do want something with some grunt that looks cool and doesn't struggle to get up hills. I also want to start some track days next spring so I want something with some power.
The cars I'm looking at are these:
04-06 Civic Type R
05 Astra 2.0 Convertible Turbo
03 - 05 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8T
I was looking at the Focus ST but the older ones don't look that nice to me and I can't afford the newer ones. The Golf's are expensive and have a lot of mileage, the older ones also seem to have slightly lower power than I'd like.
Can anyone give me any more suggestions and any information on the cars I listed?
Many thanks, Phil.
I've been driving a 02 Fiesta 1.2 for a couple of years and it's getting boring.
I'm looking to upgrade and get a bigger car. I ride a bike on track and I hate having no power on the road. My budget is £3-4k and I live in London. Insurance isn't too much of an issue.
I'm not a crazy driver, I've no points on my license but I do want something with some grunt that looks cool and doesn't struggle to get up hills. I also want to start some track days next spring so I want something with some power.
The cars I'm looking at are these:
04-06 Civic Type R
05 Astra 2.0 Convertible Turbo
03 - 05 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8T
I was looking at the Focus ST but the older ones don't look that nice to me and I can't afford the newer ones. The Golf's are expensive and have a lot of mileage, the older ones also seem to have slightly lower power than I'd like.
Can anyone give me any more suggestions and any information on the cars I listed?
Many thanks, Phil.
Edited by PhilUK on Friday 27th September 19:37
I'd avoid the Astra like the plague. Ibiza is smaller than your Fiesta, so that leaves the Civic, which would be my pick anyway.
Difficult price bracket to buy in IMO. Also consider a Clio 172/182, or 306 GTI-6. Easily get into a nice example of all 3 for half your budget, leaving lots for suspension upgrades, tyres, and petrol!
Difficult price bracket to buy in IMO. Also consider a Clio 172/182, or 306 GTI-6. Easily get into a nice example of all 3 for half your budget, leaving lots for suspension upgrades, tyres, and petrol!
Of your 3 choices, I would think that the Civic Type R would be the most fun to drive (on road and track). The two turbo cars might well feel faster due to turbo style power delivery.
Can you give any more specific criteria? Like your intended use? 2 seaters okay?
Given that you race motorbikes, most cars will feel flat and not that fast unless you spend more, or are willing to forgo an element of reliability. As such, a car with excellent handling might be a better bet than going for performance in the long term.
Something like an MR2 mk3 would be fun to drive and more of a challenge on track than a fwd shopping trolley. Light weight too, so cheaper on the consumables.
Can you give any more specific criteria? Like your intended use? 2 seaters okay?
Given that you race motorbikes, most cars will feel flat and not that fast unless you spend more, or are willing to forgo an element of reliability. As such, a car with excellent handling might be a better bet than going for performance in the long term.
Something like an MR2 mk3 would be fun to drive and more of a challenge on track than a fwd shopping trolley. Light weight too, so cheaper on the consumables.
Race isn't the right word lol. I do track days and sometimes hit the lanes, but after a nasty accident I tend not to go out on the road at the moment.
I also find that I'm not holding onto the speed of the bike when I get in a car, when I get in my mates Focus ST I'm like fuuuck when he drops a gear and guns it.
So I'm sure that the increase will be a noticed.
I'd like a decent sized boot or something where I can do the back panel down as I do play in bands and need to transport amps around, but my fiesta handled it fine, I'm using it for work and stuff.
I guess 4 seats. Nothing over 2L I should add.
I also find that I'm not holding onto the speed of the bike when I get in a car, when I get in my mates Focus ST I'm like fuuuck when he drops a gear and guns it.
So I'm sure that the increase will be a noticed.
I'd like a decent sized boot or something where I can do the back panel down as I do play in bands and need to transport amps around, but my fiesta handled it fine, I'm using it for work and stuff.
I guess 4 seats. Nothing over 2L I should add.
magooagain said:
Fiat coupe 20vt. 220 hp standard spec. Search for a good one on fccuk.org They get under your skin,many bikers own them also.
I've loved those cars since GT2! Good shout! I'm leaning towards the Civic, but they are expensive. The Ibiza is easily modded to 220ish HP though, and it's cheaper.
CTR for me but if you like the Fiesta, don't get bogged down in power issues, just pick up a Fiesta ST. I did. Great to punt through the lanes, small, compact, easy to see out of and park, what's not to like. Add to which it will still do 32mpg, is cheap to run and insure and still looks good.
Fiesta ST prices are very negotiable as most people, like you, are clamouring to buy 200hp cars, leaving the Fiestas harder to sell. Soon people will catch on.
Failing that, look at Mini Cooper maybe.
Fiesta ST prices are very negotiable as most people, like you, are clamouring to buy 200hp cars, leaving the Fiestas harder to sell. Soon people will catch on.
Failing that, look at Mini Cooper maybe.
Yea the Fiesta ST is a good option, plus I'm sure there's a world of upgrades to add to it.
In regards to the Civic, do the Type R's only come in the 2.0 engine size?
Something like this? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Thanks again.
In regards to the Civic, do the Type R's only come in the 2.0 engine size?
Something like this? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Thanks again.
Edited by PhilUK on Friday 27th September 22:33
Yes, the Type R is a 200hp 2.0.
Had one new in 2004 and it really is a cracking driver's tool with a truly amazingly fast and slick gearbox you will want to use. Look for one with air con. They are a little basic inside and the seats, when tipped, hit the roof and you have to put it all back in position manually IIRC.
They do a lesser-powered 2.0 Type S with 4 doors but it's no Type R.
As for the one highlighted, worth checking how long the clutches last because a new one at 67k could suggest some abuse but then I don't know how long they actually last.
Had one new in 2004 and it really is a cracking driver's tool with a truly amazingly fast and slick gearbox you will want to use. Look for one with air con. They are a little basic inside and the seats, when tipped, hit the roof and you have to put it all back in position manually IIRC.
They do a lesser-powered 2.0 Type S with 4 doors but it's no Type R.
As for the one highlighted, worth checking how long the clutches last because a new one at 67k could suggest some abuse but then I don't know how long they actually last.
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 27th September 22:51
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