civic type r / r26 megane / rs200 clio or something else?
Discussion
As the title really, I need a car at a maximum of £8k, must be newer and more comfortable than my 2003 mgzr, be drivable across the mountain commute in the winter and 30mpg ...ish not to bankrupt me at the pumps.
The three in the title are what i'm thinking but I am open to suggestions.
The three in the title are what i'm thinking but I am open to suggestions.
I used to have an EP3 Type R. Without a doubt the best car i've ever owned. In the 6 years I had it, all it needed was tyres and wiper blades.....literally nothing went wrong with it.
If you can find an unmolested, well looked after low-mileage one then i'd go down that route.
Not had a Renault before so can't comment.
If you can find an unmolested, well looked after low-mileage one then i'd go down that route.
Not had a Renault before so can't comment.
Feirny said:
You will struggle to get 30mpg out of an R26, unless you sit at 60 on a motorway.
Mine averages at 27 currently.
It does have more than 4 gears you know.Mine averages at 27 currently.
Mine (05 cup) is extensively modified and averages 30 with a commute that includes crossing central Cambridge. Motorways at 70 will see 40.
Seriously - get yours looked at if thats all you're seeing
Poopipe said:
It does have more than 4 gears you know.
Mine (05 cup) is extensively modified and averages 30 with a commute that includes crossing central Cambridge. Motorways at 70 will see 40.
Seriously - get yours looked at if thats all you're seeing
I do realise this, as I look after 7 or 8 of them. None of them get more than 35, so maybe yours is just a freak.Mine (05 cup) is extensively modified and averages 30 with a commute that includes crossing central Cambridge. Motorways at 70 will see 40.
Seriously - get yours looked at if thats all you're seeing
They range from standard (mine) to 320bhp ones.
Poopipe said:
It does have more than 4 gears you know.
Mine (05 cup) is extensively modified and averages 30 with a commute that includes crossing central Cambridge. Motorways at 70 will see 40.
Seriously - get yours looked at if thats all you're seeing
Same experience with mine as well.Mine (05 cup) is extensively modified and averages 30 with a commute that includes crossing central Cambridge. Motorways at 70 will see 40.
Seriously - get yours looked at if thats all you're seeing
FN2 is a good shout but the back isn't particularly accessible if you care about that kind of thing. Lovely to drive if a little stiff. Much prefer the driving experience to the EP3 which I never really got on with.
Mk5 Golf GTI? You'll get the pick of the better ones with £8k, they're great fun, decent inside, fairly reliable and will do about 35 on a run, and 30 combined if you don't drive like you're on fire.
Or similarly, Skoda Octavia vRS which is the same but with a bigger boot and much cheaper.
BMW 130i? You might struggle with 30mpg but they're fantastic little cars.
Mk5 Golf GTI? You'll get the pick of the better ones with £8k, they're great fun, decent inside, fairly reliable and will do about 35 on a run, and 30 combined if you don't drive like you're on fire.
Or similarly, Skoda Octavia vRS which is the same but with a bigger boot and much cheaper.
BMW 130i? You might struggle with 30mpg but they're fantastic little cars.
I've had a the Type-R EP3 and the R26 (hence the user name).
The R26 is a capable car and it will touch 40mpg on the motorway if driven sedately. Although it was faster and much better equipped than the EP3, I never really enjoyed the driving experience, I`m not a fan of turbo power delivery, the engine note was dull, it rattled like crazy and the seating and gear stick position just made it feel too ordinary.
The EP3 was more of an experience, better sounding IMO and better driving position. I never managed 30mpg in it and on a long run down south my mates MKV Golf GTi would typically need one less tank of fuel than mine. You will also not get things like keyless entry, xenon headlights etc and some don't even come with air-con. Mine was the anniversary edition that towards the end of the production run in 2005 and came with some nice extras like the Recaro seats.
The R26 is a capable car and it will touch 40mpg on the motorway if driven sedately. Although it was faster and much better equipped than the EP3, I never really enjoyed the driving experience, I`m not a fan of turbo power delivery, the engine note was dull, it rattled like crazy and the seating and gear stick position just made it feel too ordinary.
The EP3 was more of an experience, better sounding IMO and better driving position. I never managed 30mpg in it and on a long run down south my mates MKV Golf GTi would typically need one less tank of fuel than mine. You will also not get things like keyless entry, xenon headlights etc and some don't even come with air-con. Mine was the anniversary edition that towards the end of the production run in 2005 and came with some nice extras like the Recaro seats.
thanks for the replies so far.
My commute is 22mile over a mountain road. When it's quiet it is nice to have something fun. When its got some traffic on it overtakes have to be made reasonably quickly as straights are short. The git is the days where there are so many caravans,tankers,oldpeople,buses,cyclists any overtakes are a waste of time and your sat at 40-50mph for the duration, its on those occasions I would ideally be returning decent MPG. Dont mind using the fuel when I am getting the enjoyment.
My zr is 160ish bhp and good fun but after nearly three years of daily use something a little more plush inside the cabin appeals. Im probably getting 36mpg on my commute which is mainly at a steady 60.
I hadnt looked at golfs which is strange as they are surely the first word in hot hatches. I find them nice looking if not a touch unexciting. Something about the civic just makes me grin when I look at it although I dont think they are quite as good value as they are a bit steeper purchase price wise.
My commute is 22mile over a mountain road. When it's quiet it is nice to have something fun. When its got some traffic on it overtakes have to be made reasonably quickly as straights are short. The git is the days where there are so many caravans,tankers,oldpeople,buses,cyclists any overtakes are a waste of time and your sat at 40-50mph for the duration, its on those occasions I would ideally be returning decent MPG. Dont mind using the fuel when I am getting the enjoyment.
My zr is 160ish bhp and good fun but after nearly three years of daily use something a little more plush inside the cabin appeals. Im probably getting 36mpg on my commute which is mainly at a steady 60.
I hadnt looked at golfs which is strange as they are surely the first word in hot hatches. I find them nice looking if not a touch unexciting. Something about the civic just makes me grin when I look at it although I dont think they are quite as good value as they are a bit steeper purchase price wise.
Sorry missed your comment about your FN2 preference.
An alternative? From my experience, a UK DC2 Integra-R in standard from was a good daily and inexpensive to run. And quite a lot of fun to drive!
Again, with that budget you can aim for the very best examples in the market with change left over.
An alternative? From my experience, a UK DC2 Integra-R in standard from was a good daily and inexpensive to run. And quite a lot of fun to drive!
Again, with that budget you can aim for the very best examples in the market with change left over.
R26Andy said:
The EP3 was more of an experience, better sounding IMO and better driving position. I never managed 30mpg in it and on a long run down south my mates MKV Golf GTi would typically need one less tank of fuel than mine. You will also not get things like keyless entry, xenon headlights etc and some don't even come with air-con. Mine was the anniversary edition that towards the end of the production run in 2005 and came with some nice extras like the Recaro seats.
From the tanks of fuel I've bothered calculating, over 3000 miles I've managed 30-32MPG in my MY04 EP3. VTEC gets used everyday too 
I think the megane would be the quickest of the bunch standard, clio possibly most fun but the civic is better built, roomier and has the best engine IMO. The civic is firmly damped and although the quality of ride isn't as good in the Megane it does feel better setup for UK roads and will over take easier being a turbo. I think the seats in the Civic are better than the Meganes. All three should be similarly equipped in your price range.
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