upto £3000. Decent turn of pace, 4/5 seats, petrol
Discussion
rolo0151 said:
Never got how people rave about mondeo st220 but the x type gets a battering. Not drove either personally but think the 3.0 x types look good on paper.
Owned an ST220 and can honestly say they are fantastic cars for the money. Drove a few X types and they're saggy, baggy and feel cheap. The switchgear and handbrake for example (and surround) on an 05 X type is from the older Mondeos from the 90s. The 3.0 will, naturally have the same go.The 3.0 X Type isnt actually a bad car. It might look a bit dated to some (me included, and I've had two) but it's pretty comfy, doesnt tend to go too wrong, and they seem to keep going. I'm not sure I'd spend £3k on one though, maybe half that for the saloon. The estate, probably worth that budget
The downsides of them - AWD can have a few issues, you'd notice straight away from the noise. There isnt a cheap/free 2WD trick to them (like in a Freelander where you can just take the prop off) it's fairly f
ked if the AWD goes. They're thirsty like you wouldnt believe, and they can be cramped in the rear. I found with mine that if you have passengers in the back, to get them enough leg room I was sacrificing space and comfort up front, having my seat further forward than I'd like, so my shins were on the plastic panel under the steering column.
I found the manual gearbox suited the car better than the auto.
I was outdragged by a 182 Clio though, just. He probably went further up the revs than I did, but the 182 had the legs on me on a d/c roundabout to roundabout drag (I was thinking I'd be clever and I guess he saw me coming)
I dont think a 1x2 is out of the question really, if it fits what you want to do with the car. It wouldnt work for me as a main car (need 4+ doors and some more boot space) but I'd have one for bashing about it and taking to a track day. £3k will get you a reasonable amount of well looked after Clio
The downsides of them - AWD can have a few issues, you'd notice straight away from the noise. There isnt a cheap/free 2WD trick to them (like in a Freelander where you can just take the prop off) it's fairly f
ked if the AWD goes. They're thirsty like you wouldnt believe, and they can be cramped in the rear. I found with mine that if you have passengers in the back, to get them enough leg room I was sacrificing space and comfort up front, having my seat further forward than I'd like, so my shins were on the plastic panel under the steering column.I found the manual gearbox suited the car better than the auto.
I was outdragged by a 182 Clio though, just. He probably went further up the revs than I did, but the 182 had the legs on me on a d/c roundabout to roundabout drag (I was thinking I'd be clever and I guess he saw me coming)
I dont think a 1x2 is out of the question really, if it fits what you want to do with the car. It wouldnt work for me as a main car (need 4+ doors and some more boot space) but I'd have one for bashing about it and taking to a track day. £3k will get you a reasonable amount of well looked after Clio
rolo0151 said:
Never got how people rave about mondeo st220 but the x type gets a battering. Not drove either personally but think the 3.0 x types look good on paper.
I was going to say ST220.I had an X-Type 2.5 manual, which was nice. The 2.5 engine is lovely, the car handles nicely and the AWD system works well. But it felt old-man-ish. It was competent but never really fun.
It's not "a Mondeo in drag", though. I've had a few Mk3 Mondeos and they feel different. The X-Type did get the good handling of a Mondeo, but it doesn't feel like a Ford inside.
I have no doubt the 3.0 engine is nicer than my 2.5 was, but it's auto only, and then what's the point? It would just be a wafty waft-mobile... Meh.
The ST220 combines the nice driveability of a Mondeo with more fun factor and a nicer interior. That would be my choice.
A couple of extras.
The (Mk4) Mondeo 2.5T is probably just about within budget, Auto-trader throws up one at least. The same 5-pot turbo engine in the Focus ST 225 with a less noise and better fuel economy (I think largely due to gearing) and a tiny bit less power. More "sensible" handling than the Focus although still a decent steer.
Quicker than the ST220 with better economy and easily re-mappable to 265hp (or more if you get a new intercooler and the Focus RS clutch). Not *that* quick off the line (although the same as the ST220) but the mid-range/in gear is epic (for what it is). Full 5 seats with a big boot (and bigger still if you get the estate)
Pretty rare though.
Also Mazda 6 MPS, rare but not as rare. Again Auto trader throws one within budget. 2.3T with 260hp, AWD and more fun to drive than the Mondeo. Getting on a bit now as they only made them for 2 years. Full 5 seats, decent boot but the back seat doesn't fold (yes, yes I know you *can* get it to fold but it involves taking the cover off and pissing about and even then you still have the brace in the way).
The (Mk4) Mondeo 2.5T is probably just about within budget, Auto-trader throws up one at least. The same 5-pot turbo engine in the Focus ST 225 with a less noise and better fuel economy (I think largely due to gearing) and a tiny bit less power. More "sensible" handling than the Focus although still a decent steer.
Quicker than the ST220 with better economy and easily re-mappable to 265hp (or more if you get a new intercooler and the Focus RS clutch). Not *that* quick off the line (although the same as the ST220) but the mid-range/in gear is epic (for what it is). Full 5 seats with a big boot (and bigger still if you get the estate)
Pretty rare though.
Also Mazda 6 MPS, rare but not as rare. Again Auto trader throws one within budget. 2.3T with 260hp, AWD and more fun to drive than the Mondeo. Getting on a bit now as they only made them for 2 years. Full 5 seats, decent boot but the back seat doesn't fold (yes, yes I know you *can* get it to fold but it involves taking the cover off and pissing about and even then you still have the brace in the way).
Fastdruid said:
A couple of extras.
The (Mk4) Mondeo 2.5T is probably just about within budget, Auto-trader throws up one at least. The same 5-pot turbo engine in the Focus ST 225 with a less noise and better fuel economy (I think largely due to gearing) and a tiny bit less power. More "sensible" handling than the Focus although still a decent steer.
Quicker than the ST220 with better economy and easily re-mappable to 265hp (or more if you get a new intercooler and the Focus RS clutch). Not *that* quick off the line (although the same as the ST220) but the mid-range/in gear is epic (for what it is). Full 5 seats with a big boot (and bigger still if you get the estate)
Pretty rare though.
Also Mazda 6 MPS, rare but not as rare. Again Auto trader throws one within budget. 2.3T with 260hp, AWD and more fun to drive than the Mondeo. Getting on a bit now as they only made them for 2 years. Full 5 seats, decent boot but the back seat doesn't fold (yes, yes I know you *can* get it to fold but it involves taking the cover off and pissing about and even then you still have the brace in the way).
I don't think you can get a 6 MPS in a £3k budget...I looked before lol. I am 37 and have a Mini S as a daily, great car. Had a 2x182's before that and also a Civic Type R. My pick out of the bunch would honestly be a unmodded, low mileage CTR, the build quality is top notch, super reliable and the largest boot of the 3. The mini S is the most fun in the corners and the supercharger whine is addicting, and the 182's sound amazing and are the quickest of the lot (especially with a tune, intake and exhaust).The (Mk4) Mondeo 2.5T is probably just about within budget, Auto-trader throws up one at least. The same 5-pot turbo engine in the Focus ST 225 with a less noise and better fuel economy (I think largely due to gearing) and a tiny bit less power. More "sensible" handling than the Focus although still a decent steer.
Quicker than the ST220 with better economy and easily re-mappable to 265hp (or more if you get a new intercooler and the Focus RS clutch). Not *that* quick off the line (although the same as the ST220) but the mid-range/in gear is epic (for what it is). Full 5 seats with a big boot (and bigger still if you get the estate)
Pretty rare though.
Also Mazda 6 MPS, rare but not as rare. Again Auto trader throws one within budget. 2.3T with 260hp, AWD and more fun to drive than the Mondeo. Getting on a bit now as they only made them for 2 years. Full 5 seats, decent boot but the back seat doesn't fold (yes, yes I know you *can* get it to fold but it involves taking the cover off and pissing about and even then you still have the brace in the way).
fivepointnine said:
I don't think you can get a 6 MPS in a £3k budget...I looked before lol.
Tricky with the limited numbers, only 3 on Autotrader, one at ~4.5k, one at ~4k but there is one at ~3k.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Seeing as we paid 5.2k for one 4.5 years ago though that is a pretty awesome lack of significant depreciation!
Civic type r & possibly a cooper s interest me. Not keen on the Clio though.
Drove a type r for a couple of weeks many years ago then went into a Leon cupra (not a cupra r). The cupra was capable but a bit boring. Loved the type r but don't know if the ride would get tiresome after a while. How does the cooper & Clio compare?
A hot hatch would seem to tick the most boxes
Drove a type r for a couple of weeks many years ago then went into a Leon cupra (not a cupra r). The cupra was capable but a bit boring. Loved the type r but don't know if the ride would get tiresome after a while. How does the cooper & Clio compare?
A hot hatch would seem to tick the most boxes
rolo0151 said:
Civic type r & possibly a cooper s interest me. Not keen on the Clio though.
Drove a type r for a couple of weeks many years ago then went into a Leon cupra (not a cupra r). The cupra was capable but a bit boring. Loved the type r but don't know if the ride would get tiresome after a while. How does the cooper & Clio compare?
A hot hatch would seem to tick the most boxes
Re the ride getting tiresome , it depends what your using the car for.Drove a type r for a couple of weeks many years ago then went into a Leon cupra (not a cupra r). The cupra was capable but a bit boring. Loved the type r but don't know if the ride would get tiresome after a while. How does the cooper & Clio compare?
A hot hatch would seem to tick the most boxes
If your just commuting to the station then i'd put up with hard ride for great handling at the weekends.
For £3000 you could get a cupra r , the cooper feels like it's screwed together better but the clio was more fun as it was a basic hot hatch great handling and a engine that you had to rev the nuts off as there's no turbo unlike the cooper.
PomBstard said:
Can you get Legacy 3.0 for that money over there? The Volvos wouldn't see which way it went and its a v nice engine in a very well engineered car. A bit thirsty, but then turbocharged Swedes have also been nominated...
If this is the NASP model mostly fitted with a slush-o-matic then one couldn't get away from my big heavy remapped Volvo C70 D5 manual. A T5 manual or auto would have no trouble whatsoever pulling away even as standard, and a sneaky remap to 290bhp would put you in a whole different league. The Subaru made a nice noise, but I was quite surprised at it's lack of straight line speed. I suspect a Saab 9-5 HOT Aero would be much quicker too, the high torque over a wide spread makes turbocharged engines so much quicker than a NASP engine with the same peak power.Neither is exactly a sports car, you can just pick your flavour of "overweight and floppy" on that front
SilverSixer said:
Mazda 6 MPS.
Was going to be my shout.A little bit more but...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...
PomBstard said:
Can you get Legacy 3.0 for that money over there? The Volvos wouldn't see which way it went and its a v nice engine in a very well engineered car. A bit thirsty, but then turbocharged Swedes have also been nominated...
Are they really that quick? I thought they were around 240 bhp the same as the Volvo's? I do like a Subaru, though 
Digby said:
PomBstard said:
Can you get Legacy 3.0 for that money over there? The Volvos wouldn't see which way it went and its a v nice engine in a very well engineered car. A bit thirsty, but then turbocharged Swedes have also been nominated...
Are they really that quick? I thought they were around 240 bhp the same as the Volvo's? I do like a Subaru, though 0-60
big dollops of torque
effortlessly quick where you think your doing 70 look at the speedo only to find your way above that.
I'd go for something like this late Golf GTI 1.8T (Mk4) for £2,995 with only 57k miles.
They're well built, cheap to insure and maintain.
The understated looks should mean it gets overlooked in the station car park and they have a turn of pace and are easy to tune if that's your thing.
They're well built, cheap to insure and maintain.
The understated looks should mean it gets overlooked in the station car park and they have a turn of pace and are easy to tune if that's your thing.
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