Want something '08 onwards, low mileage and quick, £8k - Page 1 - Car Buying

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

Hi, first time posting here.

I've been saving up for nearly a year now and getting very bored/frustrated of driving a '01 Fiesta 1.25 around, although it's dead easy to park.

As I've saved more I've gone from looking at Mini Cooper S R53s, Clio 182s, Megane 225s (too ugly), Astra VXRs, Ibiza FR/Cupra/Boca and E90 325is (low mpg)...

But now I've got a bit more I'm looking at MK5 Golf GTIs and facelift Audi A3 2.0 TFSIs. I want something that is modern looking, low mileage for age (~40k), packs a bit of punt (and can be tuned well).

Wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the above or could suggest any other cars.

Cheers

Joratk

432 posts

133 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

E87 130i, great spec too... Will be more fun to drive that a Golf or A3.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

Joratk said:

E87 130i, great spec too... Will be more fun to drive that a Golf or A3.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Thanks mate. Would you say paddle shift is more fun than manual then? I've heard otherwise, but haven't ridden paddle yet. Would also be after 3-door but imagine they'll bit a bit more.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

213 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

MildRelish said:

Hi, first time posting here.

I've been saving up for nearly a year now and getting very bored/frustrated of driving a '01 Fiesta 1.25 around, although it's dead easy to park.

As I've saved more I've gone from looking at Mini Cooper S R53s, Clio 182s, Megane 225s (too ugly), Astra VXRs, Ibiza FR/Cupra/Boca and E90 325is (low mpg)...

But now I've got a bit more I'm looking at MK5 Golf GTIs and facelift Audi A3 2.0 TFSIs. I want something that is modern looking, low mileage for age (~40k), packs a bit of punt (and can be tuned well).

Wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the above or could suggest any other cars.

Cheers

Hi,

A few questions.

Why low milage and why 08 onwards?? Is there a reason for this? You also say 'fast'. But what does this mean? Are you racing? How about something 'fun'? idea

And the question I have to ask, do you need a family orientated 5 seater hatchback? If yes, that's fine. If no, then there are a lot of very fun cars, some of which are fast too. But might not be a fwd hatchback.

As for looking modern, Golfs and A3's are so bland looking that unless you look at the reg plate, it's hard to tell if they are new or not. Guess this might be good for some reasons, but still results in a rather bland looking car at the end of it.

So, no. I've not bought any of these cars myself. But mostly for the reasons above.

Things I'd consider are:

-how many miles a month do you cover
-how much money for fuel to you want to spend a month

i.e. this will tell you what sort of mpg you need/can afford for your milage.

-How many people do you normally need to carry. And what types of people (babies, children, mates, OAP's).

-Do you need to haul anything? Drum kit, washing machines, goal posts, etc.

-What is your intended use and types of roads you drive on most, e.g. commuting, touring, social. City, urban, rural.

It may be that a fwd 5 seater hatchback like a Golf or A3 is the ideal vehicle for what you need. But a little analysis might reveal some cars you'd not even thought of. Even if they might happen to breech the age/mileage rule or be a completely different type of vehicle.

smile

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

300bhp/ton said:

Hi,

A few questions.

Why low milage and why 08 onwards?? Is there a reason for this? You also say 'fast'. But what does this mean? Are you racing? How about something 'fun'? idea

And the question I have to ask, do you need a family orientated 5 seater hatchback? If yes, that's fine. If no, then there are a lot of very fun cars, some of which are fast too. But might not be a fwd hatchback.

As for looking modern, Golfs and A3's are so bland looking that unless you look at the reg plate, it's hard to tell if they are new or not. Guess this might be good for some reasons, but still results in a rather bland looking car at the end of it.

So, no. I've not bought any of these cars myself. But mostly for the reasons above.

Things I'd consider are:

-how many miles a month do you cover
-how much money for fuel to you want to spend a month

i.e. this will tell you what sort of mpg you need/can afford for your milage.

-How many people do you normally need to carry. And what types of people (babies, children, mates, OAP's).

-Do you need to haul anything? Drum kit, washing machines, goal posts, etc.

-What is your intended use and types of roads you drive on most, e.g. commuting, touring, social. City, urban, rural.

It may be that a fwd 5 seater hatchback like a Golf or A3 is the ideal vehicle for what you need. But a little analysis might reveal some cars you'd not even thought of. Even if they might happen to breech the age/mileage rule or be a completely different type of vehicle.

smile

Low mileage = less problems, in theory. I asked my old man, a mech for 40 years, he said 40k tops. I know you can get a 100k+ mileage car that's been well looked after, but I can't go much against his word. tongue out

'08 onwards, just seem to be more modern looking, especially interior-wise. And I think my budget becomes a lot of money to spend on a 10+ year old car. I also plan to be keeping it for a few years at least.

Fast as in 200bhp minimum, I'm not racing, just want something fun to drive like you say.

I rarely carry more than one passenger, I'm after a 3 door (better looks, IMO).

I don't commute, I cover around 500 miles a month social driving and going to the shops, gym, etc. I currently spend about £60 on petrol I'd say, I'd maybe go up to £100.

Don't need to haul anything really haha.

I usually drive on urban roads, occasionally in the city and sometimes B roads (which I will do more of when I get a more fun car!).

Thanks for the help.

Edited by MildRelish on Tuesday 16th May 14:04

Edited by MildRelish on Tuesday 16th May 18:51

LordHaveMurci

12,324 posts

192 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

GT86

Mammasaid

5,268 posts

120 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

LordHaveMurci said:

GT86

for 8k???

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...

LordHaveMurci

12,324 posts

192 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

Mammasaid said:

LordHaveMurci said:

GT86

for 8k???

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...

Well, maybe if you hunt around, they seem to start at £9.5k ish from my quick search.

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

LordHaveMurci said:

Well, maybe if you hunt around, they seem to start at £9.5k ish from my quick search.

Won't mind lending me £1.5K then will you? wink

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

249 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

Scirocco?

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Low mileage GTI

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

325i Coupe

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Brera

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

crashley

1,574 posts

203 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

If you can cope w/ just two seats, i'd look at Nissan 350Z. Manual, RWD, 3.5L V6 and pretty good fun, if a little heavy.

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

GreatGranny said:

Scirocco?

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Low mileage GTI

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

325i Coupe

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Brera

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Do like the Scirocco, think mileage is a little high though.

How does a 3L beamer get better MPG than a 2.0T Golf/Scirocco? I know it's AutoTrader so take the figures with a pinch of salt, but still... I thought a 2.0T would average the better MPG.

Not keen on the Brera.

crashley said:

If you can cope w/ just two seats, i'd look at Nissan 350Z. Manual, RWD, 3.5L V6 and pretty good fun, if a little heavy.

350Z would be interesting. Not sure if it'd cost too much on fuel though.

ZX10R NIN

29,992 posts

148 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

DoubleD

22,154 posts

131 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

You do a very low amount of miles per year. I wouldnt worry about mpg so much if i were you.

MildRelish

Original Poster

159 posts

131 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th May 2017

DoubleD said:

You do a very low amount of miles per year. I wouldnt worry about mpg so much if i were you.

Fair point. biggrin

Latters

82 posts

148 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

ZX10R NIN said:

That Type R looks lovely. I would definitely recommend one of those OP. It ticks the fast, fun and reliability boxes. They still look modern as well. They're a bargain for the money and sound fantastic when pushed.

rich85uk

4,193 posts

202 months

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Tuesday 16th May 2017

Latters said:

That Type R looks lovely. I would definitely recommend one of those OP. It ticks the fast, fun and reliability boxes. They still look modern as well. They're a bargain for the money and sound fantastic when pushed.

tomble22

598 posts

151 months

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Wednesday 17th May 2017

I've owned a Clio 197, two MK5 Golf GTI's, a MK5 R32, an FN2 Civic Type R and my wife has a Cooper S at the moment and the best by far is the GTI.

Clio 197 would be ideal as a weekend car but everyday it really grates, stiff ride and interior quality is poor.

R32 feels very dull after driving a GTI. The GTI has a great steering feel and has a bit of movement to the rear end which really makes it feel alive. The feels very planted but feels boring to drive as a result, add to that the additional weight and the N/A more linear power delivery.

Civic Type R was my least favourite car out of all i've owned (and i'm on my 35th at the moment!!). Interior quality is ok but ride quality is terrible and i never felt confident in what the car was going to do at speed. It's also a lot more hardwork to drive due to the way the power is delivered with the VTEC engine.

I've had a manual GTI and my current one is a DSG. I was unsure whether the DSG box would make it less involving but it is fantastic day to day and even on my ten year old car, works fine and changes gear instantly.

So all in all, i'd recommend a GTI!! smile

Having said that, I've always fancied a Megane R26 too.

Just to add, my 1st GTI had 70,000 on the clock when i sold it and my current one has just ticked over 116,000. Current one feels the same as the first one (if not better) and as long as there is no rust on arches, cills etc (common issue) then there isn't much that goes wrong with them.

Edited by tomble22 on Wednesday 17th May 09:54

Edited by tomble22 on Wednesday 17th May 09:57

seadragon

1,137 posts

238 months

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Wednesday 17th May 2017

I second the GTI. Good quality, decent space, quick etc etc etc etc.

I love my VW’s, so I would say that, but you get what you pay for.

ZX10R NIN

29,992 posts

148 months

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Wednesday 17th May 2017

I'll champion the Focus especially in ST-3 form when I had the choice I bought the Focus, I found it to be slightly less rewarding but every bit as good as the GTI & better than the VXR at which point the Five Pot engines extra bit of character sold it for me.

One thing I will say is that even if you don't do anything else I'd suggest changing the Intercooler as it makes a noticeable difference.

In the end I gave mine to GGR & it was running at 330bhp for 55k before I sold it.