Which Winter hack can I get to actually enjoy the Winter?

[TTommy]

Hi all,

So currently I'm in a bit of a predicament as I hate driving my cars now it's salty, wet and cold. Oh and frosty mornings? I feel sick.


So yeah. I find the Winter an absolute chore.. The clocks going back today have made me realise we're in for the long slog again... Yay!

(Doesn't help that my daily is an S2K with a few choice mods & AD08R's..and the bike, that doesn't even come out FFS.)


I've never owned a car newer than a 2004 plate.


So car people of the internet, hit me with your best options!

I have no real interest in MPG as most journeys will be short throughout the winter. However, if it fits the bill I'll listen as I have family across the country I should go and see, I guess that justifies a coal burner?

Would like it to be manual.

Nothing too expensive or unreliable PITA's.

Budget say £1500 - £4000 maybe slightly more but don't want to go overboard on a winter thing.


Currently high on my list are;


Clio 182 with turinis and a set of winters. I don't know why. I just really want to tick off owning one of these.


Something 4x4? I have no idea of anything suitable... hit me!

Something massive and 4x4 just for the lols?

Something with a heated windscreen / modern and boring?


Much appreciated any pointers chaps,

Cheers.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Cheap ml55?

[slk 32]

I was in a similar position to you 4 years ago. Having just sold my slk 32 which I drove all year round and was fed up with the rusty arches on a 9 year old car I bought an immaculate slk55 which had only ever been ever used as a third car and had never seen winter roads.

Deciding the slk55 was a keeper I wanted a cheap runaround that would enable me to use the slk when the weather suited (probably like you with the s2000).

In the end I bought a cheap high mileage polo bluemotion1. It's been great, it's fun to drive on it's tiny 14 inch wheels and unbelievably cheap to run. Zero roadtax, 70+ mpg and a super torquey little 1.4 turbo diesel which will top out at 110 and cruise happily at 85-90. I took it for a service and got the same age polo petrol as a courtesy car.. it was awful.. gutless in the extreme.

The polo's so good in fact that I've done 30k in it. 90% of the time I take it out instead of the slk simply because the roads are so crowded where I am it makes no sense taking the other one out just to sit in traffic. 70 plus mpg is a lot better than 18 too.

Dynamically it's not a clio 182 but for what I need it for it does a great job and it'll do long journeys with ease.

[TwyRob]

Something Swedish?

Saab 9-3 saloon or estate would be good, High Output Turbo petrol of course! (mine is good in all weathers)

Volvo S80 with a bigger engine? Perhaps an XC90?

Koenigsegg may not be a good option though.

[Plate spinner]

I had a mk1 Lexus RX300 on M&S tyres.

I liked it. Would powerslide in the snow and the seat warmers could literally roast your backside within minutes!

They’re pretty cheap and pretty reliable.

Edited by Plate spinner on Tuesday 30th October 05:38

[magpie215]

Something Ford with heated front screen and heated seats?

[Philv8s]

Subaru Outback 3.0, the H6 engine,4wd, LSD and loads of space to carry crap to the tip. Perfect hack.

[GravelBen]

Something Subaru. Reliable, very capable, often more fun in winter conditions than summer.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mondeo ST220 these are a good steer & a nice filet to the S2K

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK280/320 a set of winters & turn off the traction also a nice place to spend winter with the heated seats & in some cases heated steering wheel.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

325ti

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.0i Z4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

2.8 Z3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

V8 S Type

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Prodrive RX-8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[caelite]

Suzuki Jimny.

Fantastic for various dubious conditions, massive modifying community around them, can be fun to drive once you get used to them, cheap to buy, cheap to run.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Suzuki Jimny

Edit someone beat me too it!

Still stands Jimny

[Koolkat969]

Fellow S2000 owner here and recently bought a Clio 182 with "Cup pack" or "full fat" as they call it for the winter and very happy with it. Had a daily Bmw but that got written off in an accident last winter. As a result, I'd been using my S2000 as a daily until recently. Was originally thinking of a Civic Ep3 Type R to replace the Bmw but as I also have an Integra DC2 Type R (strictly summer car), I wanted something different from the usual vtec engines but still naturally aspirated and just as exciting. Thoroughly happy with the Clio and I think the 172/182 Clios at their present prices are one of the best options out there for fun, practicality and value for money. Loads of information also on the Cliosport forum to help you choose the right car.

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:31

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:36

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:39

[manracer]

Koolkat969 said:

Fellow S2000 owner here and recently bought a Clio 182 with "Cup pack" or "full fat" as they call it for the winter and very happy with it. Had a daily Bmw but that got written off in an accident last winter. As a result, I'd been using my S2000 as a daily until recently. Was originally thinking of a Civic Ep3 Type R to replace the Bmw but as I also have an Integra DC2 Type R (strictly summer car), I wanted something different from the usual vtec engines but still naturally aspirated and just as exciting. Thoroughly happy with the Clio and I think the 172/182 Clios at their present prices are one of the best options out there for fun, practicality and value for money. Loads of information also on the Cliosport forum to help you choose the right car.

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:31

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:36

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:39

Full fat with cup packs then? That's what I had! 3 of in fact. Thinking of getting another one too!

[ninjag]

TTommy said:

Something 4x4? I have no idea of anything suitable... hit me!

Something massive and 4x4 just for the lols?

2003 Porsche Cayenne 4.5 S @ £3,900
340bhp 0-60 7.2 secs, top speed 150mph. Get it remapped to 370bhp

or stretch a little bit further

2004 Porsche Cayenne 4.5 Turbo @ £5,750
450bhp 0-60 4.8 secs, top speed 165mph. Get it remapped to 520bhp and a staggering 728Nm of torque.

Shifting 2.4 tonnes of metal in 4.8 secs has got to feel special. I still wish I got one instead of my CRV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU63C9Ta5Ks

[TTommy]

Koolkat969 said:

Fellow S2000 owner here and recently bought a Clio 182 with "Cup pack" or "full fat" as they call it for the winter and very happy with it. Had a daily Bmw but that got written off in an accident last winter. As a result, I'd been using my S2000 as a daily until recently. Was originally thinking of a Civic Ep3 Type R to replace the Bmw but as I also have an Integra DC2 Type R (strictly summer car), I wanted something different from the usual vtec engines but still naturally aspirated and just as exciting. Thoroughly happy with the Clio and I think the 172/182 Clios at their present prices are one of the best options out there for fun, practicality and value for money. Loads of information also on the Cliosport forum to help you choose the right car.

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:31

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:36

Edited by Koolkat969 on Wednesday 31st October 21:39

Awesome to hear!

I'm hating dailing my S2K at the moment. A gritter literally drove past me in the opposite direction last night and many swear words left my mouth. Shiiiiizer!

I really think a good example of a 182 with some winters on is going to be hard to beat value for money wise, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing anything too obvious.. thanks to everyone that replied, I'm off to ebay!

[rustyuk]

I had the same idea a few years back and test drove a 172 and thought it was rubbish. Ended up with a Megane Sport Cup, a better all round car and can be had for shed money too.

[Test driver]

Golf v6 4motion and a few mods including winter tyres is a great winter vehicle. You can even use it to tow the s2000 to a track day.

[Rewe]

Ommy, with your user name surely it has to be an Audi TT? Quattro and properly fierce bum warmers make them perfect in the cold!

[mattyprice4004]

I’ve just bought a cheap VW Phaeton to roll around in for the winter, but they do have absolutely ruinous big bill capability!