Small, torquey auto - such a thing?
Discussion
We already have a boring family MPV, so having sadly sold the 911 after a serious illness I'm on the lookout for a second car again.
Budget is around £15k, although I can stretch to £20k and cheaper options are fine.
Don't need much space as it'll just be me and the occasional passenger and for health issues I would prefer an auto, but manuals are certainly doable.
I've come to the conclusion I prefer low end torque over ultimate top end acceleration and would like something with some real shove early on in the rev range. If it can be wrapped up in a premium package all the better.
For context, I love the idea of an Abarth 595 Competizione but fear the harsh ride. Also like the Audi S1. Really don't need a bigger car but I did consider an E92 M3, however, the big bills won't be far away and the power is at the top end for a V8. Did have a few BMW 330Ds in my time and liked the power delivery with an auto box.
I'm out of touch with the latest engines fitted to many warm/hot hatches, so maybe there's something there to grab my fancy?
Any suggestions?
Budget is around £15k, although I can stretch to £20k and cheaper options are fine.
Don't need much space as it'll just be me and the occasional passenger and for health issues I would prefer an auto, but manuals are certainly doable.
I've come to the conclusion I prefer low end torque over ultimate top end acceleration and would like something with some real shove early on in the rev range. If it can be wrapped up in a premium package all the better.
For context, I love the idea of an Abarth 595 Competizione but fear the harsh ride. Also like the Audi S1. Really don't need a bigger car but I did consider an E92 M3, however, the big bills won't be far away and the power is at the top end for a V8. Did have a few BMW 330Ds in my time and liked the power delivery with an auto box.
I'm out of touch with the latest engines fitted to many warm/hot hatches, so maybe there's something there to grab my fancy?
Any suggestions?
cerb4.5lee said:
A MINI F56 JCW with the auto could be worth a look.
Good shout - I had a tamer Cooper S version way back in 2003 and loved the limpet grip. However, the harsh ride and refinement on run flat tyres and a notchy gear change (it was barely run in when I sold it for a TVR Griffith) put me off somewhat. I wonder how the autobox changes the drive, as I know I can ditch any run flats for a better ride?mellowman said:
Good shout - I had a tamer Cooper S version way back in 2003 and loved the limpet grip. However, the harsh ride and refinement on run flat tyres and a notchy gear change (it was barely run in when I sold it for a TVR Griffith) put me off somewhat. I wonder how the autobox changes the drive, as I know I can ditch any run flats for a better ride?
I have a F56 Cooper S and thankfully it came without runflats from the factory on 17" wheels. I think a lot of the JCW models do come with the 18" wheels and runflats, so I'd imagine the ride to be pretty unforgiving. Mine rides really well on the back roads, but it is quite jiggly in town though. The BMW B48 engine in the F56 Cooper S and JCW is a torquey feeling engine, so that is why I thought of it for you. It will suit the auto well I reckon. I've driven the current 530i and that has the same engine mated to the ZF8 auto.
Om said:
I have a Nissan 370Z with the 7 speed semi-auto.
Its compact, torquey, has space for 2 people and a reasonable size boot/hatch, is well put together and very reliable.
I really enjoyed a few test drives in the old 350Z many years back - it was just the interior that put me off then and that stupid brace in the boot!Its compact, torquey, has space for 2 people and a reasonable size boot/hatch, is well put together and very reliable.
mellowman said:
Good shout - I had a tamer Cooper S version way back in 2003 and loved the limpet grip. However, the harsh ride and refinement on run flat tyres and a notchy gear change (it was barely run in when I sold it for a TVR Griffith) put me off somewhat. I wonder how the autobox changes the drive, as I know I can ditch any run flats for a better ride?
I had an F56 JCW LCI with the automatic for a while. Rode well in comfort mode on adaptive suspension and the run flats weren't too bad (better and less crashy than they were on my E89 Z4 - not sure whether it was the newer RFT technology or the suspension dealing with it better). Regardless, I'm sure ditching the runflats would have helped even more.Not sure what your options are for passive suspension but I'm sure there'll be a competent aftermarket solution!
mellowman said:
I love the idea of an Abarth 595 Competizione but fear the harsh ride
mellowman said:
I had a tamer Cooper S version way back in 2003 and loved the limpet grip. However, the harsh ride and refinement ... put me off somewhat.
If you didn't like the Mini's ride then you REALLY won't like the 595's ride!David_M said:
mellowman said:
I love the idea of an Abarth 595 Competizione but fear the harsh ride
mellowman said:
I had a tamer Cooper S version way back in 2003 and loved the limpet grip. However, the harsh ride and refinement ... put me off somewhat.
If you didn't like the Mini's ride then you REALLY won't like the 595's ride!I like the idea of switchable suspension but don't know how useful it is in a small car, which will always tend to lose out to larger cars for comfort.
I'd say the Clio 220 Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...
Or the S1 ticks a lot of boxes
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...
Or the S1 ticks a lot of boxes
ZX10R NIN said:
I'd say the Clio 220 Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...
Or the S1 ticks a lot of boxes
The original EDC version was on my radar a while ago but was roundly condemned for its auto box - I presume this version has addressed those issues?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...
Or the S1 ticks a lot of boxes
I like the overall premium package of the S1and the quattro grip. I have a great sequence of tight bends on my doorstop I can enjoy any time I go for a drive.
The original car was on a hiding to nothing as it wasn't a manual but it was never as bad as it was made out to be but yes the 220 has a smoother & more intuitive shift.
The Clio will be the better car out of it & the S1 when it comes to those bends, I'd say test drive a Clio you may be surprised.
The Clio will be the better car out of it & the S1 when it comes to those bends, I'd say test drive a Clio you may be surprised.
mellowman said:
jjwilde said:
Would you consider something electric? The torque will blow your mind.
Indeed I would - I owned a Renault Twizy last year and loved the even relatively modest power delivery, so a proper EV would be very appealing - it's just the cost of EVs I struggle with.ajprice said:
mellowman said:
jjwilde said:
Would you consider something electric? The torque will blow your mind.
Indeed I would - I owned a Renault Twizy last year and loved the even relatively modest power delivery, so a proper EV would be very appealing - it's just the cost of EVs I struggle with.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff