Well I wasnt expecting that...
Discussion
I have been looking at where to go next with my car for some time now.
Id pretty much decided that I wanted a Fiesta ST (MK8) - they have globally good reviews, not overly expensive to buy/run. It would be my 'welcome' to the hot hatch world and isnt too much of a step up from where I am at the moment (208, 1.2).
Last weekend I had the chance to test drive one and was left quite disappointed. I couldnt get comfortable in the seats (im not tall or big - 5'7 ish and around 10st) and felt like I was sitting 'on' them rather than 'in' them and just being in the car for the 30 minutes I was made my back ache. I know bucket seats will be stiff and not suit everyone (Ive sat in other cars with them with no issue).
The interior left me feeling very meh - I know its 'just' a Ford and they are never gonna match an Audi/Merc interior but it felt on par with my current car.
The amount of fake noise on the inside grated on me, I know replacing an exhaust will fix this and also turning off the sound thats pumped in.
I think mainly though I had no 'zing' that made me want to drive the car more, Id sat with the sales guy after and the car was extremely affordable but I had no feeling to go back and get it - I was quite happy to just walk away. With my car now I walk away and look back thinking 'I do love my car, I want to drive it more'
This left me quite surprised as I'd spent quite some time 'hooked' on getting one.
Its also left me not knowing where to turn next.... This one was a 68 plate and 17k, LED lights, perf pack - only option missing was a sun roof.
Can anyone point me in the direction of something more engaging/exciting? (my max budget wise is 18k)
(Ive already ruled BMW out as ive driven a few before)
Id pretty much decided that I wanted a Fiesta ST (MK8) - they have globally good reviews, not overly expensive to buy/run. It would be my 'welcome' to the hot hatch world and isnt too much of a step up from where I am at the moment (208, 1.2).
Last weekend I had the chance to test drive one and was left quite disappointed. I couldnt get comfortable in the seats (im not tall or big - 5'7 ish and around 10st) and felt like I was sitting 'on' them rather than 'in' them and just being in the car for the 30 minutes I was made my back ache. I know bucket seats will be stiff and not suit everyone (Ive sat in other cars with them with no issue).
The interior left me feeling very meh - I know its 'just' a Ford and they are never gonna match an Audi/Merc interior but it felt on par with my current car.
The amount of fake noise on the inside grated on me, I know replacing an exhaust will fix this and also turning off the sound thats pumped in.
I think mainly though I had no 'zing' that made me want to drive the car more, Id sat with the sales guy after and the car was extremely affordable but I had no feeling to go back and get it - I was quite happy to just walk away. With my car now I walk away and look back thinking 'I do love my car, I want to drive it more'
This left me quite surprised as I'd spent quite some time 'hooked' on getting one.
Its also left me not knowing where to turn next.... This one was a 68 plate and 17k, LED lights, perf pack - only option missing was a sun roof.
Can anyone point me in the direction of something more engaging/exciting? (my max budget wise is 18k)
(Ive already ruled BMW out as ive driven a few before)
If you have found a love for the car you have why not consider the same but in GTi spec? The most expensive ones on Auto Trader are 10k and performance wise should be a big improvement whilst giving you the things you already like about the Peugeot?
You could also look at the 308 GTI which is within your budget
You could also look at the 308 GTI which is within your budget
Edited by Jamescrs on Friday 18th February 15:39
I had a 2013 Fiesta ST for 4 years (long long time for me to own any car) and for various reasons it had part replaced a Porsche Cayman. The mk7.5 ST still has a very old school hot hatch feel, with lots of feedback and didn't feel a significant step down even from a Cayman as a driving experience.
I suspect that the mk8 is more grown up and consequently less fun. Try to give the earlier one a whirl if you can, otherwise you might want to think about something older still - cars used to be much more involving when they were hydraulically steered and lighter. Cheap as chips but my spare car, a 2003 BMW 325ti is a riot to (rear wheel) drive. I've stuck a Kenwood Android Auto headunit in it too so really don't miss the modern conveniences either.
I suspect that the mk8 is more grown up and consequently less fun. Try to give the earlier one a whirl if you can, otherwise you might want to think about something older still - cars used to be much more involving when they were hydraulically steered and lighter. Cheap as chips but my spare car, a 2003 BMW 325ti is a riot to (rear wheel) drive. I've stuck a Kenwood Android Auto headunit in it too so really don't miss the modern conveniences either.
At your price point there are three clear picks for me with your budget in mind.
Astra GTC VXR a cracking steer with plenty of go & a cracking chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...
308 GTI Peugeot Sport 270 these are a very special steer as long as you as you can get on with the dash design it's actually imo a better steer than the Megane:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...
Last but not least the Megane Cup S 275 an absolute weapon of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
These are the three I'd recommend for a test drive considering your budget all will put a smile on your face.
Astra GTC VXR a cracking steer with plenty of go & a cracking chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...
308 GTI Peugeot Sport 270 these are a very special steer as long as you as you can get on with the dash design it's actually imo a better steer than the Megane:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...
Last but not least the Megane Cup S 275 an absolute weapon of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
These are the three I'd recommend for a test drive considering your budget all will put a smile on your face.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 18th February 21:08
I have a mk7 ST and still enjoy it very much. To me, small hot hatches like the Fiesta make sense at a lower price point where you get a slightly newer car and lower running costs for less outlay. I know prices have shot up but I paid £9k for my top spec ST3 when it was just over 3 years old. That 68 plate mk8 is just as old now but is still £17k, which seems to be entry level price for a mk8. I don’t think they’re worth it really. At that money I’d agree with ZX about looking at more serious machinery from the class above.
ZX10R NIN said:
At your price point there are three clear picks for me with your budget in mind.
Astra GTC VXR a cracking steer with plenty of go & a cracking chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...
308 GTI Peugeot Sport 270 these are a very special steer as long as you as you can get on with the dash design it's actually imo a better steer than the Megane:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...
Last but not least the Megane Cup S 275 an absolute weapon of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
These are the three I'd recommend for a test drive considering your budget all will put a smile on your face.
The responsiveness of the infotainment and the design of the dash in the Peugeots is awful. My new work car is a 308 and I can’t actually see the speedo if I’m sat in a comfortable positionAstra GTC VXR a cracking steer with plenty of go & a cracking chassis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...
308 GTI Peugeot Sport 270 these are a very special steer as long as you as you can get on with the dash design it's actually imo a better steer than the Megane:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...
Last but not least the Megane Cup S 275 an absolute weapon of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
These are the three I'd recommend for a test drive considering your budget all will put a smile on your face.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 18th February 21:08
I felt the same about the fiesta ST, if it helps I drove the older 4 cyl version and found it much more engaging / fun than the new 3 cyl.
I ended up going with the abarth 595 in 165bhp form, although if the finance deals had been better i would have gone with the up gti, less power, slower but way more engaging / fun than the fiesta
I ended up going with the abarth 595 in 165bhp form, although if the finance deals had been better i would have gone with the up gti, less power, slower but way more engaging / fun than the fiesta
Lots of different responses which is great!
Ive been tempted by the 208 by PS but i do wanna try and get away from having the same car just bigger engine…. That said a test drive may change my mind lol
308, megane and astra im going to shortlist for test drives.
Interior/dash in the pug doesnt bother me, im used to mine ans never had any issues tbh
Type R would mean the FK2? Id have to drive to judge it
Ive been tempted by the 208 by PS but i do wanna try and get away from having the same car just bigger engine…. That said a test drive may change my mind lol
308, megane and astra im going to shortlist for test drives.
Interior/dash in the pug doesnt bother me, im used to mine ans never had any issues tbh
Type R would mean the FK2? Id have to drive to judge it
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