Slightly Faster 4/5 Door Replacement Of Swift Sport

[KTMsm]

I have a Swift Sport which I love, it's lightweight, characterful engine and that I can thrash it without risking prison

I've owned it for 3 years (a very long time for me) I'd like a 4/5 door as the kids are getting bigger and slightly faster but not too much as I love to thrash it. I have tried to replace it with various cars without success

GT86 - I take my 13/15 yr old to school, the rear seats are pathatic and second gear was horrible as was the electronic throttle

Alfa 159 V6 - bought because I liked the look and the lovely interior, dull car, too heavy, horrible gearchange and averaged 13mpg !

Alfa 147 2.0 - it still had the nice interior, it looks nice and reviews were favourable but it's just not a fun car to drive, I wonder about modifying it (exhaust, suspension) but it's a bit heavy really at 1325kg (250kg more than the Swift)

I suspect an ST150 is ideal but 3 door and whilst I'm not bothered about image as such, I'd rather not be associated with fast Fords

Budget is flexible I'd rather pay sub £5k but the GT85 was £15k

[ninjag]

A few n/a that spring to mind:

Golf R32
Honda Civic Type-R


Or forced induction:

Gold GTI
Audi S3
BMW M235i

[Ben Lowden]

For the lower end of your budget, I'd suggest a BMW 130i. Five doors, fantastic engine and you can thrash it about without going too fast.

If you'd be happy with three doors and want something small and thrashable then a 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport is a cracking little car. You can read about my time with one here.

At the top of your budget, the Mk8 Fiesta ST is an absolute riot to drive an sensible speeds https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13459455

(Although if you can, stretch even further to a ST-3 with Performance Pack to get the LSD )

[Belle427]

I'd go civic type r, you won't grow tired of that v tech howl yo.

[georgeyboy12345]

What about a Peugeot 308 GTi? They are all 5 door manual and lightweight at only 1200 kg. Interior might annoy you though. I’ll have a proper look later

[TO73074E]

The last NA Civic Type R (FN2) is 3 door only, you would have to spend £20k+ to get the next iteration FK2 which is a turbo engine from there on in.

If you could find an Accord Euro R on the other hand, that might be perfect.

[hothatch1.6]

308 GTi, spacious go karts

[KTMsm]

I had considered the old Civic R but most have very high miles / suspect owners / history or are crazy prices

An R32 is the last thing I'd want (unless it was a Nissan)

I was completely unaware of the 208 GTi I'll take a look at the 308 too

I know I should like the 1 series but I've been put off by the throttle delays on the E46 which I'm told is still present, that the 2.0 has various issues and that they are ugly as sin.

I forgot to mention I bought a 325 compact as a replacement too - whilst it's clearly better built, it's just too heavy and the engines just seem slow to rev I presume they have a very heavy flywheel - the BMW sixes just aren't fun IME (I've owned E36 328, E46 328 and 330)

Edited by KTMsm on Thursday 7th July 13:23

[MattyD803]

I'd probably go for a "FN" (spaceship) Honda Civic - For £5k you'll get a half decent example, up to £10k will get a championship white limited edition car. Decent amount of space in the back for a 3 door too, good reliability - the ability to hoon without getting in too much trouble...? That will be a nice step up from the Swift I think.

The sensible choice however would probably be a Mk6 Golf GTi 5 door manual, assuming you can find a well cared for, low owner example, which ideally hasn't spent any of it's life in Bradford / Manchester / London / Luton etc.

Edited by MattyD803 on Thursday 7th July 13:59

[aka_kerrly]

For up to an around £5k I'd be looking at a 5 door MK5 Golf GTI, maybe go a bit more for an Edition 30, they are superb daily drivers providing a decent chassis with ample power & good comfort/convenience levels.

I have one which I run alongside a Civic Type R EP3 as I feel the two combined give me the best of both in the hot hatch world, one a high revving NA & the MK5 is in my opinion the benchmark for the modern era Turbo Hot hatches.

[KTMsm]

aka_kerrly said:

For up to an around £5k I'd be looking at a 5 door MK5 Golf GTI, maybe go a bit more for an Edition 30, they are superb daily drivers providing a decent chassis with ample power & good comfort/convenience levels.

I have one which I run alongside a Civic Type R EP3 as I feel the two combined give me the best of both in the hot hatch world, one a high revving NA & the MK5 is in my opinion the benchmark for the modern era Turbo Hot hatches.

I spend most of my time in my Merc Traveliner so I don't want the sensible option - which puts me back to the civic type R or similar

[KTMsm]

MattyD803 said:

I'd probably go for a "FN" (spaceship) Honda Civic - For £5k you'll get a half decent example, up to £10k will get a championship white limited edition car. Decent amount of space in the back for a 3 door too, good reliability - the ability to hoon without getting in too much trouble...? That will be a nice step up from the Swift I think.

The sensible choice however would probably be a Mk6 Golf GTi 5 door manual, assuming you can find a well cared for, low owner example, which ideally hasn't spent any of it's life in Bradford / Manchester / London / Luton etc.

Edited by MattyD803 on Thursday 7th July 13:59

A friend has an FN civic - I've driven it standard and after he's modified it, it's very capable but it's not fun

[ninjag]

I was thinking more an EP3, although they are a little expensive.

This one is nice: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204234...

This one has an LSD: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207027...

Focus alternative with the SEAT Leon Cupra?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207047...

[CrippsCorner]

What about a KIA C'eed GT? My other half has the GT Line... nice inside, decent room and boot. I really like hers!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206237...

[MattyD803]

The bonus of an EP3 is that if you find a nice, low ish mile and owner car at a decent price, it's value will only go one way.....

[braddo]

Prices are going to be rising for good ones but what about focus st170 and pug 306 gti6?

[colin79666]

Swift Sport. The current one has a 1.4 turbo feels faster than the old 1.6 as it has lots more torque, has 5 doors and retains the lightweight feel. More than 5k but you should find examples of the non hybrid version under 15k now I’d think.

[jimmytheone]

Impreza?

Characterful
4/5 doors
lousy fuel consumption (i get about 24mpg on the school run)
pre-2006 tax (blob/bug/early-hawks) so its £340 not £600 ish
and 230bhp is enough but not too much?

Though given your concerns about the Fiesta image maybe an impreza isnt for you either!

[RoVoFob]

KTMsm said:

I know I should like the 1 series but I've been put off by the throttle delays on the E46 which I'm told is still present, that the 2.0 has various issues and that they are ugly as sin.

I forgot to mention I bought a 325 compact as a replacement too - whilst it's clearly better built, it's just too heavy and the engines just seem slow to rev I presume they have a very heavy flywheel - the BMW sixes just aren't fun IME (I've owned E36 328, E46 328 and 330)

Edited by KTMsm on Thursday 7th July 13:23

Try a 130i.

My three 130is have all had instantaneous throttle responses. I had a 325ti compact beforehand that felt heavy, slow and far less agile in comparison. The 130i has a lightweight 3.0-litre N52 magnesium and aluminium engine, which has a reputation for being very solid, so the 2.0-litre engines having issues is irrelevant.

The 325ti weighs 1,405kg and has 189bhp and 181lb ft, whereas the 130i weighs 1,375kg and has 261bhp and 232lb ft. They’re very different cars and the later 30i engine in the 1 Series is far lighter, more powerful and torquey, with max torque at much lower revs and max power at much higher revs. I find it a very satisfying engine to use.

By all means bypass the 130i if you don’t like it, but not on the grounds you’ve mentioned…

I also had a Fiesta ST150 many years ago and while it handled beautifully, it had a firm ride, horrible driving position, didn’t sound very good, wasn’t economical and wasn’t too enjoyable on anything other than a hoon. I replaced it with a 325ti and then three 130is…

[KTMsm]

jimmytheone said:

Impreza?

I love the original but they all seem to be rotten

I can't own one because I drive them way too fast everywhere - they're simply to capable, which is why I downgraded to a Swift (from a highly modified 2.5T forester)