Which would you choose?

[Carguy44]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a new car and I'm hoping you can all help.

This car is a daily and needs to have 4 useable seats for 4 and 10 year old to fit in the back (so no TT or GT86).

I'm looking for something sporty, but a sense of fun and occasion is probably the most important. My mileage is very low, so MPG is of no concern, but I would rather not pay loads of tax.

The budget is probably £9k to £13k ish.

Oh the biggest must is that it needs to be something fairly small, so no bigger than say a Golf.

1) F56 JCW hatch (current favourite)
2) Audi S1 (I don't ever remember seeing one of these!)
3) M135i (are they reliable?) Auto or manual?
4) GTC VXR (I think these cars look quite smart)

Which would you choose or avoid? Anything I should add to the shopping list?

[nipsips]

M135i out of that list for me.

Left field but considered a 308GTi or a Focus ST? Both probably more reliable and more economical to fix than any of the Germans listed.

[Carguy44]

Are the Minis not reliable? I know the old ones weren't great, but I think the newer 2.0 engines are ok?

The Ford Focus ST for me is just a bit boring, I can't say what it is exactly, it just doesn't interest me.


I don't mind a French car, Ive owned a couple in the past including a Megane RS265, but the Peugeot looks a bit plain to me.

[Silvanus]

If you like the MINI have you considered a Paceman John Cooper Works? My mate swapped cars around recently an got one, they absolutely love it. They got it to replace a MINI Cooper S and a TTS. I know a couple of people with Pacemans, great second hand buys, if not the best buy when they were new.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022091296...

[Pistonheader101]

M135i auto for sure

[Carguy44]

I guess a Paceman would be a bit more practical than the hatch, but to my eye it's a funny looking thing.

[anonymous-user]

Pistonheader101 said:

M135i auto for sure

This 100%

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always liked the Audi S1, but I've read that it isn't all that to drive though. The F56 Cooper S that I had was good fun down a nice back road I thought.

[Carguy44]

Lots of love for the M135i! Are they reliable? I'm sure I remember reading about lots of issues with the engines?

[georgeyboy12345]

I thought post-2015 they were reliable. Someone who knows a bit more will chime in soon

[Carguy44]

I think post 2015 would be a bit of a stretch on my budget

[Super Sonic]

Accord type R, the late model cl7 if you can find one. You may have to import one, but the body is the same as the UK market accord and the engine is the K20, so spares shouldn't be a problem.
Or Civic type R

[Canon_Fodder]

The Mini will be more agile and playful than the others.

VXR will be probably be the best value

[Silvanus]

Carguy44 said:

I guess a Paceman would be a bit more practical than the hatch, but to my eye it's a funny looking thing.

its definitely worth checking one out if you are a MINI fan

[Shifter1]

I'm not a BMW person, but from your list, definitley the M135i

[cerb4.5lee]

Shifter1 said:

I'm not a BMW person, but from your list, definitley the M135i

The engine really appeals to me, but from what I read they are a very flawed car overall though(suspension wise/no slippy diff etc).

[Shifter1]

cerb4.5lee said:

Shifter1 said:

I'm not a BMW person, but from your list, definitley the M135i

The engine really appeals to me, but from what I read they are a very flawed car overall though(suspension wise/no slippy diff etc).

All that can be dealt with. The other ones you can do whatever you want, and at the end of the day you are still mocking around in wrong wheel drive.

[Carguy44]

My worry about the M135i is that it just maybe seems a little too sensible, a great engine in a fairly regular hatch. The mini seems to have a more fun look about it and maybe a greater sense of occasion when you're inside it.

[Carguy44]

What car is wrong wheel drive? I presume you mean front wheel drive? My RS265 was wrong wheel drive and that thing was absolutely epic!

[ChrisH72]

Mk7 Fiesta ST or a 208 Gti by PS?

Running costs would worry me on an M135i for that budget. From your list I'd get the Mini, but just a cooper s which seems better value for money than the JCW.