What Car? Replacing 'all rounder' Golf GTI with 2 cars...
Discussion
First of all I just wanted to say hello to everyone - I've been lurking for a while but not posted until today. I'm sorry to drop another of these types of threads in here, but I've been unable to decide what's for the best for a few weeks, and have decided it's probably time I ask for help.
First up, just to set the scene:
I do about 9-10k a year at present, mainly commuting through country and city traffic, and drive an 06 plate MK5 Golf GTI. I recently got back from a group trip to the Nurburgring and had an amazing time - the car did brilliantly. It was the first time I've *really* pushed the car to its limits, and it did brilliantly.
The problem is that this has now given me the bug for track driving, and I'm arranging to go with my friends on a few UK track meets this year. Unfortunately out of fear of pushing my only car beyond my ability and wrapping it around a barrier, I'm worried I won't be able to fully enjoy it in my main car.
For this reason I'm looking at selling my 'all rounder' (commuting + fun) and instead getting a cheaper to run commuter and then buy a fun weekend / track car, and would really appreciate hearing the views and experience of everyone here about either.
Below's what I'm really looking at fir both options:
Daily Commuter - £9-10k max - I've tried looking a something 'cheap and cheerful' for my main commuter, but keep ending up looking at the BMW 120d and the Audi A3 2.0TDI (170bhp) as while they're a fair bit cheaper to run / tax / insure than the GTI, they're barely any slower - I think I'm struggling to accept getting a *much* slower car to drive for the majority of the week. Has anyone any thoughts on either of these, or can anyone think of any suitable alternatives which have a similar economy and performance?
Weekend Track / Funmobile - £3-5k max - Performance, fun and looks are best here (I'm a poser at heart, I admit it). This will not be used for more than 2k a year, so if possible something that fits into the 'classic' (15yrs+) band in order to keep insurance costs at a minimum would be excellent.
If anyone has got any thoughts, or any experience of the cars mentioned (or even of being in a similar situation to where I'm at now and any advice) I'd really appreciate it - I've been stuck on what to do for weeks now and it's driving me mad.
Cheers!
First up, just to set the scene:
I do about 9-10k a year at present, mainly commuting through country and city traffic, and drive an 06 plate MK5 Golf GTI. I recently got back from a group trip to the Nurburgring and had an amazing time - the car did brilliantly. It was the first time I've *really* pushed the car to its limits, and it did brilliantly.
The problem is that this has now given me the bug for track driving, and I'm arranging to go with my friends on a few UK track meets this year. Unfortunately out of fear of pushing my only car beyond my ability and wrapping it around a barrier, I'm worried I won't be able to fully enjoy it in my main car.
For this reason I'm looking at selling my 'all rounder' (commuting + fun) and instead getting a cheaper to run commuter and then buy a fun weekend / track car, and would really appreciate hearing the views and experience of everyone here about either.
Below's what I'm really looking at fir both options:
Daily Commuter - £9-10k max - I've tried looking a something 'cheap and cheerful' for my main commuter, but keep ending up looking at the BMW 120d and the Audi A3 2.0TDI (170bhp) as while they're a fair bit cheaper to run / tax / insure than the GTI, they're barely any slower - I think I'm struggling to accept getting a *much* slower car to drive for the majority of the week. Has anyone any thoughts on either of these, or can anyone think of any suitable alternatives which have a similar economy and performance?
Weekend Track / Funmobile - £3-5k max - Performance, fun and looks are best here (I'm a poser at heart, I admit it). This will not be used for more than 2k a year, so if possible something that fits into the 'classic' (15yrs+) band in order to keep insurance costs at a minimum would be excellent.
If anyone has got any thoughts, or any experience of the cars mentioned (or even of being in a similar situation to where I'm at now and any advice) I'd really appreciate it - I've been stuck on what to do for weeks now and it's driving me mad.
Cheers!
I dont have any idea about the two cars you listed, so will leave that for someone else to answer! However, if I was in your position I would probably go with something like....
Commuting
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2753716.htm
Track
http://clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=235640
Commuting
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2753716.htm
Track
http://clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=235640
Hello, and welcome 
I've ran two cars now for nearly three years and I only wish I'd done it earlier tbh.
It works out cheaper to do 10k a year in my daily driver (Avensis), and 2-3k in my weekend car (Monaro), than it would to do all those miles in just the Holden. The money saved actually pays for two lots of insurance.
Plus, driving a totally anonymous 10 year old repmobile during the week makes the weekend car something to savour.
For your miles it may not actually be cost effective to fork out the extra for a diesel, so consider efficient petrols too ( I'm currently getting 45+mpg over the whole week, not bad for a 2.0!).
For your choice of track car, could I suggest something light and RWD, perhaps an old 325i or Nissan 200sx etc etc.
I've ran two cars now for nearly three years and I only wish I'd done it earlier tbh.
It works out cheaper to do 10k a year in my daily driver (Avensis), and 2-3k in my weekend car (Monaro), than it would to do all those miles in just the Holden. The money saved actually pays for two lots of insurance.
Plus, driving a totally anonymous 10 year old repmobile during the week makes the weekend car something to savour.
For your miles it may not actually be cost effective to fork out the extra for a diesel, so consider efficient petrols too ( I'm currently getting 45+mpg over the whole week, not bad for a 2.0!).
For your choice of track car, could I suggest something light and RWD, perhaps an old 325i or Nissan 200sx etc etc.
The 120d is a very capable car if a little uninspiring. Had one for a week and it was well-built, comfortable and very economical whilst still being fairly sprightly and agile. Ugly as sin though.
For a track toy I'd recommend an RX-8. They are stupidly cheap now; I just sold mine for £3900 and it's a 54 reg with 46k on the clock. Ridiculous fuel economy, but if you're doing 2k a year it won't be an issue. The balance and grip in the dry is phenomenal. Reasonably quick in a straight line, but really hold their own on the twisties.
For a track toy I'd recommend an RX-8. They are stupidly cheap now; I just sold mine for £3900 and it's a 54 reg with 46k on the clock. Ridiculous fuel economy, but if you're doing 2k a year it won't be an issue. The balance and grip in the dry is phenomenal. Reasonably quick in a straight line, but really hold their own on the twisties.
Thanks for the ideas so far guys - really appreciate it!
Not sure about the suggestion of a Cupra and a MK1 - love both cars but that Cupra will work out more expensive to run than my current GTI!
V88Dicky: I think you may have a point regarding looking at petrols due to the initial extra cost of diesels - I'll have a look at a more 'sensible' petrol commuter. Thanks.
Not sure about the suggestion of a Cupra and a MK1 - love both cars but that Cupra will work out more expensive to run than my current GTI!
V88Dicky: I think you may have a point regarding looking at petrols due to the initial extra cost of diesels - I'll have a look at a more 'sensible' petrol commuter. Thanks.
Ensignia: thanks for that - appreciate the feedback. I test drove a 120d shortly before buying the GTI (an odd car to compare against, I know) and I admit I found the same.
Many moons ago I used to drive a Gen 7 celica and almost sold it for a RX8 - I'm amazed at how cheap they are now. The main concern with RX8s is the rotors - I'd been led to believe a lot of RX8 were so cheap now as they were due for costly replacement rotors - is this not the case? If so it'd definitely be a car worth considering as a weekender.
Many moons ago I used to drive a Gen 7 celica and almost sold it for a RX8 - I'm amazed at how cheap they are now. The main concern with RX8s is the rotors - I'd been led to believe a lot of RX8 were so cheap now as they were due for costly replacement rotors - is this not the case? If so it'd definitely be a car worth considering as a weekender.
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