Civic Type R left me unimpressed. What to consider?

[matt-ITR]

Looking to change cars and previously had a DC2 Integra type R which I loved to bits!
Had it in my mind that the FN2 Type R was perfect, but after a brief test drive I came out a little disappointed. It lacked the magic the DC2 had.

So what modern-ish hot hatch might be a little more exciting?

Another DC2 is not an option.

Mini Cooper S - too small
Golf GTi - too boring
Focus ST - just not a fan, a bit too soft.
Leon Cupra - possible? Looked at an FR and that didn't impress, can't see the Cupra being much better?
Clio Cup (new shape) - dreadful interior and low rent spec.

The only thing that jumps out is a Megane R26... but I had major reservations about French cars and yet to see the interior.

[texasjohn]

EP3?
Or perhaps a 130i?

[matt-ITR]

EP3 too old and don't like the image.

Budget, around 10k.

Needs to avoid the £400 tax bracket and have 4 useable seats. Above 30mpg.

[CurvaParabolica]

If you've reservations with the clio's interior I don't think you'll like the megane, which is a shame as it's a great hot hatch.

Only other similar car with a decent interior that I can think of would be a 1 series variant.

[thebigmacmoomin]

330i or a DC5 Integra.

[RobM77]

matt-ITR said:

EP3 too old and don't like the image.

Budget, around 10k.

Needs to avoid the £400 tax bracket and have 4 useable seats. Above 30mpg.

As above - 130i? Not as fiesty as a front wheel drive hatchback, but it's a lovely engine and a nicely balanced chassis. Over 30mpg is easily possible.

[FreeLitres]

Mazda 3 MPS?

Never driven one but they look good on paper.

[matt-ITR]

Went to look at the Mazda, they didn't have the MPS in. But I think they fall in the £400 tax bracket?

I'll look into BMW 130i. I assumed they were beyond our budget and too expensive to run.

[SMcP114]

DC5 would be the obvious choice for me.

[Chris Peacock]

FreeLitres said:

Mazda 3 MPS?

Never driven one but they look good on paper.

High tax bracket.........

[SeventyThree]

Chris Peacock said:

FreeLitres said:

Mazda 3 MPS?

Never driven one but they look good on paper.

High tax bracket.........

If one is spending £10k on a car, does it really matter? Even the top band works out at only £1.26 a day. I bet you spend more on crisps/sweets/gum.

[texasjohn]

matt-ITR said:

Went to look at the Mazda, they didn't have the MPS in. But I think they fall in the £400 tax bracket?

I'll look into BMW 130i. I assumed they were beyond our budget and too expensive to run.

This is the MPG readout on a 130i facelift model after a 45 minute run at 60mph on the motorway (and just to clarify, the MPG computer was reset at the start of the journey). It'll still get high thirties and just about hit 40MPG at normal lane 3 speeds.

Tax is £210 a year.

ETA: My 130i just happens to be for sale too

Edited by texasjohn on Monday 7th November 21:47

[jack_st]

Focus rs? evo 8?

[TameRacingDriver]

How about the FD2 (import) CTR? Supposedly much better than the FN2.

Otherwise, not much else is like an ITR without actually being an ITR, I'm struggling to think of a modern equivalent bar the DC5 or FD2.

BMW might be a way to go, you can probably get a decent E46 M3 for that. The BMW is an altogether more refined experience, but its still pretty good in its own ways, lovely soundtrack at all revs, comfortable, fast and capable.

[matt-ITR]

DC5 is out, don't want an import.
Focus, either too old or too expensive depending which one you mean.
Evo, too expensive to run.

[66comanche]

Impreza

[DLovett]

130i.

[RobM77]

Running costs haven't been a feature of any of the BMWs that I've owned, except the older ones as they approach ten years old and things start need replacing. BMW aren't as reliable as perhaps Honda or Toyota, but I wouldn't call them particularly expensive to run. The only real downside is the hassle from other road users, who seem to all suddenly hate you. It's a breath of fresh air driving my Lotus in terms of the lack of road rage - truly bizarre given that the Lotus is clearly a sports car and should attract more envy.

[Chr1sch]

Shame the Mini is out, mine is very exciting! 210bhp, Supercharged.....(oh and its for sale!)

I would also say, how about a VXR Nurburgring? Exciting in a silly, pop bang road kind of way?

[anonymous-user]

I struggled to replace my old DC2. I tried an Elise but I didn't like the toyota lump then I had a brief fling with an Audi TT which dynamically wasn't very sharp. I ended up with another Honda but if I was doing the whole thing again and was in your shoes then I would try a 147 GTA and/or an R32. You could of course go the BWM route in which case Z3M, all of those will be different enough not to make you compare the drive every time you turn the key.