£6-7k for a new motor.

[thehagg]

Hi everyone.. new here so go easy on me.

I've been constantly looking around for a new motor recently so decided to come on here to get a bit of help.
Currently driving a BMW 320ci that I've had for getting on 2 years. It's a 51 plate but only has 39,000 miles on the clock, so I'd like to get rid of that while it's hopefully still worth a bit and only have to put an extra 1-2k in to reach my 6-7k budget.

Looking for something a bit quicker without going mad on costs... can't afford to insure and run a scooby for example.

After doing a load of research the main considerations are:

Leon Cupra R (225)
BMW 330ci/clubsport
Focus ST

Any advice or reccommendations are welcome.

Cheers

Tom

[hifihigh]

DC5 Integra type R?

[sebhaque]

Have you considered a BMW 330d? I know it's a "diseaseal" and all, but it's got a great lump of power to go with it, and it's relatively cheap to run, good consumption and long life between services.

Alternatively, a Golf GTI might be a viable alternative.

[philmots]

hifihigh said:

DC5 Integra type R?

Will have more luck insuring a Scooby!

[rb5er]

philmots said:

hifihigh said:

DC5 Integra type R?

Will have more luck insuring a Scooby!

Indeed. My focus st insurance was a comparable price to my impreza insurance as are running costs.

[300bhp/ton]

thehagg said:

Hi everyone.. new here so go easy on me.

I've been constantly looking around for a new motor recently so decided to come on here to get a bit of help.
Currently driving a BMW 320ci that I've had for getting on 2 years. It's a 51 plate but only has 39,000 miles on the clock, so I'd like to get rid of that while it's hopefully still worth a bit and only have to put an extra 1-2k in to reach my 6-7k budget.

Looking for something a bit quicker without going mad on costs... can't afford to insure and run a scooby for example.

After doing a load of research the main considerations are:

Leon Cupra R (225)
BMW 330ci/clubsport
Focus ST

Any advice or reccommendations are welcome.

Cheers

Tom

Modded classics and kit cars will be cheaper to insure as a rule.

So depending on what you are wanting it might be an alternative take on it.

If you want fast on a budget, then a MK2 MR2 Turbo is pretty hard to beat and your budget would easily buy the best with quite a bit left over.

Or you could do what I did and go Yank. 5.7 litres, 320-350hp and similar mpg to a Focus ST just a lot faster.

[matt-ITR]

I've been looking at buying a Megane R26 230 recently.
For 6-7k you can buy a '07 plate with average miles or a mint 225.

I didn't think much of them before, but loved it after a test drive.

Another suggestion would be a mint condition DC2. That wouldn't lose much in value if you keep it in good condition. It is older, but already a modern classic IMO.

[matt-ITR]

300bhp/ton said:

Or you could do what I did and go Yank. 5.7 litres, 320-350hp and similar mpg to a Focus ST just a lot faster.

Only in a straight line presumably?

[300bhp/ton]

matt-ITR said:

300bhp/ton said:

Or you could do what I did and go Yank. 5.7 litres, 320-350hp and similar mpg to a Focus ST just a lot faster.

Only in a straight line presumably?

So people tell me

[muthaducka]

Leon Cupra R (225)
BMW 330ci/clubsport
Focus ST

I've heard the Focus ST is thirsty but they are a smart looking car. I like the idea of exploiting the 5 pot warble. The BM's probably offer better fuel economy when you take it easy so the step up to the 330 might be nice, plus you stick with RWD.

I've had a quick look for others things to consider and nothing too exciting comes up. From your list it looks like you want something presentable, not to boy racer and refined. Swift rather than bonkers. As drivers cars, you could sneak into an elise s1 (not sure of insurance costs though) or a clio 182 trophy / 197 newer shape: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3398325.htm - I would be inclined to get something newer if possible unless you want something as a keeper.

[Jmk]

TVR Chimaera

[thehagg]

muthaducka has got it spot on really.. want something fairly presentable that's quicker and newer than I've got without looking like a boy racer, but also practical for everyday use. Couldn't go from a beemer to a little clio for example.
Need something that will take my fishing kit with the seats down too, so a bigger hatch - ST/Cupra size is as small as I could go.

Out of the hot hatches I looked at it's only the Cupra and ST that appealed. CTR is a bit too chavy and looks pretty horrible, Megane's look even worse.
An ST sounded perfect.. fairly new and fresh looking, well equipped etc.. until I heard it did 25mpg at best. Is that true or is 30mpg achievable?

[Efbe]

thehagg said:

muthaducka has got it spot on really.. want something fairly presentable that's quicker and newer than I've got without looking like a boy racer, but also practical for everyday use. Couldn't go from a beemer to a little clio for example.
Need something that will take my fishing kit with the seats down too, so a bigger hatch - ST/Cupra size is as small as I could go.

Out of the hot hatches I looked at it's only the Cupra and ST that appealed. CTR is a bit too chavy and looks pretty horrible, Megane's look even worse.
An ST sounded perfect.. fairly new and fresh looking, well equipped etc.. until I heard it did 25mpg at best. Is that true or is 30mpg achievable?

Ignore parkers/'official' mpg figures, and use either www.fuelly.com or here:
http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/overview/17-Ford/148...
These are real world figures, not the rubbish the manufacturers peddle

[Mastodon2]

thehagg said:

Out of the hot hatches I looked at it's only the Cupra and ST that appealed. CTR is a bit too chavy and looks pretty horrible, Megane's look even worse.

Yeah, who cares about getting the best car of the bunch as long as you don't look like a chav, right?

[ArsE92]

I'd say Mazda 6 MPS but the back seats don't go down so you might struggle to get your fishing gear in.

[Bonefish Blues]

You say that about a Clio, but it is worth your while looking at a Trophy IMHO. Your budget would get the very best.

[Chr1sch]

Mini Cooper S maybe? Ours is a smidge over 200bhp, go well, seats fold flat enough for an ikea or le mans trip (trust me) and ours is smack in the middle of your budget. That will get you a 55plate with Nav, leather, climate etc etc and 48k miles.
http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/3357904.htm
A credible alternative to the cars you listed (having had a Cupra I can vouch the handling is far superior)

It's a nice prob to have, if it were me it would be the mini or the ST :-)

Edited by Chr1sch on Monday 14th November 23:11

[rb5er]

Mastodon2 said:

thehagg said:

Out of the hot hatches I looked at it's only the Cupra and ST that appealed. CTR is a bit too chavy and looks pretty horrible, Megane's look even worse.

Yeah, who cares about getting the best car of the bunch as long as you don't look like a chav, right?

No bias there eh? Imo the focus st is much better than a civic type-r and especially as an every day prospect. So much more comfortable and effortless.

You really do seem to be staunchly defending civics recently since you bought one. They are godd if you are in the mood for that sort of thing but there are plenty of better cars out there you know.

[Morba]

sebhaque said:

Have you considered a BMW 330d? I know it's a "diseaseal" and all, but it's got a great lump of power to go with it, and it's relatively cheap to run, good consumption and long life between services.

Stay petrol, leave the 330d alone

[benzito]

a few other options you may not have considered : nissan 350z, mazda rx8, civic type r, audi s4,