Winter car/rainy day track mule

[opplock]

So here's the situation:

I drive a 997.1 C2S
My wife drives a 335i

I hate taking the Porsche out in UK winter weather but want something:

1. Small, and fun to drive at this time of year (so front or AWD)
2. With a backseat and boot/hatch space
3. Usable on track (I do 8-10 trackdays a year and would like a bad weather track car).
4. Cheap to run, insure and service -- 4 cylinder, smallish wheels & discs (no E36 M3s etc).

Budget £3500.
Car should be less than 10 years old with <100k miles.


Am thinking of Civic Type-R, GTI, Megane, Cooper S... any other good ideas?

Thank you.

Edited by opplock on Monday 14th November 20:19

Edited by opplock on Monday 14th November 23:06

[Rovinghawk]

Hyundai coupe 2.7 V6. Massively within budget & who cares if it gets scratched?

I'm not joking, just giving a left-field suggestion.

RH

[joe_90]

GroundEffect will pop up offing his clio cup in moment for 1450... don't do it.

Edited by joe_90 on Tuesday 15th November 10:34

[GroundEffect]

Buy MY Clio Cup! £1450

[joe_90]

Joking aside, a clio sport would be a good car, however it was a bit ste in the snow to be fair. Light + wide tyres = no grip at all.

Its a bit out of budget, but I just purchased a Megane Sport for 5K, I think they can be had for less now. It has much more room than the clio, but I guess its looks are marmite.

Edited by joe_90 on Tuesday 15th November 10:34

[opplock]

Thanks all for the replies. Did some research on the Clio 182 last night and it may be the better driver's car. Not sure about reliability compared to a Honda though. Would prefer to keep things simple with a car that may be sitting outside for a week or two at a time. .

Appreciate the Hyundai Coupe suggestion. Think I would like more of a practical box on wheels body shape though.

So I think I have talked myself into a Civic Type R. Do people think the facelift version is worth getting?

Thank you again.

[Rovinghawk]

opplock said:

Appreciate the Hyundai Coupe suggestion. Think I would like more of a practical box on wheels body shape though.

You're welcome. Have a look at the boot size with the rear seats down before you dismiss it.

RH

[joe_90]

opplock said:

Thanks all for the replies. Did some research on the Clio 182 last night and it may be the better driver's car. Not sure about reliability compared to a Honda though. Would prefer to keep things simple with a car that may be sitting outside for a week or two at a time. .

Appreciate the Hyundai Coupe suggestion. Think I would like more of a practical box on wheels body shape though.

So I think I have talked myself into a Civic Type R. Do people think the facelift version is worth getting?

Thank you again.

Honestly, my clio had a few bits go wrong, but is cheap to replace, and most you can do yourself. However, drive both before you buy. The clio is an outstanding car for the cash, the civic (I have driven a few, and had a few hondas over the years, s2000's etc) is more grown up, and much more thirsty on petrol. (I got 38.8mpg avg out the clio), and you will need to wing the honda right up the rev range to get the power, at which point it just drinks petrol..

You can leave the clio for weeks, and the thing always just starts and is ready to go. The clio is also excellent on the track, but I would at least put some better pads on the car (about £90) and change the fluid to blue-dot to stop the brake fade.

[The Wookie]

Fails on the cheap to run aspect (unless you service it yourself or go for a lower tune UK '260' model) but my Evo IX was fun on track, practical, tyres and brakes were quite affordable, and it was brilliant in the snow, even on all-season tyres.

ETA just seen budget, that might net you an earlier model like a III or IV

[300bhp/ton]

opplock said:

Budget £3500.
Car should be less than 10 years old with <100k miles.


Am thinking of Civic Type-R, GTI, Megane, Cooper S... any other good ideas?

Do you think yo can pick those up for £3.5k really?