What hot hatch £4500 Coming from a BMW 330ci
Discussion
Hi all, sold my 330ci today so now have £4500 burning a hole in my pocket for my next car, sold the bmw because to me it just wasnt " fun " sure it was quick in a staight line, comfortable and looked the part, but it just didnt give me the spark i want from a car.
Ive started looking at hot hatches, and want to go down that route for a while, idealy would like better MPG than the 330, which averaged at 22-24 on my short journey to and from work, and little plays in the evening and weekends.
Currently quite interested in a civic type R, but looking at the figures, it suggest 22mpg urban, surely it cant be that bad if i keep out of vtec on my commute, and then whilst im having a play, i dont really care about the mpg as long as its not stupid, has anyone had one? what are they like?
Alternatives are the clio, would look at a 197, which ive read is a hoot to drive, but im not sure about the reliability, mate had the 182 cup, and that was fun to be a passenger in, but i just think it would be too small for me.
Now onto the turbo cars, not sure if i fancy a turbo or not, wouldn't like the turbo to go on me, and have to pay a huge bill, but thats a risk with all cars i suppose, that something will go wrong.
Currently liking, Leon cupra R's and even the Megane 225.
Now as a wildcard, im thinking about an impreza, proberly an wrx in my price range, maybe a prodrived version, the insurance is alot more, and so is the fuel, and general matenience, but im sure they will much more fun.. Can anyone talk me into it? Would be using bike to get to work in the summer.
This is a bit rushed as im just heading out, but can anyone offer me any advice or wisdom?
thanks.
Ive started looking at hot hatches, and want to go down that route for a while, idealy would like better MPG than the 330, which averaged at 22-24 on my short journey to and from work, and little plays in the evening and weekends.
Currently quite interested in a civic type R, but looking at the figures, it suggest 22mpg urban, surely it cant be that bad if i keep out of vtec on my commute, and then whilst im having a play, i dont really care about the mpg as long as its not stupid, has anyone had one? what are they like?
Alternatives are the clio, would look at a 197, which ive read is a hoot to drive, but im not sure about the reliability, mate had the 182 cup, and that was fun to be a passenger in, but i just think it would be too small for me.
Now onto the turbo cars, not sure if i fancy a turbo or not, wouldn't like the turbo to go on me, and have to pay a huge bill, but thats a risk with all cars i suppose, that something will go wrong.
Currently liking, Leon cupra R's and even the Megane 225.
Now as a wildcard, im thinking about an impreza, proberly an wrx in my price range, maybe a prodrived version, the insurance is alot more, and so is the fuel, and general matenience, but im sure they will much more fun.. Can anyone talk me into it? Would be using bike to get to work in the summer.
This is a bit rushed as im just heading out, but can anyone offer me any advice or wisdom?
thanks.
Glad to see you were considering a Leon Cupra R, as they are IMO, under-rated cars. Not to be paired with the equivalent Mk4 Golf GTi on which it's based upon, but manages to be a much better drive.
..but! The Honda is as good, if not better and you can't really go wrong with it.
Another suggestion is the Mazda 3 MPS (although not sure if on budget?)
..but! The Honda is as good, if not better and you can't really go wrong with it.
Another suggestion is the Mazda 3 MPS (although not sure if on budget?)
Baryonyx said:
The EP3 Civic Type R sounds like a good bet. Amazing engine, fantastic gearshift, great fun to drive. What more could you want?
Yea it does seem to fit the bill quite nicely, will try to test one over the weekend, looks like i can pick up a decent facelift for 4.5 too which is good.PaperCut said:
Glad to see you were considering a Leon Cupra R, as they are IMO, under-rated cars. Not to be paired with the equivalent Mk4 Golf GTi on which it's based upon, but manages to be a much better drive.
..but! The Honda is as good, if not better and you can't really go wrong with it.
Another suggestion is the Mazda 3 MPS (although not sure if on budget?)
Hi, yea the leon is very underated, been in a mates one which has been mapped, very quick indeed, but nice to see you rate the honda just as good, seems a safer bet for me, with no turbo's to go wrong etc, i do like the mazda, especially its sleeper looks, but i agree, dont think there is any in budget...but! The Honda is as good, if not better and you can't really go wrong with it.
Another suggestion is the Mazda 3 MPS (although not sure if on budget?)
172ff said:
Megane r26.
Couldn't see any r26's in budget, although quite a few normal 225's though, and a trophy.the stigs dad said:
Vw r32 or a focus St/ rs mk1.
I do like the r32, and the focus st, dont think there will be any decent examples in budget at the moment though, althought the st's are slowly dropping, only thing that puts me off both these cars is the mpg for the perfomance, there is better out there, eg impreza's etc..Pablo16v said:
I do have a soft spot for these, used to walk past one every day on the way to work a few years ago, but im looking for something newer.the stigs dad said:
Vw r32 or a focus St/ rs mk1.
ST170 is slow, RS well out of budget?Had a look with virtually the same criteria a while ago, before just not bothering! Definitely a tricky price range to buy in, add or remove a couple of grand from the budget and you have lots of choices! For the price you could probably just about squeeze into a Mk5 Golf GTI, newer shape Seat Leon FR, or an Octavia VRS. My pick would be the latter, but they're all essentially the same car.
I'll suggest the Alfa 147 GTA, just to be different, but different is everything! And you'll have to put some money to it. If reliability concerns you about Renault, then the Megane has to be the worst of the lot. As for the Civic; I honesty believe they're down on thrills and the VTEC won't have the torque of your old 330. I know people who've had them and have moved on because of the boredom.
The Golf R32 is a car without compromise. But the pick of the bunch, and even allowing for you to keep your sensible hat on, would be the Clio 197. They are indeed a hoot to drive, fuel consumption would be far superior to your old car, and having driven one but not owned one - I can't comment on reliability but can't recall any horror stories.
The Golf R32 is a car without compromise. But the pick of the bunch, and even allowing for you to keep your sensible hat on, would be the Clio 197. They are indeed a hoot to drive, fuel consumption would be far superior to your old car, and having driven one but not owned one - I can't comment on reliability but can't recall any horror stories.
mattuk89 said:
idealy would like better MPG than the 330, which averaged at 22-24 on my short journey to and from work, and little plays in the evening and weekends.
The two pressing questions on my mind are 'How', as how do you expect to get a noticeble improvement im MPG on a performance car that is driving a short commoute to work during the week and then used for hard driving two exicsires known to bent MPG by some distance. 'Why', as in Why if money is so tight to the point where you are concerned about a few MPG you are messing around with pipe dreams of an Impreza and not picking up a ghastly PD engined VAG diesel and keeping the change?And another 'Why' another, if your commute is so short and the car is used for pleasure, why do you actually care about MPG? Your overall yearly mileage must be pretty small?
veevee said:
ST170 is slow, RS well out of budget?
Had a look with virtually the same criteria a while ago, before just not bothering! Definitely a tricky price range to buy in, add or remove a couple of grand from the budget and you have lots of choices! For the price you could probably just about squeeze into a Mk5 Golf GTI, newer shape Seat Leon FR, or an Octavia VRS. My pick would be the latter, but they're all essentially the same car.
Very true about the money, i do have a few more grand to play with if needed, but would have to be a perfect car.. Don't really want to spend more than 4.5-5.Had a look with virtually the same criteria a while ago, before just not bothering! Definitely a tricky price range to buy in, add or remove a couple of grand from the budget and you have lots of choices! For the price you could probably just about squeeze into a Mk5 Golf GTI, newer shape Seat Leon FR, or an Octavia VRS. My pick would be the latter, but they're all essentially the same car.
jbi said:
1 series?
Would be a leggy one for my budget, and dont really like the looks of the 5 door.ajb85 said:
I'll suggest the Alfa 147 GTA, just to be different, but different is everything! And you'll have to put some money to it. If reliability concerns you about Renault, then the Megane has to be the worst of the lot. As for the Civic; I honesty believe they're down on thrills and the VTEC won't have the torque of your old 330. I know people who've had them and have moved on because of the boredom.
The Golf R32 is a car without compromise. But the pick of the bunch, and even allowing for you to keep your sensible hat on, would be the Clio 197. They are indeed a hoot to drive, fuel consumption would be far superior to your old car, and having driven one but not owned one - I can't comment on reliability but can't recall any horror stories.
I do like alfas, but as you said, i would have to put money into it, which i dont want to do, just want a car than i can keep for a couple of years without spending a fortune on it. r32 is nice, always liked them, but trying to stay away from another big engined car, that in all fairness isnt much quicker than the others, with 1200cc less. The renault is a good shout though, i will have to do some research about them, heard they are very fun in the twistys.The Golf R32 is a car without compromise. But the pick of the bunch, and even allowing for you to keep your sensible hat on, would be the Clio 197. They are indeed a hoot to drive, fuel consumption would be far superior to your old car, and having driven one but not owned one - I can't comment on reliability but can't recall any horror stories.
279 said:
The two pressing questions on my mind are 'How', as how do you expect to get a noticeble improvement im MPG on a performance car that is driving a short commoute to work during the week and then used for hard driving two exicsires known to bent MPG by some distance. 'Why', as in Why if money is so tight to the point where you are concerned about a few MPG you are messing around with pipe dreams of an Impreza and not picking up a ghastly PD engined VAG diesel and keeping the change?
And another 'Why' another, if your commute is so short and the car is used for pleasure, why do you actually care about MPG? Your overall yearly mileage must be pretty small?
To be fair all your points are very true, i shouldnt get hung up on the MPG i know, with the beemer the mpg was always there on the trip computer, i guess for a car than is " more fun " than the 330, mpg doesnt matter, as you say my mileage isnt much at all, i guess.. With the bmw it was more when things went wrong it was a dent to the wallet, i know all cars have this though, dont worry though i have been thinking today, why do i actually care about MPG, as stated above, just want a car thats fun when i want fun, can get me to work and back with ease, and wont cost me a fortune in repairs and matenience over the time i own it.And another 'Why' another, if your commute is so short and the car is used for pleasure, why do you actually care about MPG? Your overall yearly mileage must be pretty small?
RacingBlue said:
Not for £4500 you won't.
A 197 is a good choice, early ones are down to that sort of price range now. £4500 will also get you a very nice 182 Trophy too.
Yea, i have seen a few for that price, wouldnt want a 182, i just feel they are quite small, and it would be the smallest car i have owned since passing my test, at 6ft2 i dont think i would get along with the car.A 197 is a good choice, early ones are down to that sort of price range now. £4500 will also get you a very nice 182 Trophy too.
currybum said:
It is worth having a test drive in the location you are likely to be using it, the engine doesn't really do anything until 5,500rpm, which is great on the open road but feels a bit silly if you are driving it around London.
I dont live in London? I dont know where you got that from, i live in Bournemouth, the New Forest is only miles away, lots of nice B roads to drive down over the summer weekends :-)If anyone is interested, i bought a Civic Type R this weekend, aint had a chance to drive it properly yet due to the weather, but from the journey back from the garage it seems a nice car, and i think i am going to enjoy it alot once the sun comes out and its got some decent tyres on it. 
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