Replacing my Clio 182.
Discussion
This is an issue that has plaguing me for the last six months - I've had the Clio for just over three years now and whilst it's been a bit of a love/hate relationship - I can honestly say I've never had a car I've enjoyed as much as this one.
Previous cars include Focus ST225, Corsa VXR, Corrado VR6, ACS E36 325, Rover Coupé 220.
I'm fairly certain that I'm bored of FWD, although I don't want to rule it out completely.
As for a new car, I have an upper budget of around £7k (although, cheaper the better!) and I want something a little more comfortable and compliant with four seats (rears capable of taking a child seat).
What makes me nervous of changing cars is losing the driving feel and chuckability of the Clio. I realise I may have to sacrifice some of this in the search for comfort, but is there a happy compromise within budget?
Just after some suggestions and objective opinions.
Previous cars include Focus ST225, Corsa VXR, Corrado VR6, ACS E36 325, Rover Coupé 220.
I'm fairly certain that I'm bored of FWD, although I don't want to rule it out completely.
As for a new car, I have an upper budget of around £7k (although, cheaper the better!) and I want something a little more comfortable and compliant with four seats (rears capable of taking a child seat).
What makes me nervous of changing cars is losing the driving feel and chuckability of the Clio. I realise I may have to sacrifice some of this in the search for comfort, but is there a happy compromise within budget?
Just after some suggestions and objective opinions.
The 197 and Megané R26 are both cars I've looked at in depth - the Megané appeals slightly more so as I think the torque and LSD would go a long way to soften the blow of sticking with FWD. Having endured the pain of replacing the much smaller gearbox in my 182, stories of chocolate six speed gearboxes in the 197 put me off slightly.
M3 appeals, but my dilema here is the E36 seems a little dated and the E46 scares the hell out of me with the potential repair/running costs being a fair bit more complicated than the E36 (as I understand it, anyway).
My gut feel about the Mazda 3 MPS is that it's a little soft and wooly like my ST was? Whilst it was a great car, I never felt it was a real handler like the Clio appears to be. Perhaps I ought to test drive one.
M3 appeals, but my dilema here is the E36 seems a little dated and the E46 scares the hell out of me with the potential repair/running costs being a fair bit more complicated than the E36 (as I understand it, anyway).
My gut feel about the Mazda 3 MPS is that it's a little soft and wooly like my ST was? Whilst it was a great car, I never felt it was a real handler like the Clio appears to be. Perhaps I ought to test drive one.
mikehiow said:
This is an issue that has plaguing me for the last six months - I've had the Clio for just over three years now and whilst it's been a bit of a love/hate relationship - I can honestly say I've never had a car I've enjoyed as much as this one.
Previous cars include Focus ST225, Corsa VXR, Corrado VR6, ACS E36 325, Rover Coupé 220.
I'm fairly certain that I'm bored of FWD, although I don't want to rule it out completely.
As for a new car, I have an upper budget of around £7k (although, cheaper the better!) and I want something a little more comfortable and compliant with four seats (rears capable of taking a child seat).
What makes me nervous of changing cars is losing the driving feel and chuckability of the Clio. I realise I may have to sacrifice some of this in the search for comfort, but is there a happy compromise within budget?
Just after some suggestions and objective opinions.
E39 530 Sport?Previous cars include Focus ST225, Corsa VXR, Corrado VR6, ACS E36 325, Rover Coupé 220.
I'm fairly certain that I'm bored of FWD, although I don't want to rule it out completely.
As for a new car, I have an upper budget of around £7k (although, cheaper the better!) and I want something a little more comfortable and compliant with four seats (rears capable of taking a child seat).
What makes me nervous of changing cars is losing the driving feel and chuckability of the Clio. I realise I may have to sacrifice some of this in the search for comfort, but is there a happy compromise within budget?
Just after some suggestions and objective opinions.
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