What car? Fast Clio 172 replacement

[MagicalTrevor]

We're getting close to retiring the 172, it's been great but it's time for a change (depending on the replacement I may keep it as a track slag).

Mainly it's for the Mrs, she'll drive it everyday (short distance) but I sorely miss the Elise and want something that I'd enjoy driving at weekends. Commuting is done in the Volvo which is superb at its task but rubbish for weekend spirited driving.

Budget is anywhere between £5-£7k but man maths could help me justify more.

Obvious cars on here list are:

• Another Clio but this time a 197 or 200
• Megane 225/230/R27
• Mini Cooper S

Two seater a possibility but 4 seats preferred. MX5 would be just fine but she doesn't like them

Any other suggestions?

[kambites]

Mk3 MR2?

[motor mad]

S2000, Focus RS, Integra DC5, Megane R26 would be on my list.

[billzeebub]

E46 M3

[MagicalTrevor]

billzeebub said:

E46 M3

Can you really get a decent one for that money!?

R26 is a strong contender,
S2000 might be interesting
MR2 doesn't really float my boat I'm afraid

[havoc]

Possibly too raw/uncivilised for the missus, but that'll get you a VGC DC2 Integra.

Less torquey and lower geared than the Clio, but a little quicker when wound up, sounds better, and much better driving position / gearchange / build quality. I'm biased, but I also think it drives better - more fluid and more progressively adjustable, plus the diff is probably the best I've experienced in a fwd car and definitely gives you more options.

[Ved]

Blobeye Impreza STI. Practical, safe, reliable, cheap to run and a bit nippy.

[MagicalTrevor]

Ved said:

Blobeye Impreza STI. Practical, safe, reliable, cheap to run and a bit nippy.

I bet she won't like the 'image' but a good suggestion! I prefer the face lifted model but we'll have a look.

Interesting idea with the Integra, have no idea about them but will look

[Axionknight]

I have a Clio 200 Cup and love it, not sure what the bottom of end of the market is cost wise on the 200, but you'd get a reasonable 197 I reckon, it's reasonably fast, sharp and bloody good fun, decent, boot for the sector and servicing costs are reasonable, it's crap on petrol though, I seldom use it with it being a second car but for "only" a two litre petrol it likes a drink!

Also, the missus loves it and tries to cadge the keys from me when she can and her daily is a Swift Sport (also a brilliant little car).

[Buggerlugz]

Take a look at Mazda 6 mps

They go from £4k to £7k

Fast, 4 wheel drive handling, pretty well equipped, reliable, subdued image compared to the STI etc

[roystinho]

I've had loads of Clios, Ph1 172, Trophy, 200, V6 and I'm about to pick up a mini gp this weekend. A bit more than your £7k, but nil depreciation should help you with your man maths there

2 seats, great fun, massive boot for weekends away etc. (I'm hoping I can chuck the MTB in - I'm an optimist)

[MagicalTrevor]

roystinho said:

I've had loads of Clios, Ph1 172, Trophy, 200, V6 and I'm about to pick up a mini gp this weekend. A bit more than your £7k, but nil depreciation should help you with your man maths there

2 seats, great fun, massive boot for weekends away etc. (I'm hoping I can chuck the MTB in - I'm an optimist)

I'm not keeping with the suggestions, they're all good so sorry for not responding individually!

Mini GP is actually what started all this, a bit high on the budget but we could do it if it's awesome

[roystinho]

Sign up to the GP forum and just put up a wanted with a price. Someone might bite, and if they don't nothing lost

[Mastodon2]

Buggerlugz said:

Take a look at Mazda 6 mps

They go from £4k to £7k

Fast, 4 wheel drive handling, pretty well equipped, reliable, subdued image compared to the STI etc

Not really a car you'd drive for fun. Quick enough, but definitely utilitarian rather than hedonistic.

OP, don't bother with newer Clio, it will barely feel faster, if at all. The lower end of your budget will get you a pretty bloody clean early Cooper S, one of the supercharged ones, with plenty of money left over for a supercharger pulley swap and a good exhaust. Then you'll have a fast, good handling car with a lovely charger noise and pop 'n' bang exhaust, and without the noticeable throttle lag of the turbocharged cars, and you'll have money left over from your budget. Everyone's a winner.

[DanielSan]

For the money I'd buy a DC5 to be honest, still unbelievably impressed with my old one, if I hadn't killed it it wouldn't have been sold put it that way.

If you fancy something different to the Clio then go down the s2000 route. Roof down and rear wheel drive is huge fun

[Buggerlugz]

Mastodon2 said:

Not really a car you'd drive for fun. Quick enough, but definitely utilitarian rather than hedonistic.

OP, don't bother with newer Clio, it will barely feel faster, if at all. The lower end of your budget will get you a pretty bloody clean early Cooper S, one of the supercharged ones, with plenty of money left over for a supercharger pulley swap and a good exhaust. Then you'll have a fast, good handling car with a lovely charger noise and pop 'n' bang exhaust, and without the noticeable throttle lag of the turbocharged cars, and you'll have money left over from your budget. Everyone's a winner.

quick enough ?

£500 remap get you 300 bhp and they stick to the roads like dirt to toddlers

practical and fun all rolled into one my friend

[Patrick Bateman]

MagicalTrevor said:

Can you really get a decent one for that money!?

R26 is a strong contender,
S2000 might be interesting
MR2 doesn't really float my boat I'm afraid

£7k is plenty.

[Mastodon2]

Buggerlugz said:

quick enough ?

£500 remap get you 300 bhp and they stick to the roads like dirt to toddlers

practical and fun all rolled into one my friend

I don't know if I'd go that far, 300bhp sounds like a lot for a 1.6L engine, and you'd need to upgrade the suspension, ARBs and brakes to get the rest of the car to work properly with 300bhp, and even then it will probably be a fast yet unpleasant drive. And presumably you'd need one of the better induction options to get to those power figures too.

200-ish bhp would do for most applications, perhaps a little more. Keeping the car in balance is key to making a good drive, adding more power than the rest of the car can cope with will just spoil it.

[Chicane-UK]

Audi S3?

[lincsls2]

^^^ He was referring to the Mazda 6 MPS 2.3Turbo AWD. 260 bhp with map ~290.
They are fast cars, I know, I had one. Nice car, very understated.