Best budget sporty car with *proper* steeing feel
Discussion
I currently own a Clio 172, and that car has been such a revelation. For years I thought that car journos were full of it when they were talking about steering "feedback", "feel", and the car "talking to you through the steering wheel"... until i drove the 172 for the first time. Even now, years in ownership, the rather heavy, incredibly feelsome steering is the best part of the driving experience. Feeling the camber of the road, the bumps, the progressive weighing up of the wheel as more lock is applied, it all feels so organic and real, and I absolutely love it. I drive a lot of new cars as part of my job, 99% modern electric racks, and with one or two small exceptions, they have all been hopeless when compared to my humble 14-year old Clio when it comes to steering feel.
I do sometimes think about getting a bigger, more powerful, or newer car, but I'm afraid that whatever I get it will end up disappointing me in that area and I will regret letting the Clio go. So here is my question: what reasonably-priced (up to £3-4k) cars are out there, that can be practical (4 seats and a boot), fast (sub 8 seconds 0-60), and provide proper steering that doesn't feel like an arcade game or like shaking hands with a corpse?
I do sometimes think about getting a bigger, more powerful, or newer car, but I'm afraid that whatever I get it will end up disappointing me in that area and I will regret letting the Clio go. So here is my question: what reasonably-priced (up to £3-4k) cars are out there, that can be practical (4 seats and a boot), fast (sub 8 seconds 0-60), and provide proper steering that doesn't feel like an arcade game or like shaking hands with a corpse?
LasseV said:
Celica T-Sport. It has great steering feel, is little bit bigger than Clio with little bit stronger engine (190hp). Other than that, hard to think because of budget. Oh, yeah Mazda RX-8 is another one!
I concur - beautifully balanced steering and feels really interactive. The chap I bought mine from told me the steering feel is the thing he missed the most when he moved in to a 330d.£3-4k will get you a really low mileage nice example but to be honest they wear their miles well and as stated above the engine is a delight.
RX8 defo have a lovely steering feel, but is obviously week in other areas. on the rx8 forums (good few years ago when I had one) people appeared to struggle to find other cars in the same price bracket with as good steering feel and coupe rwd etc.
quite a few people seemed to go up to (or have come from) a 911. ive never driven anything with as good feedback, apart from super car experiences in cars like 911 gt3 and f430, maybe my wifes old mk1 ford KA though lol.
I think its something that's just been lost on modern cheap-ish day to day cars.
quite a few people seemed to go up to (or have come from) a 911. ive never driven anything with as good feedback, apart from super car experiences in cars like 911 gt3 and f430, maybe my wifes old mk1 ford KA though lol.
I think its something that's just been lost on modern cheap-ish day to day cars.
LasseV said:
Celica T-Sport. It has great steering feel, is little bit bigger than Clio with little bit stronger engine (190hp). Other than that, hard to think because of budget. Oh, yeah Mazda RX-8 is another one!
Good shout. My son's 2000 (X-Reg) Celica 140HP is a fun car to throw around. Still has enough room to be practical. Visually striking, but the looks are known to be kind of marmite (I love it but I feel a bit conspicuous driving it through town; one of colleagues just plain hates it). A later 190 would have been better, but insurance would have been prohibitive at the time.If you think the Clio has good feedback try a 205 or Clio Williams. Unfortunately I've asked this question many times in different forums and consensus is none of the modern cars have good steering feeling / feedback other than kit cars, or something from the Lotus stable. So its a case of finding something you can put up with!
Don’t know if these are better. But maybe comparable; Rover 200 BRM, MG Maestro Turbo, MG ZS, Ford Puma. Steering really isn’t all that bad on a Classic Impreza Turbo, although the AWD and turbo can overwhelm and mask the steering feel somewhat.
If you want to go older school. Dolly Sprint, Classic Mini, Morris Minor. Obviously these may lack the pace. But can all be modded.
If you want to go older school. Dolly Sprint, Classic Mini, Morris Minor. Obviously these may lack the pace. But can all be modded.
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