Small (hot) hatch?
Discussion
I'm running a 2012 R56 Mini Cooper, which has done a great job of sitting alongside our family van and has been very low cost in its 18 months with us.
Ideally, I'd keep it longer, but unfortunately the previous owner was a smoker and the smell has never really gone away. I'm either breathing in the latest of a series of chemically "air con bombs", or gradually noticing the smoke smell coming back.
Since our van was at my wife's behest and is staying for ever, this is entirely my own choice!
The brief for a replacement is something a touch bigger than the Mini, possibly with 5 doors, but still ideally <4m length. Other considerations are that it's high spec and reliable. A bit of performance wouldn't go amiss, but driving pleasure is more important than speed.
Budget is less of a consideration (let's say £20k), but this will only do around 3-4k miles per year - so I'd either prefer to spend less or to buy something new(er) for the long haul. Low depreciation would be good and I'd prefer to buy rather than lease.
I've been thinking of:
- Something older / interesting: I got excited about a 3-dr Golf R32 for sale locally, but realised that this early Mk5 was nearing 13 years old. I don't mind the running costs, but I'd probably have spent £2-3k on refurbishment to ensure I could have confidence in it. Happy to hear suggestions for similar cars, but I don't have time like I once had for rolling improvements.
- 2018 Polo GTI: This would have to be new as it's only just out, but seems pretty close in spirit to a Mk5 Golf GTI.
- Mini F56 5-door: in Cooper or S flavour, either used or new. 0-1 year old used models seem like good value for the spec and I've enjoyed the current Mini.
My garage history shows I've had a lot of cars like this in the past, but I'm feeling a bit stuck now. Perhaps it's an age thing, but a lot of today's hot hatches seem a bit unsubtle for my tastes and there's a paucity of affordable coupes. If only I could go back to the early 2000s, I'd have another Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo please!
Ideas gratefully received...
Ideally, I'd keep it longer, but unfortunately the previous owner was a smoker and the smell has never really gone away. I'm either breathing in the latest of a series of chemically "air con bombs", or gradually noticing the smoke smell coming back.
Since our van was at my wife's behest and is staying for ever, this is entirely my own choice!
The brief for a replacement is something a touch bigger than the Mini, possibly with 5 doors, but still ideally <4m length. Other considerations are that it's high spec and reliable. A bit of performance wouldn't go amiss, but driving pleasure is more important than speed.
Budget is less of a consideration (let's say £20k), but this will only do around 3-4k miles per year - so I'd either prefer to spend less or to buy something new(er) for the long haul. Low depreciation would be good and I'd prefer to buy rather than lease.
I've been thinking of:
- Something older / interesting: I got excited about a 3-dr Golf R32 for sale locally, but realised that this early Mk5 was nearing 13 years old. I don't mind the running costs, but I'd probably have spent £2-3k on refurbishment to ensure I could have confidence in it. Happy to hear suggestions for similar cars, but I don't have time like I once had for rolling improvements.
- 2018 Polo GTI: This would have to be new as it's only just out, but seems pretty close in spirit to a Mk5 Golf GTI.
- Mini F56 5-door: in Cooper or S flavour, either used or new. 0-1 year old used models seem like good value for the spec and I've enjoyed the current Mini.
My garage history shows I've had a lot of cars like this in the past, but I'm feeling a bit stuck now. Perhaps it's an age thing, but a lot of today's hot hatches seem a bit unsubtle for my tastes and there's a paucity of affordable coupes. If only I could go back to the early 2000s, I'd have another Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo please!
Ideas gratefully received...
I'd say the Megane RS in 250/265/275 dependent on how much you decide to spend:
275 Cup S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't need the rear seats the R26 R is a car well worthy of consideration.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Clio RS Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
275 Cup S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or if you don't need the rear seats the R26 R is a car well worthy of consideration.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Clio RS Trophy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Seems a bit odd you wanting something so new to do so little mileage. Each to their own but it's not like a MK5 Golf R32 is going to fall to pieces. Those newer cars are going to hammer you in depreciation too, whereas something like an R32 will probably hold it's value very well, maybe even go up.
I do around 8-10k miles a year and my 2 year old Audi A4 lease is going back in favour of a Clio 172/182, which will be around 15 years old. My point is don't worry about older cars. Get one that's been well looked after with a decent history and lots of paperwork and it should look after you.
However, if you're dead set on something newer, i would echo the comments for the Renaultsport Megane 250/265/275, the latter of which is the newer one and also comes in Cup-S 'guise. I'd also consider a 220 Trophy personally, but the 'box is not to everyone's taste so give each a drive.
I do around 8-10k miles a year and my 2 year old Audi A4 lease is going back in favour of a Clio 172/182, which will be around 15 years old. My point is don't worry about older cars. Get one that's been well looked after with a decent history and lots of paperwork and it should look after you.
However, if you're dead set on something newer, i would echo the comments for the Renaultsport Megane 250/265/275, the latter of which is the newer one and also comes in Cup-S 'guise. I'd also consider a 220 Trophy personally, but the 'box is not to everyone's taste so give each a drive.
A Megane sounds like a good call for you.
However if you want to keep it small (ignoring the larger than the mini)
How about this: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
190bhp
995kg
Factory fit:
Datalogger
Harnesses
Cage
Adjustable shocks
Carbon everywhere
Aluminium bonnet
And some titanium thrown in for good measure.
Or less mileage and cheaper with no options: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
However if you want to keep it small (ignoring the larger than the mini)
How about this: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
190bhp
995kg
Factory fit:
Datalogger
Harnesses
Cage
Adjustable shocks
Carbon everywhere
Aluminium bonnet
And some titanium thrown in for good measure.
Or less mileage and cheaper with no options: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
The aforementioned Megane R26.R should be very low depreciation and ideal for keeping as a low-mileage weekend car.
You could also consider a Mini GP, the limited edition version with only two seats - seems like that would give you the Mini experience that you like but also give you the low depreciation associated with a low-mileage weekend fun car.
You could also consider a Mini GP, the limited edition version with only two seats - seems like that would give you the Mini experience that you like but also give you the low depreciation associated with a low-mileage weekend fun car.
Thanks for the suggestions - this is helpful.
On reflection, I think I'll go for something used. As one earlier poster said, it's not like that Mk5 R32 is going to fall apart - so I'll probably give it a look at the weekend if it's still around.
Most interesting, though, was following the Renault suggestions above. I'll do a bit more research on the Megane RS, but the Clio 200 has definitely caught my eye. I've been looking at late 200s, which seem a good balance between size, performance, depreciation and running costs.
I had a Clio 197 from 2007-9 (in addition to a Clio 16V, Williams & 172), so it might be nice to come home to one of these.
On reflection, I think I'll go for something used. As one earlier poster said, it's not like that Mk5 R32 is going to fall apart - so I'll probably give it a look at the weekend if it's still around.
Most interesting, though, was following the Renault suggestions above. I'll do a bit more research on the Megane RS, but the Clio 200 has definitely caught my eye. I've been looking at late 200s, which seem a good balance between size, performance, depreciation and running costs.
I had a Clio 197 from 2007-9 (in addition to a Clio 16V, Williams & 172), so it might be nice to come home to one of these.
I took a quick look at the local 2005 R32 today. As suspected, it was a little tatty on the outside and would need a replacement front grille, which could be fairly hard to find at a reasonable price. In its defence, it does wear 4 decent Conti tyres supposedly has a full VW service history, which at its age is not to be sniffed at.
Overall, I'd probably be looking at spending around £8k on it - about 25% more than its sticker price - to get it up to snuff. That's assuming it doesn't need mechanical attention.
I'm also looking at Clio 200s and have found several to look at. For a similar ballpark to the above R32's price, I'd be looking at a mint 2012 model with some options.
Decisions, decisions!
Overall, I'd probably be looking at spending around £8k on it - about 25% more than its sticker price - to get it up to snuff. That's assuming it doesn't need mechanical attention.
I'm also looking at Clio 200s and have found several to look at. For a similar ballpark to the above R32's price, I'd be looking at a mint 2012 model with some options.
Decisions, decisions!
Before you make your mind up try & find one of these locally:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
RSTurboPaul said:
Don't the Clio 200s have the annoying flappy paddle gearbox? Not sure I'd like that...
If you're thinking about depreciation-proof-ness, old Renaults and £8k budget, you should look at a 182 Trophy.
Yes but it's a subjective matter. I rather like a decent flappy-paddle auto but i can understand that it's not for everyone, which i say above.If you're thinking about depreciation-proof-ness, old Renaults and £8k budget, you should look at a 182 Trophy.
182 Trophy is a good idea though.
I should be clear that I'm looking at Clio 200s as in the 2009-2012 model, rather than the 2013- onward 200 EDC. But I'm not settled on one.
I'm ambivalent on the newer Clio EDC's looks more than anything else, as I love the older model's wide arches (just as they were on the 16V & Williams).
I should also add that I don't really have a budget. It was just that the Mk5 R32 I mentioned earlier would have costed about £8k to get it up to a decent cosmetic standard. My current Mini would trade at around £5.5k, to which I'd add whatever seems like a reasonable budget given that this car will be doing low miles.
I'm ambivalent on the newer Clio EDC's looks more than anything else, as I love the older model's wide arches (just as they were on the 16V & Williams).
I should also add that I don't really have a budget. It was just that the Mk5 R32 I mentioned earlier would have costed about £8k to get it up to a decent cosmetic standard. My current Mini would trade at around £5.5k, to which I'd add whatever seems like a reasonable budget given that this car will be doing low miles.
Edited by The Cardinal on Friday 9th February 22:04
Clio 200 with the sought after Recaros
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
An alternatives to the R32 are:
3.2 Audi A3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Passat R36 (but I can't recommend buy anything from the link below)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Passat CC 3.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Leftfield
4.0 W8 Passat
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
An alternatives to the R32 are:
3.2 Audi A3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Passat R36 (but I can't recommend buy anything from the link below)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Passat CC 3.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Leftfield
4.0 W8 Passat
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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