Discussion
Currently running a 07 Pug 207 GT as wanted to run a cheap car for a bit but kinda realised it doesn’t need to be that cheap. So I’m looking at a budget of around 6K and want something reliable but interesting. Currently top of my list is a Civic Type R GT 07 to 09 as the engine is apparently bomb proof but just wanted some opinions on them or possible alternatives.
Doesn’t strictly need to be a hatch but something interesting, reliable and cheap to run. Preferably tax not above £305 and petrol as don’t do enough miles for a diesel.
Let the opinions commence ....
Doesn’t strictly need to be a hatch but something interesting, reliable and cheap to run. Preferably tax not above £305 and petrol as don’t do enough miles for a diesel.
Let the opinions commence ....
Ahbefive said:
I'd have (and do have) a Megane R26 over a CTR. Faster, better handling and rarer.
I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
What’s the Renault like in terms of reliability? Any timing chains or belts to worry about?I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
ST’s just look a bit older and usually higher mileage for the same age but I’ll have a look.
Ahbefive said:
I'd have (and do have) a Megane R26 over a CTR. Faster, better handling and rarer.
I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
Hasn't that model of ctr got electronic steering ?I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
egor110 said:
Which do you value most ?
Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Sort of looking at the best all round package. Won’t be doing a lot of miles but will be keeping for 2-3+ years and ideally as least depreciation as possible. Maybe future classic scenario.Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Obee72 said:
egor110 said:
Which do you value most ?
Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Sort of looking at the best all round package. Won’t be doing a lot of miles but will be keeping for 2-3+ years and ideally as least depreciation as possible. Maybe future classic scenario.Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Obee72 said:
Ahbefive said:
I'd have (and do have) a Megane R26 over a CTR. Faster, better handling and rarer.
I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
What’s the Renault like in terms of reliability? Any timing chains or belts to worry about?I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
ST’s just look a bit older and usually higher mileage for the same age but I’ll have a look.
Obee72 said:
egor110 said:
Which do you value most ?
Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Sort of looking at the best all round package. Won’t be doing a lot of miles but will be keeping for 2-3+ years and ideally as least depreciation as possible. Maybe future classic scenario.Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
You need to have a think what you actually want for instance i had a clio cup loved it but sold it because i wanted something with more torque .
Got a remapped saab aero and it was crap on the b roads on exmoor , although it had far better acceleration it was to big and heavy for the tight hemmed in b roads it gets used on 99% of the time .
Flip side is if all i wanted to do is accelerate down dual carriage ways or track days on really fast flowing tracks then the torque would maybe of been a better trade off for handling .
Obee72 said:
Ahbefive said:
I'd have (and do have) a Megane R26 over a CTR. Faster, better handling and rarer.
I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
What’s the Renault like in terms of reliability? Any timing chains or belts to worry about?I'd also much prefer the focus ST to a CTR, faster, better handling and better engine that makes a great noise whilst also being just a few mods away from 300bhp.
ST’s just look a bit older and usually higher mileage for the same age but I’ll have a look.
My Megane has only needed a window module, brakes and tyres in the year that I have had it and does get some track use. Running around 270bhp it regularly flies past CTRs on track unless they are super/turbocharged.
Also as said, I think these will be a future classic.
Edited by Ahbefive on Saturday 24th March 11:12
egor110 said:
Obee72 said:
egor110 said:
Which do you value most ?
Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
Sort of looking at the best all round package. Won’t be doing a lot of miles but will be keeping for 2-3+ years and ideally as least depreciation as possible. Maybe future classic scenario.Handling , 0-60 , torque because the answers are going to be different based on each of them .
Do you just want to plant your foot and roar away down a slip road , are you happy to change down gear and accept less torque for better handling ?
You need to have a think what you actually want for instance i had a clio cup loved it but sold it because i wanted something with more torque .
Got a remapped saab aero and it was crap on the b roads on exmoor , although it had far better acceleration it was to big and heavy for the tight hemmed in b roads it gets used on 99% of the time .
Flip side is if all i wanted to do is accelerate down dual carriage ways or track days on really fast flowing tracks then the torque would maybe of been a better trade off for handling .
Ahbefive said:
Mazda 3 MPS, Golf Gti, Astra VXR all decent cars too but I'd put the Renault and Ford a cut above.
I've had a few renault sports and think i'd go for the megane , every r/s ive had has had really good handling right out the box .The focus 5 pot engine though would be a nice thing to listen to and they seem a bit more solid/well built .
I bounce between Honda, Renault and BMW
For me the FN2 was a complete let down, I disagree that it’s too stiff for the road, I just didn’t think it really deserved the Type R badge. For me, I love the high revving engines, but they are at their best when they’re in relatively light weight cars, the FN2 is a bit of a lard. Plus at your budget you won’t be able to afford a later model with the LSD.
Only had a test drive of the Focus ST from a main dealer so I didn’t exactly have a chance to drive it properly but it just felt like any old hatchback, I always seem to come away dissapointed when I drive fast fords though so it may just be me.
Owned an R26 for just about a year, awesome car on the road, it’s the only one in your budget that’ll come with an LSD and that was what did it for me at the time. It’s completely different from the other two in my experience and if you want a proper drivers car then I think it’s the only choice. Certainly isn’t without faults though, interior rattles like nothing I’ve ever owned before, electrical gremlins are common and consumables aren’t cheap if you’re sticking with Brembos and you’ll always want decent tyres. Also don’t think it’s a looker but this would still be my number 1 choice with the money you have to play with.
If you aren’t looking for the best drivers car then maybe the focus does make more sense as most people seem to love them and if you can get the all leather interior then I think it makes more sense than the Golf GTi personally. The golf just looks so dull at that age, I would have considered an ED30 a few years ago but prices have held strong with them and now they’re all really high mileage and a lot of them have rust issues. You could get a high mileage R32 but again they don’t really fit my driving style.
Wouldn’t discount a Mini Cooper S JCW if you can find a mint R53
For me the FN2 was a complete let down, I disagree that it’s too stiff for the road, I just didn’t think it really deserved the Type R badge. For me, I love the high revving engines, but they are at their best when they’re in relatively light weight cars, the FN2 is a bit of a lard. Plus at your budget you won’t be able to afford a later model with the LSD.
Only had a test drive of the Focus ST from a main dealer so I didn’t exactly have a chance to drive it properly but it just felt like any old hatchback, I always seem to come away dissapointed when I drive fast fords though so it may just be me.
Owned an R26 for just about a year, awesome car on the road, it’s the only one in your budget that’ll come with an LSD and that was what did it for me at the time. It’s completely different from the other two in my experience and if you want a proper drivers car then I think it’s the only choice. Certainly isn’t without faults though, interior rattles like nothing I’ve ever owned before, electrical gremlins are common and consumables aren’t cheap if you’re sticking with Brembos and you’ll always want decent tyres. Also don’t think it’s a looker but this would still be my number 1 choice with the money you have to play with.
If you aren’t looking for the best drivers car then maybe the focus does make more sense as most people seem to love them and if you can get the all leather interior then I think it makes more sense than the Golf GTi personally. The golf just looks so dull at that age, I would have considered an ED30 a few years ago but prices have held strong with them and now they’re all really high mileage and a lot of them have rust issues. You could get a high mileage R32 but again they don’t really fit my driving style.
Wouldn’t discount a Mini Cooper S JCW if you can find a mint R53
DUBS73P said:
Wouldn’t discount a Mini Cooper S JCW if you can find a mint R53
I’d love a Mini as had one previously but just don’t think I could live with the lack of rear space. There’s no space behind my seat at all in a Mini and the rear seats would be in use every so often with 3 kids, although I can get away with 4 seats.Whilst the R26 does appeal, the lack of reliability around the electrics would concern me.
Think I need some test drives next...
I'd say go for the Focus in ST-3 Spec great cars with a cracking engine, they're not as sharp the R26 Megane but they're not far off I enjoyed mine.
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