Engaging, but not too quick car !
Discussion
I've been toying with various ideas recently, conclusion is I want to get something that is engaging & 'fun' to drive
I do about 3-400 miles a week, but can use the family Mazda 6 Auto most days if I want to, so there aren't many constraints of practicality etc. The things I think are important to me are:
Manual gearbox (ideally with fairly short ratios in the lower gears)
Engine that has some character, and ideally likes revs
Not too quick - I like to be able to thrash it a bit without going antisocially fast
Budget is a range from £3K and high running costs to £9K and very low running costs
Any ideas ???
I do about 3-400 miles a week, but can use the family Mazda 6 Auto most days if I want to, so there aren't many constraints of practicality etc. The things I think are important to me are:
Manual gearbox (ideally with fairly short ratios in the lower gears)
Engine that has some character, and ideally likes revs
Not too quick - I like to be able to thrash it a bit without going antisocially fast
Budget is a range from £3K and high running costs to £9K and very low running costs
Any ideas ???
EP3 Honda civic type R?
Quick (but not "fast" by modern standards), reliable, fantastic engine, great value at the moment. Practical enough to use every day, and the fuel consumption for the performance is actually really decent.
Swap out the EPAS for the hydraulic setup from the DC5 if you want a bit more feel in the steering.
Quick (but not "fast" by modern standards), reliable, fantastic engine, great value at the moment. Practical enough to use every day, and the fuel consumption for the performance is actually really decent.
Swap out the EPAS for the hydraulic setup from the DC5 if you want a bit more feel in the steering.
designforlife said:
EP3 Honda civic type R?
Quick (but not "fast" by modern standards), reliable, fantastic engine, great value at the moment. Practical enough to use every day, and the fuel consumption for the performance is actually really decent.
Swap out the EPAS for the hydraulic setup from the DC5 if you want a bit more feel in the steering.
I think I'd like the engine a lot (although still a bit on the quick side for me!) - not sure if they look a bit too boy-racery for me though. Didn't realise they had EPAS. Quick (but not "fast" by modern standards), reliable, fantastic engine, great value at the moment. Practical enough to use every day, and the fuel consumption for the performance is actually really decent.
Swap out the EPAS for the hydraulic setup from the DC5 if you want a bit more feel in the steering.
FN2 could be an option, I've always quite liked how they look, even if they're not meant to be as polished dynamically
CousinDupree said:
E90 330i N52. Great fun and a lovely engine. Avoid the later N53 though.
I had an N52 125i coupe (mapped to 130i), the engine sounded great and made the car, but that aside wasn't all that impressed (felt like it had a heavy flywheel?), jittery rear suspension. Either way, 260 odd bhp is too much for me - did they do the E9x with the 2.5 N52??underphil said:
I had an N52 125i coupe (mapped to 130i), the engine sounded great and made the car, but that aside wasn't all that impressed (felt like it had a heavy flywheel?), jittery rear suspension. Either way, 260 odd bhp is too much for me - did they do the E9x with the 2.5 N52??
The 3 series models with M Sport suspension were quite well resolved once you dump the runflats and run 18" or smaller wheels. Way better handling / ride compromise than the 1 series or Z4 (non M). I don't think the E9x 2.5 N52 had the DISA manifold, so even tuned, they don't make max power close to the red line. The gearing is quite long on all of them. Up your budget a little and you can get an early leggy GT86. That's at least as good to drive as an E30 M3.
designforlife said:
underphil said:
I'm liking this idea - which then becomes a question of which one ??
mk1 for the purist, mk2 for the slightly more refined drive, mk3 for the ford enthusiast!!Lots of useful suggestions, thanks all
GT86 - I had one a few years ago, was the only car I had access to and was a bit compromised as a daily driver, but I do miss it still !! (maybe made me drive like an idiot though!).
Yes, the Swift Sport has been one I'm really keen to try
The Z4 makes a lot of sense too: In reality there a lot of cars on the road where I live, even on the back roads I use. Maybe a droptop with a great sounding engine will be the type of car that will give the most thrilling experience in the real world where I can't go quick very often
GT86 - I had one a few years ago, was the only car I had access to and was a bit compromised as a daily driver, but I do miss it still !! (maybe made me drive like an idiot though!).
Yes, the Swift Sport has been one I'm really keen to try
The Z4 makes a lot of sense too: In reality there a lot of cars on the road where I live, even on the back roads I use. Maybe a droptop with a great sounding engine will be the type of car that will give the most thrilling experience in the real world where I can't go quick very often
If practicality isn't a concern you've just described a Honda S2000:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff