Need a manual as good as a Mk2 Focus
Discussion
I'm looking for a hatchback car with a short nobbly gear change
I've a longish history of company and hire cars, tended to prefer the smaller ones, enjoyed a Rover 25, Mondeo mk2 was my favourite, had a terrible time with a BMW 3 series (quality issues), don't like new minis, anyway I now have a company pick up truck, so for the first time for many years I need a car for personal use.
As a stop gap I've just picked up a 2008 mk2 focus 1.6, and it drives fantastic. It obviously has some niggles, I've sorted out a leak into the boot, and there are a couple of suspicious creaks and groans that I need to address, but the steering and particularly the five speed manual is fantastic, possibly the best I've driven.
Downsides are I only get about 41mpg with it (motorway and town), and there's a tiny bit of rot setting in which I knew about, so I will need to change fairly soon.
So I'm looking for a slightly newer petrol manual, 50 mpg would be great, needs to be ULEZ, I'm flexible on budget anything upto 18K. Seems like the mk3 focus isn't as well regarded to drive, although I like the looks. Is the Fiesta gearbox really, really good?
I do go into rough bits of London, so don't want a new car or anything flashy, a smattering of warranty would be good.
The Suzuki Swift is on the shortlist, but again, how is the gear change on those, I want short and knobbly. MX-5 I've had before, prefer a hatch. How about a previous gen warm civic, do the manuals all have a dash mounted shift?
Some sort of cross between an S2000 and Focus would fit the bill, welcome your all thoughts please?.
I've a longish history of company and hire cars, tended to prefer the smaller ones, enjoyed a Rover 25, Mondeo mk2 was my favourite, had a terrible time with a BMW 3 series (quality issues), don't like new minis, anyway I now have a company pick up truck, so for the first time for many years I need a car for personal use.
As a stop gap I've just picked up a 2008 mk2 focus 1.6, and it drives fantastic. It obviously has some niggles, I've sorted out a leak into the boot, and there are a couple of suspicious creaks and groans that I need to address, but the steering and particularly the five speed manual is fantastic, possibly the best I've driven.
Downsides are I only get about 41mpg with it (motorway and town), and there's a tiny bit of rot setting in which I knew about, so I will need to change fairly soon.
So I'm looking for a slightly newer petrol manual, 50 mpg would be great, needs to be ULEZ, I'm flexible on budget anything upto 18K. Seems like the mk3 focus isn't as well regarded to drive, although I like the looks. Is the Fiesta gearbox really, really good?
I do go into rough bits of London, so don't want a new car or anything flashy, a smattering of warranty would be good.
The Suzuki Swift is on the shortlist, but again, how is the gear change on those, I want short and knobbly. MX-5 I've had before, prefer a hatch. How about a previous gen warm civic, do the manuals all have a dash mounted shift?
Some sort of cross between an S2000 and Focus would fit the bill, welcome your all thoughts please?.
Edited by Largechris on Friday 19th March 11:53
Ads22 said:
This sounds like exactly what im looking for - also keen to see what suggestions. Ive tried to talk myself into a swift sport too but think something a bit more grown up sounds more ideal. I guess other mazdas, hondas, fords would have similar changes - from my experience.
Seems the forum hasn’t too many ideas. A newer Focus mk2 then ?To add..
When you mention previous gen warm civic which one do you mean?
I had a 2009 civic 1.8 and the gear change was notchy and disappointing. I'm not sure there were any 'warm' versions in that gen or the one after. Your budget would get a newer Type r but it might be a bit hard core and certainly won't be economical.
If you don't need the performance of a fiesta ST there is always the ST line which would attract a bit less attention and be cheaper to buy and run.
When you mention previous gen warm civic which one do you mean?
I had a 2009 civic 1.8 and the gear change was notchy and disappointing. I'm not sure there were any 'warm' versions in that gen or the one after. Your budget would get a newer Type r but it might be a bit hard core and certainly won't be economical.
If you don't need the performance of a fiesta ST there is always the ST line which would attract a bit less attention and be cheaper to buy and run.
Largechris said:
I'm looking for a hatchback car with a short nobbly gear change
I've a longish history of company and hire cars, tended to prefer the smaller ones, enjoyed a Rover 25, Mondeo mk2 was my favourite, had a terrible time with a BMW 3 series (quality issues), don't like new minis, anyway I now have a company pick up truck, so for the first time for many years I need a car for personal use.
As a stop gap I've just picked up a 2008 mk2 focus 1.6, and it drives fantastic. It obviously has some niggles, I've sorted out a leak into the boot, and there are a couple of suspicious creaks and groans that I need to address, but the steering and particularly the five speed manual is fantastic, possibly the best I've driven.
Downsides are I only get about 41mpg with it (motorway and town), and there's a tiny bit of rot setting in which I knew about, so I will need to change fairly soon.
So I'm looking for a slightly newer petrol manual, 50 mpg would be great, needs to be ULEZ, I'm flexible on budget anything upto 18K. Seems like the mk3 focus isn't as well regarded to drive, although I like the looks. Is the Fiesta gearbox really, really good?
I do go into rough bits of London, so don't want a new car or anything flashy, a smattering of warranty would be good.
The Suzuki Swift is on the shortlist, but again, how is the gear change on those, I want short and knobbly. MX-5 I've had before, prefer a hatch. How about a previous gen warm civic, do the manuals all have a dash mounted shift?
Some sort of cross between an S2000 and Focus would fit the bill, welcome your all thoughts please?.
First things first unless you go for something with a small engine then a real world 50mpg in mixed driving will be a push, the gearchange will be subjective what's no good for you will be good for someone else & vice versa.I've a longish history of company and hire cars, tended to prefer the smaller ones, enjoyed a Rover 25, Mondeo mk2 was my favourite, had a terrible time with a BMW 3 series (quality issues), don't like new minis, anyway I now have a company pick up truck, so for the first time for many years I need a car for personal use.
As a stop gap I've just picked up a 2008 mk2 focus 1.6, and it drives fantastic. It obviously has some niggles, I've sorted out a leak into the boot, and there are a couple of suspicious creaks and groans that I need to address, but the steering and particularly the five speed manual is fantastic, possibly the best I've driven.
Downsides are I only get about 41mpg with it (motorway and town), and there's a tiny bit of rot setting in which I knew about, so I will need to change fairly soon.
So I'm looking for a slightly newer petrol manual, 50 mpg would be great, needs to be ULEZ, I'm flexible on budget anything upto 18K. Seems like the mk3 focus isn't as well regarded to drive, although I like the looks. Is the Fiesta gearbox really, really good?
I do go into rough bits of London, so don't want a new car or anything flashy, a smattering of warranty would be good.
The Suzuki Swift is on the shortlist, but again, how is the gear change on those, I want short and knobbly. MX-5 I've had before, prefer a hatch. How about a previous gen warm civic, do the manuals all have a dash mounted shift?
Some sort of cross between an S2000 and Focus would fit the bill, welcome your all thoughts please?.
Edited by Largechris on Friday 19th March 11:53
I'd say that you should look for a warm hatch as you'll get a good mix of fuel/poke/equipment & warranty here are some that for me have good gear shifts.
Giulietta Speciale 150 as well as the years warranty you'll get you'll be able to extend the Manufacturers Warranty on this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
Focus Vignale 182 not as sweet a steer as your MK2 but no new car is, compared to it's modern day rivals these are a cracking car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...
ST Line X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...
308 GT oldest of the options but also the cheapest with a real world 45mpg mixed they're a good steer too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
DS5 Prestige same as the 308 above but with a nicer more spcious interior
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...
Kia ProCeed GT Tech with 4 years warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
New Shape Ceed GT Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103089...
Mazda3 Sport Lux 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...
You'll only get a real answer when you test drive them yourself but hopefully this helps.
ChrisH72 said:
To add..
When you mention previous gen warm civic which one do you mean?
I had a 2009 civic 1.8 and the gear change was notchy and disappointing. I'm not sure there were any 'warm' versions in that gen or the one after. Your budget would get a newer Type r but it might be a bit hard core and certainly won't be economical.
If you don't need the performance of a fiesta ST there is always the ST line which would attract a bit less attention and be cheaper to buy and run.
Ooh that’s good info, I was hoping they’d carried over the gear change from the mk1 civic type R, but no. And the new type R is way over the top. When you mention previous gen warm civic which one do you mean?
I had a 2009 civic 1.8 and the gear change was notchy and disappointing. I'm not sure there were any 'warm' versions in that gen or the one after. Your budget would get a newer Type r but it might be a bit hard core and certainly won't be economical.
If you don't need the performance of a fiesta ST there is always the ST line which would attract a bit less attention and be cheaper to buy and run.
I’m very confused by all the ST versions, I’m not bothered about infotainment spec or anything.
ZX10R NIN said:
First things first unless you go for something with a small engine then a real world 50mpg in mixed driving will be a push, the gearchange will be subjective what's no good for you will be good for someone else & vice versa.
I'd say that you should look for a warm hatch as you'll get a good mix of fuel/poke/equipment & warranty here are some that for me have good gear shifts.
Giulietta Speciale 150 as well as the years warranty you'll get you'll be able to extend the Manufacturers Warranty on this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
Focus Vignale 182 not as sweet a steer as your MK2 but no new car is, compared to it's modern day rivals these are a cracking car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...
ST Line X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...
308 GT oldest of the options but also the cheapest with a real world 45mpg mixed they're a good steer too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
DS5 Prestige same as the 308 above but with a nicer more spcious interior
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...
Kia ProCeed GT Tech with 4 years warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
New Shape Ceed GT Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103089...
Mazda3 Sport Lux 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...
You'll only get a real answer when you test drive them yourself but hopefully this helps.
Thanks, great list. I do like the Mazda styling from the past five years, but I find the interiors a sea of not very nice blackness. The Gieulietta would be the brave pill but it’s tempting, though I’d have a 156/159 in my mind as being far more handsome.I'd say that you should look for a warm hatch as you'll get a good mix of fuel/poke/equipment & warranty here are some that for me have good gear shifts.
Giulietta Speciale 150 as well as the years warranty you'll get you'll be able to extend the Manufacturers Warranty on this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
Focus Vignale 182 not as sweet a steer as your MK2 but no new car is, compared to it's modern day rivals these are a cracking car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102249...
ST Line X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103200...
308 GT oldest of the options but also the cheapest with a real world 45mpg mixed they're a good steer too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
DS5 Prestige same as the 308 above but with a nicer more spcious interior
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...
Kia ProCeed GT Tech with 4 years warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
New Shape Ceed GT Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103089...
Mazda3 Sport Lux 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...
You'll only get a real answer when you test drive them yourself but hopefully this helps.
I’m most tempted by the Kia option, I need to test them definitely.
Largechris said:
Thanks, great list. I do like the Mazda styling from the past five years, but I find the interiors a sea of not very nice blackness. The Gieulietta would be the brave pill but it’s tempting, though I’d have a 156/159 in my mind as being far more handsome.
I’m most tempted by the Kia option, I need to test them definitely.
The Alfa is no more of a brave pill than any VAG/Peugeot etc so don't discount them on reliability grounds that would be a mistake.I’m most tempted by the Kia option, I need to test them definitely.
You sound just like me. I have a 2008 Focus but the 1.8 and it's the best car I've owned in terms of driving dynamics by a long way. I am also looking to upgrade to something a bit newer this year and have no idea what I can get that is going to be as good. I've also owned a Swift and if I didn't want something with a biggish boot (one of the reasons I've mostly discounted a mk3 Focus hatchback is because the boot is small) I'd have a Swift Sport as the 1.3 Swift I had was a hoot to drive, though not as nice as the Focus.
Of the cars of a similar ilk to the Focus I think the Vauxhall Astra is fairly well regarded and is pretty cheap for what you can get. I doubt it would be as nice as the Focus but I've been in a mate's 2012 Astra and it is a better place to sit than a mk2 Focus in my opinion so an even newer one would be a step up again. Other than that I think the Mazda3 is probably about your best bet but I've never been in one so couldn't comment.
Of the cars of a similar ilk to the Focus I think the Vauxhall Astra is fairly well regarded and is pretty cheap for what you can get. I doubt it would be as nice as the Focus but I've been in a mate's 2012 Astra and it is a better place to sit than a mk2 Focus in my opinion so an even newer one would be a step up again. Other than that I think the Mazda3 is probably about your best bet but I've never been in one so couldn't comment.
If you mean the latest MK3 TT then the reviews are really good. I'm sure it would drive very nicely.
But if you're now thinking of coupes then surely the gt86 is worth a look for it's analogue feel and reputation for driver involvement?
Or save some money and get a late (2016) swift sport 1.6. Hard to beat for just a fun hatch to knock about in and even the best ones are under £8k now.
But if you're now thinking of coupes then surely the gt86 is worth a look for it's analogue feel and reputation for driver involvement?
Or save some money and get a late (2016) swift sport 1.6. Hard to beat for just a fun hatch to knock about in and even the best ones are under £8k now.
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