Daily, Road Tripper, Track Car, £25k
Discussion
Hi all,
Thought I would throw this one out the the PH collective.
With me looking to move the Cayman on soon i'm looking at potential replacements.
I've had 2 good years with the Cayman where it has been fantastic but i'm wanting something a little larger, more civilized but that still has the fun drivers car edge.
Budget is around £25k and so far my list looks like.
Whatever I buy I want it to have that Swiss army knife character where it can calm down and cruise on longer journeys, but can also hold its own at the track and on good roads.
Manual and 4/5 doors would be my preference.
Thanks
Alex
Thought I would throw this one out the the PH collective.
With me looking to move the Cayman on soon i'm looking at potential replacements.
I've had 2 good years with the Cayman where it has been fantastic but i'm wanting something a little larger, more civilized but that still has the fun drivers car edge.
Budget is around £25k and so far my list looks like.
- Hyundai i30n Fastback - Love the way it looks and drives, packed with kit and decent space
- Honda FK8 Type R - Butt ugly, but a fantastic car by all accounts and roomier
- Renault Megane RS300 Trophy - Looks great, i'm a die hard Renaultsport fan, but its smaller and has less kit than the other 2
Whatever I buy I want it to have that Swiss army knife character where it can calm down and cruise on longer journeys, but can also hold its own at the track and on good roads.
Manual and 4/5 doors would be my preference.
Thanks
Alex
This is a tricky one I have tried to solve myself a few times but never managed. (See thread here for a similar question albeit lower budget https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... )
Notable omission from you list would be a focus in st guise. I've not driven one but the reviews are great.
A45 or some sort of 1 series will also be most likely put forward as options too.
25k would also get you into a Yaris GR if you fancy some 4wd rally inspiration
Personally I found the i30n a little disappointing when I drove one after all the rave reviews. Yes it made a fun noise but everything else for me lacked a bit of excitement. But might just have been me. I20n also gets rave reviews but obviously a good chunk smaller
Notable omission from you list would be a focus in st guise. I've not driven one but the reviews are great.
A45 or some sort of 1 series will also be most likely put forward as options too.
25k would also get you into a Yaris GR if you fancy some 4wd rally inspiration
Personally I found the i30n a little disappointing when I drove one after all the rave reviews. Yes it made a fun noise but everything else for me lacked a bit of excitement. But might just have been me. I20n also gets rave reviews but obviously a good chunk smaller
Edited by drgoatboy on Friday 17th January 10:17
I've previously had an RS Megane 265 Cup, which was an incredible drive. It was so reactive, wanted to be driven hard and felt special with the Recaro bucket seats. I used it as a daily, but it was compromised in this role due to the suspension, which was extremely firm at low speed around town. The stereo was also terrible!
After several years and a couple of intervening BMWs I now have a Mk7 Golf GTI with the Performance Pack. I've only had it a short period of time, but I am really impressed with it as a daily. Lots of creature comforts, fast enough and it feels really well made. It wouldn't do as a track car, but one of the Clubsport variants might offer what you are after. I believe they had optional buckets and other options that would make it a successful do-it-all car within budget.
Before I went with the Golf I did think that the RS Megane 300 could do what I wanted as an all-rounder, but when I sat it one it seemed to be really compromised in terms of space despite having a decently sized footprint.
After several years and a couple of intervening BMWs I now have a Mk7 Golf GTI with the Performance Pack. I've only had it a short period of time, but I am really impressed with it as a daily. Lots of creature comforts, fast enough and it feels really well made. It wouldn't do as a track car, but one of the Clubsport variants might offer what you are after. I believe they had optional buckets and other options that would make it a successful do-it-all car within budget.
Before I went with the Golf I did think that the RS Megane 300 could do what I wanted as an all-rounder, but when I sat it one it seemed to be really compromised in terms of space despite having a decently sized footprint.
Tough to find a do it all but the Megane would seem to fit your brief.
Usual suspects apply really, maybe throw a Focus RS into the mix or an M140 with a few suspension tweaks.
Type R would be perfect if you could get over the looks, most cant though but i will admit i quite like the lairyness of them.
Usual suspects apply really, maybe throw a Focus RS into the mix or an M140 with a few suspension tweaks.
Type R would be perfect if you could get over the looks, most cant though but i will admit i quite like the lairyness of them.
This might be way off but 4 seats, excellent fun on a track, ok boot....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024060604...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024060604...
drgoatboy said:
This might be way off but 4 seats, excellent fun on a track, ok boot....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024060604...
Ha! weirdly I tried an Evora recently and it wasn't different enough from the Cayman to make the switch worth while.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024060604...
My heart says the Type R offers the proper drivers car experience I crave. But my head says that there is so much value in the i30n and RS 300 which are significantly cheaper.
I'm here to evangelize for the Civic.
Just look at the Evo reviews and the various car of the year awards from various publications.
Swiss army knife wise, It's a very tough one to beat.
Looks wise, A few of my friend's parents have taken the impression that I'm a drug dealer but that's about the worst you get...
I do still catch quite a lot of people turning heads, and was most entertained when the valet moved a 911 to the back carpark to put me at the front of the hotel....
Anyone who has doubted has very quickly been silenced by the driving experience - I think it's a case that many people believe there is not enough go to back up the show, but they've so far been proven otherwise after a quick drive.
Long Cruise?
40MPG is not unheard of for a normal 70mph cruise - I even managed 53MPG on one gentle drive from Nottingham back to London.
Comfort mode for some soft damping; Excellent (IME) ACC & LKAS that makes it effectively self driving on the motorway.
Fairly quiet, especially with smaller wheels and a little bit of extra sound deadening in my case.
The small fuel tank can be a little bit of a nuisance at 47L, But this is only really an issue if you drive in big stints or are doing a mix of roads (It does drink if you're enjoying a scenic section!)
The seats are exceptional, best I've known and similar reports from passengers and others that have given it a drive - I've been up and down to Scotland a few times, including with passengers and never had any soreness or complaints.
The Aero is genuinely helpful too - It's extremely stable at speed, and even in extremely high winds such as those before Christmas, I've yet to ever feel the effect of a gust. On German Autobahns it's very happily planted at 130 - 140MPH, and yes, It does get to the 169MPH Top speed
B Roads?
A little bit wide, but dare I say perfect damping for UK Roads - Sport mode for normal use, or +R If you like a little bit of extra bone rattling. (I Say that, but it's still resolved and not at all jarring unless the road is extremely poor)
The gearing and gearbox is an excellent balance - You can either enjoy the torque lower down, or shuffle cogs enthusiastically and have it ripping around at redline - I've sometimes found myself making gearchanges solely for enjoyments sake (Even commented on by observers
)
The LSD and generally well sorted chassis means that traction is no real issue for sane enjoyment - Even in the cold and damp it does very well to put the power down given appropriate tyres.
Track?
Take out the boot load covers (Very small and easily stowed in the footwell) and you can get a full set of wheels stood in the boot for a trackday change.
+R Mode dials out the VSA a little allowing you to enjoy the full scope of the car, get things a bit out of shape but will collect you before the Armco does unless you're really challenging physics.
If you are hyper enthusiastic, engine cooling can be a bit of a limiting factor, but I've done 15 - 20 minute sessions in summer without anything untoward - You may feel it pull a little power.
There's proper front brake cooling ducts, and the setup is generally very well specc'd.
Maintenance?
The engine bay is extremely neat and tidy for a modern car (Compare to the F4RT!), with great access to most areas - all standard routine servicing and even more involved tasks are easily accomplished.
Thanks to the car being prolific in the US, there's exceptional aftermarket support for both upgrade parts as well as common service items.
I'd suggest getting some 18" Aftermarket wheels with 245/40 tyres as it makes tyres much cheaper, potholes less petrifying, cabin quieter, and massively reduces the rotating mass with no particularly adverse impact on handling.
Problems?
I've had a few warranty bits but never anything showstopping:-
Rear window seals poking out a bit
AC Condenser (There's a 10 year extended warranty on these)
Fuel Pump Recall
All have been handled very nicely by the dealership.
I did have water ingress through the bonnet scoop onto Coil pack 4 but sorted this out DIY with some MSD Coils, new plugs and a bit of sealant tape applied in the right spots.
Also had a little bit of a leak on the 3rd brake light seal which should now be resolved (Pending next rain to check!) - Just ran a bead of silicone sealant along the top.
There was also a recent incident with my aftermarket oil cooler springing a leak, but given that's not Honda's fault I don't count it against the car at all (And it still got me home with a quick stop at halfords for some oil!)
Practicality?
Barring the lack of a middle seatbelt, once the rear seats are down it's Civic Type Van. Loadspace and access is excellent; There's a bit of boot lip but it's more of a convenience than anything - I'd say in many cases it's easier and more practical to load than my XF estate given the depth of boot and slight boot lip.
The parcel shelf slidey cover thingy is a fantastic invention; If you find yourself needing the last bit of width for something huge you can just pop it out and stash it under one of the front seats.
Passengers are comfortable; I've made many a pub run fully loaded with friends and never had an issue.
I've barried mine up quite a bit now from interior / sound modifications, to short shifters, engine tweaks (360 - 380BHPish now using basemaps), exhaust etc and it's still going happily at 70K Miles; Happy to expand on the mods if that's something you're interested in.
Any particular questions you may have I'd be more than happy to answer, I'd also recommend jumping on the facebook owners groups as the community is very friendly.
Just look at the Evo reviews and the various car of the year awards from various publications.
Swiss army knife wise, It's a very tough one to beat.
Looks wise, A few of my friend's parents have taken the impression that I'm a drug dealer but that's about the worst you get...
I do still catch quite a lot of people turning heads, and was most entertained when the valet moved a 911 to the back carpark to put me at the front of the hotel....
Anyone who has doubted has very quickly been silenced by the driving experience - I think it's a case that many people believe there is not enough go to back up the show, but they've so far been proven otherwise after a quick drive.
Long Cruise?
40MPG is not unheard of for a normal 70mph cruise - I even managed 53MPG on one gentle drive from Nottingham back to London.
Comfort mode for some soft damping; Excellent (IME) ACC & LKAS that makes it effectively self driving on the motorway.
Fairly quiet, especially with smaller wheels and a little bit of extra sound deadening in my case.
The small fuel tank can be a little bit of a nuisance at 47L, But this is only really an issue if you drive in big stints or are doing a mix of roads (It does drink if you're enjoying a scenic section!)
The seats are exceptional, best I've known and similar reports from passengers and others that have given it a drive - I've been up and down to Scotland a few times, including with passengers and never had any soreness or complaints.
The Aero is genuinely helpful too - It's extremely stable at speed, and even in extremely high winds such as those before Christmas, I've yet to ever feel the effect of a gust. On German Autobahns it's very happily planted at 130 - 140MPH, and yes, It does get to the 169MPH Top speed
B Roads?
A little bit wide, but dare I say perfect damping for UK Roads - Sport mode for normal use, or +R If you like a little bit of extra bone rattling. (I Say that, but it's still resolved and not at all jarring unless the road is extremely poor)
The gearing and gearbox is an excellent balance - You can either enjoy the torque lower down, or shuffle cogs enthusiastically and have it ripping around at redline - I've sometimes found myself making gearchanges solely for enjoyments sake (Even commented on by observers
)The LSD and generally well sorted chassis means that traction is no real issue for sane enjoyment - Even in the cold and damp it does very well to put the power down given appropriate tyres.
Track?
Take out the boot load covers (Very small and easily stowed in the footwell) and you can get a full set of wheels stood in the boot for a trackday change.
+R Mode dials out the VSA a little allowing you to enjoy the full scope of the car, get things a bit out of shape but will collect you before the Armco does unless you're really challenging physics.
If you are hyper enthusiastic, engine cooling can be a bit of a limiting factor, but I've done 15 - 20 minute sessions in summer without anything untoward - You may feel it pull a little power.
There's proper front brake cooling ducts, and the setup is generally very well specc'd.
Maintenance?
The engine bay is extremely neat and tidy for a modern car (Compare to the F4RT!), with great access to most areas - all standard routine servicing and even more involved tasks are easily accomplished.
Thanks to the car being prolific in the US, there's exceptional aftermarket support for both upgrade parts as well as common service items.
I'd suggest getting some 18" Aftermarket wheels with 245/40 tyres as it makes tyres much cheaper, potholes less petrifying, cabin quieter, and massively reduces the rotating mass with no particularly adverse impact on handling.
Problems?
I've had a few warranty bits but never anything showstopping:-
Rear window seals poking out a bit
AC Condenser (There's a 10 year extended warranty on these)
Fuel Pump Recall
All have been handled very nicely by the dealership.
I did have water ingress through the bonnet scoop onto Coil pack 4 but sorted this out DIY with some MSD Coils, new plugs and a bit of sealant tape applied in the right spots.
Also had a little bit of a leak on the 3rd brake light seal which should now be resolved (Pending next rain to check!) - Just ran a bead of silicone sealant along the top.
There was also a recent incident with my aftermarket oil cooler springing a leak, but given that's not Honda's fault I don't count it against the car at all (And it still got me home with a quick stop at halfords for some oil!)
Practicality?
Barring the lack of a middle seatbelt, once the rear seats are down it's Civic Type Van. Loadspace and access is excellent; There's a bit of boot lip but it's more of a convenience than anything - I'd say in many cases it's easier and more practical to load than my XF estate given the depth of boot and slight boot lip.
The parcel shelf slidey cover thingy is a fantastic invention; If you find yourself needing the last bit of width for something huge you can just pop it out and stash it under one of the front seats.
Passengers are comfortable; I've made many a pub run fully loaded with friends and never had an issue.
I've barried mine up quite a bit now from interior / sound modifications, to short shifters, engine tweaks (360 - 380BHPish now using basemaps), exhaust etc and it's still going happily at 70K Miles; Happy to expand on the mods if that's something you're interested in.
Any particular questions you may have I'd be more than happy to answer, I'd also recommend jumping on the facebook owners groups as the community is very friendly.
M140 be cheaper to insure than a proper M car? For 25k could pick up a nice one and money left for some mods. Can get 5 door and manual.
Mines my daily/track car. Bilstein coilovers, LSD, 500bhp plus some other bits. Very fast and cabable on track, still sees over 40mpg on a cruise, not had a single issue with it in 4 years daily driven and many track days.
I do fancy a FL5 civic when they drop some more in price.
Mines my daily/track car. Bilstein coilovers, LSD, 500bhp plus some other bits. Very fast and cabable on track, still sees over 40mpg on a cruise, not had a single issue with it in 4 years daily driven and many track days.
I do fancy a FL5 civic when they drop some more in price.
Haltamer said:
I'm here to evangelize for the Civic.
Thanks for that, very informative and to be honest the sort of thing I was wanting to hear. Another bonus for the FK8 is that is one of the lighter modern hatches despite its size.M135/140 did cross my mind but being 6"4 I find that the rear seats are useless with me up front.
TheOctaneAddict said:
Thanks for that, very informative and to be honest the sort of thing I was wanting to hear. Another bonus for the FK8 is that is one of the lighter modern hatches despite its size.
M135/140 did cross my mind but being 6"4 I find that the rear seats are useless with me up front.
Glad that helped!M135/140 did cross my mind but being 6"4 I find that the rear seats are useless with me up front.
The light weight is nice - You do feel the difference when the car is fully loaded, and there are benefits in consumables; Apart from the OEM ContiSport6's, It has been fairly kind in terms of tyre wear.
I'm 6"1 and have plenty of space, more than enough room for the passenger behind too, had a few "units" (6ft4 140KG Scaffolder-build) passengering and they've always had adequate legroom front and back.
Headroom is quite decent too - Enough space for me with helmet etc. when tracking.
CG2020UK said:
Haltamer That’s a cracking review and even being unbiased enough to mention cooling issues!
TheOctaneAddict Have you ran an M2 insurance quote they are brilliant cars! OG LCI N55 car my personal recommendation.
I had ruled the M2 on insurance grounds, but surprisingly it isn't too bad. Twice the price of an i30n mind TheOctaneAddict Have you ran an M2 insurance quote they are brilliant cars! OG LCI N55 car my personal recommendation.
just to be sure you know How big a car do you actually need? I easily got my fishing gear for a 3 day session (camping out) in the 300 Trophy. It’s a far, far better daily than the 265/275 as well. You can quieten it down and soften it up with comfort mode, then have some fun in race mode. I have always fancied a Type R but never got around to owning one.
Megane 300 trophy gets my vote, only because I have one, picked it up in November and absolutely love it. Don’t see many about.
I am a bit of a Renault nut myself and have had megane r26’s, 250/265’s a 280. Clio’s I’ve had 172’s and 182’s.
I’m actually going to pick up a ph1 172 tomorrow.
For me the 300 does everything I want, perfect family car with 5 doors, fun when I’m on my own, I’ve got the manual which does suffer with bearing issues, just had mine rebuilt.
I’ve just fitted some grams springs, airtec intercooler and had a little map at engine dynamics, also dechromed it.
Mines liquid yellow, got the alcantara recaros, Bose which is decent, car play etc.
I’ve also had golf r’s and s3’s, my golf was running 400bhp and was rapid in any weather but lacked the engagement of a French hot hatch
I am a bit of a Renault nut myself and have had megane r26’s, 250/265’s a 280. Clio’s I’ve had 172’s and 182’s.
I’m actually going to pick up a ph1 172 tomorrow.
For me the 300 does everything I want, perfect family car with 5 doors, fun when I’m on my own, I’ve got the manual which does suffer with bearing issues, just had mine rebuilt.
I’ve just fitted some grams springs, airtec intercooler and had a little map at engine dynamics, also dechromed it.
Mines liquid yellow, got the alcantara recaros, Bose which is decent, car play etc.
I’ve also had golf r’s and s3’s, my golf was running 400bhp and was rapid in any weather but lacked the engagement of a French hot hatch
Not manual but the Giulia Veloce Ti is a great option:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411236...
Veloce, these will still be under warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501168...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...
Manual wise it would be the i30N followed by the Civic,
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411236...
Veloce, these will still be under warranty:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501168...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...
Manual wise it would be the i30N followed by the Civic,
alfasud1 said:
The £700+ tax is hard to swallow but Jesus Christ what a great shout. Always loved these and forgot about them!Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff