Alternatives to ST220? Another "what car"....
Discussion
After its MOT in April, my bf is planning on selling up his 02 plate focus. Its had endless problems since purchase in october, and despite almost being completely trouble free now, (for those that know the story, the latest problem is a leaking master cylinder! any more problems!? haha) he just hasn't bonded with it at all.
he's wanting a slightly bigger car, with both size and engine capacity. (he's 6'6" and is partial to long trips up scotland with a rather large mountain bike in the back).
Must be:
- Around £3000 to £3500 at a push
- Registered after 2002. He may stretch to a V-reg / 2000 plate if it was an ideal car.
- would drop to 1.8 minimum engine size for something sporty, or otherwise a 2.0 or more for something less sporty (eg. if he was buying another vectra, mondeo etc.) as does a 500 mile fortnightly round trip on motorway.
- i think he'd prefer something a little hotter than a bog standard saloon, something a little more special in the performance and looks department. (eg. he'd rather have a sporty higher spec model)
- needs to do at least 30, 32mpg
- Sub 9 secs 0-60
I've been scouting around for some possibilities for him, so far I've come up with:
Mondeo ST220. Only problem being they're still just out of budget, and the fuel consumption is a little dire being a V6. The Focus ST170 is a possibility but there aren't many clean examples around here, we've looked at 4 or 5 around the area before, all have been dogs.
Astra Bertone Coupe 2.2 or 2.0 turbo. Slightly lacking in rear seat room, and not sure how well the bike would fit. Oh and its a Vauxhall.... but he does like the look of them though.
Audi A3 Sport, A4. He likes Audis so could be a possibility. Bit bland maybe?
Toyota Celica. Would need a rack for the bike. Very high mileage examples for the budget, very high revving engines to get potential out of them.
Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
he's wanting a slightly bigger car, with both size and engine capacity. (he's 6'6" and is partial to long trips up scotland with a rather large mountain bike in the back).
Must be:
- Around £3000 to £3500 at a push
- Registered after 2002. He may stretch to a V-reg / 2000 plate if it was an ideal car.
- would drop to 1.8 minimum engine size for something sporty, or otherwise a 2.0 or more for something less sporty (eg. if he was buying another vectra, mondeo etc.) as does a 500 mile fortnightly round trip on motorway.
- i think he'd prefer something a little hotter than a bog standard saloon, something a little more special in the performance and looks department. (eg. he'd rather have a sporty higher spec model)
- needs to do at least 30, 32mpg
- Sub 9 secs 0-60
I've been scouting around for some possibilities for him, so far I've come up with:
Mondeo ST220. Only problem being they're still just out of budget, and the fuel consumption is a little dire being a V6. The Focus ST170 is a possibility but there aren't many clean examples around here, we've looked at 4 or 5 around the area before, all have been dogs.
Astra Bertone Coupe 2.2 or 2.0 turbo. Slightly lacking in rear seat room, and not sure how well the bike would fit. Oh and its a Vauxhall.... but he does like the look of them though.
Audi A3 Sport, A4. He likes Audis so could be a possibility. Bit bland maybe?
Toyota Celica. Would need a rack for the bike. Very high mileage examples for the budget, very high revving engines to get potential out of them.
Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
The 220 will do the MPG you require on a run, after a spirited drive last weekend mine was showing 28-29MPG, for some reason before i reset the trip computer it would only ever show 24MPG! I'd steer clear of ST 170's, fuel consumption not much better and can have problems with the variable inlet & front downpipe/manifold IIRC.
ETA-you will get a high miler for budget but really need £1500 more to get lower mileage ones.
ETA-you will get a high miler for budget but really need £1500 more to get lower mileage ones.
Edited by Dave_ST220 on Thursday 1st April 11:25
Louisa911 said:
Astra Bertone Coupe 2.2 or 2.0 turbo. Slightly lacking in rear seat room, and not sure how well the bike would fit. Oh and its a Vauxhall.... but he does like the look of them though.
The 2.0 turbo is a great engine, the 2.2 not so. My ex missus had a 2.2 new, the cam chain snapped at 22k miles! Oh, and the boot opening is small, he's have to dismantle his bike to get it in.Dave_ST220 said:
HellDiver said:
How about a Mondeo Ghia X or Titanium X with the 2.5 V6? Cheaper than the ST, only a bit slower, and should be cheaper.
A bit slower? It's MUCH slower.Mondeo Zetec S? I haven't driven one, but I've spent plenty of time in ST220s and they're an absolute hoot - more fun than a large FWD saloon has any right to be. If the Zetec S offered the same lift-off shenanigans with better fuel economy it'd be tempting.
I take it an older 3-Series has been suggested? There's some debate as to what sort of economy the sixes actually return in the real world, but I believe even the 328 is thought to be better than the Mondeo ST and the 318iS is supposed to be quite good.
I take it an older 3-Series has been suggested? There's some debate as to what sort of economy the sixes actually return in the real world, but I believe even the 328 is thought to be better than the Mondeo ST and the 318iS is supposed to be quite good.
Fire99 said:
Saab 9-3 Aero or 9-5??
Lots of choice, lots of bangs for your bucks and generally good MPG on a run.
+1 I would go for one of these... In fact after being generally messed about by a trader on an E-Class Estate I went for a 9-5 2.0t on a V plate and so far it is rather good. Bit soft and barge like so an Aero would be more sporty I guess but I got a bargain at £1500 on a V plate with 113k on the clock and great spec and so far with 4 trips to London and back 34-36 mpg.Lots of choice, lots of bangs for your bucks and generally good MPG on a run.
HellDiver said:
Dave_ST220 said:
HellDiver said:
How about a Mondeo Ghia X or Titanium X with the 2.5 V6? Cheaper than the ST, only a bit slower, and should be cheaper.
A bit slower? It's MUCH slower.How about a Honda Accord Type-r?
They made them from 1999-2003.
Around 220bhp, LSD, 0-60 just over 6 seconds, brilliant Recaro seats, dual personality due to the VTEC engine and probably the best gear change of any car I have driven.
I have had both an ST220 and Accord Type-R and if I was doing over 50% motorway miles then I'd have the ST220 again otherwise it would be the Accord all day long. Very underestimated cars and pretty bomb proof.
They made them from 1999-2003.
Around 220bhp, LSD, 0-60 just over 6 seconds, brilliant Recaro seats, dual personality due to the VTEC engine and probably the best gear change of any car I have driven.
I have had both an ST220 and Accord Type-R and if I was doing over 50% motorway miles then I'd have the ST220 again otherwise it would be the Accord all day long. Very underestimated cars and pretty bomb proof.
HellDiver said:
How about a Mondeo Ghia X or Titanium X with the 2.5 V6? Cheaper than the ST, only a bit slower, and should be cheaper.
I vote for this too. Well equipped and nice engine. Even go for the Zetec-S, looks great with it's alloys. ST220 isn't really in your budget. Not a sensible mileage one anyway.Dave_ST220 said:
HellDiver said:
How about a Mondeo Ghia X or Titanium X with the 2.5 V6? Cheaper than the ST, only a bit slower, and should be cheaper.
A bit slower? It's MUCH slower.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff