Fun yet practical for, let's say £7k?

[Howard-]

Hi all,

I've been having thoughts about replacing both of my cars (Honda Accord daily hack and Supercharged MX5) with a single car which is great fun to drive yet practical and comfortable for longer journeys.

I love my MX5 a great deal, but the whole 'fair weather' aspect frustrates me a bit, I'm paranoid about it leaking, rusting away, etc, and it's just not a pleasant "every day" car. But when we get weather like this I often wish I had it in the carpark at work ready to have an enjoyable blast home.

I'm thinking that something like a hot hatch is going to provide the best compromise? I really don't want to forego too much "b road blasting nimbleness", although I realise that I will coming from the MX5, but that's acceptable.

What are Mondeo ST220s like to chuck around the lanes?

Priorities:

Handling
Reasonable running costs and good reliability
At least as quick as my 164bhp MX5
Reasonably comfortable on longer motorway journeys
Equipment
Built this century


In that order.

What's out there for a max of around 7K? Is an Impreza going to bankrupt me? Are these requests unreasonable?

Edited by Howard- on Friday 14th May 12:59

[rfn]

ST220 would be a good option
E46 330i/330Ci?
Mazda 6 MPS are hovering around £9k so a bit out of your budget I think.

I've driven all three, and would happily recommend them all. The Mondeo is an exceptionally handling car for a "large" hatch.

[Howard-]

I've always fancied an ST220. I think I'm gonna test drive one. I bet it'll be the one I end up with


I do like BMWs but have no real interest in owning one, they're too clinical for my liking and the service/maintenance costs put me off.

[205jsy]

Could get a nice example of a classic Impreza. E39 M5's come up under budget but i imagine they wont be very good examples.

[Howard-]

Imprezas are on my mind but I really know NOTHING about all the different models. I don't like not knowing about certain cars


I REALLY want a Clio 182. I know it'd be a bit too small, but I really want one :\

[rfn]

Howard- said:

I REALLY want a Clio 182. I know it'd be a bit too small, but I really want one :\

Go for it - they're good fun too (see my previously owned)! Or what about a Megane 225?

Edited by rfn on Friday 14th May 13:20

[Howard-]

The only thing putting me off a 182 is the size, and refinement. What are they like on a motorway cruise?


Totally didn't think about the Megane 225.. And theyr'e cheap too!

[rfn]

Howard- said:

The only thing putting me off a 182 is the size, and refinement. What are they like on a motorway cruise?

They can be quite "buzzy" at higher speeds, as they rev quite highly. Cruise control helps though!

[S18DMW]

You'll get a tidy ep3 civic type r. Great car, I recently swapped mine for a 290bhp Astra VXR. And to be honest the Civic is easily as much if not a bit more fun to drive quickly.

[300bhp/ton]

Howard- said:

Imprezas are on my mind but I really know NOTHING about all the different models. I don't like not knowing about certain cars


I REALLY want a Clio 182. I know it'd be a bit too small, but I really want one :\

Im not sure how much more comfy an Impreza would be over an MX5. And a Clio certainly wouldn't.

I like Impreza's but they like a drink, expect 20-25mpg tops but worse is easy. Tuned or JDM examples will require superunleaded and maybe an additive on top too. So makes them seem more like 15-18mpg cars in terms of pence per mile compared to other cars that run on 95 ron.

As for models. The UK one was called Turbo 2000 with either 208, 215 or Prodrive upgraded 237hp. All special editions for the UK are based on these to some extent. P1 is a 2 door version with an STI engine.

WRX is the Jap Market equal to the Turbo 2000. But as a rule they are more powerful, faster and better specced.

WRX STI is a model up. It had a different engine, turbo, garbox and many other parts. This car is more the level of an Evo. More hardcore and faster.

STI Type R and RA. These are more stripped out models although could be specced up. Mostly for holomigation reasons. So are a more hardcore STI. They also have DCCD which is a driver controlled centre diff. R is 2 door, RA is 4 door. Do watch out as here was a WRX RA. Which is what it sounds, a WRX based one of these with WRX engine and no DCCD.

The above is all for classic shape Imprezas. All last centurary I'm afraid. New age ones are heavier and don't look as good.

If you are looking at these then maybe things like a Celica GT-Four or RX8 would also suit. Or maybe something like a Focus RS MK1.

[moribund]

RX-8? Plenty of good ones in that price range. More practical than they look.

[bobda]

156 GTA Sportwagon.
3.2 V6, 250bhp, room in the back for dogs. Or whatever.

[Howard-]

300bhp/ton said:

Howard- said:

Imprezas are on my mind but I really know NOTHING about all the different models. I don't like not knowing about certain cars


I REALLY want a Clio 182. I know it'd be a bit too small, but I really want one :\

Im not sure how much more comfy an Impreza would be over an MX5. And a Clio certainly wouldn't.

I like Impreza's but they like a drink, expect 20-25mpg tops but worse is easy. Tuned or JDM examples will require superunleaded and maybe an additive on top too. So makes them seem more like 15-18mpg cars in terms of pence per mile compared to other cars that run on 95 ron.

As for models. The UK one was called Turbo 2000 with either 208, 215 or Prodrive upgraded 237hp. All special editions for the UK are based on these to some extent. P1 is a 2 door version with an STI engine.

WRX is the Jap Market equal to the Turbo 2000. But as a rule they are more powerful, faster and better specced.

WRX STI is a model up. It had a different engine, turbo, garbox and many other parts. This car is more the level of an Evo. More hardcore and faster.

STI Type R and RA. These are more stripped out models although could be specced up. Mostly for holomigation reasons. So are a more hardcore STI. They also have DCCD which is a driver controlled centre diff. R is 2 door, RA is 4 door. Do watch out as here was a WRX RA. Which is what it sounds, a WRX based one of these with WRX engine and no DCCD.

The above is all for classic shape Imprezas. All last centurary I'm afraid. New age ones are heavier and don't look as good.

If you are looking at these then maybe things like a Celica GT-Four or RX8 would also suit. Or maybe something like a Focus RS MK1.

Thanks for this, appreciate the educational insight into Imprezas

I do like the look of RX8s but I'm afraid the ownership "issues" reported put me off. Things like comedy fuel and oil consumption, reliability and longevity of the engine etc.

[Lefty 200 Drams]

A classic Impreza seems the obvious choice. I just bought a very cheap 1999 wagon and have been getting 24mpg-ish with a mixture of dual carriageway crusing and fast b-road driving. Just crusing, I would expect high 20's, maybe even 30mpg if you're very careful.

To be honest, I don't think mpg is really much of an issue - over 12000 miles per yuear and paying £1.20/litre the difference 5mpg makes is £36/month. Hardly worth worrying about?

[Howard-]

MPG isn't a huge issue no, but reliability and servicing costs I'm wary of.


Looking at EP3 Civic Type Rs too.. I've always liked them. Anyone got any ownership experiences to share?

[RobCrezz]

Howard- said:

MPG isn't a huge issue no, but reliability and servicing costs I'm wary of.


Looking at EP3 Civic Type Rs too.. I've always liked them. Anyone got any ownership experiences to share?

Had mine a couple of months now, really like it. Not missing the power of my previous car too much, as the engine is great at poodling around town, but when you want to have fun you give it some revs! The chassis is fantastic, lots of grip but feels very playful - the back end can be exploited unlike some hatches.

Try one first though, some people like vtec engines others prefer lots of torque. I dont find the engine lacking as the gears are so short and the engine has such a big range (pulls quite well from 2000rpm, really starts working at 5800rpm, engine sound changes and pulls hard to 8200rpm). The gearbox doesnt like to be rushed when cold, but when warm its one of the best I have ever used.

[cwoodsie2]

Integra DC2 or DC5?? Definitely get a very good DC2 or slightly higher mileage early DC5. Both very good cars with bullet proof Honda reliability and loads of room in the boot (although not the back seats admitedly)

Alfa GTA of some form also a good shout

[Steameh]

Howard- said:

MPG isn't a huge issue no, but reliability and servicing costs I'm wary of.


Looking at EP3 Civic Type Rs too.. I've always liked them. Anyone got any ownership experiences to share?

I had one before my 330ci.

Great for a blast, truly awful on the motorway.

That being said, I don't particularly enjoy my 330ci either so changing that soon.

[300bhp/ton]

Howard- said:

MPG isn't a huge issue no, but reliability and servicing costs I'm wary of.


Looking at EP3 Civic Type Rs too.. I've always liked them. Anyone got any ownership experiences to share?

How practical dos it need to be? Is it 4 doors and seats you're after, or just more comfy than the MX5?

As for the Impreza. They are great and usually reliable, but can be expensive to fix and the turbo engine will like a little tlc.

If mpg isn't an issue how about something like an MG ZT 260 with it's 4.6 V8?

[Howard-]

300bhp/ton said:

How practical dos it need to be? Is it 4 doors and seats you're after, or just more comfy than the MX5?

4 seats, not fussed how many doors, and a reasonable boot. Bit more comfy and quiet than the MX5 on the motorway too