Considering changing our car...
Discussion
Hello guys and girls,
Been reading this forum for a few years but never joined in for some reason? First post so please be gentle!
Me and the OH bought a Fiesta ST in March of this year and I am already considering trading it in sometime next year for a newer car. A few reasons... I want something slightly larger, 6'2 means I need the seat right back and not many people get in the back! It isn't as fast as I hoped but is very exciting in the corners, superb set-up in that sense. Finally, it doesn't feel very grown up and despite wanting my next car to be a size up in the hot hatch stakes, I feel there are more adult hatches out there!
Anyway, the choices are quite limited and I just wanted PH posters opinions. I have formed my own and so has the OH but just wanting the experts views please. So choices are:
Volvo C30 T5 - The other half has been in love with them since release
Astra VXR - My 1st choice (preferably racing edition for the rarity and colour coding)
Focus ST-3 - Both like them equally, drove one and it was spot on
Golf R32 - OH has loved Golfs since her Dad had a Mk1 and this would be her first choice without doubt, maybe a bit pricey to run for my liking?
Anyway guys, sorry for the essay! Fire away!
Been reading this forum for a few years but never joined in for some reason? First post so please be gentle!
Me and the OH bought a Fiesta ST in March of this year and I am already considering trading it in sometime next year for a newer car. A few reasons... I want something slightly larger, 6'2 means I need the seat right back and not many people get in the back! It isn't as fast as I hoped but is very exciting in the corners, superb set-up in that sense. Finally, it doesn't feel very grown up and despite wanting my next car to be a size up in the hot hatch stakes, I feel there are more adult hatches out there!
Anyway, the choices are quite limited and I just wanted PH posters opinions. I have formed my own and so has the OH but just wanting the experts views please. So choices are:
Volvo C30 T5 - The other half has been in love with them since release
Astra VXR - My 1st choice (preferably racing edition for the rarity and colour coding)
Focus ST-3 - Both like them equally, drove one and it was spot on
Golf R32 - OH has loved Golfs since her Dad had a Mk1 and this would be her first choice without doubt, maybe a bit pricey to run for my liking?
Anyway guys, sorry for the essay! Fire away!
From the list, it would be beween the Ovlov and the Golf, followed closely by the Focus (the 5 cylinder growl is lovely)
There then follows an exhautive list of other cars I'd rather have than the VX - Really not a good steer at all (And that's my opinion, not one I heard from Clarkson))
There then follows an exhautive list of other cars I'd rather have than the VX - Really not a good steer at all (And that's my opinion, not one I heard from Clarkson))
C30's have the same engine as the ST IIRC. But being that tall i still dont think you'll have all that much room in the back of the C30. They're only 4 seaters aswell.
R32 seems like a bit of a performance class up from the rest...
Seat Leon Cupras are quite nice aswell.
You need to be a bit more specific on the age and budget aswell methinks.
R32 seems like a bit of a performance class up from the rest...
Seat Leon Cupras are quite nice aswell.
You need to be a bit more specific on the age and budget aswell methinks.
Yeah they have the same 2.5T but the C30 isn't quite as tuned I don't think... 4/5 seats isn't an issue, ST-3 Focus only has 4 seats anyway...
I prefer 3 door cars though so although I like the Leon, it isn't what I really want at the moment.
Well like I said it will be next year sometime so age will preferably be about 2 years maybe 3 max... top price about £15k but less if possible and sub 20k miles would be nice..
Anyone got any experience of the cars?
I prefer 3 door cars though so although I like the Leon, it isn't what I really want at the moment.
Well like I said it will be next year sometime so age will preferably be about 2 years maybe 3 max... top price about £15k but less if possible and sub 20k miles would be nice..
Anyone got any experience of the cars?
Fair enough as an opinion, but given the list of cars the OP is looking at I don't think 4 door saloons are the sort of car he's looking at.
OP: You should realise that an awful lot of people here don't like the astra or indeed Vauxhalls in general, so you are quite likely to be advised to steer well clear of them. I don't agree.
Can't comment on the fiesta or the volvo but I found the Golf (and Leon Cupra for that matter) uninvolving and to put it bluntly boring. If you are determined to go the VAG route the Leon Cupra is a *far* better drive than the golf in my eyes, but you'll have to live with the looks and pretty crap interior.
The Focus ST was better but very softly sprung and had lots of body roll. Initial torque good but then seems to die off which I thought disappointing. You are also hulking round a 2.5 litre and the costs (tax etc).
IMHO the Astra is much maligned, but is a very capable car and does give you that sense of involvement. £300 or so improves handling quite a bit and its still fine to drive on the road.
A couple of things for you to look at:
Aussies car, which is pretty well known.. some might say it was the inspiration (paintwise at least) for the racing edition http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
Bo is a bloody good driver and track day fanatic. He won his time attack class at the first attempt in the car. Yes he has spent a fair bit of cash on the car, he certainly gets the use out of it though ! http://www.youtube.com/user/TheVxRacer
Note both cars have come from the same stable after both owners tried and dumped other "tuners"
OP: You should realise that an awful lot of people here don't like the astra or indeed Vauxhalls in general, so you are quite likely to be advised to steer well clear of them. I don't agree.
Can't comment on the fiesta or the volvo but I found the Golf (and Leon Cupra for that matter) uninvolving and to put it bluntly boring. If you are determined to go the VAG route the Leon Cupra is a *far* better drive than the golf in my eyes, but you'll have to live with the looks and pretty crap interior.
The Focus ST was better but very softly sprung and had lots of body roll. Initial torque good but then seems to die off which I thought disappointing. You are also hulking round a 2.5 litre and the costs (tax etc).
IMHO the Astra is much maligned, but is a very capable car and does give you that sense of involvement. £300 or so improves handling quite a bit and its still fine to drive on the road.
A couple of things for you to look at:
Aussies car, which is pretty well known.. some might say it was the inspiration (paintwise at least) for the racing edition http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
Bo is a bloody good driver and track day fanatic. He won his time attack class at the first attempt in the car. Yes he has spent a fair bit of cash on the car, he certainly gets the use out of it though ! http://www.youtube.com/user/TheVxRacer
Note both cars have come from the same stable after both owners tried and dumped other "tuners"
Edited by Crafty_ on Saturday 6th November 16:03
Cheers for the feedback people, I know everyone has their own opinion after all... Thanks for the links as well Crafty, I have seen that Red VXR on here before, its lovely!
I know people think some cars are 'chavvy' but that is a bit harsh. I don't see any standard car as 'chavvy' and at the end of the day, its the owners that give people that impression. By chavvy you must mean, looking aggressive, big flared bodywork, big wheels.. bla bla bla... surely thats what a hot hatch is?? Isn't it?
Sorry but saloons don't appeal to me as I can't afford M5's, RS4's or anything else that level. My taste is different to yours obviously, but I do always get drawn to hot hatches! If I had enough time and knowledge, I would love to restore one of the 'original' hot hatches.
I was hoping to narrow it down to maybe 2 of them so when we go to buy one, we just look at a choice of two models rather than looking at all of them... doesn't look like I am going to do that so will have to drive them all! Shame that...
I know people think some cars are 'chavvy' but that is a bit harsh. I don't see any standard car as 'chavvy' and at the end of the day, its the owners that give people that impression. By chavvy you must mean, looking aggressive, big flared bodywork, big wheels.. bla bla bla... surely thats what a hot hatch is?? Isn't it?
Sorry but saloons don't appeal to me as I can't afford M5's, RS4's or anything else that level. My taste is different to yours obviously, but I do always get drawn to hot hatches! If I had enough time and knowledge, I would love to restore one of the 'original' hot hatches.
I was hoping to narrow it down to maybe 2 of them so when we go to buy one, we just look at a choice of two models rather than looking at all of them... doesn't look like I am going to do that so will have to drive them all! Shame that...
astra vxr is a good car, its also reliable, and you get alot for the money i.e toys as standard and cheap to service, handling can be improved as said above but again it really isn't as bad as it has been made out by a certain tv show aswell as the vx haters on here (and really how many times do people on here really push there cars to the limit with day to day driving).... but a new one is due out next year so the currant one will depreciate alot which can be a bugger when it comes to resale time,
focus is again a good car, but cost abit more to run, a few friends which own then find then very thirsty.
r32 is a great car but thirsty so maybe consider the gti or an audi a3 2.0t sline, same engine as the gti but a much nicer enviroment to be in.
volvo i don't know alot about but interior is ment to be nice
focus is again a good car, but cost abit more to run, a few friends which own then find then very thirsty.
r32 is a great car but thirsty so maybe consider the gti or an audi a3 2.0t sline, same engine as the gti but a much nicer enviroment to be in.
volvo i don't know alot about but interior is ment to be nice
Edited by richcorsavxr on Saturday 6th November 22:40
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