3k budget, hot hatch or BMW etc?

[Somnophore]

Hi guys, got a boring 1.6 golf, don't do many miles anymore so thinking about getting something faster. Was wondering if I should go for an exciting hot hatch, or, as I'm 27 now should get something more grown up, 328 or 5 series BMW or Something similar, don't want an mx-5 as need room to carry 4 people sometimes.

What do you think fit best and is best value about 3k

hot hatch is fun, practical, easy to park, cheaper tyres/parts/servicing

BMW etc is practical and more room, RWD, more grown up

Edited by Somnophore on Thursday 16th December 12:28

[samgpr50]

I would go for the 328 just good fun quite quick and reliable.... two years and nothing serious gone on mine. take it insurance dont come in to it?

[coley20]

Go BMW

Maybe even be able to get into an E46 I sold my 2001 Y 325I SE with 77k fsh for £2950

[Somnophore]

Insurance is a bit of an issue but there's not that much difference for me between say a Clio 172 and a 328 so not so much of an issue, I do limited mileage and share the car with my girlfriend so it's not too bad.

[TommyBuoy]

So requirements are - faster than a 1.6 golf, and the ability to carry 4 people for 3K.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2312004.htm - if the people in the back have short legs.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2085014.htm - grown up fun hatchback?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2264057.htm - very grown up, with fair poke by all accounts!

There are soooo many possibilities, but a fast, fun 4 person carrying car should be a WRX STI rev 4 or alike.

[varsas]

Another vote for the 328i. It does all the boring stuff (cheap, safe, reliable, comfortable) while also being good fun on the open roads. I even use mine for track days with only minor modifications and it's not disgraced.

[clarkey328is]

Somnophore said:

Insurance is a bit of an issue but there's not that much difference for me between say a Clio 172 and a 328 so not so much of an issue, I do limited mileage and share the car with my girlfriend so it's not too bad.

Have a look at 328's, as has been said. The insurance is much cheaper than you would expect and they are easy to get extra power out of (Mine has 245bhp). Look very closely for rust, for your budget you can get a really nice one with an LSD and all the kit. I would be looking for one without traction control, personally, because in my experience it's far more trouble than it's worth.

[Chris71]

Can you be more specific? Do you need to carry much luggage around?

One thing I find frustrating is that I relatively rarely carry passengers (so a 2 seat daily driver would be fine) but I frequently carry bikes, guitars and random stuff for work so I need a big boot and preferably folding seats. Sadly to get that - with a few exceptions admittedly - you normally require a large saloon, hatchback or estate.

Part of the reason I mention that is the 3-Series has a relatively small apperture between the boot and the rear seat area (with the seats folded), which means that something that would fit into a Focus-sized hatchback may well fail to go in.

If that's not as issue I'd go for the 328/325 coupe almost by default. Might even get an E46 330 for that now?

[exgtt]

I'd go for a lovely Clio 172, really good on fuel, very easy to park, cheap annual servicing, fast, good brakes, good handling. Perfect town car.

328i's are lovely but with VAT and fuel prices going up etc, town drivings gonna cost.

[TTwiggy]

Sorted:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2122405.htm

[g3org3y]

Another vote for the 328. Ran one for a year doing a commute between London and Hastings.

With manual box the economy was much better than my auto 325. Engine feels a little on the lazy side (compared with the M502.5) but very smooth and has good tuning potential (BBTB and M50 inlet manifold).

As mentioned above, can do the motorway cruise with ease but is also great fun in the twisties.

If you can stretch to a Sport model, that would be the one to go for.

[exgtt]

The Crack Fox said:

exgtt said:

I'd go for a lovely Clio 172, really good on fuel, very easy to park, cheap annual servicing, fast, good brakes, good handling. Perfect town car.

Reliability ? I never see the appeal of these skittish frogboxes. Yes, I've driven one before you ask...

exgtt said:

328i's are lovely but with VAT and fuel prices going up etc, town drivings gonna cost.

Aw c'mon, get a manual, they're not that bad on juice.

Agreed, their not massive drinkers but 172's can average 35!

[clarkey328is]

exgtt said:

The Crack Fox said:

exgtt said:

I'd go for a lovely Clio 172, really good on fuel, very easy to park, cheap annual servicing, fast, good brakes, good handling. Perfect town car.

Reliability ? I never see the appeal of these skittish frogboxes. Yes, I've driven one before you ask...

exgtt said:

328i's are lovely but with VAT and fuel prices going up etc, town drivings gonna cost.

Aw c'mon, get a manual, they're not that bad on juice.

Agreed, their not massive drinkers but 172's can average 35!

My 328 will get 30 as an average, 38 on the motorway and 26ish around town, 18ish on a proper hoon.

[iain014]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2247211.htm

My 2ps worth. Occasional 4 seater anyway, fits 3 in comfort...

[nickphuket]

For God's sake you are 27 not 47, get a hot hatch and enjoy. Get a Renault, Golf, something from the East and hoon it around and live a little. Plently of time when you are old and infirm to get a Beemer or, dare I say it, a Merc.

[wifiwupding]

you cant get a BMW youl just become one of the rest their so dull

by the way i got my Ignis Sport for £3k

[kambites]

I'd probably go for an RX8, as a sort of compromise. Think they're down to that kind of price now?

Edited by kambites on Thursday 16th December 18:00

[anonymous-user]

Another vote for the BMW!

I went from a 1.6 A3 to my e46 323ci, I love the car and its got plenty of poke too.

Mine cost me £3k for a 1999 model with 67k on the clock.

The Crack Fox said:

Aw c'mon, get a manual, they're not that bad on juice.

From what I gather the 328Is are worse on fuel than the 323i, mine gets 20mpg around town and on short jounrneys... around 30mpg on A roads or the motorway (35mpg if you drive like a pensioner)

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th December 18:19

[Somnophore]

I never used to like the idea of BMWs as they are quite common and had a negative image to some. However after being on here a couple of years I have been turned around, I think they look pretty good, they are more grown up, they offer a good mix of RWD power and reasonable economy. Should be smooth and comfortable on longer journeys, and I'd like some comfort and equipment, i really want leather, remote central locking, air con, heated windscreen etc that would good

[rufusgti]

I once would have said the 328. Not any more. search for a good low mileage clio 172. i went for the cup as they look better and have less to go wrong. if you get a good one they are very rewarding. Mine allways averages 38mpg over a tank. On a run i can get 44mpg being very carefull. Ive never seen it drop below 35. Fuel is too expensive these days and the bmw is boring. if you were doing motorway mileages then yes, it would suit you better. Otherwise the versatility of a hot hatch is what most people need in a car.