What would you buy?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Just throwing this thread up to see what you would buy in my situation!
I am fairly definite about what I am going to buy but just want to see if there is anything out there that I have missed

I am selling my Integra Type R at the moment, have had it for nearly 2 and a half years and have loved every minute of it, but just feel like it's time for a change.

Criteria:
- Comfortable as a daily driver, but also handles well for the more "spirited" driving :pac:
- My Integra puts out 180 bhp, so I would like something with more power or at least similiar power
- Would prefer not to go bigger than 2.2 litre
- Would prefer petrol engined
- As new as possible
- Mileage around 60-70k miles or less if possible
- Interior has to be nice
- As many extra's as possible (Cruise control, built in bluetooth HID's/Xenons etc...)
- Air Con preferably (As it's one thing the Integra doesn't have and i've always wished it did!)
- It must be reliable!
- Insurance wise....it can't be any more expensive to insure than the Integra
- Insurance details -> 27, male, living in south Dublin, full licence for 4 years, 1 years no claims in my own name and 3 years as a named driver, and 0 points
- It can be FWD or RWD
- Having 4 doors would be a plus
- Would prefer if it wasn't an estate car, but I can be swayed!

And finally, the most important bit.......I have about 7.5k - 9k cash to spend. If something really nice popped up I might be able to come up with a bit more.

The car I think that fits my criteria the best and that I have been looking at the most is a MKV Golf GTi, but it will take a bit of shopping around to get a nice one for the money I have to spend.

So what would you all buy? (Including carzone and done deal links would be a bonus )

Ferris

Octavia VRS
Seat Leon Cupra or FR
Evo
WRX
Legacy
Forrester
Accord Euro R

Should keep you busy:D

GERMAN ROCKS

audi a4 170bhp tdi

omb0wyn5ehpij9

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

audi a4 170bhp tdi

Not looking for a diesal, thanks though

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Ferris wrote: »

Octavia VRS
Seat Leon Cupra or FR
Evo
WRX
Legacy
Forrester
Accord Euro R

Should keep you busy:D

Thanks for the suggestions, but a few of those (Evo and WRX) will cost an arm and a leg to insure!
Not a fan of the Legacy and a Forrester is not me at all!

Viper_JB

Coming from a similar situation as yourself I bought a RX8 it'd be hard to find something else that ticks all those boxes + rear wheel drive. You may need to spring a little extra in the budget and in order to make sure the car is reliable you'd really wanna do a lot of reading prior to buying and be ready to do some of the maintainence yourself. I've driven quiet a few cars and gotta say for the money you'll have a very hard time finding anything that goes around corners and put a smile on your face like a RX8.

Taxed as a 1.8 and insured as a 2.6, try 123.ie for a quote first that's who I'm with, 700 for fully comp - not too bad for the performance and stuff.

Atomic Pineapple

S2000?

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Viper_JB wrote: »

Coming from a similar situation as yourself I bought a RX8 it'd be hard to find something else that ticks all those boxes + rear wheel drive. You may need to spring a little extra in the budget and in order to make sure the car is reliable you'd really wanna do a lot of reading prior to buying and be ready to do some of the maintainence yourself. I've driven quiet a few cars and gotta say for the money you'll have a very hard time finding anything that goes around corners and put a smile on your face like a RX8.

Taxed as a 1.8 and insured as a 2.6, try 123.ie for a quote first that's who I'm with, 700 for fully comp - not too bad for the performance and stuff.

Been reading up a lot about them recently. I don't mind doing a bit of work myself. But I have been really put off by the horror stories of how unreliable they can be and how finicky (sp?) they can be!

draffodx wrote: »

S2000?

Absolutely love them, but they are harder to insure than the Teg and also not too practical for day to day driving

Viper_JB

Bryn wrote: »

Been reading up a lot about them recently. I don't mind doing a bit of work myself. But I have been really put off by the horror stories of how unreliable they can be and how finicky (sp?) they can be!

It's true they can be, I had hastle with mine, ignition coils died, most of the time the issues are related to lack of knowledge or lack of maintainence in my case this was the problem.

No regrets though I've learned so much since and done so many jobs on the car since, it really has been a great experience. You'll hear horror stories about mojority of cars except for very very boring ones, you're going to have to make a few compromises, was pretty much in exactly same situation as yourself last year except I was coming from a MR2 turbo (very fun car). Was pretty much the only thing that made sense with out going for an M3 which I couldn't really afford, a few test drives in one made up my mind pretty quickly. Just gotta give the car a really good checking over prior to buying making sure recalls have been done and stuff.

Chriscl1

Cheap to insure
http://adverts.ie/240297

Atomic Pineapple

Bryn wrote: »

Been reading up a lot about them recently. I don't mind doing a bit of work myself. But I have been really put off by the horror stories of how unreliable they can be and how finicky (sp?) they can be!

Get onto IrishRotary to find out the real truth about them, the site is quiet enough but a good few owners of Rx8's on it that will be able to give you the real low down on ownership of them, not the hearsay that gets posted in the likes of this forum.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Chriscl1 wrote: »

Cheap to insure
http://adverts.ie/240297

Nice, have looked at it already. But i'm looking for something more modern

draffodx wrote: »

Get onto IrishRotary to find out the real truth about them, the site is quite enough but a good few owners of Rx8's on it that will be able to give you the real low down on ownership of them, not the hearsay that gets posted in the likes of this forum.

This will be done over the weekend

eljono

I think this Accord Type R ticks most of the boxes. Loads of money left over to retro fit cruise and get a nice bootlip spoiler

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1595283

bazz26

Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T 180bhp:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201038199599579

Ferris

Bryn wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions, but a few of those (Evo and WRX) will cost an arm and a leg to insure!
Not a fan of the Legacy and a Forrester is not me at all!

I think you're going to struggle to find something that will hang onto the back of the car you have then. Have you actually tried the insurance on a WRX (not sti) there was even a type d or something that had a sleeper look with no wings etc.

If you can find a decent GTi with a nice spec inside (I hate those tartan seats) that would be a good option. Fast Octavia's and Seats can be good value, thats why I suggested them.

The rx8 is the only other car I can think of that has 4 doors and more power/speed than the teg.

Accord type R

Theboinkmaster

My choice would be a mark V GTI but definitely not a poverty spec one - on your budget maybe go over to UK?

Leather, 18", air con etc would be a must IMO

The Recliner

Bryn wrote: »

Been reading up a lot about them recently. I don't mind doing a bit of work myself. But I have been really put off by the horror stories of how unreliable they can be and how finicky (sp?) they can be!

Had one for 2 years and never had a problem with it, loved every minute of it

Lots of smiles per miles but it does like to drink petrol (Oil usage isn't as bad as made out)

Anything 06 or upwards should be fine, pre 06 if it has had a replacement starter/ignition should be fine, that was what caused all the early problems

Like every other car you need to buy one that has been properly maintained

As pointed out have a read of some of the specialist forums and it should put your mind at ease

The lack of torque thing gets mentioned a lot and it is true but I was coming off a 4.0L V8 and to be honest I found if you are willing to drop the gears and rev the crap out of it (which it loves) it is fine

Wibbs

Ferris wrote: »

I
Accord type R

"Recardo seats" LOL its actually written on the bloody seats

The RX8 sounds like a plan alright. Nice car. Practical too. Maintenance is king with those though as Viper_JB says. That done, they're way more reliable than the "man in the pub" would have you believe.

The Golf is a nice car, but IMHO they're not nearly as focused or involving as what you're coming from. They're fast etc and seem to be wll screwed together and the feeling of solidity will make a nice change but yea not as focused. They feel heavier.

Homer

I'm a bit biased I guess as I have the MkV GTi and love it. I am looking at the group discount remapping day coming up shortly which will bring it up to 260hp for around 250 euro?
It's the DSG one and as a daily driver ticks all the boxes. In sport mode with launch control it puts a smile on my face.
I haven't driven the RX8 or some of the others mentioned here, just giving a +1 for the GTi.

Here's a nice one with all the extras and DSG for under 10k

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf-GTi/DSG-LEAT/201037199566733/advert?channel=CARS

Atomic Pineapple

Homer wrote: »

Here's a nice one with all the extras and DSG for under 10k

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf-GTi/DSG-LEAT/201037199566733/advert?channel=CARS

Big mileage and ****ty wheels though!

Ferris

Wibbs wrote: »

"Recardo seats" LOL its actually written on the bloody seats

Check again , its just the owner with the spelling problem not Honda.

Atomic Pineapple

Ferris wrote: »

Check again , its just the owner with the spelling problem not Honda.

I think that was Wibbs point

Sgt. Bilko 09

Bryn wrote: »

Just throwing this thread up to see what you would buy in my situation!
I am fairly definite about what I am going to buy but just want to see if there is anything out there that I have missed

I am selling my Integra Type R at the moment, have had it for nearly 2 and a half years and have loved every minute of it, but just feel like it's time for a change.

Criteria:
- Comfortable as a daily driver, but also handles well for the more "spirited" driving :pac:
- My Integra puts out 180 bhp, so I would like something with more power or at least similiar power
- Would prefer not to go bigger than 2.2 litre
- Would prefer petrol engined
- As new as possible
- Mileage around 60-70k miles or less if possible
- Interior has to be nice
- As many extra's as possible (Cruise control, built in bluetooth HID's/Xenons etc...)
- Air Con preferably (As it's one thing the Integra doesn't have and i've always wished it did!)
- It must be reliable!
- Insurance wise....it can't be any more expensive to insure than the Integra
- Insurance details -> 27, male, living in south Dublin, full licence for 4 years, 1 years no claims in my own name and 3 years as a named driver, and 0 points
- It can be FWD or RWD
- Having 4 doors would be a plus
- Would prefer if it wasn't an estate car, but I can be swayed!

And finally, the most important bit.......I have about 7.5k - 9k cash to spend. If something really nice popped up I might be able to come up with a bit more.

The car I think that fits my criteria the best and that I have been looking at the most is a MKV Golf GTi, but it will take a bit of shopping around to get a nice one for the money I have to spend.

So what would you all buy? (Including carzone and done deal links would be a bonus )

Mondeo ST 220
You'll love it the speed comfert (less likely to get pulled over by the feds) and its brilliant car. Goes like a BAS**** is well!:eek:

Ferris

draffodx wrote: »

I think that was Wibbs point

aahhhhh got it now:D

bazz26

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

Mondeo ST 220
You'll love it the speed comfert (less likely to get pulled over by the feds) and its brilliant car. Goes like a BAS**** is well!:eek:

The ST220 is 3.0 litre though and the OP doesn't want to venture over 2.2 litre for tax and insurance reasons.

Sgt. Bilko 09

bazz26 wrote: »

The ST220 is 3.0 litre though and the OP doesn't want to venture over 2.2 litre for tax and insurance reasons.

Mine is only a 2.2 litre.

bazz26

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

Mine is only a 2.2 litre.

Your's the diesel model? Thought the diesel was called ST TDCi?

Atomic Pineapple

The only Mondeo ST 220 is the 3 litre one

3.0 L (2967 cc) Duratec 30 V6, 226 PS (223 hp (166 kW) and 210 lb·ft (280 N·m)) (3.0 ST220)

The 2.2 litre is I think called the ST TDCI or something like that and is only 155ps but it has loads of torque

2.2 L (2198 cc) Duratorq I4, 155 PS (153 hp (114 kW) and 265 lb·ft (359 N·m)) (2.2 TDCi 155)

Ferris

What about a 9-3 aero.

Surprised that nobody's recommended an Altezza yet, not that I'm recommending one.

Viper_JB

Ferris wrote: »

Surprised that nobody's recommended an Altezza yet, not that I'm recommending one.

Would be a bit of a downgrade from the teg + that engine is...well not great to say the least.

deadlast

Renault Megane 225
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/07/66554107.html


Audi TT (not a fan myself, but never driven one either so...)
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/Quattro-/201024198450475/advert?channel=CARS


There was a 2008 Seat Leon FR DSG for sale on octane.ie a few weeks back going for about 9k i think, that would've been a serious bargain!

Think you'll be very lucky to get a clean GTI with low miles for 9k...

tony l

with that kind of money to spend,
your off to a good start..

if your into honda then
you could get a nice ep3 civic type r maybe,

lovely to drive an good for spirited runs as you call them.

hope that helps

Jimmy Bottlehead

Seat Leon Cupra is meant to be a beast isn't it?

Eric Cartman

saab 9-5 aero 2.3t (a little over your engine but meh)

Wibbs

tony l wrote: »

with that kind of money to spend,
your off to a good start..

if your into honda then
you could get a nice ep3 civic type r maybe,

lovely to drive an good for spirited runs as you call them.

hope that helps

The EP3? Otherwise known as the Breadvan. IMHO a big step down from his Teg R. Slower, not nearly as responsive, nor as well screwed together. An R in badge rather than by design or intent.

If you were staying with the red H badge, you could do worse than the DC5 integra. More torque, feels more solid. Nice cabin etc. I found them a bit forced though. More grip than handling, but a v nice car. Bigger on the inside too. Slightly out of your price bracket mind. Though with the way car prices are going...

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Seat Leon Cupra is meant to be a beast isn't it?

Nice yoke alright, but and I could be wrong here, maybe Bryn's looking for a step away from the hot hatch area? The Golf is one yes, but its more a baby BMW/Merc than a hot civic. The audi TT might be an option, but try one first. There are nice BMW's of all kinds that might fit your needs. Cue the blue propeller heads to tell us exactly which one he needs.

Ferris

Wibbs wrote: »

There are nice BMW's of all kinds that might fit your needs. Cue the blue propeller heads to tell us exactly which one he needs.

No BMW under 2200cc will provide more power than the teg R, you need the 325 for that.

320 2.2L 167 or 170hp
323 2.5L 170hp
325 2.5L 190hp

Added to that the beemer is a big heavy car. The M52 Straight 6's are a nice engine however.

Tea 1000

You could consider the Prelude Type S (jap only) if you want something a little more comfortable, but still quite able. 220bhp approx. (Irish/UK Vti in red top had 197 and older black top in 185).

unkel

An early Boxster S 3.2l flat 6 would be within your 9k budget these days. No comment on any of the Golf / Civic type cars recommended on this thread before

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Ferris wrote: »

Accord type R

Nice Accord, really love that colour blue.

deadlast wrote: »

Renault Megane 225
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/07/66554107.html


Audi TT (not a fan myself, but never driven one either so...)
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/TT/Quattro-/201024198450475/advert?channel=CARS

Not a fan of the Megane at all.
The TT is nice, but I don't like the interior!

unkel wrote: »

An early Boxster S 3.2l flat 6 would be within your 9k budget these days. No comment on any of the Golf / Civic type cars recommended on this thread before

Horrendous looking interior though! And tax and insurance would hurt me badly :pac:

Thanks for the all suggestions so far. Lack of links though :P

As it's standing, the MKV Gti is still in pole position, followed by an RX8 or an Accord Euro R (CL7)

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Wibbs wrote: »

Nice yoke alright, but and I could be wrong here, maybe Bryn's looking for a step away from the hot hatch area? The Golf is one yes, but its more a baby BMW/Merc than a hot civic. The audi TT might be an option, but try one first. There are nice BMW's of all kinds that might fit your needs. Cue the blue propeller heads to tell us exactly which one he needs.

Nail, head, hit.
I love hot hatches. Fantastic cars.
But i'm looking for something a bit more grown up and with a bit more class at the moment I think my love of hot hatches and what i'm looking for in a new car mean that the MKV Golf GTi is probably more or less the perfect choice.

This new car has to also keep me happy for a while. It won't be changed for 2 years at least i'd say as saving for a mortgage will be taking preference over everything after this new car is bought!

djimi

Chriscl1 wrote: »

Cheap to insure
http://adverts.ie/240297

I was actually going to suggest one of these. Test drove one before I bought my ITR; its as comfortable as the Accord I previously owned and has enough power to keep you happy coming from an ITR. I got a few quotes for it as well and it wasnt too bad; cheaper to insure than the Integra if I recall.