Car Dilemma

Speedway

I've posted pics before of my newest car that I bought back around Jan/Feb - 2008 Seat Leon FR DSG (200bhp).
I changed from a 2006 Impreza RX (2 litre 160bhp) which I had for nearly 2 years mainly because even though I loved driving the Subaru, it wasn't the most refined car, lots of rattles poor interior, no real comfort or luxuries. (pics of both cars here)

I've had the Leon for about 6 months and I just haven't warmed to it. The power is absolutely fantastic, it is very refined and comfortable with the DSG box giving very smooth changes but honestly I just find it a bit boring for normal driving.
I always looked forward to journeys in the Subaru, even though it wasn't the most refined car it was great fun. The only thing that gives a bit of a smile in the Leon is to floor it in a straight line and feel the turbo give you a kick. That's great but for general day to day driving around town it feels numb and very bland.
I love motorsport, it's an obsession, and having been lucky enough to drive a few RWD/4WD sports cars and rally cars over the past few years I think the FWD in the Leon is another factor for it not thrilling.

So.....what to do....

I figure I have 2 options

1. Keep the Leon and see if I warm to it, possibly look at modifying (some new springs etc) to see if I can make it a bit more fun to drive

2. Change the Leon to something a bit more fun - thinking Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4 or 325, Audi TT, Impreza WRX/STI, Mazda RX8 (If I was to change budget would be around 7k plus the Leon to trade and I would like to keep the engine as close to 2-2.5 litres for tax reasons. May spring for a 2.7 boxster if I really liked it)

(3. Possible 3rd option, realise that I'm lucky enough to be driving a nice car in a time where people are struggling to get by anyway and quit complaining )


Would be interested to see your lads take on this. Cheers

Anan1

In my experience, if a car hasn't grown on you after six months then it's only going to get worse. My leaning would be to sell the Leon and buy this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201233209571117

I know it's not AWD, but it shouldn't be short on character, and you can put the money you've saved into tax & servicing.

listermint

BMW Z4 but it be going for the S54

Anan1

There is what looks like a very good Z4 around, i'll see if I can dig it out. Might be a bit vanilla, though.

Edit: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5813324554731020

renofan

I would definitely recommend a Lotus Elise. They are fantastic to drive and cheap to run plus being a 1.8 tax is cheaper than other options.

Here is one after a quick google http://www.cbg.ie/car_detail.aspx?ID=4467727

listermint

Anan1 wrote: »

There is what looks like a very good Z4 around, i'll see if I can dig it out. Might be a bit vanilla, though.

Edit: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=5813324554731020

Looks great, shame it dropped some litres somewhere

Mar4ix

Have you tried nissan skyline R33 GTR ? 2.6 twin turbo ? they are 4x4 . If more some money get R34 GTR .

There is plenty space for tunings.

I like Nissan 300zx, 3 liter, twin turbo.. lots of fun.

unkel

Did you testdrive a Boxster? That might seal it for ya

H3llR4iser

Anan1 wrote: »

In my experience, if a car hasn't grown on you after six months then it's only going to get worse. My leaning would be to sell the Leon and buy this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201233209571117

I know it's not AWD, but it shouldn't be short on character, and you can put the money you've saved into tax & servicing.

Ah...ahhh...ahhhhhhh...ME WANT IT!

Not gonna happen for a while, with this "can't get more than a 1.4 rustbox for the first two years" - at 32 holding a license for 14 years

Speedway

Thanks for the replies lads, appreciate it! The consensus seems to be to change the Leon.

Some really interesting suggestions there. I really like the 156GTA but I don't think I'd be prepared to drop back so many years for a hefty tax bill and the insane torque steer. Great suggestion though, definitely a car with piles of character and very rare to see around!

Elise is definitely something I've considered, I've always had a soft spot for them and the Opel Speedster/VX220.
Love the look of the Z4.

I haven't actually test driven anything yet, I think I might try to take a Boxster out.
I guess if I was to describe what I'm really looking for it would be something like a Nissan 350z with a smaller engine. I drove a 350z on a track last year and I've never had so much fun in a car (also drove a 911 and a Ferrari 355 but the Nissan was insane fun). I just don't think I could swallow the tax bill on the 350z.

Ideally something like that with a 2-2.5 litre engine would be perfect. Elise could maybe be a winner.

Bohrio

Mar4ix wrote: »

Have you tried nissan skyline R33 GTR ? 2.6 twin turbo ? they are 4x4 . If more some money get R34 GTR.

There is no way in hell you will find a decent clean rust free BNR34 for less than 27K... and if you do tell me because I will buy it

I have been looking for a good one for well over 2 years now... couldnt find anything for less than 30K, and the good ones wont sell for less than 35K sterlings!!!!!

Mar4ix

Bohrio wrote: »

There is no way in hell you will find a decent clean rust free BNR34 for less than 27K... and if you do tell me because I will buy it

I have been looking for a good one for well over 2 years now... couldnt find anything for less than 30K, and the good ones wont sell for less than 35K sterlings!!!!!

Pure GTR's are expensive, but there is a lot of room play with GTS-T . get R34 with 2.5 turbo engine, and believe me... there is a lot of ways make her very powerful. ... not a 4x4 though.

Nonoperational

Anan1 wrote: »

In my experience, if a car hasn't grown on you after six months then it's only going to get worse. My leaning would be to sell the Leon and buy this:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201233209571117

I know it's not AWD, but it shouldn't be short on character, and you can put the money you've saved into tax & servicing.

You absolute fuc**er!

I want.

Bohrio

Mar4ix wrote: »

Pure GTR's are expensive, but there is a lot of room play with GTS-T . get R34 with 2.5 turbo engine, and believe me... there is a lot of ways make her very powerful. ... not a 4x4 though.

I agree ER34 are fast, specially with turbo engines either an rb25 or rb26... but is it not the real thing. GTR are a rare breed. Very few of them around, the market is crazy for this cars, almost as bad as for the NSX.

A good GTR R-34 Vspec II properly tunned can sell for way over 50K, I have seen some being sold for 150K!

A GTS could be fast, and probably even more fun than a GTR but you know what the problem is? that deep inside, you know, that the only reason why you have a GTT or GTS is because you couldnt afford (or excuse paying for) a GTR... and one day you are going to be driving around in ur GTT and look to the side and see a lovely GTR, you are both going to look at each other and although you wont say a thing you know he knows what your are thinking...

If I didnt have the money I 'd probably go for a silvia or an RX7...

I just hope that one day one of them will be mine... but that's just me of course.. it's always been one of my favourite cars!

Mar4ix

R32 and R33 GTRs are in affordable price range.
Don know,why, but I'd love to get R32 GTR, as they are small and powerful. R34 are pretty big.

R34 still looks really nice, but when after performance, R32 would do the work. Lot of money would need to put them right though.

Bohrio

Mar4ix wrote: »

R32 and R33 GTRs are in affordable price range.
Don know,why, but I'd love to get R32 GTR, as they are small and powerful. R34 are pretty big.

R34 still looks really nice, but when after performance, R32 would do the work. Lot of money would need to put them right though.

I would def go for a GTR r32 before any GTt... you can find a very good example for around 10-12 K... amazing car

Mar4ix

Bohrio wrote: »

I would def go for a GTR r32 before any GTt... you can find a very good example for around 10-12 K... amazing car

skylines are indeed amazing cars. i had skyline r33 non turbo, 2.5 de engine... 200 horses, but i've never used car on full load. even on roundabout make her go sideways was very easy. i am still thinking, i am not ready for so powerful car as gtr, a bit scared to drive on public roads.
but i am driving easy with my jeep with 4.7 v8 petrol engine in native country

Speedway

Sorry to say lads, I wouldn't consider a skyline. Great cars and massive respect for them but I've never really been enough of a fan to consider owning one.

Anan1

gpf101 wrote: »

You absolute fuc**er!

I want.

Tell me about it..