2.5k petrol "sporty" car help required!

C0N0R

Hi so im looking for a new to me car, budget is circa 2.5k can push slightly more for something that is worth it. Cars ive been looking at are mark 4 gti golfs, corolla t-sports but insurance is looking like an issue on t-sports, e46 coupe and accords. Basically what im looking for is something with reasonable comfort and reasonable power and reasonable handling and reasonable reliability! Not asking alot am I! Im 27 with three years ncb and am looking for preferbly something 2.0l and below. Help!

bazz26

Something like a Celica, 190bhp VVTi-L might be a struggle with insurance but the standard 140bhp version maybe doable.

Another one to look at is the Ford Focus ST170:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-st170/7031461


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-st170-exceptional-car/6743786

C0N0R

Wouldnt be a celica fan really, what are audi tt's like? Not a massive fan of the interior in the focus but it is an option I hadnt really thought of, what are they like for reliability? I assume there a fairly good drive? I would prefair an nct until next year at least but it's not the be all and end all either.

C0N0R

Liberty wont quote me on the focus, im restricted with which insurance companies I use because my ncb is from new zealand.

C0N0R

Is200 sport is another option but trying to find one that hasnt been dogged to death could be an issue.

guscon

Have been driving a honda accord sport for last couple of years. Great comfort, handling and nice interior. I get about 36-39 mpg and I don't drive like a granny
Worth a test drive, should pick up a 03-04 for that budget. Sport model has half suede/leather with cruise control.

ps, check for leaky boots and water ingress into front lights!!

C0N0R

guscon wrote: »

Have been driving a honda accord sport for last couple of years. Great comfort, handling and nice interior. I get about 36-39 mpg and I don't drive like a granny
Worth a test drive, should pick up a 03-04 for that budget. Sport model has half suede/leather with cruise control.

ps, check for leaky boots and water ingress into front lights!!

That's the newer model is it? Any idea on bhp? I was mainly looking at the older models but some of the newer shape ones are priced attractively! How have you found reliability?

bazz26

OP, I'm not sure your going to get a reasonable quote on any of these type of cars. If you cannot get a quote on a Focus ST170 then it is very unlikely you will get a quote on a TT. You may have to drive something a little more plain for a year or two, build up your NCT here and then try again.

bazz26

The 2003 to 2009 Accord 2.0 litre petrol was 155bhp.

guscon

C0N0R wrote: »

That's the newer model is it? Any idea on bhp? I was mainly looking at the older models but some of the newer shape ones are priced attractively! How have you found reliability?

Ya newer model, picked it up for 3300 2 years ago. Think it was 155 at factory but a few horses have escaped over the years
All i've had to do with it is change a front bearing and usual servicing. Looks good and can go like the clappers when needed.
5 yrs ncb and only 330 for insurance. I found any 2.0 petrol or above and you have great bargaining power with seller

C0N0R

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, I'm not sure your going to get a reasonable quote on any of these type of cars. If you cannot get a quote on a Focus ST170 then it is very unlikely you will get a quote on a TT. You may have to drive something a little more plain for a year or two, build up your NCT here and then try again.

Gti golf comes in at mid €500
IS200 comes in at ~€600
1999 2.2 accord at~€650

All these are reasonable quotes in my mind. Im on holidays until the weekend so have jist been trying libertys website for quotes but will look more indepth when I return.

bazz26

None of those are really what you would describe as sporty though. The MkIV Golf GTi was probably the worst generation of the Golf GTi, too heavy and doesn't handle particularly well. The Lexus IS200 is slow and thirsty, and in your opening post you said insurance as an issue on an Accord.

C0N0R

bazz26 wrote: »

None of those are really what you would describe as sporty though. The MkIV Golf GTi was probably the worst generation of the Golf GTi, too heavy and doesn't handle particularly well. The Lexus IS200 is slow and thirsty, and in your opening post you said insurance as an issue on an Accord.

Yes I will accept that none of the above are exactly thrilling drives, im just looking for something more exciting than a standard 1.9 diesel. My last car was a two litre twin turbo legacy, im not realistically going to be able to get something thats going to live up to that but I would like something a bit more lively than the 100bhp passat i had before that.

Moneymaker

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-172/6721083

Might be worth taking a look at.

I had a 1.4 Clio and it was a hoot. The 2.0 would be something else i'd say.

C0N0R

Clio is probably a bit small for what im looking. Aig are quoting me on the t-sport but not on the st170 so t-sports are looking like a good option, what are they like, good bad? Do they have the famous Toyota reliability?

unkel

Moneymaker wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-172/6721083

+1

I saw the thread title and thought of that car. Great value. Bangernomics hot hatch!

@OP - you don't mention needing 4 seats, why not go for a 2 door? Something properly sporty not like most of the cars mentioned above. How about a little rear wheel drive roadster, like a Mazda MX-5, Toyota MRS, MGF?

C0N0R

unkel wrote: »

+1

I saw the thread title and thought of that car. Great value. Bangernomics hot hatch!

@OP - you don't mention needing 4 seats, why not go for a 2 door? Something properly sporty not like most of the cars mentioned above. How about a little rear wheel drive roadster, like a Mazda MX-5, Toyota MRS, MGF?

Yea im wary of moving away from the ability to carry passengers. How do the above mentioned cars work as everyday cars especially in winter? Might be getting ever so slightly low on the comfort side of things

unkel

We don't have winters in Ireland

But seriously, if you have to do a lot of (long distance) driving in winter and the soft top doesn't cut it for you, you can always get a hard top for a few hundred euro. Most of these have a glass heated rear window too for better visibility.

I have an MGF and it is small, rear wheel drive and mid engined, yet it still has enough space in the (rear) boot for the weekly shopping, so by all means practical as an every day car. Also these cars are light, so fuel consumption is low even if you drive it hard. But no, it can not carry 4 people

MarkN

CL500 :P:cool:

C0N0R

MarkN wrote: »

CL500 :P:cool:

Ill check that one with the insurance company in the morning!

MarkN

Tell them it's an auld lads car…!

C0N0R

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-golf-gti-2004/6999579

Considering this as an option, only thing is when i put the reg into my insurance companys website it comes out as a 180bhp but the seller insists its a 150bhp, why is this? Anyone want to throw some advice for looking at one of these to it would be appreciated.

Meso Harney

Trying to add link, but silly boards won't let me;)

Showing as a 150bhp on cartell, thought all these were 180, you live and learn;)

Nephew had an 01 180bhp a few years ago and it liked coil packs, but was actually a nice enough car. Was always surprised at how easy on petrol it was any time I had it, and had a reasonable turn of speed.

I've always found mk4 golfs easy and cheap enough to fettle when they go wrong. Like most VAG stuff, they're tough on wishbones and arb rubbers, but cheap to change. Think I'd have that Clio over it anyday though; not a lot less spacious and a real hot hatch:)

galwaytt

Meso Harney wrote: »

Trying to add link, but silly boards won't let me;)

Showing as a 150bhp on cartell, thought all these were 180, you live and learn;)

Nephew had an 01 180bhp a few years ago and it liked coil packs, but was actually a nice enough car. Was always surprised at how easy on petrol it was any time I had it, and had a reasonable turn of speed.

I've always found mk4 golfs easy and cheap enough to fettle when they go wrong. Like most VAG stuff, they're tough on wishbones and arb rubbers, but cheap to change. Think I'd have that Clio over it anyday though; not a lot less spacious and a real hot hatch:)

180 for Audi, 150 for VW - they wanted you to migrate up the product ladder.......

A TT shouldn't be expensive for insurance - that's one thing to thank the Golf underpinnings for......

C0N0R

galwaytt wrote: »

180 for Audi, 150 for VW - they wanted you to migrate up the product ladder.......

A TT shouldn't be expensive for insurance - that's one thing to thank the Golf underpinnings for......

Early gti's were 150bhp then later ones were 180bhp as far as I know. Are TT's quite expensive to work on though?

C0N0R

Just to update the thread, picked up a 2003 mk4 Gti 180bhp three door in black with full leather (unfortunately non recarro) and climate control with ~80k miles. Very happy with it, fond of petrol but im fond of boost! Maybe not a back road blaster but a very nice cruiser. Insurance came in at €710 fully comp with all extras so very happy with that. Fingers crossed its lucky for me!