New car for 2016

GavRedKing

Hi, looking at the prospect of a new car for 2016 and I've a few options in mind, 6 to be precise, all in and around similar price range, tax rate and power outputs.

I've got an Astra OPC that I'll be selling privately or maybe trading but more on that later, I'll be staying petrol and looking at relatively quick cars to replace it. Budget is give or take 30K, with a trade in and cash deposit I'll probably have about 12K cash towards the car so will be financing the rest on whatever I pick, as I said, the cars are all in and around 25k-33k depending on spec etc.

So this is what I've come up with

VW Scirocco Sport 2.0 220PS, circa 32/33K - Its the most expensive but has probably the best interior. A mate has a 1.4 TSI so I've driven that, liked it but would want to get the DSG and a few extra which would push it up to about 35k +.

Astra SRi, 1.6, 200PS, circa 29/30k - Ive test driven the 1.4 140PS the other week while my OPC was getting a service. Talked numbers with the garage and was getting a reasonable price for my car as a trade in. Like the interior and feel of the car. I've looked at the new OPC too but its out of my price range, plus a new Astra is coming soon enough so I'll probably ditch the idea of an Astra J unless the new model is out before year end.

Fiesta ST2, 1.6, 180PS, circa 29k, Ive not driven one but I pass one everyday down in the CAB garage in Cork in a Molten Orange colour. Lovely car and is probably my top pick, truth be told. No real idea about the car but if I've a spare hour or two I might take a trip down and talk to Ford.

Leon FR, 1.8, 1.80PS, circa 27/30k, A bit like the Scirocco, to get a decent one, IMO, will cost a decent whack more. A friend of friend has one and I've seen it in the flesh a few times,

Corsa OPC, 1.6, 200PS, circa 32K, I like the idea of the new Corsa OPC but by the time you spec one up it starts getting expensive. Also at €750 p.a. tax, its the most expensive by about €400, second most expensive is the Astra.

Ibiza Cupra, 1.4, 180PS, circa 25k, cheapest car by a distance and I like the idea of a small 1.4, bi-turbo DSG combo. Ive seen a standard Ibiza and I'm not to gone on the interior though but its probably my 2nd or 3rd favourite.

Anyway, theres my 6 picks, I'm swaying between the ST2 or the Cupra but have I forgotten anything? Whats the general waiting time to spec a car like the above, I'm guessing in and around 8-12weeks so I'd need to be ordering in about October for a January delivery time I'd assume?

Thanks for looking

JoeA3

I'd suggest a MK7 Golf GTI but a brand new one would be a little bit outside your budget... however it would blow all your 6 picks out of the water IMO.

Would you not find the likes of the Fiesta/Ibiza/Corsa too small, coming from the Astra? I'd rule all 3 out for that reason alone. Of those 3, I'd choose the Fiesta, it's supposed to be a little cracker.

The Scirocco is a lovely car but despite a recent facelift to make it "look" like a MK7 GTI, it is still based on 10 year old underpinnings and it's beginning to show. It's actually based on the MK5 Golf. All new Scirocco is not due for another year or two.

For a factory ordered VAG (VW/Seat/Audi), yes, you'd be looking at 10-12 weeks for delivery. I'm sure the other manufacturers are similar unless there's one in stock somewhere and you weren't too fussed on spec.

GavRedKing

Size isnt really an issue at the moment, no kids to transport around the place so its not that important.

Wasnt aware of that with the Scirocco, cheers for the info.

A new GTi, is in an around 36k probably too far of a stretch but tis something I'll look at anyway, I've never been too far gone on GTi's though.

The Focus ST and Octavia VRS were also mentioned by a buddy of my mine but theyre in GTi price range and I've no interest right now in 5doors.

JoeA3

GavRedKing wrote: »

Size isnt really an issue at the moment, no kids to transport around the place so its not that important.

Wasnt aware of that with the Scirocco, cheers for the info.

A new GTi, is in an around 36k probably too far of a stretch but tis something I'll look at anyway, I've never been too far gone on GTi's though.

The Focus ST and Octavia VRS were also mentioned by a buddy of my mine but theyre in GTi price range and I've no interest right now in 5doors.

It's not so much the passenger/luggage space, but with a Fiesta/Corsa sized car, everything feels more cramped, less comfortable, noisier etc.
That's fine maybe if most of your trips are around town and you rarely carry passengers but I wouldn't fancy regular long spins in a Fiesta even if it is the ST variety

To add further...
The current Astra is getting on a bit now. I think it's been around since 2009 (in 5 door form) and is surely due a replacement. The Corsa was recently heavily facelifted but again it's based on the old car. Personally I'd rule out both the Opels.

GavRedKing

JoeA3 wrote: »

It's not so much the passenger/luggage space, but with a Fiesta/Corsa sized car, everything feels more cramped, less comfortable, noisier etc.
That's fine maybe if most of your trips are around town and you rarely carry passengers but I wouldn't fancy regular long spins in a Fiesta even if it is the ST variety

To add further...
The current Astra is getting on a bit now. I think it's been around since 2009 (in 5 door form) and is surely due a replacement. The Corsa was recently heavily facelifted but again it's based on the old car. Personally I'd rule out both the Opels.

Its something I'll have to think about anyway, I've a few months anyway before I have to make up my mind, I'd love something brand new in Janaury but would wait a few weeks if I'd have too.

Hearing of a facelift/new model of Ibiza too out sometime in the next 6-12months so that could be ruled out yet.

Theres a new Astra due to be debuted in September/October AFAIK. Although its likely to only be the 5 door model, the GTC (3 door) mightnt be seen for awhile after that. I've all but ruled both of those out and the Corsa for different reasons.

MuppetCheck

Would you go for a 15 reg one next year? It would open up a lot of other options.

GTI
Leon Cupra
Focus ST

Given the reduced price you might be able to get close to a Golf R too.

GavRedKing

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Would you go for a 15 reg one next year? It would open up a lot of other options.

GTI
Leon Cupra
Focus ST

Given the reduced price you might be able to get close to a Golf R too.

Of the above, I'd probably push for a GTi or a Cupra, the Focus is a great machine but aesthetically I'm not into 5 door cars.

If the right deal was available though I'd certainly consider all my options, a 151/152 wouldnt bother me in the slightest.

Ive seen a 151 Leon Cupra in a Seat garage in Cork that I might try get too if theyre open tomorrow and weather permitting.

MuppetCheck

GavRedKing wrote: »

Of the above, I'd probably push for a GTi or a Cupra, the Focus is a great machine but aesthetically I'm not into 5 door cars.

If the right deal was available though I'd certainly consider all my options, a 151/152 wouldnt bother me in the slightest.

Ive seen a 151 Leon Cupra in a Seat garage in Cork that I might try get too if theyre open tomorrow and weather permitting.

Worth a spin in one, if it's the red one it's an ex-press car which is what put me off it;)

GavRedKing

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Worth a spin in one, if it's the red one it's an ex-press car which is what put me off it;)

Ya? Out in Victoria Cross?

Theres not many around locally but I might have a gander, if a 151 from around the country became available might be worth a trip up to, especially if I like the look of this one in the flesh.

MuppetCheck

With so few about I'd expect to travel and look at a few alright. That cars on a few Irish sites being put through its paces. Was advertised up in Mayo for a bit too.

Blackwater have a couple in their place at the moment.

GavRedKing

MuppetCheck wrote: »

With so few about I'd expect to travel and look at a few alright. That cars on a few Irish sites being put through its paces. Was advertised up in Mayo for a bit too.

Blackwater have a couple in their place at the moment.

I didnt even check the KM's on the Cupra TBH, was late one night a few days back when I found it.

Which Blackwater do ya mind me asking?

EDIT : Just found it.

bazz26

Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ.

Brand new might be outside your budget but a year old example or demo might be doable early next year.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Subaru/BRZ/Special-Edition/139914228901688800/

colm_mcm

I'd drop the corsa and Astra off that list tbh.

AMKC

How about a Renault Megane RS 265. Not sure if there is any in the country but maybe Renault would bring it in on special order.

For Forks Sake

AMKC wrote: »

How about a Renault Megane RS 265. Not sure if there is any in the country but maybe Renault would bring it in on special order.

They're the guts of 30k sterling. Add VRT and an unfavorable exchange rate....

GavRedKing

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'd drop the corsa and Astra off that list tbh.

If im going 161 ill probably end up with the Fiesta TBH, I like the look of it and i know another user or two here have picked new ones up recently so i was watching the thread for opinions/reviews on it. Personally id go with the ST2 over the ST1 but thats just my opinion.

If I go 151 i might try get a leon cupra or GTi. Id prefer them to have DSG but that again raises the price and both could be out of my budget.

Theres 3 or 4, 151 Ibiza cupras around the place but im not sold on the interior, none are so close that I could see one in the flesh however.

JoeA3

Again I'd go back to my comments on size. I can't understand how anyone would seriously consider a Fiesta whilst looking at the Golf/Leon/Focus. There will be a Grand Canyon between them in terms of driver comfort, refinement, equipment levels, etc, etc.
For me, with your budget, wait for a 151 GTI to fall into your range.

Henry Ford III

I've done about 1000 miles in a new Fiesta ST. It's a great car. Puts a smile on my face and makes me go for a spin for fun.

Highly recommended.

GavRedKing

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I've done about 1000 miles in a new Fiesta ST. It's a great car. Puts a smile on my face and makes me go for a spin for fun.

Highly recommended.

Good to hear. Im seriously tempted by one TBH. Any issues with your own one, any little things that annoy ya?

Henry Ford III

GavRedKing wrote: »

Good to hear. Im seriously tempted by one TBH. Any issues with your own one, any little things that annoy ya?

So far none at all. It's early days though. It's actually surprsingly light on fuel if you aren't in a hurry.

AMKC

What about a Peugeot 208 GTi or a VW polo GTi.

GavRedKing

Henry Ford III wrote: »

So far none at all. It's early days though. It's actually surprsingly light on fuel if you aren't in a hurry.

Im only about a 7 or 8 mile round trip from work so the must id do in a week is about 100miles with work, gym and football so fuel isnt really a huge issue but thats good to know.

Cheers for the info.

GavRedKing

Ive taken the plunge anyway and put a deposit on a 161 Fiesta ST2.

Getting it in blue and with the appearance pack.

Perfect timing really as I was off for a few days last week and rang the dealer enquiring about one and looking to put a deposit down and spec the car, lucky enough they had taken delivery of the very car I was looking for only that morning, so I took it on a 10/15min drive, loved it.

So, January 4th I'll have a new Fiesta ST2.

Soarer

161-C-572

GavRedKing

Soarer wrote: »

161-C-572

Tempted.....but is it really worth the extra €1,000?

I'm trying to justify it alright though.

:pac:

dashoonage

GavRedKing wrote: »

Ive taken the plunge anyway and put a deposit on a 161 Fiesta ST2.

Getting it in blue and with the appearance pack.

Perfect timing really as I was off for a few days last week and rang the dealer enquiring about one and looking to put a deposit down and spec the car, lucky enough they had taken delivery of the very car I was looking for only that morning, so I took it on a 10/15min drive, loved it.

So, January 4th I'll have a new Fiesta ST2.

what dealer was it? I'm in the exact same boat as yourself. Same budget and all, my main concern with the fiesta would be would i find it too small, id like to go have a look at one.

GavRedKing

dashoonage wrote: »

what dealer was it? I'm in the exact same boat as yourself. Same budget and all, my main concern with the fiesta would be would i find it too small, id like to go have a look at one.

CAB Monaghan Road.

Depends what car youre coming from. I've an Astra OPC and the Fiesta on the test drive was clearly a smaller car but it didnt feel like a very small car if that makes sense.

Granted I only had it out for about 10/15mins but I dont think it would be too restrictive for me. No kids or dogs to ferry around so its not really an issue for me at the moment.

dashoonage

I'm coming from a 1.9 tdi octavia and a k20 elise. No kids, 30kg huskie who would only see it like twice a year. I dont need a big car either.

GavRedKing

CAB have one and I think Cavanaghs in Charleville have one in black, well they had one a few weeks back in August and I was going to take a trip down but I didnt fancy the drive to just look at one as the dealer, over the phone anyway, had no interest in leaving me take it for a test drive, it might have been a different story had I just turned up and pushed him but over the phone and off the top of his head he couldnt tell if it was an ST1 or ST2 which, along with the distance to travel, put me off dealing with them being honest.

GavRedKing

Edit : Just checked the website, www.cavanaghs.com and theyve got 2 ST's.

An ST1 and an ST2.

dashoonage

They do! and are 20 minutes from me! and im off next week! a plan is forming.

GavRedKing

Good luck with it

Soarer

GavRedKing wrote: »

Tempted.....but is it really worth the extra €1,000?

I'm trying to justify it alright though.

:pac:

What'll kill ya is if you end up with 571 or 573.

Henry Ford III

I looked at the fuel computer on my Fiesta ST this morning. It's averaging 42.7mpg from new, with a little over 10,000 miles recorded. My driving tends to be quick A road spins plus a bit of motorway stuff. Very little city driving.

Fuel economy wasn't a priority when I bought the ST but all things considered it's highly impressive.

GavRedKing

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I looked at the fuel computer on my Fiesta ST this morning. It's averaging 42.7mpg from new, with a little over 10,000 miles recorded. My driving tends to be quick A road spins plus a bit of motorway stuff. Very little city driving.

Fuel economy wasn't a priority when I bought the ST but all things considered it's highly impressive.

I should hopefully be looking at something similar, I've about an 8 mile round commute to work everyday with no traffic.

Although if its a slight bit worse I'm not too pushed, it'll be more frugal than the OPC so its a start. :pac:

Edit : I rang AIG for a quote to see what I'd paying and got a quote, fully comp for €580, I'm 30, 9yr NCB and 8 yr full license, 0 points or claims.

dashoonage

The ops was hardly a new shape Gav was it ?

GavRedKing

dashoonage wrote: »

The ops was hardly a new shape Gav was it ?

No, its an 07, i'm the 2nd owner from new, last owner was a mechanic in Opel in Waterford so the car has been kept well.

I went about a new OPC last year but Opel Ireland only got them in early this year and they were given me a terrible price as a trade in, also the new generation Astra has just landed and while theres no GTC yet and probably wont be until late 2016 early 2017 I didnt see the point in dropping 42k on an old shape Astra, even if it was an OPC.

the phantom worker

congrats on the new car!

Have you sold the OPC yet? A good friend is looking for one at the moment and finding it hard to get a good one.

If it's not sold and you want to send me on specs/price via pm i can relay the info.

GavRedKing

the phantom worker wrote: »

congrats on the new car!

Have you sold the OPC yet? A good friend is looking for one at the moment and finding it hard to get a good one.

If it's not sold and you want to send me on specs/price via pm i can relay the info.

I've been "guaranteed" a good trade in price for the OPC pretty much on the button for what theyre going for judging by some sites, if that changes I'll get back in touch, thanks.

the phantom worker

no problem at all, thanks a mill and enjoy the new car when it comes around, you lucky sod!

Henry Ford III

43.4mpg av. now. Amazing.

GavRedKing

Thats a great return being honest, Ford themselves claim somwthing like 48mpg and to be getting somewhere close to it is pretty good.

In the 3 and half years I've the OPC, its averaged about 31mpg. I dont do any city driving as I live a few miles from work and anytime I do venture on a drive it usually dual carriageway/motorway so the mpg shouldnt be an issue with the ST.

The worse thing about the wait is, I drive pass the CAB showroom every day from work and the car is in the window.

bod71

I have the same engine in a focus, getting 36mpg after 1200 miles. I'm hoping it will creep up as the miles go up.

GavRedKing

I emailed the dealer today looking to see where I'd stand if I get the Mountune upgrade on the ST with regards to the warranty.

Ford UK/US dont void the warranty as theyve developed the map with Mountune officially, I'm lucky enough that my buddys brother is a Ford mechanic so getting it fitted shouldnt be an issue, as long as I dont void the warranty that is.

I wouldnt mind the extra bit of mid range grunt it offers being honest, at the moment I wouldnt be able to get it fitted until about April or May with work commitments so I'd have the car a good while before I make a call on it either way.

dar83

You should be fine on the Mountune side of things the only thing they may insist upon is that it's done in their own garage so they can verify it has 'been installed correctly' etc... This may result in it being slightly expensive as the Mountune kit usually is, compared to some of the aftermarket options.

Fair play on the order though, wishing you many miles of happiness in it!

GavRedKing

dar83 wrote: »

You should be fine on the Mountune side of things the only thing they may insist upon is that it's done in their own garage so they can verify it has 'been installed correctly' etc... This may result in it being slightly expensive as the Mountune kit usually is, compared to some of the aftermarket options.

Fair play on the order though, wishing you many miles of happiness in it!

I was expecting an email on Friday about it but I was out of the office so I should know tomorrow morning if its possible and what ford have said.

I dont mind if its done locally either but I'll see what they say. Thanks, hoping for some trouble free motoring with it too, really excited, counting down the days as we speak.

Henry Ford III

GavRedKing wrote: »

I emailed the dealer today looking to see where I'd stand if I get the Mountune upgrade on the ST with regards to the warranty.

Ford UK/US dont void the warranty as theyve developed the map with Mountune officially, I'm lucky enough that my buddys brother is a Ford mechanic so getting it fitted shouldnt be an issue, as long as I dont void the warranty that is.

I wouldnt mind the extra bit of mid range grunt it offers being honest, at the moment I wouldnt be able to get it fitted until about April or May with work commitments so I'd have the car a good while before I make a call on it either way.

I wouldn't bother with the Mountune upgrade. The stock performance is more than decent without it.

GavRedKing

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with the Mountune upgrade. The stock performance is more than decent without it.

Ford Ireland anyway got back saying its ok, they didnt offer or suggest to fit it locally so I'll either drive up north and get it done before the summer, probably May time or get the buddies brother to fit it around May a few miles from home.

Either way, I'll have the car about 5 months before I decide what path to take with it but there wont be anything majorly modified going into the car if I go down that route.

dar83

As long as you can cover it on your insurance (should be able to as it's Ford provided) then I would say definitely go for it. Any performance Ford is nice stock, but the increase in performance you get from any remap on them is usually more than worth it! You'll be grinning from ear to ear when you've driven the car standard for a while and then jumped into it mapped!

Does the Mountune kit for the Fiesta ST come with any cooling/exhaust upgrades?

GavRedKing

Im with AIG and they do have an option for the 215bhp upgrade on their website so it should be no issuem bar pricing of course.

I'll enjoy the car anyway for the first 6 or so months off the year, see how it takes my fancy once I've the car run well in.

Edit :

The basic 215upgrade comes with the following :

• Custom aluminium high-flow airbox with dual cold air feeds
• mountune high-flow panel air filter
• Porous lower air feed hose
• Required hardware / clips
• Revised engine calibration
• Mountune Performance badge

There is upgraded intercoolers and exhausts available through Mountune, all Ford approved so if I do go modding and I'm talking a few years down the line, I'll probably go that way with the more serious upgrades.

dar83

Sounds good. Keep the fund stocked, as once you start to tinker, it's hard to stop! :pac:

I'd also suggest checking out Pumaspeed and what they're doing with the current Fiesta ST. They have an RS style rep now and it actually looks the business, but they also had one that was running 270bhp from memory when fully tuned up. Mental figures but where there's a will!