Fun(ish), Modern(ish) Petrol

Atomic Pineapple · 27-05-2015 12:54pm #1

Looking for a change back to a petrol car, I'm currently driving a 2010 Focus TDCI but I only travel 20 km a day Monday - Friday and around 100 km every other weekend. I would envisage (hope) that this will be the situation for at least the next two years before I will be moving to a location where I will be doing big mileage and need a diesel.

So I'm looking to make the most of those two years and get something modern, petrol and somewhat fun to drive.

I've been looking and the options seem a bit limited for my budget so I'm wondering what others would recommend if they had the same criteria?

Budget would be up to €14K
Would like something 2008+ to keep it somewhat modern
Budget for tax would be around €600 yearly
Should be relatively easy to shift on in two years
Should be somewhat fun to drive, (150bhp - 200bhp perhaps?) I prefer something that handles well over outright power
Still needs to be an everyday car so something reliable enough within reason

From looking before posting this I've been tempted by a Civic Type R, Renault Clio F1 RS and a Mini Cooper JCW.

But options appear pretty limited so I'm looking for opinions on what I might have missed or should keep a look out for in the market that might suit my needs?

EDIT: Meant to say also that I don't like Golf GTi's so as much as they may be a good fit, there's no point in suggesting one

MetzgerMeister · 27-05-2015 2:25pm

Out of what you've mentioned there, the Civic Type R would be the easiest to move on IMO.

A 2008 Mazda RX8 also suits your criteria as far as purchase budget and tax budget, handling, power are concerned.

Others - E90/E92 BMW 325i, Mazda3 MPS

Atlantic Dawn · 27-05-2015 2:43pm

Does it have to be hatchback? Have you thought about the Skoda VRS?

Atomic Pineapple · 27-05-2015 2:48pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Does it have to be hatchback? Have you thought about the Skoda VRS?

Would prefer a hatchback or something smaller than a vRS. I have looked at them but not in any great detail.

MetzgerMeister · 27-05-2015 3:07pm

Seat Leon FR?

Atomic Pineapple · 27-05-2015 4:54pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Seat Leon FR?

Always liked them, definitely one to add to the list.

colm_mcm · 27-05-2015 5:15pm

How about a 1 series?

Atomic Pineapple · 27-05-2015 5:50pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

How about a 1 series?

Honestly know nothing about them, are they fun to drive? Whats reliability like?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly · 27-05-2015 6:19pm

An Audi S3 is always nice.

bazz26 · 27-05-2015 8:22pm

Opel Astra OPC

Atomic Pineapple · 28-05-2015 10:54am

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

An Audi S3 is always nice.

Really nice cars but after doing a bit of looking I think I would be pushing my budget a bit to buy a nice one - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/s3/used-2008-audi-s3-2-0-tfsi-265bhp-dublin-fpa-166014327635203600

bazz26 wrote: »

Opel Astra OPC

Same as with the Golf GTi I've never been a huge fan of the styling of the Astra OPC, I dunno why, its odd because I love the styling of the Corsa OPC.

They are nice and seem really good value for money though - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/opel/astra/used-2011-opel-astra-opc-nurbur-dublin-fpa-153714273857719220

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly · 28-05-2015 11:38am

If you rolled up to Beshoffs with 14k in your pocket I think you'd drive out in that S3.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly · 28-05-2015 11:39am

Beshoffs cars btw.

14k would buy a lot of battered sausages.

166man · 28-05-2015 11:53am

Renaultsport Clio or megane all day long!

AMKC · 28-05-2015 12:19pm

What about a Seat Ibiza FR or a Renault Laguna Coupe if you can find one. Around where I live there is a Renault Laguna GT. Its 3 or so years old now but still looks great. Has a lovely interior,nice alloys,lots of chrome and twin exhausts too. The coupe has 4wheel steer as does the GT.

Atomic Pineapple · 28-05-2015 5:37pm

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

If you rolled up to Beshoffs with 14k in your pocket I think you'd drive out in that S3.

Would ideally like to trade my current car in if possible, will give them a shout anyway to see what the cost to change is, the more I think about it the more the S3 seems like a great choice.

166man wrote: »

Renaultsport Clio or megane all day long!

My initial preference is for the Clio or Mini JCW leaning slightly to the Mini but the R56 seems to be really unreliable which is off putting given BMW parts are pricey.

AMKC wrote: »

What about a Seat Ibiza FR or a Renault Laguna Coupe if you can find one. Around where I live there is a Renault Laguna GT. Its 3 or so years old now but still looks great. Has a lovely interior,nice alloys,lots of chrome and twin exhausts too. The coupe has 4wheel steer as does the GT.

Did the Ibiza FR come in petrol? I can only find diesels for sale. Laguna is same as Golf, styling doesn't do it for me.

AMKC · 28-05-2015 6:00pm

Maybe here the Ibiza was only diesel am sure there was a petrol version too but maybe they did not sell that one here. What about a Skoda Fabia vRS.

Atomic Pineapple · 29-05-2015 1:38pm

AMKC wrote: »

Maybe here the Ibiza was only diesel am sure there was a petrol version too but maybe they did not sell that one here. What about a Skoda Fabia vRS.

Can't find any for sale

EDIT: there is one on donedeal actually but I don't really like the style of them either.

Leaning towards these in order of preferences now:

1. Audi S3
2. Mini Cooper JCW R56
3. Renault Clio F1 RS

Anything else that might compete with these three?

MuppetCheck · 29-05-2015 9:12pm

178bhp, 7 speed dsg and feel like a go kart.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9009939

Some of them can use a bit of oil mind.

Atomic Pineapple · 31-05-2015 7:12pm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

178bhp, 7 speed dsg and feel like a go kart.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/9009939

Some of them can use a bit of oil mind.

Just don't like the look of them though, I think the earlier models looked better than the model that you linked to.

Atomic Pineapple · 23-06-2015 11:56am

Went on holidays for two weeks and when I came back all 5 of the cars I had marked to go view have been sold

So just bumping this in case anyone else has some genius ideas. I had convinced myself the S3 was what I'd go for but none for sale within budget now.

Big Nasty · 23-06-2015 3:37pm

Would you get an A5 1.8T S-Line Quattro for that money?

Atomic Pineapple · 23-06-2015 4:19pm

Big Nasty wrote: »

Would you get an A5 1.8T S-Line Quattro for that money?

Pushes the budget slightly but I do like them so will keep a look out - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/a5/used-2008-audi-a5-coupe-1-8-tfsi-cork-fpa-165414323069003460

Big Nasty · 23-06-2015 4:21pm

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Pushes the budget slightly but I do like them so will keep a look out - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/a5/used-2008-audi-a5-coupe-1-8-tfsi-cork-fpa-165414323069003460

Not a great looking example and you'd want the S-Line spec and the Quattro. Well I would anyhow. It's something different than the previous suggestions if anything.

Red Kev · 24-06-2015 6:04am

€14000 gets an E46 M3 with plenty of change. Higher running costs than some of the other cars posted though.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m3-fully-loaded/9726262?offset=14

Atomic Pineapple · 24-06-2015 8:25am

Red Kev wrote: »

€14000 gets an E46 M3 with plenty of change. Higher running costs than some of the other cars posted though.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-m3-fully-loaded/9726262?offset=14

Indeed, I would love an M3 but they are too old and too expensive to maintain and run for my needs I'm afraid.

millington · 24-06-2015 9:17am

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-330i-m-sport-long-tax-nct/8921296?offset=10

Still has plenty of tax so you could shift it on before the tax is up or just bite the bullet

circadian · 24-06-2015 11:03am

Would you get a Seat Leon Cupra for that cash? Lovely looking motor, quick too.

If you can get your hands on a 2.0 S3 you're laughing.

Also, a car that has stolen my heart recently is the Alfa Guilietta although it might not meet your performance needs.

Atomic Pineapple · 24-06-2015 2:00pm

millington wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-330i-m-sport-long-tax-nct/8921296?offset=10

Still has plenty of tax so you could shift it on before the tax is up or just bite the bullet

Nah, too expensive to tax and I'd like to get something that will easily last me two years when I plan to change my commute and will need a comfy diesel cruiser.

circadian wrote: »

Would you get a Seat Leon Cupra for that cash? Lovely looking motor, quick too.

If you can get your hands on a 2.0 S3 you're laughing.

Also, a car that has stolen my heart recently is the Alfa Guilietta although it might not meet your performance needs.

I've been keeping an eye out for a Leon Cupra but nothing in budget that has caught my eye yet. I've always wanted a Cupra so it would be great if one popped up.

As for the Guilitta I think they look great but the 1.4 petrol wouldn't cut it for me I'm afraid.

Marcusm · 24-06-2015 7:43pm

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Nah, too expensive to tax and I'd like to get something that will easily last me two years when I plan to change my commute and will need a comfy diesel cruiser.

I've been keeping an eye out for a Leon Cupra but nothing in budget that has caught my eye yet. I've always wanted a Cupra so it would be great if one popped up.

As for the Guilitta I think they look great but the 1.4 petrol wouldn't cut it for me I'm afraid.

Look for a 1750 TBi Giulietta.

Fun(ish), Modern(ish) Petrol

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