Looking for suggestions: Interesting sporty hatch / Coupe

Cunning Alias

I have had my 02 Celica for about 5 years and I am looking for a change. Ideally I would just go for a 2010 Celica but they stopped making them in 2006 and there seems to be a drought of coupes around the years I am looking at (07-10).

I was looking at an RX8 but it didn't suit the type of driving I mainly do (commuting in Dublin) so I decided to look for something closer to a coupe.

So far my list is:
Volvo C30 (R Design) - Powerful models seem to be non existent in Ireland
Honda Civic Type S or R
Mini Cooper S

Not a fan of the Golf GTI

I would like to have some back seats even if they are small so the MX5 is out.

Anything else worth looking at?

bazz26

Budget? Any other restrictions such as engine size?

Cunning Alias

bazz26 wrote: »

Budget? Any other restrictions such as engine size?

6-10k

Dont really mind about the engine size. If I could find a 2.5 C30 I would be straight on it

ShadowHearth

What about BMW 325?

Something like that?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/11297854

bazz26

Ford Focus ST:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus/ST-2.5/201545238265757/

ironclaw

Opel Corsa or Astra OPC / Renaultsport Clio or Megane

Toyotafanboi

Sinful tax and maybe not as new as you'd like but i'd say the price is up for negotiation.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/7831605

farna_boy

Off the top of my head:

Seat Leon Cupra
Audi TT
Mercedes CLK
Renault Megane 225

irishmover

If you can find one Mazda 3 MPS. You won't regret it.

Most likely import from the UK but having driven most other hot hatches apart from the Audi's I always came back to the Mazda and now own one.

Cunning Alias

Cheers for all those. A couple I hadn't considered. I wasn't even aware of the Mazda 3 MPS. Looks like it would be perfect but not sure I would be up for all the bother of importing.

Gonna start some research into a few of them.

Soarer

Nice 3MPS

dar83

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Sinful tax and maybe not as new as you'd like but i'd say the price is up for negotiation.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/7831605

It would want to be very up for negotiation! :P

Toyotafanboi

dar83 wrote: »

It would want to be very up for negotiation! :P

I'd say it is, there are a few similar ones in private deals for around €6k~

Still hard justified though when it's €2k nearly for a tax disc.

ShadowHearth

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I'd say it is, there are a few similar ones in private deals for around €6k~

Still hard justified though when it's €2k nearly for a tax disc.

2k Tax and I wouldnt even consider it as great in price per performance ratio.

AMKC

How about a Renault Laguna Coupe or a Peugeot 407 Coupe or maybe a VW Scirocco

AMKC

How about a Renault Laguna Coupe or a Peugeot 407 Coupe or maybe a VW Scirocco.

Cunning Alias

AMKC wrote: »

How about a Renault Laguna Coupe or a Peugeot 407 Coupe or maybe a VW Scirocco.

VW Scirocco was on my list but are a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Not the biggest fan of French cars due to past experiences. (Think they are some of the best looking though )

irishmover

Cunning Alias wrote: »

Cheers for all those. A couple I hadn't considered. I wasn't even aware of the Mazda 3 MPS. Looks like it would be perfect but not sure I would be up for all the bother of importing.

Gonna start some research into a few of them.

I dont think importing is that hard. Only problem is making sure you're happy with it before getting it shipped.

Out of interest anyone know what the tax is on the MPS? I read pre 2008 (BK) it was within €1200 range. Post 2008 (BL) around €2000. I live in Australia so wouldn't know.

My insurance is approx €500 fully comp! 27 years old. With Rego (similar to tax) approx €600 a year.

I just know when I eventually move home I won't want to leave the MPS world..

Duke O Smiley

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I'd say it is, there are a few similar ones in private deals for around €6k~

Still hard justified though when it's €2k nearly for a tax disc.

JEsus I remember looking at the car with an uncle of mine in 2011 I think. They wanted nearly 20k for it then

AMKC

Cunning Alias wrote: »

VW Scirocco was on my list but are a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Not the biggest fan of French cars due to past experiences. (Think they are some of the best looking though )

French cars do look good. You should check out the Laguna Coupe if you can find a good one. Have not heard any bad story's about it and it is a really good looking car. Can be had with four wheel steering too.
As for the 407 coupe I heard it is more a cruiser than a car you drive hard on a windy road but still a nice car.

Veloce

Alfa Romeo GT?

Choice of:

1.8 TS (140bhp), 2.0 JTS (160bhp) or 1.9 Diesel (150bhp or 170 on sport mode - Cloverleaf).

Veloce

Alfa Romeo GT?

Choice of:

1.8 TS (140bhp), 2.0 JTS (160bhp) or 1.9 Diesel (150bhp or 170 on sport mode - Cloverleaf).

irishmover

How's the hunting going? Narrow it down a bit?

Cunning Alias

irishmover wrote: »

How's the hunting going? Narrow it down a bit?

Civic type S is the current leader. Still ticks all the boxes, I love the look of it and the few I have been keeping an eye on since xmas are dropping in price a bit. I have seen one or two bad used reviews but I have found that for pretty much everything I have researched.

That said, I only saw the Alfa GT post today and spent lunch looking into them. I had looked into Mitos but wasn't really sold in the end. The GT looks much closer to what I am looking for and I like what I have read so far. Haven't taken a look at one up close though.

Anyone have any opinions on the Breras?
Edit: Scratch that. I really shouldn't be able to find that many "never buying an Alfa again" posts with a few minutes research of a car :P

The NCT on my current car is up in april so I will probably aim to get that done and then make the switch.