Change of car for Jozi

jozi

I've been driving my Alfa 147 for the past year, it has served me well but I find it boring and it's coming up to timing belt change which is going to cost as much as the car itself. I also have a E30 touring that will be on the road later this year or next year which will have a 2.8 fitted.

I've been looking for something a little more fun than the alfa, something quicker and also reliable. I have a budget of about 5k which I can probably stretch to 6k with some saving. I've only done about 6k miles in the alfa over the last 12 months, mostly Dublin with the odd weekend spin up the country. I don't really care for having rear doors, no kids and I wont be a passenger (boot space is nice though for the odd time I need to transport my bike with rear seats down.

I've mainly been looking at 2dr hatchbacks or coupes, petrol as I wont be doing massive mileage, and have been doing some reading up on a Golf Mk5 GTI or Mini Cooper S. Both seem to be good cars that fit what I'm after and do about the same mpg as the alfa (28-33) but are way more fun and quicker and probably nicer cars to drive - in saying that I've driven neither!

I had a quick look at a garage that had both of the above, both seemed comfortable to sit in, the mini looked like the rear seat was an after thought and boot was tiny (I wouldn't fit my E30 wheels in it for sure). Wasn't able to drive either so only sat in them, but both seemed comfortable enough.

Is there anything else out there that you think will fit the bill with an engine under 2l?

bazz26

Clio 182 or 197:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/clio-197-rs/11108549

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio-trophy/11147671

Ferris

I really like that blue 197.

What about a Megane 225 rs, bigger boot than the clio: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-2-2-0-rs225-5dr/10872410

Although when I wanted a quick, fun, car with similar mileage to yours I went with an rx8. Worse mileage than you're used to and you'd have to carry the bike in the car (thanks to the suicide doors - been there). It was a great car and I still miss it.

jozi

Had seen those clios, great to drive I believe but are they reliable? Being French I get told be most to steer clear from them. The megane is way out of budget.

I like the rx8 but add you say fuel consumption is poor. I've heard about engines going and needing rebuilding etc? Probably not one for my short list.

I wouldn't totally dismiss something for a bike not fitting, it's rare enough I might need it in the car but always handy.

I keep coming back to mk5 gti but I don't know if a sub 6k one is asking for trouble or if they are a safe enough bet, especially considering there are some that are way more! Audi a3 also but I don't think the 1.6 would put any smiles on my face, never driven a diesel either so don't know what they are like.

The mk1 Audi tt is standing out a little to while browsing this morning. 180hp can't be all that bad and loads of them well within my budget. Know nothing about them though, are they reliable, handle nicely?

Spotted two Honda s2k for 6k which seems very cheap compared to the few others on donedeal but such an awesome car, would probably make me forget about the e30!

Just to add, a faster sportier something would be nicer but I'm not totally dismissing diesel either (in for example the a3)

colm_mcm

i quite like the tt180. a lot of people disagree though but you'll have that.

jozi

Hairdressers car and all that.

IfIs it quite normal for people to go and have a look at cars just to test drive them? I wouldn't know any other way to drive some of the above as must friends drive boring cars or e30 which I already have

commited

You'll really struggle to get a decent Mk5 Golf GTI for that money.

How about an MX-5?

bazz26

Renault always got the Clio right regarding reliability.

jozi

commited wrote: »

You'll really struggle to get a decent Mk5 Golf GTI for that money.

How about an MX-5?

At what point do they become decent? I had a look last night out of the 80 2005-2008 gtis 20 were below 6k. I do realise is probably the bottom of the barrel but the odd one looks really nice though. I wouldn't know enough to be able to spot a bad one though.

I think the mx5 is a great little car but a bit small and impractical (like the s2k), if I didn't have the e30 I might consider either as the fun car.

Toyotafanboi

It does look like you could get into an ok mk5 GTi these days for around 5-6k if you are willing to compromise a little on mileage or spec. Really nice bit of poke behind them.

Not saying a Clio 197 wouldn't be a hoot, but if you are paying 2.0 tax, the Mk5 GTi is a nicer car all round imo.

robtri

Fiesta ST
2004/2005

good fun and reliable

commited

jozi wrote: »

At what point do they become decent? I had a look last night out of the 80 2005-2008 gtis 20 were below 6k. I do realise is probably the bottom of the barrel but the odd one looks really nice though. I wouldn't know enough to be able to spot a bad one though.

I think the mx5 is a great little car but a bit small and impractical (like the s2k), if I didn't have the e30 I might consider either as the fun car.

Depends on how fussy you are - I went looking about 6 months ago and wanted FSH & aircon - was open minded about everything else. Saw plenty of dodgy cars which either ran like a bag of spanners/had been badly repaired etc.

That said, if you can find a decent one they are superb cars.