2nd car - something a bit quick/fun

elbyrneo

Hi all

We only have the one car (new Pug 5008) which while perfect for young family of 5, it's taken most of my budget and while very functional its hardly fun. We need a 2nd car - usually just me but must have back seats that can fit kids for short journeys at least.

Budget am thinking between 5k and 8k. Criteria:
Tax no more than 700, so 2 litre or less if pre 2008.
Reasonably reliable and ok to service
2 seats in back
Fun and reasonably quick - say gti or similar performance.
Will be doing minimal mileage so fuel economy doesn't bother me at all
Insureable - have decent quotes on 2007 gti and astra opcs. I'm 39 with max no claims etc.

Am thinking in the areas of mkV golf gti, astra opc, scirroco 2.0 fsi, leon fr 2.0.
Not interested in focus st (tax on 2.5) and the looks of Civic type-r shape in years I can afford not appealing.
Not interested in older evos or wrx's - not mad on the rally look of them.
The likes of post 2008 3.0 german diesels prob out of budget but would consider coupes or saloons if quick and tax band ok.

Not interested in classic route just yet..

Don't think I could get boosters for a 5 and 6 year old in back of a tt or z4.

Any cars outside of this range I should consider?

Advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

James Bond Junior

I know it may be above budget but I test drove this yesterday and it was insane. I decided against it for personal reasons when the head kicked in over the heart but I was sorely tempted.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-2008/19314643

bazz26

Hard to beat a Golf GTi with that criteria in mind:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1998785&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26f%3D1%26nn%3D12%26yn%3D2008%26yx%3D2010%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Avatar MIA

How big are the kids, would it need to take all 5 in the family. That'd rule out an Audi TT - but, you could probably take the three kids without the wife :pac:

Mini850

I'm going to sound like a broken record but an end of run Mini Cooper S R53 is the most fun I've had in a car for a long time. Tax €512, insurance €315. I collect the two sprogs from crèche and school in it occasionally and its just right craic. 170bhp, supercharger whine, subtle pops and bangs from the exhaust and handling few cars can rival

Its is sprung hard so can hardly be called comfortable, there's little or no boot. and it will want certain things doing to keep it reliable (its feck all really, I can expand if you wish)

I'm struggling to find anything to replace it with, with the same sort of performance, costs and fun factor.

There are some absolute lemons out there for sale too and they will break your heart so find one that's good, low miles, and has a history of being cared for

Wildly Boaring

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I know it may be above budget but I test drove this yesterday and it was insane. I decided against it for personal reasons when the head kicked in over the heart but I was sorely tempted.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-2008/19314643

The only thing insane there is the price!!
That a 330d or 335d?
If 330d I had a saloon. Great car. Loved it the torque and the go. Fun to an extent but the cooper above is the job.
09 saloon went last year for 7500 btw

elbyrneo

James Bond Junior wrote: »

I know it may be above budget but I test drove this yesterday and it was insane. I decided against it for personal reasons when the head kicked in over the heart but I was sorely tempted.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-2008/19314643

Thanks, I was browsing all weekend and spotted that very same car. Looks amazing but yeah slightly over budget alright. Can understand why you were tempted!

elbyrneo

bazz26 wrote: »

Hard to beat a Golf GTi with that criteria in mind:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1998785&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26f%3D1%26nn%3D12%26yn%3D2008%26yx%3D2010%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Yeah you are probably right . The Opc cheaper but perhaps not as reliable. I'm tempted by the Scirroco though I must say, same engine as the GTI and love the style of the car plus lower down with adaptive chassis control meant to be a little bit more fun than the gti to drive? Less practical with 2 seats only in the back but will never have 5 in the car (that's what the 5008 is for) so would manage just fine.

Anyone driven both to compare?

elbyrneo

Avatar MIA wrote: »

How big are the kids, would it need to take all 5 in the family. That'd rule out an Audi TT - but, you could probably take the three kids without the wife :pac:

Hah. 5,6 and 8. I guess if you could get boosters back there it's an option but I'm thinking it's a stretch too far! Do love the TTs when they changed shape from 2008(?) alright

elbyrneo

Mini850 wrote: »

I'm going to sound like a broken record but an end of run Mini Cooper S R53 is the most fun I've had in a car for a long time. Tax €512, insurance €315. I collect the two sprogs from crèche and school in it occasionally and its just right craic. 170bhp, supercharger whine, subtle pops and bangs from the exhaust and handling few cars can rival

Its is sprung hard so can hardly be called comfortable, there's little or no boot. and it will want certain things doing to keep it reliable (its feck all really, I can expand if you wish)

I'm struggling to find anything to replace it with, with the same sort of performance, costs and fun factor.

There are some absolute lemons out there for sale too and they will break your heart so find one that's good, low miles, and has a history of being cared for

Thanks. I looked at a few online on usual sites, and read reviews, and it seems an an absolute hoot to drive alright (just reading on the r53 now too though) but purely subjective it's looks/style are not calling me. But I'm useless and changing my views every day so not ruled out. Not buying till mid Nov so time yet to decide!

Avatar MIA

elbyrneo wrote: »

Hah. 5,6 and 8. I guess if you could get boosters back there it's an option but I'm thinking it's a stretch too far! Do love the TTs when they changed shape from 2008(?) alright

Similar ages to my own (once upon a time). Had a saloon for 10 years before changing to a TT just over a year ago now they are all grown up. Their mum now has the family car !

The Mk 2 TT (new shape) should be in the budget and they do have ISO bars in the back seats for car seats. But, the missus would have to hang on to the rear spoiler. :pac:

bazz26

Honda Civic Type R:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2128780&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D282%26r%3D2007%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

The mileage wouldn't put me off once it hasn't be driven to within an inch of it's life. Insurance could be a problem though.

elbyrneo

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Civic Type R:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2128780&r=s.php%3Fm%3D32%26o%3D282%26r%3D2007%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

The mileage wouldn't put me off once it hasn't be driven to within an inch of it's life. Insurance could be a problem though.

God that's a nice car for the money alright. Thanks Bazz! Didnt think i liked the look of them but that looks great in black. Will try a quote now on the insurance, license plate hidden so i guess ill assume its an irish car and not a jap import if that makes a difference??

I'm just after having a chat with the boss (wife) and as new windows in the house are somehow more important, the budget is more like 5k. And a tt is also out of the question. Ah well!

So prob a straight shootout for the best i can get for the money between an mkv gti, astra opc, and now the civic type-r that Bazz has now confused me with!

selectamatic

Corolla t-sport could be another to consider. Practical and reliable with a slight trade off in excitement.
Still a high revving capable car though. Usually great value for money too.

tossy

I know that type R well it's had a very good life, owner isn't a hooligan by any means.

LariToper

+1 for the R53 Mini. I'm also impartial because I have one, but it gives such satisfaction in driving. Nothing like having all the 530d's pull up beside you every day and leaving them for dust. The supercharger whine and exhaust pops will put a smile on your face every day.

But unfortunately I guess this is all irrelevant because its a four seater

Changingtime

Ok so I've settled on a GTI MK5 after much deliberation.

The Civic Type R and Cooper S visually are not my cup of tea, the Astra OPC I managed to test drive away fun but a little trashy and I didn't think handled as good as the GTI, though it did feel faster and was a close call. The Scirocco is out of budget otherwise I'd go for the 2.0 TFSI for sure.

So 5k cash or thereabouts, hoping for a 07 or 08 (not much diff in the tax rates).

My mileage will be very low (5k kms a year) as it's a 2nd car only. So higher mileage car wouldn't bother me once good service history, belt and pump changed, and the diverted valve fixed (seems to be a common fault)

Would prefer a DSG but again if high mileage would need to see some service history on that too. Manual fine though if all boxes ticket. 3dr or 5dr fine too. Ideally not red or silver colours.

Open to private sellers.

Anything else to look out for? Would greatly appreciate advice.

Cash ready now so looking for a quick buy!!

Belfast

2007 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSI GTI
€4,950


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1900132&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26e%3D5000%26f%3D1%26t%3D1%26yn%3D2007%26yx%3D2008%26f1%3Dgti%26g%3D0

2008 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI GT SPORT 140BHP
€4,450 Annual road tax: €385



https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2140818&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26e%3D5000%26f%3D1%26t%3D1%26yn%3D2007%26yx%3D2008%26f1%3Dgti%26g%3D0


2007 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 FSI GTI DSG 3DR LEATHER HEATED SEATS
€3,850


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2131495&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D812%26e%3D5000%26f%3D1%26t%3D1%26yn%3D2007%26yx%3D2008%26f1%3Dgti%26g%3D0

tossy

Google cam follower if buying a 2.0TFSI and make sure it's been changed or at least inspected.

I've a mk5 gti,
There is a few common engine bits but nothing major and all well documented.
DV valve,pcv valve and as tossy said the cam follower.
Had the timing belt and pump done in mine recently was 400/450 in main dealers.
make sure you get one with a good set of wheels or use that to your advantage (600e refurb)
The seem to get a lot of stone chips,especially in red and black.
Mine like most likes a bit of oil,did a 3500km trip around France last month and used 1L of oil.

bidiots

How are the 1.4's DSG regarded? around the 08/09 vintage

tossy

BrownFinger wrote: »

I've a mk5 gti,
There is a few common engine bits but nothing major and all well documented.
DV valve,pcv valve and as tossy said the cam follower.
Had the timing belt and pump done in mine recently was 400/450 in main dealers.
make sure you get one with a good set of wheels or use that to your advantage (600e refurb)
The seem to get a lot of stone chips,especially in red and black.
Mine like most likes a bit of oil,did a 3500km trip around France last month and used 1L of oil.

My 2.0TFSI was averaging about 1l or oil every 5000 miles i recently changed oil to a millers motorsport 5w40 and it's improved oil comsumption greatly - its a bit more expensive but it's a savage oil.

Notch000

my GTI uses almost zero oil between changes, it was a bit worrying and caused a bit of head scratching at first as it came it a half full gallon of oil in the boot !!

Notch000

Notch000 wrote: »

my GTI uses almost zero oil between changes, it was a bit worrying and caused a bit of head scratching at first as it came it a half full gallon of oil in the boot !!

She needs to be driven harder so :cool:

farna_boy

I have a mk1 TT and can confirm you can fit two booster seats on the back. I took my two nephews for a spin in the back before and they loved it (ages 5 and 7 at the time).

The mk1 also has ISOFix but much to my disappointment you can't fit a rear facing baby seat and the wife in the car :P

(A rear facing baby seat is possible though but you can't fit anyone/anything in the front seat then)

elbyrneo

So I'm picking up a private 3dr 2007 dsg gti tonight. 160k or so kms on it but seems to have a reasonable service history including timing belt and dsg oil changes. Hard to tell if the common faults were done including diverter valve, cam follower etc. but seems to be driving great and gearbox is very smooth so optimistic.

Got a good deal as the alloys are in terrible nick and riddled with white worm. Assuming powdercoating prob the best way to go or alternatively just a new set. Anyone go the powdercoating route?

Am happy to put a few quid into it for a full service and a good check over for peace of mind, any specialists / independents/enthusiasts recommended?

Will likely chip it once I get the all clear it's in good nick but for now just want to make sure it's all smooth runnings

To say I'm excited is an understatement. 15 years ago I had an FTO, and a brief fling with an S2000 before going sensible, so nice to get something a bit fun on the side of my 7 seat SUV!!