Fast Car for around €15k, any I've left out

fletch · 30-12-2009 11:15AM #1

Well after 3 years owning a Skoda Fabia vRS, it's time for a change in the new year. The Fabia has been brilliant, fast, economical, practical and individual but since I've started cycling to work, I'm lucky if I drive 50miles a week. Here is my criteria for my new car

Budget: €15,000
Fuel: Petrol
3/5 door hatchback/coupe
Approx 200bhp+
Must be a good handler
Not too common

I have kind of narrowed it down to buying a RenaultSport Clio 197 but just want to make sure I haven't overlooked any contenders. Below are the cars I've considered.

Audi S3 - my budget wouldn't stretch to the new shape and the old shape looks very old now
BMW E46 M3 - for my budget I couldn't afford a great example and tax and running costs would just be too much for me to justify
BMW M Coupe - while I would love one, the lack of rear seats would annoy me
Fiat Panda 100HP - don't think 100hp is enough and my mam owns a Panda
Fiat 500 Abarth - out of budget
Ford Fiesta Zetec-S - 120bhp, again not enough
Ford Fiesta Zetec-C Moutune - none available in Ireland and I don't really have the time for a trip to the UK
Ford Focus MkI RS - potential contender but a bit too dated?
Ford Focus MkII ST - styling is a bit chav for my liking a 2.5ltr tax would annoy me
Honda Civic Type-R - bit too boy racery for me, also most examples have probably been thrashed
Honda S2000 - wildcard, only 2 seats and my budget would only get me an early example
Mazda 3MPS - epic power but just too bland, if I could find one with an Aero pack, I might consider but doubtful there are any in Ireland
Peugeot 207GTI - no comment
Opel Astra OPC - a bit too chavtastic
Opel Corsa OPC - again, styling wouldn't be to my taste, never a fan of Opels and how reliable can the engine be with so much power coming from a 1.6T.
Renault Megane Sport 225 - has potential but it would be the old shape which is starting to look old now that new shape is out
SEAT Leon MkI Cupra R - a strong contender however a little dated looking now
SEAT Leon MkII FR - couldn't live with that hideous dash
SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1.8T - again a little dated now and would have to go to UK to get one
Skoda Octavia MkII vRS 170/200 - no need for diesel and not keen on styling anyway
VW Golf GT170 - a bit too bland looking but sleeper. Again concerned with reliability of so much power from a 1.4
VW Golf GTI - waay too common but might consider a white 3 door with 18inch wheels.
VW Golf R32 - tax would sicken me, but I would love the v6 sound and 4 wheel drive, could be tempted
VW Lupo GTI - always wanted one when I was younger but a little underpowered now (125bhp)

So have I missed any??

colm_mcm · 30-12-2009 11:26AM

Mazda RX8?

fletch · 30-12-2009 11:30AM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mazda RX8?

Hmmm good suggestion but I'm just not mad about them, drove one around Mondello and the complete lack of torque made it feel slow (I'm know it isn't though). Also I will probably only really be using the car for short journey's which I know is bad for the RX8.

colm_mcm · 30-12-2009 11:36AM

the 192 is pretty gutless, I hear the 231 is much better.

Surprised you don't have a RenaultSport Clio or a Lotus Elise on your list.

.Longshanks. · 30-12-2009 11:44AM

colm_mcm wrote: »

the 192 is pretty gutless, I hear the 231 is much better.

Surprised you don't have a RenaultSport Clio or a Lotus Elise on your list.

He said

fletch wrote: »

.........I have kind of narrowed it down to buying a RenaultSport Clio 197 but just want to make sure I haven't overlooked any contenders. Below are the cars I've considered......

Agree with the Elise suggestion

Cookie_Monster · 30-12-2009 11:49AM

Alfa 147 / GT

Dunno about the power in either though

The Recliner · 30-12-2009 11:55AM

colm_mcm wrote: »

the 192 is pretty gutless, I hear the 231 is much better.

People say that but it just isn't true, the 192 has a 5 speed gear box and the torque is at the higher range, if you don't change gears (and you don't have too) too much it has plenty of guts

The 6 speed gear box in the 231 lets it down in my opinion

You just need to drive them differently to normal cars

Henry Ford III · 30-12-2009 11:56AM

Impreza/Evo?

Quite chav but undeniably quick. Expensive to run.

fletch · 30-12-2009 11:59AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Alfa 147 / GT

Dunno about the power in either though

Alfas are a definite no-no

colm_mcm wrote: »

the 192 is pretty gutless, I hear the 231 is much better.

Surprised you don't have a RenaultSport Clio or a Lotus Elise on your list.

Driven both the 192 and 231 and neither appealed to me. Lotus Elise is definitely something I hadn't considered....off to carzone to have a look

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Impreza/Evo?

Quite chav but undeniably quick. Expensive to run.

Would love the performance but don't like their image.

colm_mcm · 30-12-2009 12:00PM

The Recliner wrote: »

People say that but it just isn't true, the 192 has a 5 speed gear box and the torque is at the higher range, if you don't change gears (and you don't have too) too much it has plenty of guts

I'm used to driving high revving MIVEC V6's and TBH the 192 was miles off even when revving the nuts off it.

Cookie_Monster · 30-12-2009 12:05PM

Link

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 200 CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR

maybe a bit much though

.Longshanks. · 30-12-2009 12:08PM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Link

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 200 CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR

maybe a bit much though

Aint they only 160bhp?

mickdw · 30-12-2009 12:17PM

TT quattro 1.8T 225bhp. Available at all prices now

niceirishfella · 30-12-2009 12:22PM

Boxster - get a decent one for 15k.

smash · 30-12-2009 12:40PM

Lotus Elise?

Tr1PoD · 30-12-2009 12:55PM

Volvo S60 T5 247BHP 0-60mph in 6.6sec

Very understated car. Likes to cruise around at low rpm but put your foot down and its a rocket.

Pretty cheap second hand but tax is expensive.

PirateShampoo · 30-12-2009 01:03PM

V6 Clios?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=293

BRM · 30-12-2009 01:11PM

It depends on how many miles you do per yr, I dont think your gonna get a 200+ BHP car that’s cheap to tax/run to be honest. 535d maybe a 2004 model with miles might be in that ballpark but its not exactly a coupe/HB.

Ive had my E46 M3 for 4 years now and although it’s expensive to run I don’t do much miles so its not that bad. Before getting the M I was looking at the GTI and Boxster S, both are good cars but different I dont think id still have either of them still if I had of bought one.

Im at the stage now where Im looking to change the M3 and to be honest its not an easy decision. If I was to sell it Id get about 15 grand and Id have to come up with another 20+K to afford anything near that performance.

My car just went over the 60K miles and I just got an inspection 2 so to me it feels brand new and the more I look around the less I want to sell it. If you want a petrol performance car nothing beats the M3 for the money but if your doing miles then a performance TDI is the only way and I think the BMWs lead the way in TDI performance.

.Longshanks. · 30-12-2009 01:19PM

BRM wrote: »

It depends on how many miles you do per yr, I dont think your gonna get a 200+ BHP car that’s cheap to tax/run to be honest. 535d maybe a 2004 model with miles might be in that ballpark but its not exactly a coupe/HB.

Ive had my E46 M3 for 4 years now and although it’s expensive to run I don’t do much miles so its not that bad. Before getting the M I was looking at the GTI and Boxster S, both are good cars but different I dont think id still have either of them still if I had of bought one.

Im at the stage now where Im looking to change the M3 and to be honest its not an easy decision. If I was to sell it Id get about 15 grand and Id have to come up with another 20+K to afford anything near that performance.

My car just went over the 60K miles and I just got an inspection 2 so to me it feels brand new and the more I look around the less I want to sell it. If you want a petrol performance car nothing beats the M3 for the money but if your doing miles then a performance TDI is the only way and I think the BMWs lead the way in TDI performance.

The OP said

fletch wrote: »

Well after 3 years owning a Skoda Fabia vRS, it's time for a change in the new year. The Fabia has been brilliant, fast, economical, practical and individual but since I've started cycling to work, I'm lucky if I drive 50miles a week. Here is my criteria for my new car..............

Mileage (& im guessing fuel consumption) aint really an issue

niceirishfella · 30-12-2009 01:25PM

Longshanks100 wrote: »

The OP said

Mileage (& im guessing fuel consumption) aint really an issue

..but road tax would be as the cars lying round a lot.:)

NewApproach · 30-12-2009 01:52PM

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/8-Series/840/200949196089359/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M3/M3-COUPE/200947195952020/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/www.ONYX/200933194904851/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/XK-Series/Series-X/200912192175055/advert?channel=CARS

sean1141 · 30-12-2009 02:48PM

not a hatch or a coupe but a 2.8 v6 bora. can be got for a lot less that 15k but use the extra cash for a supercharger and remap and a few extra bits, breaks etc and you have a very fast sleeper! have the mk1 cupra r (fr tdi same body as cupra r) myself and i think they are way nicer looking than the s3 or golf. also very rare. having only ever seen 1 other cupra r in ireland!!

Matt Simis · 30-12-2009 03:09PM

NewApproach wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/8-Series/840/200949196089359/advert?channel=CARS

Id be offering a lot less for an 8 series in todays climate. Ticks most of the OPs boxes, but its an aquired taste and it generally would be best suited to someone handy with a spanner (though the late model 840s are not that different to the other M62 BMWs to maintain).

Dunno if the 5speed slushbox in the 840s would thrill after driving a DSG / modern auto though. I found the 840 too relaxed.

mullingar · 30-12-2009 03:25PM

Toyota Supra turbo?

Stunning car with Japanese reliability. Bullet-proof engine

Voodoomelon · 30-12-2009 04:00PM

NewApproach wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/8-Series/840/200949196089359/advert?channel=CARS

Who's the goon with the 850 badge?

fletch · 30-12-2009 04:01PM

mickdw wrote: »

TT quattro 1.8T 225bhp. Available at all prices now

Again, good suggestion, my budget would only give me a MkI version which looks dated in comparison to the new model and they're not very practical.

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Link

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 200 CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR

maybe a bit much though

One of my least favourite cars on the road but thanks for the suggestion

betafrog wrote: »

Mini Cooper S?

Not the most reliable motor and a little girly. In saying that, exactly what I am looking for in terms of performance/handling.

PirateShampoo wrote: »

V6 Clios?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=293

They were in my search originally but if I decide to buy a 3.0ltr+, it will be an M3

niceirishfella wrote: »

Boxster - get a decent one for 15k.

Was never a fan of the looks and I don't like covertibles.

NewApproach wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/8-Series/840/200949196089359/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/M3/M3-COUPE/200947195952020/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/www.ONYX/200933194904851/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/XK-Series/Series-X/200912192175055/advert?channel=CARS

BMW 840 - one of my child hood dream cars...but the running costs. I don't mind doing a service myself but if something were to go wrong :eek:
Same kind of applies to the CL and XK

fletch · 30-12-2009 04:09PM

Tr1PoD wrote: »

Volvo S60 T5 247BHP 0-60mph in 6.6sec

Very understated car. Likes to cruise around at low rpm but put your foot down and its a rocket.

Pretty cheap second hand but tax is expensive.

Interesting proposition alright...but I will never need a family car and I believe they are not meant to be the best drivers car.

Haven driven a heavy diesel for the last 3 years, I really want something light and agile.

Economy is not a big issue as I am giving the vRS to the other half so we can still use that for long weekend spins down the country.

kuro_man · 30-12-2009 04:10PM

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200942195533975

TestTransmission · 30-12-2009 04:11PM

Hows about a DC5?Meant to be a great car,Im still undecided on the look myself.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Integra/DC5-Type/200953196374016/advert?channel=CARS

Cookie_Monster · 30-12-2009 04:27PM

jackncoke wrote: »

Hows about a DC5?Meant to be a great car,Im still undecided on the look myself.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Integra/DC5-Type/200953196374016/advert?channel=CARS

great looking car imo, but suffers similar image problems to the impreza

macnab · 30-12-2009 04:32PM

BMW M5??

Fast Car for around €15k, any I've left out

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