What do you fancy for your next new car?
06 July 2017, 02:49 PM
#62
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I'm glad there are similar minds up here, I had an Audi S3 S-tronic, liked the test drive but was bored (and embarrassed of the farting) after a few weeks. I may as well have been driving the 1.6 for all the excitement 300 BHP gave me, and it was like riding a pogo stick on B-roads.
I thought the 3.0 from the 335i would be 'better' - at least it's a 6 cylinder although I again made the mistake of going for the auto. Where's the noise? Even with the MPE and the window open it was way too quiet. And why rev it past 3.5K, there's no point, it doesn't sound any better (actually a bit strained) and it's got such a flat torque curve it just errrrm gets quicker, no top end fireworks.
Wife has bought a 208 GTi, had a wee shot one day and smiled more that afternoon than I had in weeks. Didn't take me long to suss out why - interaction with a manual box and a bit of old school, it's coming, turbo wallop. You actually had to drive and not just point and steer.
Result - back in a 10 year old Hawkeye STi, I can 'play' with lol
I thought the 3.0 from the 335i would be 'better' - at least it's a 6 cylinder although I again made the mistake of going for the auto. Where's the noise? Even with the MPE and the window open it was way too quiet. And why rev it past 3.5K, there's no point, it doesn't sound any better (actually a bit strained) and it's got such a flat torque curve it just errrrm gets quicker, no top end fireworks.
Wife has bought a 208 GTi, had a wee shot one day and smiled more that afternoon than I had in weeks. Didn't take me long to suss out why - interaction with a manual box and a bit of old school, it's coming, turbo wallop. You actually had to drive and not just point and steer.
Result - back in a 10 year old Hawkeye STi, I can 'play' with lol
06 July 2017, 03:41 PM
#63
im looking at the new wrx sti as i think it looks great and i really miss driving a subaru........BUT the fact it has the 2.5 puts me off slightly.
also looking at the jaguar xfr-s 5.0v8 supercharged, bmw x5m, 2013 bmw m5 and supercharged vxr8's
and yes i have reached my mid-life crisis lol
also looking at the jaguar xfr-s 5.0v8 supercharged, bmw x5m, 2013 bmw m5 and supercharged vxr8's
and yes i have reached my mid-life crisis lol
06 July 2017, 04:18 PM
#65
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I've come to the conclusion, albeit one that's not particularly popular that more power does not always mean more fun 
I don't care if the new Scoob hasn't got any more power than one from 10 years ago, I'll bet a dollar to a donut it's way more fun than an S3/Golf R auto.
My buddy has an S3 now, revo stage 2, jesus it's quick in a straight line but ultimately dull (and still doesn't handle). He basically hangs on and mashes the throttle - woop de doo. I want to actually drive
Yes the 2.5 doesn't have the best reputation, but neither did the last 335i, and don't get me started on IMS/RMS/bore score Porsche's. Most cars have a few weak spots, and I suspect if you treat them with a modicum of sympathy, warm up, cool down, don't remap them and use poor fuel then you're be very unlucky if it goes pop.
And if you buy new you have a warranty anyway, or buy old like me and make sure you have a slush fund.
I don't care if the new Scoob hasn't got any more power than one from 10 years ago, I'll bet a dollar to a donut it's way more fun than an S3/Golf R auto.
My buddy has an S3 now, revo stage 2, jesus it's quick in a straight line but ultimately dull (and still doesn't handle). He basically hangs on and mashes the throttle - woop de doo. I want to actually drive
Yes the 2.5 doesn't have the best reputation, but neither did the last 335i, and don't get me started on IMS/RMS/bore score Porsche's. Most cars have a few weak spots, and I suspect if you treat them with a modicum of sympathy, warm up, cool down, don't remap them and use poor fuel then you're be very unlucky if it goes pop.
And if you buy new you have a warranty anyway, or buy old like me and make sure you have a slush fund.
07 July 2017, 07:43 AM
#66
Last edited by ditchmyster; 07 July 2017 at 07:46 AM.
11 July 2017, 12:51 PM
#67
Quick question, looking for opinions on these cars.....
I'm shortly about to finish my PCP deal on my Focus ST and had earmarked a new RS as it's replacement. However, I've had a look a round and might move away from Ford.
I can get a 15 plate A45 for a shade under £30k.
I can get a new M140 for less than £30k
Or I can get a new RS for a shade over £30k
What do people think of the above 3?
I'm shortly about to finish my PCP deal on my Focus ST and had earmarked a new RS as it's replacement. However, I've had a look a round and might move away from Ford.
I can get a 15 plate A45 for a shade under £30k.
I can get a new M140 for less than £30k
Or I can get a new RS for a shade over £30k
What do people think of the above 3?
11 July 2017, 02:29 PM
#68
Scooby Regular
A45 without a doubt. Cousin has a brand new rs and as nice as it is it's still a ford. Mate has an a45 and it's an absolute animal aswell as an all round nice car. He had a stage 1 map and it gave him 420bhp rather than the standard but still very quick 360bhp. Full of gadgets and the seats are very comfortable. In my opinion it would be the a45 as I find bmw's boring to look at aswell.
13 July 2017, 12:04 AM
#71
Well, as I've just recently got back into Scooby owenership, I'm not looking to change, however I just think most things have got very dull.
It's basically all 2.0 4 pot turbo auto in various configurations, lifeless steering, lots of dirivng 'modes' that do very little, too insulated, not enough NVH.Even the 335i I had with the MPE was dull.
I'd like more 'worse' cars to choose from
It's basically all 2.0 4 pot turbo auto in various configurations, lifeless steering, lots of dirivng 'modes' that do very little, too insulated, not enough NVH.Even the 335i I had with the MPE was dull.
I'd like more 'worse' cars to choose from
Totally agree. After spending the weekend trawling for a newer car to replace my daily driver mk5 R32, nothing fits the bill in terms of practicality and interest (my criteria: more than 4 cylinders, proper manual, AWD and hatch/estate that's newer than 2012).
The only car that met my criteria in the price range is a Insignia VXR (v6 twin turbo manual with AWD and hatch/estate). But after having dealt with a shed load of fleet Insignias all with stupid issues and iffy material quality (like the fuel filler pipe rusting through in less than 3yrs
), I wouldn't touch a Vauxhall with a bargepole. (Would consider a rebadged Holden commodore wagon though
...if only it were AWD 
)So going to throw £2k on restoring Golf to make it drive as new again as the ride has deteriorated; New shocks, spring, bushes...and probably a steering rack (ouch) as it appears to have developed wear in the pinion (need to get the rack boots off and confirm it with the dial gauge; not looking forward to that job
) It used to be a very planted car that I could really chuck about in the wet, kick the back end out and basically act like a teenager in a kart, these days it's imprecise with dead feedback due the steering play, nervous and bumps in the road cause it to float as the shocks struggle and I lose steering as the wheels start skipping; Its not nice and not fun. Of course it just sailed through the MOT, which shows how useless that is; There is zero free-play at the wheels, but on the road it's definitely gone sloppy Will probably throw a few TTs suspension bits on there whilst I'm meddling (top mounts, wishbone bushes etc). Along with sorting the bodywork, wheel refurb, new radio, may retrofit cruise control too.
Last edited by ALi-B; 13 July 2017 at 12:23 AM.
15 July 2017, 01:43 PM
#75
Scooby Regular
This is pretty much why I bought a new STI. I know how it's been treated and by the time the warranty runs out I'll have enough cash saved for a rebuild if it happens.
15 July 2017, 02:58 PM
#76
Scooby Regular
I don't understand why people use poor fuel in their Subaru', for the sake of a few pence is it worth it!. I totally agree with the warm up cool down bit. But a map is one of the best things you can do to a Subaru, it's the poor maps that they put on them to start with which makes the engine pop, or someone who modifys it without having a map done.
17 July 2017, 09:21 AM
#77
I don't understand why people use poor fuel in their Subaru', for the sake of a few pence is it worth it!. I totally agree with the warm up cool down bit. But a map is one of the best things you can do to a Subaru, it's the poor maps that they put on them to start with which makes the engine pop, or someone who modifys it without having a map done.
They have distinct advantages with regards centre of gravity, but they are very sensitive and need to be treated correctly... maintenance is key... fresh good quality oil and plenty of it being the key factor, as the design of the engine means they are prone to oil starvation, whilst also not having a great deal of material to play with on the bearing shells.... so any form of oil starvation tends to lead to instant failure... poor quality oil and contaminated oil, either by petrol, debris or just being old / combination of the above will again lead to premature failure.... it's not a case of if but when.
17 July 2017, 10:58 AM
#78
Scooby Regular
Absolutely agree with that 
.
for the sake of a few quid I'd always put good oil and change regularly in my car, as you said, it can lead to a very big bill if you don't.
.for the sake of a few quid I'd always put good oil and change regularly in my car, as you said, it can lead to a very big bill if you don't.
27 July 2017, 11:58 PM
#83
We will probably keep the civic EXGt as the luxury drive to work car as it will last for years
The misses will only let me swap the juke Nismo for another one
I've been looking at something different such as a VW t6 motorhome but the misses isn't keen as it won't really be used enough as I'm still working so will maybe hang fire on one untill I give up work
Do like the mustang
Am going to try a Audi TT convertable see if I can fit in one
But just had the porsche 718 boxster out and just loved it
So maybe a mid life crises for me is comeing
The misses will only let me swap the juke Nismo for another one
I've been looking at something different such as a VW t6 motorhome but the misses isn't keen as it won't really be used enough as I'm still working so will maybe hang fire on one untill I give up work
Do like the mustang
Am going to try a Audi TT convertable see if I can fit in one
But just had the porsche 718 boxster out and just loved it
So maybe a mid life crises for me is comeing
28 July 2017, 06:13 AM
#84
My neighbour in the UK has a 3.2 Boxter with a load of GT3 bits on it (bought it like it) it's his 2nd one and he loves it to bits... got to say it looks fantastic and a lot of car for circa £10k... way more reliable that the Jag V12 engined Dax Cobra he had before them too... now that was a hell of a machine when it worked... which was about once a year for 50miles then back to be fixed.
28 July 2017, 07:53 AM
#85
Well the task of renewing my golf to drive as new has started:
New rear calipers, lathed the discs (been heat cycled so won't warp like a new pair might).
Golf R shocks
VW Racing springs
Leon FR rear bump stops/assisters (15mm shorter but with same progression)
Audi TT front top mounts
Audi TT front lower arm bushes
Subframe centring/locking kit
Rectifying any shell/chassis rust on the seams/spot welds before it propogates (hammerite smooth + waxoyl).
Car now rides miles smoother and planted, didn't realise how crashy the ride had got. Turns out the rear shocks were knackered and had wrecked the bump stops. Front springs had sagged so only had 15mm travel to the bump stops. So basically I was running out of suspension travel.
Road tested a Q3 RS this week and was quickly reminded my steering is still not right, so it's time for a new rack. Getting quotes on new streering rack, but need to find out if I have a gen 1 or gen 2 rack fitted. Also re-reminded me that I couldn't live with a DSG equipped car, and as nice as the 5 cylinder engine is, it's barely audible.
New rear calipers, lathed the discs (been heat cycled so won't warp like a new pair might).
Golf R shocks
VW Racing springs
Leon FR rear bump stops/assisters (15mm shorter but with same progression)
Audi TT front top mounts
Audi TT front lower arm bushes
Subframe centring/locking kit
Rectifying any shell/chassis rust on the seams/spot welds before it propogates (hammerite smooth + waxoyl).
Car now rides miles smoother and planted, didn't realise how crashy the ride had got. Turns out the rear shocks were knackered and had wrecked the bump stops. Front springs had sagged so only had 15mm travel to the bump stops. So basically I was running out of suspension travel.
Road tested a Q3 RS this week and was quickly reminded my steering is still not right, so it's time for a new rack. Getting quotes on new streering rack, but need to find out if I have a gen 1 or gen 2 rack fitted. Also re-reminded me that I couldn't live with a DSG equipped car, and as nice as the 5 cylinder engine is, it's barely audible.
29 July 2017, 06:54 AM
#88
It's the Image part that "costs" money... which quite amuses me as most people that drive "fancy" cars are always trying to be something that they're not.
