russell hayward

Need another car for daily commute, covering about 1000 miles a week.

At the moment I've got a Megane diesel,which is great on fuel but so boring to drive compared to my weekend P1 plaything.

Need to get something with a bit of poke/involvement and comfort for the long treks. Fuel economy is not important.

Anyone any thoughts with a budget of £15,000.

I'm leaning for a Seat Leon 1.8 turbo.


The car will cover 60-80k in two years and then be sold.

Ta

Russ

AWD

Does it have to be bought new?

If second hand is an option the Nissan 200SX is a fun car - and you can get a very good almost new fully loaded one for about £15k.

russell hayward

Had two of the "old" type 200sx before.

Good idea !!

I will have a looksee !!

DARREN

Your budget would go to a clean Lotus Carlton then!!!!!!
Very comfortable and ......oh 377 BHP
Darren

Tom Evans

Also like the Seat Leon 1.8T

But how about:

Audi S3 - second hand, reasonably quick, reliable, sound interior, nice looks (IMO), etc,
As Steve said, an Alfa 156 or 166,
Integra / Accord Type-R?,
Pug 306 Rallye,
V6 Mondeo,
VW Bora 2.8 V6 Motion OR VW Golf V6 4Motion

If practicality not an issue what about:

As Steve said, but also MX5 (came in 8th in Autocar's Top 100 Performance Cars of all time).

Finally, how about (don't laugh) a Rover 75 2.5 V6. I know they haven't got much poke and not great round corners, but does 60 in 8.4secs (and don't forget you do still have the P1). For comfort though they are brilliant (mum worked for Rover and brought one home). Seats are like armchairs and you have to admit the interior is pretty good.

Cheers,
Tom

AWD

I used to have teh 1.8 litre turbo 200SX as well. Great fun. The 2 litre turbo is meant to be much better though.

£15k is also the going rate for a Porsche 968 which is meant to be one of the very best handling coupes around.

Steve Williams

Reading some good reports about the Skoda Octavia 1.8 Turbo..

OK I know it is a Skoda but.......


Also what about the Alfa 156, looks good anyway

Steve Williams

Another thought, if it is just for you (no passengers).

What about a 2 seater sports type?

Almost new MR2, Alfa GTV etc....

andym172

I've heard quite a few good things said about the Golf GT TDi.
It's probably got more mid range poke than the 200 SX, and is probably twice as frugal.

I'd personally be going for a diesel otherwise you're going to be spending a lot of money on petrol unnecessarily!

Andy.

AWD

According to Russ's original post, fuel economy is not an issue.

russell hayward

Test drove the Leon. Very impressive. Quicker than I thought although with the 6 speed box you have to change gear a lot. Interior is Audi, and too bland for my taste as it is just black and boring. Not that keen on the exterior looks either. I think it would be ideal for my purposes though.

However, while at the Seat garage I spied an Ibiza Cupra. Same 1.8 turbo lump but detuned to about 150 bhp. Half leather seats, white dials, etc etc. In red, with the contrasting black/red seating I think it looks really good. Drives very well although a bit firmer than the Leon, but gives you that "gokart" feeling. Don't really notice the reduction in power. The build quality isn't quite as good as the Leon inside,but its much more interesting.

On the basis that I think the missus would drive the Ibiza when I've finished with it in a year or so, I think I'm going to get one. Also, its £3k cheaper than a Leon so some nice tuning mods can be done to perk up the power a bit.

All in all, it seems to be a cracking little motor for the money.

Steve Williams

Do you have to be a drag queen to drive a Leon? (the ad)..........


Sorry I'll go back to the muppets now

Neil Micklethwaite

Russell

The Ibiza Cupra is a well nice car. I prefer the Yellow Paint job.

Not quite as quick as the F2 car but well worth it.

Have a word with Mr Huxley ( now selling VWs ) as he may be able to get a deal with Seat being owned by VW.

Cheers

NeilR

Russell, I have a Leon 20VT Cupra.

Nice car.... looks ok..... handles well.....ace stereo.....stronger body panels than yer average Impreza......bit of a bargain really. Avg 30MPG, service ever 10,000 miles..... 1st one cost £50.... so 1 mile to 19,999miles for £50!!!

Now for the bad news..... notchy gearbox when cold... gearbox a bit loose often....... only ok brakes, nothing special..... makes 'NO' noise apart from a slight turbo whistle......flat torque curve that is boring..... er, thats about it.

Im happy with it.

NeilR

russell hayward

Get the Ibiza Thursdday.

Now for some new wheels and a 210 bhp engine upgrade.

Marvellous !!!