Gompo

OK, I have been wracking my brain for quite a while now wondering what to get. I think I've got it down to the above but not sure..

I basically want a car for chucking around the lanes at a reasonable pace, with good accelleration and decent safety. Nice interior is a bonus too. Reliabilty is obviously a nice thing to have aswell.

Unless the car is particulary nice I think i will be getting rid in October so something easy to sell would be good.

I dont want anything VAG, would prefer a hatch with 5 seats although rear seat space isnt too important.

So that's Pug 306 GTi-6, Rover 200 BRM, Civic VTI 3 door, Festa RST and Mk3 Astra GSI (xe only). I have upto £5k to spend but would like to keep it down to around 3.5. Dont think I can go high than group 16 insurance either.

Any advice/opinions??

Cheers, Greg.

Steve vRS

It'd either be a 306 or a Civic for that money out of those cars. What about a Clio 172 as well? Bit tighter in the back but about the fastest out of that choice.

Steve

mg driver

id take the 306 with the brm a close second.

maybe a 200sx

Andy M3

I would have the GTI-6, i wouldn't have a Fiesta RST.

AudiLover

clio 172. I wouldnt bother with those other cars but if I had to it would be the 306.

terence

as mentioned id go for the clio 172, quality little cars and you mite just fit a later one within your budget!

bob r

iTrader: (46)

i dont think you will get a good 172 for 3.5 k
i would consider a clio williams you would get a cracker for that money

Steve vRS

No but he'd get an early one for 5k.

Steve

Richard_P

The pug or the civic out of your choice.

Astra - awful uninvlving handling.

Rover - reliability issues.

Fiesta - getting a bit old and rare perhaps.

Other options -

Bmw 328 sport? - not a hatch but fits the bill in terms of what you've mentioned. Maybe a bit more to insure than the above.

Celica?

Prelude VTEC - wouldn't pay anything like 5k though, in fact I doubt I'd pay anything like 5k for any of the above mentioned cars, you'd struggle to get your money back.

Pumpkin

why not VAG?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yep, be careful about the BRM, the headgasket went twice on mine, engine buggered, quite a nice car though.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Over priced and over rated, simple.

Go for the GTi-6, ive owned 2, great cars and you can pick a 99/00 up for well within your price range
The VTi is gutless unless ragged, another option would be the Nissan Almera GTi, reasonably priced though not as quick as some of the above.

Tony

Gompo

I think I will be going for the GTI-6, seems like a lot of car for the money.

I dont mind 172's, but they would be top of my budget plus insurance would be a lot. Maybe my next car but not yet.. also somebody at work has one and I'd prefer something with some exclusivity.

328 Sport has been considered, as has E30 325 Sport. Again I like them, but insurance could be a killer and I think I am going to give FWD a try. 328 Sport prices are on the rise btw, a lot of people recognising their potential.

Why not VAG? Too popular, too bland, dont want the association. I think they can look the bollopps, but I cant imagine getting exciting about going for a hoon in one.

Thanks for all the replies. Really looking forward to getting another car..

Cheers.

kayeabl

Afternoon,

I know you aren't keen on VAG group cars, but for £2.5k you can get a really good example of the Mk1 Golf GTi.

In terms of luxury and safety errr its not great, but with a few choice mods it really is a great drivers car and a lot of fun. I have a modified one putting out around 150bhp, but as its so light i can easily outrun my friend in his 306 GTi-6 and have even scared a few cars with bigger horsepower in the twisties.

The other advantage is you are unlikely to lose money when selling it on as they are very sought after little cars. Also mine is registered on a Q plate with the engine conversion declared and it still cost me £300 to insure fully comp!

CHeers

Ash

Daz34

Yes just renewing mine.
Group 17

Gompo

Hi kayeabl

I really like Mk1 Golfs, but my last 3 cars have all been from the 70's so I have decided to go for something modern with some relative luxuries. I had also briefly considered a G60 Mk2 and Corrado, but have decided not.

It's the modern VAG stuff I dislike... anything after 93-94-ish seems very blob like.

Still happy to hear peoples opinions/experiences but at the moment I am set on a GTI-6.

Cheers..

MooseRacer

That would be my choice in your situation, good luck with it

mozzaITA

Why dont you get a williams clio, i did and havnt had so much fun in a fwd even more than my old corrado!!

But from your original list i did own a mrk 3 GSI and that car was great to own and drive and apart from the handling has been the best car ive ever owned!!

sulli

Focus?

RS Grant

Civic is very rewarding if kept on the boil... and if its a car you are planning to chuck down country lanes, it would suggest you'd be in exactly the mood to get the best out of a VTEC engined car!! It will also last the longest, IMO.

RS Turbo is a wee bit fragile, potentially unreliable, rust prone and not great standard for both power or handling.

Havent ever driven a 306, almost swapped my S2 Escort RS Turbo for one, but thought better of it.. right at the crunch time!! No doubt they are a great wee car, backed up by the stack of handling/feel awards they have picked up.. but at 18, I was addicted to boooooooost!!

BRM is meant to be a bugger for head gaskets.. even if repaired!??

GSi isnt an option for me, not impressed by the press I've read about them.. and from some personal experiences that a couple of mates had.


Cheers,
Grant

STi Lou

Nice series one RSturbo or the Williams clio

Rich D

iTrader: (12)

306... no question!

lanky_mos

i have literally just brought a 1998 civic 3dr Vti in Black!

All i can see is it is an absolute screamer!!!

cruises nicely on motorways, and when your in the mood hit 5k rpm and your laughing, the sound is so addictive!! keep it on the boil and you will hit 120 in no time...!

A friend has a type-r (2005) and he said there is very little in perfomance between the two!

Interior is nice, does everything you want it to!

handling is very good aswell, havent really begun to chuck it down any good lanes, but the roads i have been down that I no have been a right hoot,

test drive one, and give the vtec a go, trust me you will not be dissapointed!