rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

My daily runner is a Mondeo TDCI 130 and although its a good car, its just a bit too slow and there are too many scare stories of injectors going and £800+ clutch changes.

So, I'm after something quicker:

No more than £6k.
Doesn't have to be rocket fast (fun car is a 325bhp scooby )
Must do 60 in 8 secs or less though.
Must be hatchback.

Thoughts are:

focus st170
audi a3 1.8t
golf gti 1.8t
clio 172
civic type r
mondeo st220
corolla t-sport (seem cheap, good sleeper)

Any other suggestions?

Civic would be a bit scruffy at this price level, so probably ruled out. I also wouldn't be averse to a quick diesel, but are there any at this price?

What would you choose?

Matteeboy

I've owned lots of fast hatches - almost all Golfs.

focus st170 - BRILLIANT handling and well specced but engine low on torque
audi a3 1.8t - pretty dull and the 1.8t is mildly hateful. Dull handling.
golf gti 1.8t - worse handling than the Audi. Nice interior but the R32 is the only one to get of the mk4s
clio 172 - great handling and quick but prone to self destruction.
civic type r - decentish handling, needs thrashing.
mondeo st220 - much slower than you'd expect.Thirsty.
corolla t-sport - pretty slow, naff handling.

I'd go for an older Civic R or a Clio out of that list. If funds stretch far enough, test a current shape Astra CDTi 150bhp - very quick, good on fuel and they handle well too.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Great input Matt, thanks. I've no experience of the VAG cars, so what you say could probably rule them out. I'd be getting older cars for the money aswell.

Matteeboy

Rossy - VW really lost their way with the mk3 and mk4. I had a mk4 R32 which was great but it was VERY different to the rest of the range - I was shocked when I tested one, expecting it to be pants but it was really good!
The Audi is bought for the badge but just isn't fun to drive.

You'd have a real hoot in a Clio (can you stretch to the 182?) or a Type R

Jamescsti

Would go for the Clio personally too,

I've driven the ST170, it doesn't feel like it has 170bhp, I think you might be dissapointed with the performance compared to the others, however if that doesn't worry you too much then it might be worth a look at, it does have a very nice interior.

Just an outside suggestion, if you want 0-60 of around 8s have a look at a citroen Saxo VTS? would leave you with a lot of change even for a minter or have a look at a Fiesta Zetec-S, used to own a Mk5 one was a great little car, fantastic handleing

scooby_matt

Pretty much spot-on from my experience

dome

Octavia VRs? Or is that too big for you?

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

What I didnt say was that we had a 172 for 4 years (other half's car). It wasn't that reliable, but it was fun. I have more money than she did to throw at repairs, so its not so much of an issue.

I included it in the mix as it is still an option despite the above and wanted to get outside comparisons with the others.

Its a pity they didnt do a Focus ST190 or it would be a no-brainer for me.

Saxo is an interesting idea, but I'm 32 this month and these really are best left to the youngsters

Octavias, yup a little on the large side and the looks dont really inspire me. Fabia would be good, but they're not cheap enough yet.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Just came up with another one. 206 Gti 180, anyone know anything about these?

HankScorpio

Leon?

6k starts to get you in R Cupra territory

staffs Mike

I was thinking leon too. The only problem with it being is that it can be a bit boring.

It's by far the best compromise car we ever had, quiet, comfortable, reasonably economic, great in gear performance with buckets of torque.. it's just not very fun to drive.. without doing something silly.

Of the bunch I'd get the CTR, it's a bit tiresome on long hauls but it's a fantastic car otherwise and damn near indestructable.

Clio has the worst driving position of any car I have ever driven and needs as much thrashing as the civic to get the real grunt of the engine. The problem with that being in the clio..it's french, hence being prone to self destruct That said, my brother has a 182 and it doesn't see an easy life at all.. still going strong.

The Chief

Dont think all CTR's will be dogs at 6k.

Just seen this on Pheads.

Honda : Immaculate Civic Type R 2002 (Air Con)

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Yeah the private sales wont be too bad at that price. I've got big chunk of finance that needs transferring over and the trade-in, so I'm looking at dealer prices.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Great engine, handle very well, let down by feeling not finished and horrid driving position, tbh you would be better off with the less reliable clio.

Tony

ScooByer Trade

Vauxhall Chevette HS, i know the car was built in a different era, maybe worth a look at though.

HankScorpio

Well if you're going there, 6k will get you a nice Lotus Sunbeam.

But maybe not as a daily driver....

logiclee

I used to rally a HS Chevette, the Scoob would be cheaper to use as the runabout.

Cheers
Lee

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Cousin had one. Faster than my 205GTi, but obviously 10+ years more modern. Didn't handle very well though and bad understeer on corners.

I won't suggest you my thoughts, as I'm very biased and don't think you want a 15-20 year old car

corradoboy

05 Furby's command IRO £6k, so bang on budget. Shop around and you should be able to find one which has already been map'd to circa 180/310, and maybe with suspension and brake upgrades. BriSkoda is a good place to look, but quite a few on PH too.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Yeah I'm a huge fan of retro sporty cars, but this is a daily driver and probably one that I wont care too much about.

I already have a car that I practically keep in cotton wool, so I dont need another that I'd feel guilty about driving through salt covered winter roads!

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

See your point, but my car gets driven... harder than the scoob ever did. This is becuase parts are a lot cheaper to buy and usually plentyful too. Oh and anyone with an ounce of knowledge can take one apart with a screwdriver and torque wrench So I've found out...

Wouldn't rule a good one out, and loads of money left. But I still wouldn't buy a 206 though... horrible driving position and has the most forward positioned gear stick ever - you have to proper lean forward for some reason.

ScoobyDriverWannabe

astra GSI ?

Luke-Avfc

Not quite a hatchback but for me the best sub £6k car is a Dc2 Integra Type R.

In all fairness £6k gets you alot of car these days.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I know and if practicality wasn't an issue, it would have been bought by now. I just dont think I could live with one day to day, driving in town 90% of the time. I also occasionally need to transport "important suit type people" about. The DC2 does shout boy racer to those not in the know.

The other half now has a DC5, so I can get a teggy fix now and again if needed

Luke-Avfc

Another car to consider is an Audi S3. A hell of a lot of car for the money.

A Re-map and decent suspension set up and you got a proper little weapon.

MooseRacer

Mine was a hatchback

HankScorpio

6k is an early S3, maybe coming up for it's second cambelt change. If fuel's not an issue - quattro A3 1.8T is 7.3 and a solid machine (with suspension tweaks)

Luke-Avfc

An Integra is classed as a Coupe..

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I had a look at a couple of Clios yesterday and wasn't impressed with what I'd be getting for the money that the dealers wanted.

I reckon I'll wait and get the CTR that I guess I know I really want when it comes down to it.

Matteeboy

Cool - probably the fastest of the lot and solid too. Back end gets skittery and the steering is a bit light but they are otherwise fun cars. Still one of the best gearboxes of any car I have driven too - literally like a perfectly machined rifle bolt in operation.