Andy Porter

I have about 12k to spend on a 'new' car and was after some opinions/ideas. I currently drive a Mk4 Gold GTI PD150 diesel. The economy is obviously great on it but the handling isn't.
Ideally the car would return 35MPG on my boring 60 mile round trip commute, but offer a bit more fun on the A road blast I have at either end of the M'way.
Anyway my shortlist in no particular order is :

Golf GTI MK5
BMW 325 D or 330 D
Audi A3 sportline diesel
Focus ST

I just wanted any opinions on the above cars, or any others you think I should look at ? Owners of the aboves opions highlt welcome

I do hanker for another scoob. It would be a hawkeye JDM but it nearly financially ruined me having the last one after I bought my flat ( which I still have )

Thanks in advance

PS what happened to the 'other marques' forum

Foofighter

The only one i've had from your list is the Focus ST.Lovely car but you won't get 35 mpg out of it.I had an 06 model,can't remember what mpg i did get but it wasn't much better than STi i drive now.

stilover

Golf Mk5 GT Sport 170.

fitzscoob

I was recently a passenger in the Audi A3 Sportline, for a 4 hour drive to St Mellion, altogether I was really impressed with the car, felt plenty of torque and moved quick enough.

The fuel economy was pretty good to, think we averaged around mid to high 40s with spirited driving.

Coffin Dodger

https://www.scoobynet.com/other-marques-33/

Nothing has happened to it and it's where your post belongs

boxst

I have a Focus ST-3 and it is a really good car: Fast when you want and relatively comfortable the rest of the time.

Even if I drive like the sensibilist of sensible people (which I do most of the time) I struggle to get more than 29mpg.

Steve

Prasius

iTrader: (1)

Practical Performance Car highlighted that the Merc S55 AMG V8 Bi-Turbo (2002 - 2006??) can be had for stupid money now. 500bhp, leather, walnut, reclining rear seats, TV's, toys, toys and more toys! PPC said you can pick up early ones for £10k, but the last one I saw on Ebay was £16,000 for a 03 plate, but it was immaculate.

ahh.. I just saw 35mpg..

Bugger.

Andy Porter

Thanks for the replies guys. I thought the ST would be wishful thinking. Have you driven a MK5 GT 170 STILOVER ? I think I need a go in one, I was put off by the 1400cc engine but I have heard they go well as they have a supercharger for low down a turbo at the top end ? I guess if I'm being honest I wanted something a bit more sporty. I can handle a petrol but really 30-35 MPG would be best. Same thing on the A3 Fritz, good cars but dont set your heart on fire !

I like your style prasius, but a bit out of my league

Any more input greatly received.

Anyone driven a Renault sport Megane DCI 175 ?

Matteeboy

Renault is a fine handler but will be hateful to own - Renault have the worst reliability and customer service of any UK sold brand.

Do try a Golf GT - they are decent cars and very thrifty.
Golf GTi might be a bit tired for the budget but it's very good and usually gets over 30mpg.
A3 - I'd go for a Golf TDI (maybe 170bhp if you can) over one - better handling.
ST - flipping heavy on fuel and £12k might be a bit too little for a good one.
Leftfield choice - Octavia vRS - excellent cars and cheap to run.
Volvo C30 D5 - very pokey little cars.

mad555

iTrader: (1)

Get yourself a ST TDCI Mondeo.

MooseRacer

I've a Golf GTI MK5 and can recommend it. If driven sensibly it will do 35mpg and more. I've spent 2.5years enjoying mine and get around 30.

ScoobyDoo555

Echo above - loving mine

DAn (pics are elsewhere on this forum )

bpm1588

i know a guy with one of those Leon fr tdi's with the bttc kit and big bbs rim's.he's paid around that kind of dosh for it and he's just done the dpf removal and remap,he claims 230 bhp and 340 torque's! with 35 mpg.
not everyone's cup of tea but the stats are very very good

Jamz3k

Auto Trader UK - Alfa Romeo GT 1900 cc 1.9 JTDM (Full Leather)

Buy it, Autodelta airbox kit, Ragazzon Exhaust and Remap plus money left over for when something breaks off it.

Steve vRS

The Octavia vRS TDi (like mine) is a fine, fast cruiser with enough grip and acceleration.

It's boot is HUGE and can seat 5 in comfort. Mine has all the toys (cruise control, climate control, MP3 socket, ESP, 18" alloys, top spec. trip computer etc) and can do 50mpg on a 70mph run easily.

It's not exciting though but I'd have another. The dealers aren't great - not Renault bad but not Subaru good.

Steve

stilover

Yes. Every day.

I was a big Diesel sceptic. Said I'd never buy one. But after having a test drive of one, I was really impressed. Diesel engines have come a long way recently.

The Handling is pretty damn good (seeing as it's basically a GTI with a Diesel engine) and I average 38mpg. That's with short drives and a heavy right foot.

Mines, Black, full leather with heated front seats. Ipod connection in Arm rest, and R32 Alloys.

Andy Porter

Thanks for your help guys its been a great help. I will avoid the Renault like the plague then lol. GT170 sounds good if I can get one near my price bracket.
I have considered the other cars that are mentioned above ( Leon FR, Alfa GT ) but I'm a VW ***** I guess, they are very well bolted together.

Thanks for your help, any other input greatly received

Matteeboy

I thought he was talking about the 1.4 supercharged petrol (170bhp)? Seemed like that anyway. Both good cars though - I'd also go for the diesel.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

what about a vaux astra 1.9 turbo diesel? I had one a while back as a courtesy car, and it was very quick, 6 speed returned good economy (cant remember exactly but was over 35), the one I had was the top spec with leather and 6 speed box etc

hades

Golf GTi Mk 5 will comfortably top 35 if driven efficiently; I've owned one from new for about 12k miles / 15 months now, lifetime average is nearly 38. Have actually seen the trip go over 50 on one commute (stuck in a row of traffic at 40mph for half of my 9 mile trip - but you won't get that from many other 2L Turbo Petrols I can think of!) By comparision, my 02WRX averaged maybe 26mpg on super unleaded in 85k miles, also from new. And unlike the scoob, the Golf has torque from about 1600rpm in any gear right through to the red line. Handles great when you want it to, very comfortable and refined etc when you don't want to play, and a much comfier nicer place to be for a family than a scoob - would thoroughly recommend.

Downside is, as mentioned, they hold their value well, so you'd be struggling to get a decent one for £12k

Matteeboy

Just sold one of these and TBH, it was a very good car. Handled well, pretty quick, very well specced (mine was a Design Estate 150bhp) and cheap as chips to run - I rarely dipped under 40mpg in it and £250 gets you up to over 200bhp and 310 lbs/ft...

£12k would get you a very nearly new perfect nick minter.

Ved

Take your Golf to AmD, Awesome GTI or another VAG tuner and they will make it handle very very very well. It'll save you a fortune too and with a little Revo you'll see 50bhp more and 100+ lbs more.

It'll be beyond rapid and still give you back more mpg.

Win, win.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

go for the focus st,i do 40 mile round trip a day in mine average 29 to 31 to gallon on shell v power mainly motorway driving put 30 quid a week in and have 90-100 mile in tank (according to trip computer) end off the week . cannot understand where people say there heavy on fuel i think there wicked after running 380bhp newage which was costing 45 quid a week and tank was empty more or less end of week.


focus st
great on fuel
handles grips better than scoob wet/dry
great sounding stereo
nice comfortable every day user ride.

MooseRacer

You must be a much more efficient driver and/or have a better commute than me!

45k miles in 2.5yrs from new and mine is between 29 and 31mpg. That's according to the computer so expect the real figure is lower. I did have it remapped after about 2000miles and not only does a remapp NOT give more mpg the extra power and torque encourage a heavy foot more often.

Matteeboy

Next!

geesta

Matteeboy attacking the Focus ST again

Matteeboy

I'm not attacking it but if someone posts BS about it, I'll respond. And those comments were utter BS. As I keep saying, the ST is a good car. But owners get completely carried away - much like Scooby owners did in the late 90s/early 00s. Saying it is good on fuel is particularly hilarious...

geesta

Only the comment on fuel maybe BS but if you work out the cost of ownership, purchasing, fuel and main dealer servicing then it's a great car. I agree about the Astra 1.9 cdti 150 it's a cracking motor

Matteeboy

Geesta - I didn't like it when I got it (the Astra) then got used to it and kept the car for over four years! Just did everything without any fuss.

Shame the sales guy that took it away (I p/xed it for a 335d - he delivered it) had someone crash into the back of him when he was driving it back home - I was a quite sad even though it was nothing to do with us! Had looked after it really well.

ST IS a good car - just not THE only car.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

R26? Fast & (probably) economic if driven sedately!

http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-conte...age32887_b.jpg

TX.