Next car choice
20 July 2012, 07:31 PM
#1
Next car choice
Well boredom has set in again and it's time again to look for my next car, trouble is i've had most of the ones i can afford so i might buy a car i've already had.
budget is upto £10k although £9.5k would be better.
Choices are
Astra VXR (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience, rapid but no gadgets inside
Focus ST (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience (older shape) - nice gadgets but cheap materials
Civic type-r (2008) - like the exterior but heard they have no torque and have to be revved hard?
Mazda 3MPS - (2009) - newer car for less -never seen 1 up close but photos and write ups look good - anyone had 1?
Clio 200 (2009) - probably too basic and they're french
Impreza hatch (2008) - had 3 older imprezas but not sure on the hatch, looks good in blue - what are these like for rattles, problems, everyday use?
Golf GTI (2008) - just traded in an ED30 so wouldn't go there again
Wont be doing many miles, don't want massive depreciation in the next 3-4 months (about as long as i keep a car), want something nippy (pref with a turbo) but not something OTT
budget is upto £10k although £9.5k would be better.
Choices are
Astra VXR (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience, rapid but no gadgets inside
Focus ST (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience (older shape) - nice gadgets but cheap materials
Civic type-r (2008) - like the exterior but heard they have no torque and have to be revved hard?
Mazda 3MPS - (2009) - newer car for less -never seen 1 up close but photos and write ups look good - anyone had 1?
Clio 200 (2009) - probably too basic and they're french
Impreza hatch (2008) - had 3 older imprezas but not sure on the hatch, looks good in blue - what are these like for rattles, problems, everyday use?
Golf GTI (2008) - just traded in an ED30 so wouldn't go there again
Wont be doing many miles, don't want massive depreciation in the next 3-4 months (about as long as i keep a car), want something nippy (pref with a turbo) but not something OTT
20 July 2012, 09:33 PM
#7
The 3mps are quite good and diffrent IMO, all the mod cons and a 2.3 turbo, good power output too, not sure on the mpg although it won't be good, but I quite like them. Or for 4wd get the 6mps.
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 01 August 2012 at 05:17 PM.
Trending Topics
20 July 2012, 10:53 PM
#9
As i mentioned above i had the pre-facelift ST with Dreamscience, enjoyed it for a while then got bored, have enquired about a couple of facelift (08 plates) but shocked at some of the prices
20 July 2012, 10:58 PM
#10
for £8k - £8.5k i can get a low mileage 2009 (last of old shape) where Focus ST at this price would be a pre facelift 2007 with high miles.
The MPS does seem good value now considering they were £18k new 3 years ago - 260bhp almost but they're in the £460pa tax band
20 July 2012, 11:07 PM
#11
reviews say mpg is around 23mpg which is the same as VXR, ST, GTi, etc
for £8k - £8.5k i can get a low mileage 2009 (last of old shape) where Focus ST at this price would be a pre facelift 2007 with high miles.
The MPS does seem good value now considering they were £18k new 3 years ago - 260bhp almost but they're in the £460pa tax band
for £8k - £8.5k i can get a low mileage 2009 (last of old shape) where Focus ST at this price would be a pre facelift 2007 with high miles.
The MPS does seem good value now considering they were £18k new 3 years ago - 260bhp almost but they're in the £460pa tax band
Out of all the cars YOU mentioned, I would go with the impreza hatch STI or the MPS IMO of course,The civic would be an option too if it didnt have the big rear torsion bar on the rear, dosent handle as good as the pre model.
japs drivability is much better IMO
Last edited by bustaMOVEs; 20 July 2012 at 11:09 PM.
21 July 2012, 08:32 AM
#14
Clio 200 or even the megane r26 not sure how much they cost though, and if you only keep them a few months then i'd avoid the mazda and the sti hatch, as the market for them is a bit narrow, which could leave you taking a big hit.
Bmw 1 330d with a remap should keep you smiling and hold it's money, practical, decent mpg and rear wheel drive so got the fun factor and plenty of toys, good build quality.
Bmw 1 330d with a remap should keep you smiling and hold it's money, practical, decent mpg and rear wheel drive so got the fun factor and plenty of toys, good build quality.
21 July 2012, 12:48 PM
#15
29 July 2012, 06:00 PM
#16
Well narrowed the choice down to Mazda 3 MPS or Civic type-R
The 2 mazdas i saw have both been sold and finding a final edition phase1 (with black dash plastics and black seats, etc) is getting harder with low miles.
I've enquires about 4 Civics but no-one seems to reply to emails or rings back (dealers) - prices for 2007- 2008 models seem to vary by upto £2k can't understand why?
Out of the 2 i guess the mazda is the quickest but the Honda does look more sporty and there are more accessories available.
Hondas always seem to say reliability but keep reading about problems with clutches, 3rd gear selection and rust on door tops?
The 2 mazdas i saw have both been sold and finding a final edition phase1 (with black dash plastics and black seats, etc) is getting harder with low miles.
I've enquires about 4 Civics but no-one seems to reply to emails or rings back (dealers) - prices for 2007- 2008 models seem to vary by upto £2k can't understand why?
Out of the 2 i guess the mazda is the quickest but the Honda does look more sporty and there are more accessories available.
Hondas always seem to say reliability but keep reading about problems with clutches, 3rd gear selection and rust on door tops?
29 July 2012, 07:59 PM
#18
Scooby Senior
It did **** all - the RS drove away easily at every opportunity but was let down by the tool driving. Equal drivers would have seen the bogey machine long gone down the road
31 July 2012, 10:29 AM
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: ....
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not go a bit older and have a Mk 1 Focus RS?
Get it Bluefinned, enjoy the relative exclusivity for 6 months or even 12, and get all your money back when you sell.
Some peaches out there for the money.
Get it Bluefinned, enjoy the relative exclusivity for 6 months or even 12, and get all your money back when you sell.
Some peaches out there for the money.
31 July 2012, 12:46 PM
#21
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Arborfield, Berkshire
Posts: 12,387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you won't appreciate the lack of torque in the civic. I've had an FN2 for just over 3 years now (moving to a mk2 FRS) and its a good car for the money. Interior is great but it understeers too easily, the suspension is too hard for the handling it offers and you have to in VTEC (5400rpm onwards) to get anywhere fast. If its more than just you in the car forget about it. The champ white models and very late standard cars came with a LSD but I doubt they would match your budget.
31 July 2012, 12:49 PM
#22
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Arborfield, Berkshire
Posts: 12,387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lmao. Every time it got to a straight the civic looked like it was standing still. Tight track, quite a few cars and a far less confident driver.
31 July 2012, 01:20 PM
#24
Well boredom has set in again and it's time again to look for my next car, trouble is i've had most of the ones i can afford so i might buy a car i've already had.
budget is upto £10k although £9.5k would be better.
Choices are
Astra VXR (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience, rapid but no gadgets inside
Focus ST (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience (older shape) - nice gadgets but cheap materials
Civic type-r (2008) - like the exterior but heard they have no torque and have to be revved hard?
Mazda 3MPS - (2009) - newer car for less -never seen 1 up close but photos and write ups look good - anyone had 1?
Clio 200 (2009) - probably too basic and they're french
Impreza hatch (2008) - had 3 older imprezas but not sure on the hatch, looks good in blue - what are these like for rattles, problems, everyday use?
Golf GTI (2008) - just traded in an ED30 so wouldn't go there again
Wont be doing many miles, don't want massive depreciation in the next 3-4 months (about as long as i keep a car), want something nippy (pref with a turbo) but not something OTT
budget is upto £10k although £9.5k would be better.
Choices are
Astra VXR (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience, rapid but no gadgets inside
Focus ST (2008) - had 1 with dreamscience (older shape) - nice gadgets but cheap materials
Civic type-r (2008) - like the exterior but heard they have no torque and have to be revved hard?
Mazda 3MPS - (2009) - newer car for less -never seen 1 up close but photos and write ups look good - anyone had 1?
Clio 200 (2009) - probably too basic and they're french
Impreza hatch (2008) - had 3 older imprezas but not sure on the hatch, looks good in blue - what are these like for rattles, problems, everyday use?
Golf GTI (2008) - just traded in an ED30 so wouldn't go there again
Wont be doing many miles, don't want massive depreciation in the next 3-4 months (about as long as i keep a car), want something nippy (pref with a turbo) but not something OTT
it has 4wd,250ish bhp and a dsg gearbox.
the interior is far better than most of the above cars also with leather,satnav and a 40gb hard drive stereo for your music.
it does 30 to 35 mpg and the build quality seems excellent.
possibly a little over your budget but you may get a deal on an older version.
31 July 2012, 06:25 PM
#26
I think you won't appreciate the lack of torque in the civic. I've had an FN2 for just over 3 years now (moving to a mk2 FRS) and its a good car for the money. Interior is great but it understeers too easily, the suspension is too hard for the handling it offers and you have to in VTEC (5400rpm onwards) to get anywhere fast. If its more than just you in the car forget about it. The champ white models and very late standard cars came with a LSD but I doubt they would match your budget.
TBH i'll probably only use it to go to work and back, 8 miles each way so don't need anything very quick although it's nice to have it on tap just in case
The astra VXR i had was also on 19"s (same as CTR i'm looking at) and it wasn't too bad on the crappy roads around here and i never once got stuck in the snow we last had
So for handling as long as it drives in a straight line and goes round bends it'll be ok
I'm getting a bit worried after reading the forums as it seems a lot of CTRs suffer from dodgy gearboxes (3rd gear), clutch probs (CRB and master cylinders) and worst of all - RUST on the tops of the doors under the seal - seems this is evident on cars out of the showroom
Well driving 80 miles to a dealers i've used twice before for a look/ drive this weekend so fingers crossed
31 July 2012, 10:16 PM
#28
fuse box? - not heard about that one, did hear about a harness rubbing on later models
keep reading about the 3rd gear probs and the CRB and dealers saying out of warranty it's hands in pocket time
keep reading about the 3rd gear probs and the CRB and dealers saying out of warranty it's hands in pocket time
01 August 2012, 12:47 PM
#29
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Arborfield, Berkshire
Posts: 12,387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My gearbox has had some issues with 3rd but was supposedly only one pre '09 spec models. I never bothered to sort mine out properly as very rarely an issue and mine is a lease car. Still best gearbox I’ve used and will no doubt miss it in the RS.
Only other warranty repairs I had was squeaky rear suspension when driving off after being parked overnight. And a clicking subframe. Both known faults (although for the latter my local dealer wouldn’t acknowledge it even though I had a printout of the Defect ID from Honda Internal (the advantages of the internet and owners forums lol) yet still ended up doing the same repair as outlined.
Think there was a handbrake recall at some point as well as some chap on here had it done then his Civic rolled off his drive the same day.
Only other warranty repairs I had was squeaky rear suspension when driving off after being parked overnight. And a clicking subframe. Both known faults (although for the latter my local dealer wouldn’t acknowledge it even though I had a printout of the Defect ID from Honda Internal (the advantages of the internet and owners forums lol) yet still ended up doing the same repair as outlined.
Think there was a handbrake recall at some point as well as some chap on here had it done then his Civic rolled off his drive the same day.