The MR2 is starting to need things replacing and mending and i have decided to let it go after i got a good cash offer from a colleague.
Basically, i have £12,000 to spend. Don't want anything high-maintenance like an Evo or Skyline, can't afford to run two expensive to maintain cars!
I was thinking along the lines of a hot hatch, as new as i can get for the budget.
I quite fancy a Renault Clio 182 of some sort. They are around from £9000 for a 2004 basic car, up to £12,000 for the ltd edition 2005 Trophy.
Where would YOUR twelve grand go if in this market?

I think for hot hatches, I would certainly give a Clio 182 a try, I doubt the new Clio will be as light the former.

Not sure if its "hot" enough but I'd also be interested to try out a Skoda Fabia vRS.

Hi Matt, i also like the Fabia vRS.
I could get one as new for about £10K and another thousand or so would get the power from the stock 130 bhp to a safe 160 bhp.
Torque from 229 lbs-ft to 250-ish also.

I can't afford/don't want a new (197 bhp) Clio, but yes, it is heavier and bigger.

I quite fancy a Honda Civic Type R. Prices have eased since the new Civic appeared.
197 bhp, 8000 rpm, sounds fun.

Used Golf GTI with DSG. Personally, I'd look at a Porsche 968 or Toyota Supra, though. What about an 8 series?

quote:

Originally posted by Boundary!:
Hi Matt, i also like the Fabia vRS.
I could get one as new for about £10K and another thousand or so would get the power from the stock 130 bhp to a safe 160 bhp.
Torque from 229 lbs-ft to 250-ish also.

I can't afford/don't want a new (197 bhp) Clio, but yes, it is heavier and bigger.

Seat Ibiza do a 'stock' 160BHP Cupra TDI

I thought you said all these cars are slow, Boundary? Why would you want to buy a slow car?

quote:

Originally posted by ProfJC:
Used Golf GTI with DSG. Personally, I'd look at a Porsche 968 or Toyota Supra, though. What about an 8 series?

Can't afford to run another big car, ProfJC.

quote:

Originally posted by baldboy:

quote:

Originally posted by Boundary!:
Hi Matt, i also like the Fabia vRS.
I could get one as new for about £10K and another thousand or so would get the power from the stock 130 bhp to a safe 160 bhp.
Torque from 229 lbs-ft to 250-ish also.

I can't afford/don't want a new (197 bhp) Clio, but yes, it is heavier and bigger.

Seat Ibiza do a 'stock' 160BHP Cupra TDI

Aye, that's true. Quite a bit dearer though.

quote:

Originally posted by Noxide:
I thought you said all these cars are slow, Boundary? Why would you want to buy a slow car?

Is that a serious question, Noxy?
On the off chance that it is, let me answer you.
I run 2 other cars at present.
One is about to go (the MR2), so i fancy another car.
Like i keep telling you, i like many cars, of all types and fuels.

Some journeys are not best made in a £60,000+ five litre V10, anyway.

I was just a little bemused, you keep telling me how slow and rubbish my car is, then you talk about spending 12k on a car which is even slower than that!

You are a strange one, sometimes.

Is it an MR2 Turbo?

quote:

Originally posted by Noxide:
I was just a little bemused, you keep telling me how slow and rubbish my car is, then you talk about spending 12k on a car which is even slower than that!

You are a strange one, sometimes.

Is it an MR2 Turbo?

Erm, (***moderately patient sigh***) no Noxy, there's nothing strange about me matey.
If you honestly cannot grasp the reasoning behind not wanting only one expensive car, then i am not sure i can help you further, young man.
But i will try.
I like all types of cars, be they petrol/diesel/coupes/saloons/hot hatches/whatever, thus i like to have access to more than one car.
I am ready for another hot hatch, it is a while since i owned one, well a couple of years. What is so wrong about that?

I have never said that your car is slow, i have just said, like MANY here have, that you need to keep the claims sensible, about HOW quick it is.

You see it as some special and superfast car, most others here see it as a tatty, cheap, home made Chavmobile, which goes quite well.

I am sorry, but just read through and think back. That is how 9 out of 10 people look at it, whether you like it or not.
Get over it mate.
When and if you get your 250 bhp, you can silence a few of us maybe, if the car doesn't tie itself in knots and kill you or someone else!
I don't always want to park the M5 everywhere i have to go, by the way.
The MR2 is n/a, to answer your question Noxy.

Can i add, that whilst we certainly don't see eye to eye on many things, (i know your views will change somewhat with time though) we are not as far apart overall, as you might think.

I love fast cars and so do you, that is clear.

I have never said it was a special and superfast car mate! I hardly grew up with pictures of a Citroen AX on my wall, did I? I am realistic about things and all my claims have been true. If you want to come and meet up, do some timing runs and go for a drive, feel free! You will find my claims are correct. Palmira is the only one to have been in my car, he has owned Cayenne Turbos and driven Bentleys, and he was impressed by it. That is reason enough for me.

It is nothing amazing Boundary, but if you keep attacking me, I will continue to fight my corner! I wish you would stop bringing my car in to all of this - it would be nice to have a discussion that didn't include AX's for a change.

I think you will find quite a few people are interested in the concept. It is not everyone's cup of tea - in five years time it won't be mine - but then neither is the M5.

You bang on about how every one should like Diesels and that you like all cars.. why should we? By your own token, you need to understand that some people like different, alternative types of cars.

Maybe i just like CARS.
You seem to have a very narrow viewpoint, i e, you hate all diesels, automatics, 4x4s etc.
I agree to disagree, let's not carry it on anymore.

Noxy, which hot hatch (up to 3 years old) would you get with £12k (used)?

My choice would be the Civic R. Always was the fastest of the last crop of the Hot Hatches, with solid handling and a wonderful high revving engine.

One of those cars that you could get caught out by if you don't use the gears well, though.

We agree!

I am hoping that prices are lower, now that the new Civic is out.
The gearchange is a revelation on the CTR and the 197 bhp engine wonderfully revvy, not quite like the S2000, but even so, a real zinger.
It is right up there for me, am looking at prices on E Bay and Honda UK as we speak.

ctr the only choice....

Looking at a facelift 2004 car tomorrow.
(Civic Type R, 16000 miles, fhsh).

The Honda is the only choice, Great Looks, Great Handling, Great Performance, Great Value, Great Reallibility, Great Practicality, Great Charcter. Don't forget its a Honda, with great history and heriatge


The Best hot htach there is.

quote:

Originally posted by Maroon:
The Honda is the only choice, Great Looks, Great Handling, Great Performance, Great Value, Great Reallibility, Great Practicality, Great Charcter. Don't forget its a Honda, with great history and heriatge


The Best hot htach there is.

One of the first decent posts from you Daroon, spot on old chap.

I like Honda v-tec engines.
The S2000 is a stormer, if a bit gutless below 6000 rpm and the NSX was a good car too.

(Time just left The NSX behind, finally, but a modern NSX, concentrating on low mass, say 1200kgs, with a high revving 3500cc V6 with all the latest technology could be a real beaut.)

I bet you agree there, Nox!

Boundary, this is more like it.

The NSX is brilliant feat of engineering, and one of the best cars in the world. It is among the finest handling car ever produced. If it had been given a another 200bhp, I honestly believe it would have been near unbeatable on track.