OK, I have a Eunos (Mazda MX5 Mk1) that’s currently for sale as it’s time for a change, and Mrs B and I are talking of increasing the size of the family. Our current vehicles are the aforementioned, a Honda Civic 1.8, the Exige and an MoT-less Yamaha Thundercat 600. I did my bike test last year and was sold the bike by a mate. It needs fork seals for the MoT and I need leathers etc.
The Eunos is on ebay, and the car that replaces it will be my daily drive. I intend to get the bike legal and use that in the interim, but what car shall I get when the time comes?
The requirements are:
To cover a 20 mile commute to work.
To be a 4 seater (if not 5 seats)
Have reasonably low fuel consumption.
To be as new as possible, but…
…to have a bit of poke and be fun.
I’ve also said it must have 4/5 stars in Evo magazine but that might just be a bit silly (I had a clio 172 that they rated and I thought it was pump…)
The cars I’ve considered in order of interest are:
Civic type R (EP3 Premier) 2005
Seat Leon Cupra R 2006
Clio 197 2006
Seat Leon FR tdi
Skoda Fabia vRS 2005
I’ve never owned a turbo diesel and wonder if they’re really for me as they don’t rev and the fuel price is just going crazy, so am unsure about them. Being in my late 30’s insurance is no huge issue, but if you have any experience of the above OR better still of a competitor in my price range, I’d be all ears.
Wouldn’t have a bad thing said about the Seat, was a fantastic car for the 9 years we had it, but it had got to an age where a few things needed doing and it made sense to move on.
I’d been looking at Clio’s for a while as I’m a multi time 205 GTi owner and for me its the current closest incarnation. Have to say its great fun, not Exige fun, no where near, but loads of fun for a daily driver and its putting a smile on my face. Its also got a surprisingly premium feel, with auto lights, wipers, etc. Drives like a small hatch, but just sat in traffic it feels pretty grown up.
Our Golf TDi is brilliant, but of an age before DSGs and particulate filters (still on 20 mile ride you should burn it off).
The Seat sounds a good car but with less ‘badge’ cost
Clio 182 will be my station car in a few months time. Had one a couple of years ago and loved it. Full fat one with climate control etc, but with cup suspension, is a big step up on a phase 1 172. 5K will get you a trophy, with recaro seats and sachs dampers…
Another vote for a Curpra R. Best car I’ve ever had, done over 130,000 miles in it, only ever had to do service related bits and pieces. Put a set of the latest coils in it, and jobs a good un. Set of Neuspeed stiffer anti roll bars, and they are comically good
Just don’t get a yellow one, as they fade really badly!!
My daily drive is a Clio 197 (57 plate)in black - which I want to sell as I need a pick-up now. Great car - good everyday fun drive, not as economical as you may want but doubt you’ll get a 2006 plate for 5K.
Have heard from a couple of unconnected people that once a Revo map has been applied, its difficult to remove and go back to either stock or another brand of upgraded map. Could be myth and happy to be proved wrong.
[quote=stratosboy]My daily drive is a Clio 197 (57 plate)in black - which I want to sell as I need a pick-up now. Great car - good everyday fun drive, not as economical as you may want but doubt you’ll get a 2006 plate for 5K.
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There’s a couple crop up on ebay for that price now and again, and without astronomical miles, but of course you can’t judge condition from a few photo’s.
It’s looking a bit Cupra R to me. I think that the with the bike, Honda and the Exige I have rev happy performance so maybe my daily should be less frenetic and I fancy some torque in my life!
I think the diesels would be OK, but I’m not sure the lack of revs would be too enjoyable (maybe I’m missing a trick), and they’re too much of an unknown. I was also told that it’s pointless having a diesel unless you’re doing over 16K miles a year due to increased costs associated with running one…any truth in that?
Another vote for Leon Cupra R. I loved mine, was a great car and very practical.
I remember looking at about 10 before finding the one I finally bought though. There are a fair few thrashed ones out there, plus check the carpets are dry as the door seals can leak, its an easy, but time consuming fix though, so can be used as a good bargaining chip.
