I'm looking to get a new car in and want somthing that will be comfortable to ride in but also put a smile on my face when i need to. looking to spend under 8k

the limitations are; i have 2 dogs (choc lab and german shep) also have a baby on the way so must be a hatch with enough room for the dogs in the boot, they dont go in that often so just enough space for them both.

I currently have a 2008 focus zetec sport which i like but being a 1600 not got much poke and previously coming from a evo seams realy slow lol

so far i have thought of;

st225 pre facelift
mk5 golf gti
mk4 r32
leon cupra r
civic type r
wild card b5 s4 (but not too keen on realy shit mpg)

thanks for any sugestions or opinions on the above

 

Vectra VXR maybe?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-VAUXH...item415e7b8a1a

 

do like them, bit of a guilty pleasure really always been against vaux but i do like the look of these. not sure how they are to drive though

 

Those vectras are supposed to be hateful to drive, just watch clarkson's top gear review of them on youtube

If you need more room, ST220, hatch or estate? Love my Focus ST as an allrounder, getting on for 300bhp so is adequate enough for the road, not a single thing has gone with it in the last 20k miles, nice and comfy too!

 

Not sure if the 220 would have enough poke also would like a turbo for ease of tuning. i am leaning towards a st and a decent tuning package would love one around the 300 mark. also yours looks ace BTW.

 

My old man test drove a few VXR's as a replacement for the two ST220's he had.
He always called BS on clarksons review and said they handled just as well.

 

Cheers Mine's got an induction kit, airtec intercooler, full turbo back exhaust system with sports cat and a remap, not yet RR'd it but that should be getting on for 300bhp / 330lbft.

They do feel quite tame in standard form but even a remap will totally transform it.

 

Just watching it again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FHLzWwghmU

 

hmmm interesting think a few test drives may be in order. the clarkson video does make them look shocking but got to ask yourself would you realy be driving a car of that size that hard on public roads? if it was a hot hatch i could understand but those cars are more of a A road cruiser i would have thought.

 

He's going into corners at full throttle? Christ my Focus would understeer like that if I went into corners like he is! Rumours are they pulled the fuse on the ESP and what not too.

I'm not a Vauxhall fan, but the Veccy VXR really ins't a bad car at all!

 

I'm in the same ballpark as you and really wanting a facelift ST3 but the mpg is putting me off big time. Not overly keen on a MK1 Focus RS either may be going for something like a BMW 325d/330d.

 

what sort of price would i be looking at to get to that spec, fitting myself.

 

anyone know this car quite like it minus the boot build http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3262629.htm

 

http://www.dreamscience-automotive.c...uction-kit.php

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIRTEC-For...item2566a3d929

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dreamscien...item4cf4291707

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Milltek-Tu...item45fc6fa231


These are all the bits I've got on mine. Seems to handle the power quite well but when I put a clutch in it will probably put an LSD in too.

 

so would be looking just under the 2.5k mark. hhhmmmm. has anyone drove the mk5 gti really like the look and German build quality.

 

Mazda 3 mps... Is the car I would buy without a doubt...

 

they look smart mega rare too just a shame its not 4x4 would be a great car if it was

 

mate i sold my evo and got back in a cossie sold my x5 to get a focus st and its a great car all round for the kids and the space! much better than my mk5 golf gt i had!! if it was me i would 100% go for the st!! and 110% wouldnt have the vectra vxr a friend has one and he says by far the worst car he has ever owned!!!!

good luck mate!

 

They handle very very well mate without being 4x4... I suggest you try and get a go in one... Half leather.. Bose sound system loads of refinements for such a low priced car... Danneth on here as one...ask him about the test drive I took him on when he first bought it... And it coped better than any 4x4 saff I've been in up that road.

 

As it seems you have listed mainly hot hatches then the now is a must to look at

At looked at all the above ones and had a ctr the mps was a clear winner for me

I'm struggling to think of a rarer newer cheaper better spec quicker hot hatch about

I don't know anyone who's drove mone who hasn't been really impressed, when Rsmat took me down a dark damp country labe the first night I got it not only was I in the control fearing for my life but I found out just how good it was lol

So ye go drive one unless you don't like them

 

P.s don't need to be 4x4 when they have a nice LSD as standard

 

think i may have to have a look into one i reckon. is the insurance steep on them found a few on the net just need to shift the focus asap

 

You won't be disappointed...

 

I'm not going to lie, like many people that will reply to this i've not driven all of these, but I spend all day driving different brand new cars and have had a play with some of these. 3 Doors may well be a nightmare for getting a kid in and out in the pouring rain, in traffic so on and on....

st225 pre facelift
*Love the car, it's a Ford, can still use it to go to shows if you need it, sounds great - Fuel charges can be high, reported problems of cylinder liners on early ones

mk5 golf gti
*Great car, i'd opt for the GT diesel for the best of both worlds, more than quick enough for a family wagon, MUCH better build tan the focus just lacks the fun somehow.... maybe it's too easy!

mk4 r32
*Not driven one look great, sound amazing! - i'm told they are not as fast as you'd think.

leon cupra r
*We have the standard leons and TSI/TFSI? units at work, Good fun cars, drives like the golf, quite well built and quick too! 5 doors with 3 door looks, generally well spec'd. Ocassional odd issues with our Seats but not too common. Like the golf and no doubt the Focus too, a healthy taste for rubber!

civic type r
*Loved the original, new Civic is much better in the cabin, but that rear window is annoying, and not so easy to get used to,


wild card b5 s4 (but not too keen on realy shit mpg)
*Tbh knocking on now, I had a B7 A4 Sline TDI, great car, loved it to bits for a relaxing drive, Bose. 8k should buy you a tidy B7 shape, with a big engine if you fancy. Not as much space in the back as you'd imagine though.

 

I came from the civic type-r and my insurance was £10 cheaper a month