cfoster

As above I need to buy a daily hack for around the 3k mark, at the mo got an astra van which has been great as my whole family have been using it but now its surplus so want something a bit more fun/bit more poke etc, probably a hot hatch...

So what would you buy? I dont do 'that' many miles to warrant a diesel but would like something that is half comfy, pretty nippy, reliable and something that will give me around 30mpg or better on a motorway run (missus lives 26 miles down a dual carriageway/motorway)! At the moment i've got it down to either a Fiesta ST (around 05 plate) or an EP3 Civic Type R (2003 model). Also dont want a convertible as I am keeping the mercedes.

Any other ideas? I dont want a Clio 172/182, sorry as I know they are liked on here but just can't stand them!!!

Cheers
Chris

Fil

Racing puma?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ford-racin...item336cfe4afd

ben_frst

civic type r or a seat leon cupra r

both can be had for 3.5k

CrOwSoN15

I don't think you can really beat the clio

Apart from build quality.

And cost to fix.

I think the Fiesta will be a bit gutless in standard form, what about a VRS Fabia? Not sure what money they fetch though, awesome cars though!

CrOwSoN15

+1 forgot about the Leon, very cool cars!

Fiddy

The Clio 172/182 is the obvious choice. but as you said, you dont like them, so if you can find a decent Civic Type R in your budget, thats what id go for, hell of a lot of car for the money these days the early one's.

wirralphil

Audi TT?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3330486.htm

ST170?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3035914.htm

Cooper S?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3343090.htm

phil_rs

iTrader: (3)

As said, civic type r or Leon cupra r. If you want better mpg, go for the tdi version and remap to around 200bhp

jimhc

iTrader: (1)

go old skool mk2 astra gte 16v

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

my first choice for 3k would have been a clio...But since you dont like them...Either civic type R or leon.

ben_frst

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-SEAT-...#ht_720wt_1270

just an example of what you can get

CrOwSoN15

90% lady owned.

Better get on the phone to a wheel refurb company!

mk1trb

+1 old skool is the way

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

something a little different, i actually like the look of them. Megane 225 sport
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/megane-sport-225-/120794321769?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c1fe71369

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

The Leon is a great car, best all rounder for that price.

cfoster

Cheers guys, didnt even think about the TT's or Leons, worth looking into.... Would love to go old skool but it will be used/abused most probably and would hate something retro to get bashed about, car park dings etc, plus reliability could be an issue. VRS Fabia - sorry but i'm one of those people who just couldnt buy a Skoda! (not sure why but im still blinded by the skoda badge!)..... The megane looks nice, wouldnt they have the same build quality as the clios though?

Cheers
Chris

LHD220Turbo

iTrader: (4)

Its French so build quality is never going to be nice as the Germans

but, say for 4k if you compare an Audi TT with a 225 Megane, the TT will be alot older, more mileage and probably more owners.

Porkie

iTrader: (1)

Leon or Megane or Civic I reckon.

arch

Blimey, a sensibly priced FRP.

rs_traynor

civic type r gettin them pretty cheap these days

cfoster

Apart from the wider arches / seats what does the FRP have over a normal Puma? Are they quicker etc.....?

cfoster

Very true, just looked at a couple of TTs on the trader and they are all around the X reg mark..... bit old I think....

How reliable are the civic type r's? Anyone owned one? Would buying an 80/90k miler with full history put you off?

puma38

160 bhp, uprated brakes, suspension, had one few years back, awesome cars, cheap running costs, only wish it had 200bhp as felt it wasnt quite fast enough.

decent one's getting rare now, lots of 5k one's about that have rust problems on the arches etc and poor interiors. lsd models even rarer and hold their money well.

you will not find a hot hatch that handles better than this for sure.

otherwise civic type r, i've got one at moment, and cant fault it, perfect all round car for not a lot of money.

puma38

mines done 82k, had it for year and half and changed discs and pads and couple of tyres, build quility is pretty good, and engine's are bullet proof.

danneth

CTR or http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3317739.htm

danneth

Look up the word reliable and next to it, it will say civic I had one for two years only problems i had were aftermarket stero kept jumping out at me, i got a puncture once, and the gear knob gets way to hot in the summer if left in the sun

SiZT

Leon, TT, Megane, Cooper S or Puma if you don't want people to think you're a chav

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Totally agree.... I'd stop away from the vauxhalls aswell.

puma38

your on a ford forum with fiesta's sierra's and escort, let not pretend to be something were not.

gjh

Civic type R. Reliable as hell, rev well, handle well. Or maybe something old skool, mk3 xr3? S2 rs turbo? Sierra xr4i (when was the last time you saw one of them?)

cfoster

Think i'll go look at a couple of civics, seems the most popular....! Would love old skool but too nickable really to be able to use as a 'runabout'....

Chris

RstAaron.

Up your budget and you could have my rs1800, basicaly an st170 in a smaller package! Lol

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

MK1 Golf GTi and a some added security measures.

Having just sold my first MK1 GTi I know now why they are so raved about. Awesome car. Not quick by today's standards in terms of outright pace, but don't think I've ever had so much fun in a car, so lively and just feels more alive than anything more modern yet still feels solid, like it's always going to start first turn of the key and unlike a lot of older cars even the brakes are adequate. Not great by today's standards, but enough once you get used to them.

Oranoco

Another vote for the Civic Type R here Cracking car, very reliable and loves to be thrashed! I know of a few that are over the 100k mile mark and get thrashed most days and just keep going and going.

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

Mini Cooper S

Guile1

not a hatch but octavia vrs mk 1 maybe?

cfoster

Dan - i like the mini's but a bit tooo girly for me!! Guile - as i said a few thingies up I dont think i can bring myself round to buying a skoda, im still unfortunately blinded by the badge!

S2=RSTmatt

old skool it, and get a Lancia Delta Turbo for £1.7k

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3252420.htm

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

I agree about them being a tad girly..but you can make them look alot tougher with some decent wheels etc and they are very nippy, and handle well

puma38

when i think about a decent reliable run about, the last car that springs to mind would prob have a lancia badge bluetacked to the bonnet.