Is the EP3 a sensible choice for a car upgrade?

[DJames93]

I've been driving an EP1 since I started driving 2 years ago.. I've started to think about scrapping it in the next year and get something a bit nicer as someone reversed into me a bit over a year ago at some lights and the front was smashed in a bit, wing/bonnet out of alignment. Didn't go through their insurance because it would be me paying for it with big premium increases. Can't see myself getting much if anything more selling over taking it to a breaker with the damage.

I'm wondering if the EP3 would still be a sensible choice with the age and miles on some of them now. Don't get me wrong the ep1 has served me well, I've had a new starter and binding brakes serviced and that's it, not bad for things that are going to go at some point anyway but notice some rust on the undercarriage so wear and tear is a concern. Is the ctr as reliable as the standard 1.4 if I got something with 75-100k miles and a decent amount of services or could it quickly turn into a cash pit? My heart says get an EP3 but my brain says go for a newer FN2 which will be newer and have more driver conveniences, the latter being slightly gimmicky to me in all honesty though. What do you think?

Edited by DJames93 on Friday 1st March 23:30

[Norfolkandchance]

You sound young. I would start by looking at insurance on a CTR.
Otherwise, yes, in my experience they are reliable but they are getting old so will be less reliable than a new car.
Good luck with the search.

[DJames93]

Norfolkandchance said:

You sound young. I would start by looking at insurance on a CTR.
Otherwise, yes, in my experience they are reliable but they are getting old so will be less reliable than a new car.
Good luck with the search.

25, 26 at renewal. I passed my test in 2014 but did not start driving because of rip off insurance prices. Got a car in 2017 on somewhat a bit of a whim when I needed to visit some family members and take a large amount of luggage and bike with me. Public transport no longer seemed convenient.

I know renewal (May) is a still a bit away but from looking at a few quotes early, an EP3 or an GT or championship version of the FN2 is actually the same and sometimes a couple hundred pound cheaper for me to insure depending on the age of the vehicle. The only difference being 2 companies will insure the R for about £750-800, and it jumps to £1500 after that, so I'd have to keep my fingers cross they didn't want to inflate the price at it's first renewal. Whereas with the current EP1 there is a good few consistent quotes of £950-1100 with 2 years ncd provided nothing happens by renewal.

I do think an FN2 is a more sensible option. With a bit of luck and willingness to travel a bit for one, you can get an 08/09 plate with <100k miles for around £4k give or take.

Edited by DJames93 on Sunday 3rd March 12:27

Edited by DJames93 on Sunday 3rd March 12:28

Edited by DJames93 on Sunday 3rd March 12:29

[s2000_f20]

Ep3's are getting on abit now and most have been pretty abused now.
The mint one's have stabled in price as they are getting quite sought after.

The FN type R seems to be quite cheap, probably because it was not that popular that the EP3.
It is more newer, modern and as you say have more driving conveniences.

I would say get the FN, you could probably get a mint low mileage at the same price of a high mileage EP3.

Good luck with the search.