Looking for a car to replace a Celica T Sport

[wilbo83]

Currently drive a 2002 Toyota Celica VVTLi which is lots of fun as it has a similar engine to the Type R's, however it is getting a bit tiring thrashing it all the time and i am looking for something with more power.

I would like to still have a fair amount of space and 4 seats. Natural choice would be an impreza but bit worried i would spend half my life filling up with petrol. Anyone got any thoughts of what to look for? Considering a BMW 3 series but if winters are going to continue like this, then not so sure on that.

[Kong]

Audi RS6 MTM?

[gareth.e]

Kong said:

Audi RS6 MTM?

lol

[wilbo83]

Kong said:

Audi RS6 MTM?

lol Maybe i should have added, preferably within a £10k budget!

[RobCrezz]

I would suggest an evo or impreza, but mine does like a drink!

[browna]

£8k odd for a Mazda 6 mps, with a remap when u get bored!

[wilbo83]

RobCrezz said:

I would suggest an evo or impreza, but mine does like a drink!

Still quite fancy an impreza but would need to do a fair bit of motorway mileage, can they be reasonable if driven sensible or do they always drink fuel? Don't fancy the service intervals of the evo too much

[wilbo83]

browna said:

£8k odd for a Mazda 6 mps, with a remap when u get bored!

Not even looked at those so will go take a browse on autotrader

[TotalControl]

wilbo83 said:

browna said:

£8k odd for a Mazda 6 mps, with a remap when u get bored!

Not even looked at those so will go take a browse on autotrader

Chassis from the Jag IIRC?

[RobCrezz]

wilbo83 said:

RobCrezz said:

I would suggest an evo or impreza, but mine does like a drink!

Still quite fancy an impreza but would need to do a fair bit of motorway mileage, can they be reasonable if driven sensible or do they always drink fuel? Don't fancy the service intervals of the evo too much

I wouldn't discount an evo due to service intervals, its only oils mostly. But speaking for the evo, even when taking it easy on the motorway you can only hope for high 20s mpg.

[wilbo83]

Hoping to check out a Impreza WRX 2.0 later this week, mpg doesnt look too bad if you stay away from the STi model, and I cant think of much else for £6-8k that excites me, only other options are BMW 3 series or Audi A4, but they seem so common and boring! Want 4 doors and comfortable for 4 adults.

[dave9]

rx8 231 brake one for £3995

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2300515.htm

[wilbo83]

dave9 said:

rx8 231 brake one for £3995

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2300515.htm

I have heard that rotary engines shouldn't be used for short trips and as my commute will be about 20 mins didnt think it would be suitable

[Qube]

wilbo83 said:

Hoping to check out a Impreza WRX 2.0 later this week, mpg doesnt look too bad if you stay away from the STi model, and I cant think of much else for £6-8k that excites me, only other options are BMW 3 series or Audi A4, but they seem so common and boring! Want 4 doors and comfortable for 4 adults.

What about a Micra 1.5 DCI 86 BHP Sport + ?, 60mpg, £30 Tax, the car and will easily accommodate 4 average adults.

[wilbo83]

Qube said:

wilbo83 said:

Hoping to check out a Impreza WRX 2.0 later this week, mpg doesnt look too bad if you stay away from the STi model, and I cant think of much else for £6-8k that excites me, only other options are BMW 3 series or Audi A4, but they seem so common and boring! Want 4 doors and comfortable for 4 adults.

What about a Micra 1.5 DCI 86 BHP Sport + ?, 60mpg, £30 Tax, the car and will easily accommodate 4 average adults.

Hmm, would also like to move up from the celica in performance! Although 60mpg sounds good, lol

[STW2010]

wilbo83 said:

dave9 said:

rx8 231 brake one for £3995

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2300515.htm

I have heard that rotary engines shouldn't be used for short trips and as my commute will be about 20 mins didnt think it would be suitable

RX8's don't like short trips where the engine doesn't get up to temperature. A drive of 5-10 minutes is generally the minimum, so for 20 minutes you'll be fine.

HOWEVER- they will return an mpg of between 18 and 24, regardless of driving style. When I had mine a full tank (circa 50 litres) would yield 200 miles (max). Mostly motorway driving that figure can (rarely) get to 300 miles. I never managed this- there is even a special thread on the RX8 owners club for those that have managed this. It is rare.

You mentioned motorway miles. So on that basis I would recommend a BMW 3 series- a 330 coupe to be specific. You will get around 30 mpg with these, and they are powerful cars. It would be a good step from the Celica

[wilbo83]

STW2010 said:

wilbo83 said:

dave9 said:

rx8 231 brake one for £3995

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2300515.htm

I have heard that rotary engines shouldn't be used for short trips and as my commute will be about 20 mins didnt think it would be suitable

RX8's don't like short trips where the engine doesn't get up to temperature. A drive of 5-10 minutes is generally the minimum, so for 20 minutes you'll be fine.

HOWEVER- they will return an mpg of between 18 and 24, regardless of driving style. When I had mine a full tank (circa 50 litres) would yield 200 miles (max). Mostly motorway driving that figure can (rarely) get to 300 miles. I never managed this- there is even a special thread on the RX8 owners club for those that have managed this. It is rare.

You mentioned motorway miles. So on that basis I would recommend a BMW 3 series- a 330 coupe to be specific. You will get around 30 mpg with these, and they are powerful cars. It would be a good step from the Celica

They sound even more un-economical than the WRX! The 3 series is one I may consider, i like the shape of the coupe although that doesnt tick the 4 doors box. My only downside is i used to have an e36 coupe and RWD isnt the best in this countries weather.

[STW2010]

I drive an e46 (not a 330 though) and I must say that the rwd isn't brilliantly suited to the cold weather, but it's not tragic either.

[mmcd87]

wilbo83 said:

Hoping to check out a Impreza WRX 2.0 later this week, mpg doesnt look too bad if you stay away from the STi model, and I cant think of much else for £6-8k that excites me, only other options are BMW 3 series or Audi A4, but they seem so common and boring! Want 4 doors and comfortable for 4 adults.

The Impreza WRX wagon is a very good car and assuming you can afford to run it, a bit of a performance bargain - try and get a similar year/condition hot hatch for the same money... You could realistically expect 30+MPG on a motorway run, but bear in mind that you will really need to feed it super unleaded and insurance is not the cheapest. Tax is OK as CO2 is under the magic 225g/km. Ace in the snow too.

Good thread here on running costs & MPG http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Here's mine (scroll down)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[wilbo83]

mmcd87 said:

wilbo83 said:

Hoping to check out a Impreza WRX 2.0 later this week, mpg doesnt look too bad if you stay away from the STi model, and I cant think of much else for £6-8k that excites me, only other options are BMW 3 series or Audi A4, but they seem so common and boring! Want 4 doors and comfortable for 4 adults.

The Impreza WRX wagon is a very good car and assuming you can afford to run it, a bit of a performance bargain - try and get a similar year/condition hot hatch for the same money... You could realistically expect 30+MPG on a motorway run, but bear in mind that you will really need to feed it super unleaded and insurance is not the cheapest. Tax is OK as CO2 is under the magic 225g/km. Ace in the snow too.

Good thread here on running costs & MPG http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Here's mine (scroll down)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks, I started that thread but yes, the impreza does seem to keep coming up with positives! The wagon could suit me well as i am a keen cyclist so could even get my bike in it pretty easily