3K Budget, WHAT CAR SHOULD I BUY!!!
Discussion
Hi guys, we have another what car thread but I'm stuck on what to buy. I have a £3,000 budget (may stretch by a few hundred but i wanted to keep that for any work needed) and my list of requirements are as follows
must be under 3k
must have 200 bhp +
must have air con
under 100,000 miles preferred
be clean, prefer a full service history but not essential, i plan on doing a full service and cam belt etc when i get the car.
mpg doesn't matter as its a weekend toy more than anything and a bit of a project which i plan on keeping and turning into the perfect car.
the top of the list currently is a 225 bhp Seat Leon Cupra R or Audi TT 225
so is the Cupra R the best under 3k 225 bhp car or is there something out there that you would consider to be better...
must be under 3k
must have 200 bhp +
must have air con
under 100,000 miles preferred
be clean, prefer a full service history but not essential, i plan on doing a full service and cam belt etc when i get the car.
mpg doesn't matter as its a weekend toy more than anything and a bit of a project which i plan on keeping and turning into the perfect car.
the top of the list currently is a 225 bhp Seat Leon Cupra R or Audi TT 225
so is the Cupra R the best under 3k 225 bhp car or is there something out there that you would consider to be better...
There is boat loads of jap metal for that sort of money, mr2 turbo, celica gt4, scoobies, 200 sx etc. Most older VAG cars with the 1.8 turbo lump can or do make 200 bhp. Then you've got E46 330's, E36 328 (ok just short of 200 but manifold mod sees them over). Plenty more options I'm sure
Meganes are fine - electrical niggles and rattles are the main issues.
Not sure how fast they feel standard as I bought mine with significant modifications in that department but they're a really good drive at least on the cup chassis- steering feel is great, everything is very controlled and precise and adjustable.
On that note - the cup chassis is a must imo so make sure you go for a cup/trophy/r26/f1
Im not sure you'd quite get a good one that wanted nothing doing for 3k though - if you're prepared to spend out on belts or front suspension/steering bits in the first year you could end up with a pretty decent motor.
Edit
Fwiw. I came from 300+ bhp classic sti-ra into a 300+bhp megane cup and find the megane significantly more fun than the scoob for everything except humiliating m3s at traffic lights. Fwd doesnt automatically mean less fun
Not sure how fast they feel standard as I bought mine with significant modifications in that department but they're a really good drive at least on the cup chassis- steering feel is great, everything is very controlled and precise and adjustable.
On that note - the cup chassis is a must imo so make sure you go for a cup/trophy/r26/f1
Im not sure you'd quite get a good one that wanted nothing doing for 3k though - if you're prepared to spend out on belts or front suspension/steering bits in the first year you could end up with a pretty decent motor.
Edit
Fwiw. I came from 300+ bhp classic sti-ra into a 300+bhp megane cup and find the megane significantly more fun than the scoob for everything except humiliating m3s at traffic lights. Fwd doesnt automatically mean less fun
Edited by Poopipe on Friday 22 August 18:07
More fun in what way? The way it understeers? The way it wheelspins in the wet? The way it is far less of an event to drive and feels far less special?
I guess fun really is a very subjective term if that is your honest opinion (I very much doubt it is).
Often people do try to make themselves feel that a downgrade is really an upgrade and talk it up.
I guess fun really is a very subjective term if that is your honest opinion (I very much doubt it is).
Often people do try to make themselves feel that a downgrade is really an upgrade and talk it up.
rb5er said:
A modern Fwd for a weekend fun car?
An evo, mr2, 200sx,impreza etc etc are much more fun than your suggestions.
Dont like Jap cars? I'm guessing you are more concerned by perceived image rather than driving thrills.
Ive had Jap cars in the past and I've driven tuned Evos and Imprezas. There great 0-60 cars and good track cars but IMO a FWD hatch would be more fun on the road, hence the Cupra R being top of the list for now.An evo, mr2, 200sx,impreza etc etc are much more fun than your suggestions.
Dont like Jap cars? I'm guessing you are more concerned by perceived image rather than driving thrills.
Edited by rb5er on Friday 22 August 17:57
If i went Jap id have a Civic Type R, S2000 or Silvia S15 which are above my budget.
In all honesty image is a part of it, i want a fun to drive car thats built well and looks good.
NotAnotherTrader said:
Paul671 said:
My Civic (EP3) cost me less than £3k and ticks all of your boxes, they can be had for Cupra money.
i have looked into that and it is an option...http://youtu.be/m6BTrKmyAAc
rb5er said:
More fun in what way? The way it understeers? The way it wheelspins in the wet? The way it is far less of an event to drive and feels far less special?
I guess fun really is a very subjective term if that is your honest opinion (I very much doubt it is).
Often people do try to make themselves feel that a downgrade is really an upgrade and talk it up.
Yeah, 'cause Impreza's don't understeer...I guess fun really is a very subjective term if that is your honest opinion (I very much doubt it is).
Often people do try to make themselves feel that a downgrade is really an upgrade and talk it up.
Never been in a Megane but they look good on paper. Renault tend to know their FWDs. I drove a Leon Cupra R and all i remember is that it is the worst riding car i've ever experienced!
Bit different to the above but one of these 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-SAAB-9-3-AERO-V6-BL...
Add £450 for a remap and your looking at 320bhp & just over 400ft/lbs torque
http://www.jzwbmwtuning.com/product/v6-2-8-cars-i-...
Quick car.....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-SAAB-9-3-AERO-V6-BL...
Add £450 for a remap and your looking at 320bhp & just over 400ft/lbs torque
http://www.jzwbmwtuning.com/product/v6-2-8-cars-i-...
Quick car.....
I know its under the 200bhp level but its well under the £budget too.
Renault Clio Sport 172 phase 2. A hoot to drive proper raw ish Hot hatch plus you should get your £ back as they cannot really go much lower.
Failing that an SLK 320 lovely car for the £ and a different more upmarket option.
E90 330d/i
944 S2 but hold out for a Turbo S if you can lovely cars but make sure you check the sills else you can spend the budget again on fixing them!
Renault Clio Sport 172 phase 2. A hoot to drive proper raw ish Hot hatch plus you should get your £ back as they cannot really go much lower.
Failing that an SLK 320 lovely car for the £ and a different more upmarket option.
E90 330d/i
944 S2 but hold out for a Turbo S if you can lovely cars but make sure you check the sills else you can spend the budget again on fixing them!
I currently have a Leon Cupra R. I've had it for nearly 3 years. It's a very good value family hot hatch and has a fair bit of power but it does ultimately lack character. On the right A road and when the mood suits it can bring a smile to your face but on the very limit the handling can be a little disappointing. It is quite a heavy car and this shows on very twisty country roads. Having said that it can show a clean pair of heels to some of the more 'prestige' brands and you get loads of kit and a torquey turbo engine which is ripe for tuning. The climate control is excellent and it has the best cup holder of any car I have owned!
3k will get you a decent 210 or a fairly rough 225. Sale prices vary wildly, I paid 5k for mine 3 years ago but depreciation hits them hard, although some owners seem to find this hard to accept.
Don't expect great mpg. My overall average is 25.6. I have seen 31 once driving like a nun.
Any questions just ask.
3k will get you a decent 210 or a fairly rough 225. Sale prices vary wildly, I paid 5k for mine 3 years ago but depreciation hits them hard, although some owners seem to find this hard to accept.
Don't expect great mpg. My overall average is 25.6. I have seen 31 once driving like a nun.
Any questions just ask.
jc84 said:
I currently have a Leon Cupra R. I've had it for nearly 3 years. It's a very good value family hot hatch and has a fair bit of power but it does ultimately lack character. On the right A road and when the mood suits it can bring a smile to your face but on the very limit the handling can be a little disappointing. It is quite a heavy car and this shows on very twisty country roads. Having said that it can show a clean pair of heels to some of the more 'prestige' brands and you get loads of kit and a torquey turbo engine which is ripe for tuning. The climate control is excellent and it has the best cup holder of any car I have owned!
3k will get you a decent 210 or a fairly rough 225. Sale prices vary wildly, I paid 5k for mine 3 years ago but depreciation hits them hard, although some owners seem to find this hard to accept.
Don't expect great mpg. My overall average is 25.6. I have seen 31 once driving like a nun.
Any questions just ask.
Depreciation hits them hard? You bought it £5k 3 years ago so even its its now worthless its cost you a mere £140pcm. 3k will get you a decent 210 or a fairly rough 225. Sale prices vary wildly, I paid 5k for mine 3 years ago but depreciation hits them hard, although some owners seem to find this hard to accept.
Don't expect great mpg. My overall average is 25.6. I have seen 31 once driving like a nun.
Any questions just ask.
Climate control is just dual zone and itvdoes the job - excellent is not how I'd describe it.
Best cup holders ever- hmm I had the mk1 they were without question the worst/flimsiest ones I've hard in all the cars I've owned with them.
The dash is quite plasitcy they have common coil pack faults also door seals fail and the rear wash wipe pipe comes lose and then washes the inside of the boot.
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