Yes, another what car. £5-£8k, five seats, bit of poke

[MissChief]

Sorry, yet another what car? Looking for a replacement for my '04 Leon Cupra 180 and am looking for something that has five seats (3 door is ok though), manual, petrol and with a bit of poke. To me that's 0-60 in around 7 seconds.

Obvious choice is a Golf GTI and I've looked around online at a few, how are they for shrugging off the miles? Some I've liked the look of have 80k+ miles and experience says things start wearing out and needing replaced and while they might be serviceable items it all adds to the cost which, understandably I want to keep as low as possible. Any owner experiences would be welcome, including Pirelli/Edition 30 owners.

Anything else I should be looking at? I could perhaps put the budget up to £10k if the car was exceptional.

[tomsugden]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-AUDI-S3-TFSI-QUATTR...

[MissChief]

tomsugden said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-AUDI-S3-TFSI-QUATTR...

Are they really that big of an upgrade over the equivalent GTI? I always think I'm paying for the badge.

[tomsugden]

It's 4wd for a start, and much better kitted out than a Golf. They go like stink too.

[driver67]

You could get a lowish mile BMW 130i LE for that money.

A few other decent 130's around as well.

[MissChief]

Hmm, a 130i never even crossed my mind. Off to have a look!

[driver67]

MissChief said:

Hmm, a 130i never even crossed my mind. Off to have a look!

It's an old school NA last of class straight six.

Such a machine.

[TameRacingDriver]

I've got a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si which has the same engine as the 130, and its a beaut. Sounds wonderful when revved, really howls. Its probably a little quieter in the 130i, but nothing a little mod here or there wouldn't take care of. RWD too so thats a bonus. That would get my vote.

[Jiebo]

tomsugden said:

It's 4wd for a start, and much better kitted out than a Golf. They go like stink too.

£10k car.. useful when the OPs is 5-8k right?

I'd prefer to save a packet and get the GTI instead. You can get a 08 with low miles for circa 6-7k.

[tomsugden]

Try reading the OP's original post in full.

Edited by tomsugden on Thursday 15th September 08:55

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're looking to stay in budget I'd say the Focus in ST-3 spec is hard to beat especially with that 5 cylinder lump up front, it's a great allrounder.

2008 ST-3 50k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If you want the best hot hatch then the Megane RS250 is the place to look.

2010 RS250 Cup 78k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

If I was going to buy a Golf it would have to be the R32

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


2011 RS250 42k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[culpz]

I'd say Megane 250 but might be a bit ropey and not well-specced for that budget. Probably need more like 10k for a decent one.

I'd for a a MK2 Focus ST. Every time one drives past me i just want one. That noise sounds so exotic for such a normal hatchback (to me anyway). Just be aware that they will be quite heavy on fuel in comparison to a MK5 Golf GTI or you current car. But considering you can get a good one at the lower end of your budget you could quite easily make up the fuel costs by spending less on the car.

Speaking of the Golf, i do like the GTI. In fact, it's my perfect car as a sensible-ish daily driver. For me though, it would have to be an Edition 30 as the normal ones really don't do much for me and even at 8k it will be a high mileage example. I don't really think it's worth it in the end really. They're doing well depreciation wise though so if that's a big factor then it really stands in the Golf's favour.

[MissChief]

Liking the idea of the Rs250 but how much space is there inside? My kids are 15 and 17 and both nearly 6ft so there needs to be some decent legroom and from the outside they look tiny inside.

I've considered a Focus ST as well but the idea of sub 20 mpg in town and a struggle to crack 30 on a run doesn't appeal when said golf will do 40mpg.

Can't say a R32 appeals to me really. Heavier and thirstier than the GTI with only the noise and 4WD as stand outs which I will rarely need.

Was also thinking about a Mondeo ST? Bit bigger I know.

[ZX10R NIN]

Space wise the Megane is no better or worse than the others, on the Focus note mine was on around 5mpg worse than my mates Golf/Meganes they had at the time but that engine note pretty much made up for it.

Talking of the Mondeo you could easily get a 2.0T Titanium X Sport which will have more than enough room for your children & still be a decent steer.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or a 2.5T

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or maybe the R36 Passat

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Douglas-ydldc]

Had the same dilemma 3 months ago, looked at loads of golf gti's, about 100k miles, couldnt get a decent one under 5k. Found a bmw 5 door 130i msport for 5k, 100k miles never thought I'd really like it always been a vw owner, after 3 months I love it, don't care about the mpg, just want to drive it. Still passes as family car.

Highly recommend BMW 130i but swap the run flats for normal tyres.

[driver67]

Douglas-ydldc said:

Had the same dilemma 3 months ago, looked at loads of golf gti's, about 100k miles, couldnt get a decent one under 5k. Found a bmw 5 door 130i msport for 5k, 100k miles never thought I'd really like it always been a vw owner, after 3 months I love it, don't care about the mpg, just want to drive it. Still passes as family car.

Highly recommend BMW 130i but swap the run flats for normal tyres.

Only around 1000 130i in the UK, all owners love them. Check out babybmw.net for more info.