First real car.

[Parry12345]

Struggling to choose what to buy for my first real car (currently drive a 1.0 2001 VW Polo I got for free). I am 25.

At first I really wanted a Type R. Expensive to insure, uncomfortable, and not modern however.

I have narrowed it down currently to a 1.8 i-VTEC Honda Civic ES (140bhp, 0-60 in 8.6, 2013) and a 1.4 TSI Seat Leon SE (138bhp, 0-60 in 7.7, 2014). The Civic is more comfortable and more practical; the Leon is quicker with more mid-range shove and more modern (fancy touchscreen!).

My requirements are a practical hatchback that I can fit two road bikes in the back with the seats down, reasonably nippy (though evidently doesn't have to be blistering), up to 10k, comfortable enough my girlfriend doesn't dump me, some modern mod cons (cruise control and bluetooth that I can play Spotify through).

Would you buy the 1.8 Civic, the 1.4 Leon, something different altogether, or **** it and buy an old Type R?

[Alex_225]

Of those two I think the Leon would take my vote purely as I prefer them as a car, sadly I can't judge them in any practical way I'm afraid.

£10k though, does open you up to a really good range of vehicles though but of course I'd imagine running costs would be a factor. Out of interest do the bikes have to fit inside the car? haha

[Nickp82]

fk it and get the type r would be my vote , there will be plenty of opportunity in your life to buy sensible cars like the other two.

But if you do go sensible I recommend the tsi Leon, I have had a Leon with this engine and it is quite a fun car to drive. I personally am a big fan of the Leon styling also (I now have a Cupra)

Civic is dull as ditchwater imho and possibly quite thirsty?

[Parry12345]

The Type R is thirsty as ****. The 1.8 Civic is economical, 45mpg or something. Initially the insurance costs were drawing me away from the Type R, but I have managed to find a quote that isn't horrendous. Really, it's the mod cons. The Type R is meant to have an absolutely appalling level of ride comfort, and most models don't have bluetooth phone integration (so no easy phone streaming etc). Is the 1.8 Civic that dull? It's numbers aren't great but they also aren't terrible

the bikes could go on the roof I suppose if the car made up for it by being great!

[Butter Face]

Parry12345 said:

or **** it and buy an old Type R?

Yup.

I did it 3 years ago. It's supercharged now and running 320bhp. I don't look back, it's ace.

Parry12345 said:

The Type R is thirsty as ****. The 1.8 Civic is economical, 45mpg or something.

Type R's arent that bad if you look after them, 30mpg is possible. The 1.8 civic will not do much more, it's still a high revving engine that has to be worked

[Hammy98]

Type R and put a double din screen in with apple car play/android auto. Pillow on the OH's seat.

Job jobbed.