£18k FN2 replacement

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Original Poster

3,631 posts

184 months

Friday 12th July

So after 9 years of hassle free fun motoring in my FN2 I need a new car fairly quickly, unfortunately mine has been written off after a lorry drove into me and I need a daily driver for commuting to work etc.

The FN2 has been an absolute blast, the engine and gearbox are an absolute pleasure, it handles well and the steering feels great with a good amount of feedback and a nice weight to it. The seats are also great being big comfortable bucket seats.

Its not perfect though, the stereo is terrible as are the headlights despite using upgraded bulbs. It also lacks any form of technology apart from auto wipers and electric windows. The ride is also extremely firm which I got used to but it does grate on a long journey, the engine is also buzzing away at 4krpm at motorway speeds....

It seems like the Leon Cupra 290 could be the ideal blend of a modern hot hatch that's the perfect blend of being fun while fully loaded with modern tech, led headlights etc that make the daily commute more comfortable. Is there anything I should also consider? A few i30n have also popped up in my price range

Jayho

2,106 posts

175 months

Friday 12th July

If you like the Civic then why not one of the newer ones? I think the FK2 can easily be had for budget, and some FK8's might just about touch your budget or wouldn't need much more to get into one?

Hippea

2,048 posts

74 months

Friday 12th July

FD2

SKM1984

208 posts

154 months

Friday 12th July

Not a fan of the reputation attached to the leon 280/290/300,

FK2 on the other hand gets my vote. I was on the lookout but stretched further and bough a mk4 megane rs

roadie

750 posts

267 months

Friday 12th July

Lots and lots and lots of hot hatches available for that healthy budget! I think just getting out and driving a bunch of them would be a good use of time.

If you can stay with a 3 door, I had an RS Megane 265 Cup that was an incredible car. Very firm at low speed and the stereo was poor, but the Recaros, handling and engine were sublime.

Original Poster

3,631 posts

184 months

Friday 12th July

FD2 would be ideal as a 2nd car but I know the ride is even firmer than the FN2, that would grate after a while. Plus the heavy clutch in heavy traffic gets tiring.

Megane 265 would likely be the same,FK2 is the obvious answer but I just can't get past the looks. And being Honda the stereo etc will be average at best. Shame as I know it's going to be the most fun with a bonkers engine.

I'm rapidly approaching 40 and adaptive damage, auto gearbox, decent sound system, android auto etc, LED headlights etc are becoming more and more appealing although I'm happy with it being manual if the rest of the car is right.

I30N seems to get everything right except it's a little on the heavy side and could do with an extra 20bhp to compensate.

Edited by RichFN2 on Friday 12th July 18:16

CarlosSainz100

561 posts

125 months

Friday 12th July

Alfa Romeo Guiletta QV?

You can get a really good one for less than 18k and they are very reliable despite being an Alfa.

CarlosSainz100

561 posts

125 months

Friday 12th July

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024062711...

Focus ST?

They have all the tech you'll need

CarlosSainz100

561 posts

125 months

Friday 12th July

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024061307...

Lexus RC F sport.....

ZX10R NIN

28,099 posts

130 months

Friday 12th July

ChrisH72

2,308 posts

57 months

Friday 12th July

You'd have an awful lot of fun in a nearly new Fiesta ST.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024062009...

If I were looking for a more rounded hot hatch which was a bit less hard-core I'd probably try a Golf Gti performance, mainly to see what all the fuss is about.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024041084...

Plenty of hot hatch choices out there for 18k though so I'm sure you'll find something you like.

ED209

5,824 posts

249 months

Saturday 13th July

ZX10R NIN said:

That Maserati is really nice, is it not a massive bork risk though? Financial ruination pending?

Original Poster

3,631 posts

184 months

Saturday 13th July

Thanks all, that Focus is nice but it appears to be old tech compared to everything else. Most cars had an interior facelift with digital dash etc but the Focus never did unless I'm missing something.

M140i is out purely based on insurance quotes, nearly £1000 which is double everything else. Shame as I didn't like those but sods law for being in an accident that wasn't my fault (currently not settled) I'm sure the Maserati will be even higher! I'm also assuming the Jag will be similar as it's also in a higher insurance bracket than most hot hatches.

308Gti and RS280 are tempting but there never seems to be any fit sale locally (I will soon be without a car) which is a shame as the Megane looks fantastic.

Lexus looks absolutely fantastic but I would like something a little faster, my current hire car has similar performance stats and it's much slower than my FN2.

Alfa and Fiesta are a good shout actually, would prefer something slightly bigger but I should look into them more.

Golf GTi performance is a very good shout, prices seem to vary wildly but they do seem to the perfect blend of performance, comfort, nice interior, good spec, discreet yet nice looking etc. it's a good dilemma Vs a Cupra 290/300.

ChrisH72

2,308 posts

57 months

Saturday 13th July

There's always the Giulia Veloce if you don't mind a saloon.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071016...

These seem to have dropped in price recently.

I was in a similar position a couple of months ago with a 20k budget. Too many hot hatches to choose from and I actually ended up with an mx5!

Original Poster

3,631 posts

184 months

Saturday 13th July

I don't mind those at all, completely forget about these even though my mate had one and it seemed a great overall car. Felt pretty quick when I went out in his even with 4 people onboard. Lovely looking car and felt comfortable.

Only downside is I remember hearing they were easily stolen in seconds with no key needed due to a design flaw by Alfa. I wonder if this has been rectified?

ZX10R NIN

28,099 posts

130 months

Saturday 13th July

ED209 said:

That Maserati is really nice, is it not a massive bork risk though? Financial ruination pending?

No they're actually pretty robust BUT you will need a specialist near you, as most places won't have worked on them.

Tall_martin

51 posts

75 months

Sunday 14th July

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407101...

I worked for honda dealers. I had a memorable test drive in one. It had a suspension setting almost as soft as the 1.6 diesel civic I was in at the time.

So I'd go for one of these if I had £18 in my back pocket

CG2020UK

1,854 posts

45 months

Sunday 14th July

I think the Cupras are honestly brilliantly.

As standard they get more spec over the GTI such as adaptive suspension and e-diff. They also have the Golf R turbo so a simple remap will take you to 360bhp.

Things to look out for is the water pump and thermostat needing replaced every 4-6 years. People report going through manual clutches even stock however my GTI had the same clutch and I got over 60k miles despite a remap. Infotainment can freeze randomly on rare occurrences.

Seriously quick cars that offer loads of practicality and are so easy to live with. Can’t see you being disappointed.

culpz

4,923 posts

117 months

Monday 15th July

Another vote for the Cupra. GTI wouldn't get a look in unless it was a CS/ED40. You're getting Golf R power in a FWD package. I absolutely loved mine and was the perfect fast daily driver. Can be mapped to around 360-370 BHP with just a tune, but mine never felt like it lacked oomph to warrant it.

M140i/M240i would also be a close call for me.

MrSpanky49

128 posts

67 months

Monday 15th July

Cupra.

own a 290 manual, great out the box as dcc and diff come as standard, really do handle well- even better with some coilovers/stiffer ARB etc. easy to tune, generally reliable!

will need an intercooler if you plan on kicking the arse out of it (trackdays etc) and the manual clutch is awful and slips on standard power.

Great cars, love mine- wont be selling any time soon!

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