Need help choosing new car

[lawyered07]

So i started off looking at something small and fun which could share the miles with my mustang as im doing about 14k a year, maybe be slightly more practical and would be half decent on the odd track day (5 or 6 a year). I'd like to keep it under £8k, ideally around £6k if i can.

usual thoughts...some type of RS clio, civic type R, mini cooper S/works but mostly fiesta ST180 as had a drive in a standard one and it was a riot. plus easy to get more HP from if i ever wanted to in the future.

however, a baby on the way has potentially changed plans, will be second child, probably need a little more focus on the practical side of things. clio and mini will i think be too much hassle. fez may be ok...

but now considering older bmw 130/125 (maybe a 135 but ive read they need work to get them feeling good on track) or mk3 focus ST.

when i was younger i always wanted a focus st170 so will give that a go...would be a cheap and practical option. have read the gearing is pretty crap though.

any other suggestions?? or anyone with feedback on tracking a mk3 ST?

cheers

[Mr Tidy]

I had a BMW 325ti Compact that I really enjoyed but never tracked, but as a serial BMW owner I keep reading about them all!

And from what I have read all those BMW options could do with some suspension mods and an LSD for track use especially. Now you are a parent a 125i might be hard work with only 2 doors, and they need a remap to make 130i power and they also have smaller front brakes than a 130i. My nephew sold his 325ti Compact when he became a dad after I found him a 325i Touring.

But I've no experience of any of your other options.

[soad]

Wouldn’t bother with a ST170, too slow. EP3 CTR all day, although prices gone up.

[CrippsCorner]

I'm about to buy a Fiesta ST with 3 kids

[AnhBanhBao]

I put up a post recently about the Mk3 Focus ST and why it’s less-favoured against the Fiesta. Thoughts were that it’s not very dynamic, a bit ‘baggier’ and very sensitive to tyres and tyre wear even on the road, never mind the track. Practically they look hard to beat, though.

I also looked at FN2, but they were getting a bit old and crusty, unless you upped the budget for a later Championship White/Mugen etc.

Eventually plumped for a ZC32S Swift Sport 5dr. Not sure if it would be a bit breathless for you though. Well-maintained they can supposedly take a pounding on track, not that that’s in my immediate plans.

[lawyered07]

soad said:

Wouldn’t bother with a ST170, too slow. EP3 CTR all day, although prices gone up.

had considered the EP3 but not too keen on the looks and if im going older and impractical i think a 182 would clinch it...cheaper too. any CTRs ive seen are dog rough or stupid money

[lawyered07]

thanks for all the replies.

i think the focus has the mix of drive and practicality...can only know by driving one which hopefully i will do tomorrow. if it doesnt lose out too much to the smaller cars then probably choice made. my sister had a mk2 ST which was good fun to drive with a few minor mods.

i cant find anything that offers the same mix (without having driven it yet!) so far. maybe a golf but they just seem a bit boring

[Jamescrs]

I owned a Mk3 Focus ST when my second child arrived and I sold it not long afterward, the main issue being with a rear facing baby seat in the back the front seat legroom is very limited unless whoever is in the front is very short.

I did take mine on track at Oulton Park and I didn't think it was particularly good as a track car either, mine had the MR tuning kit on it

[keo]

lawyered07 said:

had considered the EP3 but not too keen on the looks and if im going older and impractical i think a 182 would clinch it...cheaper too. any CTRs ive seen are dog rough or stupid money

Just my opinion. I had an ep3 ctr and it was completely ruined by the numb electric steering with no feel. Engine and box were brilliant though! But I just didn’t like it. Was improved by some better tyres though.

I had a Clio 182 albeit a trophy I much preferred that and is probably the car I regret selling the most.

[lawyered07]

Jamescrs said:

I owned a Mk3 Focus ST when my second child arrived and I sold it not long afterward, the main issue being with a rear facing baby seat in the back the front seat legroom is very limited unless whoever is in the front is very short.

I did take mine on track at Oulton Park and I didn't think it was particularly good as a track car either, mine had the MR tuning kit on it

good to know, particularly on track. i wouldnt be opposed to getting coilovers on there but dont want to be sinking thousands into it to get it handling properly, which is why im against BMW 1 series options.

i think i'd be ok size wise as i wouldnt generally have someone in the front passenger seat with child in the back...if all of us go somewhere would be in the wife's Q5.