Looking for any advice in the 6-7k "bit of fun" hatch market - Page 1 - Car Buying

randomman

Original Poster

2,215 posts

217 months

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[news]

Monday 7th February 2022

Hi all,

I keep flip/flapping between keeping my M140 or downgrading to something cheaper for a few years as, like a lot of people, my mileage has plummeted in the last 2 years.

I think the time is right to do so, however I suffer from extreme budget creep disorder. I start looking at 5k cars, before long they're 10-12k cars and that typically brings me back to keeping the BMW.

I think I've narrowed it down to two cars, I'm open to other suggestions but I'll put my thinking at the end.

Suzuki Swift Sport - Plenty of decent ones in the 6-7k range. Reliable, fun to chuck, generally dirt cheap to run.

FN2 Civic Type R - Same as above regarding good ones in budget, although more likely to have had a harder life, I'd be looking at pre-2010 I think in the price range, which means no standard LSD. Generally known reliability, but Honda prices on a 12 year old car do spark some concerns.

I've discounted the following (reasons in brackets)
Fiesta ST Mk7.5(love them, but decent ones are out of budget)
Focus ST 2.5 (Pretty on fuel, some worry about the strength of the block, particularly if its ever been mapped, which could easily be concealed by a seller)
208GTi/Lexus IS250 (Whilst a couple are in budget, all the good ones appear to be above, I like them both for different reasons but these two regularly suffer from the aforementioned extreme budget creep disorder)
Cliched as it may be, I would worry about any 10 year old+ French or German cars. At least the Fords are generally cheap to fix.

So that's where I'm at, I'm happy to hear any thoughts or suggestions folk have.

Or any advice on overcoming the budget creep issue!

georgeyboy12345

4,573 posts

63 months

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Monday 7th February 2022

How are you paying for your M140i? Lease? PCP? Loan?

Might be worth keeping it depending on your situation.

You might find a Civic Type R or Swift Sport very slow now, having got used to an M140i

Belle427

11,785 posts

261 months

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Monday 7th February 2022

Golf Gti Edition 30 if you can find a decent one, a stage 1 map sees them at an easy 300 bhp if you fancy a bit more power.
Can get a bit expensive to run if they have been poorly maintained but there are some cherished examples out there.

randomman

Original Poster

2,215 posts

217 months

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[news]

Monday 7th February 2022

georgeyboy12345 said:

How are you paying for your M140i? Lease? PCP? Loan?

Might be worth keeping it depending on your situation.

You might find a Civic Type R or Swift Sport very slow now, having got used to an M140i

It's PCP, I'll have about 5k of "equity" (is it call that with cars?) due to buying just before the market went ape. The remainder I'll top up with a few pennies from savings.

I think most things will feel slow in budget unfortunately. However the thought of wringing a little hatch for every hp does appeal, the BMW has amazing power but its hard to feel rewarding without doing jail speeds.

RoVoFob

1,575 posts

186 months

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Monday 7th February 2022

randomman said:

It's PCP, I'll have about 5k of "equity" (is it call that with cars?) due to buying just before the market went ape. The remainder I'll top up with a few pennies from savings.

I think most things will feel slow in budget unfortunately. However the thought of wringing a little hatch for every hp does appeal, the BMW has amazing power but its hard to feel rewarding without doing jail speeds.

What about a BMW 130i? Decent ones should be available for £7k or less. They’re also pretty reliable for this type of car and running costs aren’t bad.

You get to keep rear-wheel-drive and a lovely straight-six engine, but can use more of the car’s power more of the time - without being traction-limited or worrying about your licence in the same way - and benefit from an improved throttle response and hydraulic steering (with pre-facelift models).

I had a work M140i Championship Edition (with LSD and Michelin Pilot Super Sports) alongside my old 130i for six months and preferred driving the standard 130i. I even found the 130i more comfortable and more planted on the autobahn. It’s a great car and far better value than other big-engined hatches, like the Clio V6, 147 GTA and Golf R32.

I imagine that the Swift and Civic would feel like much more of a step down…

Edited by RoVoFob on Tuesday 8th February 12:04

KPB1973

938 posts

127 months

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[news]

Monday 7th February 2022

Personally, I wouldn't bother. It'll be too close to the experience you already have, albeit with maybe with better suspension control and steering feel.

I'd put that £7k into a decent 2-seater like a 986, or, if you're dead set on another hot hatch - something like an R26-era Megane or a Clio 197.

RichFN2

4,285 posts

207 months

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Monday 7th February 2022

Had my FN2 for 7 years now and its been very reliable, but some wear & tear items can be rather hard to source compared to Vauxhall/Ford/VW etc so make sure your have a decent garage you can trust nearby. There are hardly any Honda specialists out there but you might be lucky enough to have one that's a reasonable distance.

Once you get to know them they are quick enough to feel 'fast' and have enough power for overtaking etc, removing the sound deadening under the bonnet makes it more aggressive in VTEC. The gearbox is fantastic (when warm) and they do handle well, but many at this age may have various components on the way out which can make them feel rather vague.

The interior is well made and practical with absolutely nothing being premium, the ride is firm and the gearbox has close ratios so not the best for long journeys but I have learned to put up with it.

ZX10R NIN

30,454 posts

153 months

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[news]

Monday 7th February 2022

randomman said:

Hi all,

I keep flip/flapping between keeping my M140 or downgrading to something cheaper for a few years as, like a lot of people, my mileage has plummeted in the last 2 years.

I think the time is right to do so, however I suffer from extreme budget creep disorder. I start looking at 5k cars, before long they're 10-12k cars and that typically brings me back to keeping the BMW.

I think I've narrowed it down to two cars, I'm open to other suggestions but I'll put my thinking at the end.

Suzuki Swift Sport - Plenty of decent ones in the 6-7k range. Reliable, fun to chuck, generally dirt cheap to run.

FN2 Civic Type R - Same as above regarding good ones in budget, although more likely to have had a harder life, I'd be looking at pre-2010 I think in the price range, which means no standard LSD. Generally known reliability, but Honda prices on a 12 year old car do spark some concerns.

I've discounted the following (reasons in brackets)
Fiesta ST Mk7.5(love them, but decent ones are out of budget)
Focus ST 2.5 (Pretty on fuel, some worry about the strength of the block, particularly if its ever been mapped, which could easily be concealed by a seller)
208GTi/Lexus IS250 (Whilst a couple are in budget, all the good ones appear to be above, I like them both for different reasons but these two regularly suffer from the aforementioned extreme budget creep disorder)
Cliched as it may be, I would worry about any 10 year old+ French or German cars. At least the Fords are generally cheap to fix.

So that's where I'm at, I'm happy to hear any thoughts or suggestions folk have.

Or any advice on overcoming the budget creep issue!

NorthernSky

1,068 posts

145 months

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[news]

Tuesday 8th February 2022

You might cure your PCP and associated financial worries/stress by buying a lightweight shed, or, at best a warm hatch at the £3,000 mark. Do not allow yourself the 6-8k budget as you will be falling into the car price rise trap, triggered by COVID.

Thrash that car hard, and rediscover the joy AND point of a hatchback in doing so. Some suggestions;

Alfa MiTo 1.4, 155 or 170hp cloverleaf

Clio 172

Saxo VTR

Etc.

classicfred

424 posts

105 months

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Tuesday 8th February 2022

Jamescrs

6,291 posts

93 months

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Tuesday 8th February 2022

I'd be looking at a 2 seater convertable personally if you can live with the lack of rear seats.

Probably a Mk3 MX5 for chea maintenance and reliability

If it was a hatch I'd be buying a Clio 197 or 200 they are generally reliable as anything similar of similar age and loads of support for them

M.F.D

933 posts

129 months

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[news]

Tuesday 8th February 2022

OP - Drop the french things are crap thing.

At this budget, I would consider the following..

- Megane R26 - Decent grunt, LSD, brilliant chassis, still looks good (subjective obviously)

- Clio 200 Cup - As above, with a little less grunt but nice N/A car

- EP3 Type R - Mega engine, appreciating asset, ultra reliable

- FN2 Type R - As above, but cheaper and less desirable for now

- Golf Mk5 GTI - Very competent car for the money, tuneable, cheap

- R53 Cooper S - Would get an absolute minter at this budget, LSD, reliable if looked after, nice noise

You need to accept that all of the above require maintenance, but if you buy carefully none should be hitting you with large bills. Discounting Renaultsport stuff because it is French at this budget is extremely short sighted.

fflump

3,439 posts

66 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 8th February 2022

A Mini hatch coupe or even soft top JCW can be got at around £7k and look tempting.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

Another shout for the Giulietta (1750 TBi Cloverleaf looks a decent amount of car for the money)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...

Left-field option: Alfa Brera or Spider? The Brera is a bit leggy but there are not many around so you'd need to search regularly.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...

randomman

Original Poster

2,215 posts

217 months

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[news]

Tuesday 8th February 2022

Thank you kindly to all those that have taken time to make suggestions and post links. There are certainly a few that I will be exploring further.

I probably should have stated my aim for changing, that is to save a few pennies. Whilst I may strike the jackpot with a gem I would feel financially exposed in a 20 year old Porsche, or a 30 year old 205gti (although that one may be worth it to see the look on the Mrs' face when I get home). Also, I going to need 4+ seats at this stage (well 3 actually but McLaren F1s are out of budget)

I like quite a few French cars, but there may be a reason why the numbers available absolutely plummet off a cliff after around 10 years and 100k miles, although I will look a little more into the longevity of Clio 200s, small, light-ish, N/A manual hatches will always have a soft spot.

I'm willing to buy into the, possibly exaggerated, worry regarding pre 2012 "Prince" engines too (1.6t Pug/Citroen/Mini) there are seemingly a LOT of horror stories and, despite being such a common engine examples over 100k are relatively few and far between.

Thanks again, I'll update this thread when I've done a bit more due diligence, until then I'm always happy for suggestions.

Cheers

Edited by randomman on Tuesday 8th February 11:02

dutters

55 posts

139 months

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[news]

Tuesday 8th February 2022

Having come from a string of Renault Sports over the years, Twingo RS, Clio Mk2 RS, Clio Mk3 RS, Clio Mk4 RS, Megane R26 and now own a BMW M140i and still have the Clio 182, I know what you mean. I nearly have done the same as your thinking by downgrading but have decided against it. However if I had to get rid of the BMW it would be the Megane R26 or the Mk3 Clio 200. Both are more refined than a mk2 Clio RS but great fun to drive with the Megane possibly being the better of the two cars.

My personal reasons for not "downgrading" are that the engine in the BMW is simply fantastic. No other hot hatch comes close for noise in my opinion and with my recent purchase of an exhaust, it is even better. I do have the Clio to use for high revving lunacy when I want it, but it is more of a track focused car so not usable daily.

Edited by dutters on Tuesday 8th February 16:55

Mr Tidy

31,001 posts

155 months

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Tuesday 8th February 2022

If you like your 140i I would have thought a BMW 130i would be a prime candidate.

Although if you could live with a 4 door saloon you could get an early E90 330i with the same engine for half the money. Might help with your budget creep!