Help me find my 2nd car please

[Conza]

I'm looking to get a reasonably priced hot hatch or a coupe budget is sort of $20-25k (AUD) a good site in Australia to look is called carsales.com.au

My poor old 306, will be ok for the next little while, but the heating coil has gone, and for a car worth... probably 3-4 grand on a good day, the repair cost was about 1.5, so I'm just by-passing it for now (no heater).

I probably want to take the next car on track days as well, so basically good brakes, good chassis, any reliable.

My first thoughts were for a Renault Clio 182, but then I realised the 172 is basically the same but half the price as well - but can't find one locally, and now there's interior issues so it's sort of off the cars.

I looked at a 206 GTI 180, but it was a bit too similar to my current car, and extremely small for not much weigth gain (43kgs?).

I've also found the Megane 225, but I don't like the look of it that much.

So a Golf V GTI DSG seems to be the current favourite.

Ford Focus is too fuel hungry, so is the Megane 225 Cup

Would love to hear suggestions, anything at all, use the carsales website if you like, see what you'd get with that much money

 

[Doog]

I'm not sure about the prices for them where you are, but a late model ('05 or '06) supercharged Mini Cooper S is a great little hatch. Very fun to drive, excellent steering, good power and great brakes. The ride can beat you up on bad roads, but the seats are pretty firm and comfortable for long trips. Great little car. 👍

 

[Conza]

That's right in the ball-park, lots of torque, not that efficient for a 1.6 surprisingly, there's a couple for under 15k too

 

[Zyla]

Being a huge Volkswagen fan, I would personally steer you toward the MKV Golf GTI. Awesome looks, comfortable interior, and outstanding performance. Has good amounts of torque as well if that interests you. Also, if you're the type of guy who likes to modify his cars, the GTI has a large variety of modifications and its power can increase drastically with few performance parts. They can be found for a reasonable price as well; mostly in the $8,000-$13,000 range. I recommend getting a MKV GTI. 👍

 

[Fastcarguy]

Not really a coupe or hot hatch but my brother is currently drivin a 2001 audi s4 that he bought for just $5000

 

[Conza]

Being a huge Volkswagen fan, I would personally steer you toward the MKV Golf GTI. Awesome looks, comfortable interior, and outstanding performance. Has good amounts of torque as well if that interests you. Also, if you're the type of guy who likes to modify his cars, the GTI has a large variety of modifications and its power can increase drastically with few performance parts. They can be found for a reasonable price as well; mostly in the $8,000-$13,000 range. I recommend getting a MKV GTI. 👍

Just on that note, remember I'm in Australia, so $13000 is the cheapest one, that's been put in a ditch, is black, manual, with 5 doors and 250,000kms+

So at $15k, its still a highly used one :/

 

[Doog]

That's right in the ball-park, lots of torque, not that efficient for a 1.6 surprisingly, there's a couple for under 15k too

Power for getting around town is decent at around 2500 revs, but it doesn't start to liven up until the supercharger comes to the party at about 3500. And you're right, for a 1.6, the fuel economy's pretty crappy. It averages about 30 (these are US measurements, I'm not sure what your measurement for fuel ecomomy is) miles per gallon primarily in light footed, highway driving.

Edit: I found this '05 Cooper S with 88k kilometers that looks pretty nice.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Heading the upper regions of your price bracket, are the twins:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-3-2006/SSE-AD-2099450/?Cr=0
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Focus-2007/SSE-AD-1137128/?Cr=0

Or at least twins in chassis only. The BK 3 MPS is definitely one to look at.

If you want something more "306-sized" though, look at the Ford Fiesta XR4:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Fiesta-2008/SSE-AD-2100568/?Cr=3

Or the Suzuki Swift Sport:

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Suzuki-Swift-2007/AGC-AD-13881871/?Cr=4

I'd pick either the 3 or the Focus though. The MPS has more out of the box but the XR5 Turbo is still a pretty accomplished bit of machinery. Looking at buying an LV Mk II myself actually.

 

[RDF97]

Heading the upper regions of your price bracket, are the twins:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mazda-3-2006/SSE-AD-2099450/?Cr=0
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Focus-2007/SSE-AD-1137128/?Cr=0

Or at least twins in chassis only. The BK 3 MPS is definitely one to look at.

If you want something more "306-sized" though, look at the Ford Fiesta XR4:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Fiesta-2008/SSE-AD-2100568/?Cr=3

Or the Suzuki Swift Sport:

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Suzuki-Swift-2007/AGC-AD-13881871/?Cr=4

I'd pick either the 3 or the Focus though. The MPS has more out of the box but the XR5 Turbo is still a pretty accomplished bit of machinery. Looking at buying an LV Mk II myself actually.

If you go into the search on the third link and go back to the results. You'll find one in white with blue stripes, manual and with only 26k and a manual for you budget. Plenty of life in that thing.

 

[Imari]

Is practicality a factor? If not, an MX5 or MR2 could be a good choice. S2000s can be had for 15k, but there's usually something wrong with them.

BMW? No M models for that money obviously, but you could get a decent 325 or something for that.

An Integra? They drive well, and it's a Honda so it probably won't break ever.

RX8s can be had for that price. Not unreliable, but possibly more complicated to look after than you're wanting. I wouldn't go near RX7s, great cars but require careful looking after.

If it were me and I was wanting something sort of practical but sporty, I'd go RX8 or Integra. A Focus is definitely a good option though. These are all fairly recent cars, so you shouldn't have much trouble going to a dealer and having a test drive to see which you like. Ultimately it'll be about which one suits you better and makes you feel comfortable than which is the best car on paper.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

An E46 3-Series is a decent car on your budget (manuals are a bit hard to find but a 325Ci or even 330Ci is doable); and you can also check out the Audi S3 Quattro (8L) which is a bit of a "refined powerhouse" so to speak. Loads of torque and it has the ever-venerable 1.8L VAG turbocharged 4 which is both reliable and greatly tunable, along with climate control, leather/leather-alcantara Recaros and all the mod-cons.

 

[Sertsa]

I'm not sure how it is in Australia, but in the US most VWs can be fairly expensive and difficult to repair and maintain, especially well used ones.

I've been very impressed with the Mazda 3. I even test drove it against the likes of a BMW 328i, Infiniti G35, Subaru Legacy GT and others. Now, I won't tell you that it's as enjoyable to drive as the 328i, as I'd be lying, but it's a very fun, nimble, responsive car. I bought one for my commuter car.

There are always older Honda Civics, but you'll want to avoid ones that someone with questionable skills modified.

A Subaru Imprezza may be another option if you'd like an AWD car. There's the WRX of course, but if you consider one make sure to get a quote from your insurance company first. (My quote was absurdly high). It also seems impossible for anyone to drive a WRX and not thrash it as hard as they can (which probably explains the high insurance rates. Well, and the owners tend to forget that as awesome as it is it still must obey the laws of physics).

 

[Conza]

Well I think now I'm onto the Golf GTI V

There's so many options though, I wanted the lightest Red one with a DSG. I tried a very tired silver one today (190k), still going really well, but I want one that I can drive for another 5-7 years (the Pug has lasted 6 in November), so I want a young one

Tartan seats, no sunroof, GPS optional but not prefered, 3-door DSG in Red.

I've heard some horror stories of the Clio 172/182, about how the steering wheels can melt? And other interior problems Renaults of the time had, so that ones kinda gone.

The Megane is way too fuel starving, plus torque steer is a concern.

Most importantly, I've stretched my budget to ~20k, but thats after fixing my current car to be sparkling good and saving some more, but I want a really young GTI, less than say 65,0000 kms / 40,000 miles

 

[Clark]

You want to buy a car with 190k on the clock with a DSG?

My advice is go for a lot younger of a car for a DSG. And that 190k in only like 8 or so years is a lot mileage per year.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

I've heard some horror stories of the Clio 172/182, about how the steering wheels can melt?

Every car's got "horror stories." Volkswagen has "horror stories" about its DSG gearbox.

Some are true, some are not. Don't rule out one of the best cars you were looking at because someone's been claiming his steering wheel's melted; I know plenty of RS Clio 172 owners that have had no problems at all, not even electrical gremlins like many French cars are famous for. Not to mention your recent update in the price range leaves you open to RenaultSport Clio 197s, even a 200 if you look hard enough.

 

[nealcropper]

I'm not sure about the prices for them where you are, but a late model ('05 or '06) supercharged Mini Cooper S is a great little hatch. Very fun to drive, excellent steering, good power and great brakes. The ride can beat you up on bad roads, but the seats are pretty firm and comfortable for long trips. Great little car. 👍

I think the 06 - present models used a turbo, not being a douche, just wanted to say in case you didn't know. :-)

 

[Doog]

I think the 06 - present models used a turbo, not being a douche, just wanted to say in case you didn't know. :-)

All '02-'06 Mini Cooper Ss (Esses?) are supercharged. The second generation ('07-'13) brought the switch to a turbocharged engine.

 

[Conza]

You want to buy a car with 190k on the clock with a DSG?

My advice is go for a lot younger of a car for a DSG. And that 190k in only like 8 or so years is a lot mileage per year.

I tried a very tired silver one today (190k), still going really well, but I want one that I can drive for another 5-7 years (the Pug has lasted 6 in November), so I want a young one

and by young, I'm thinking 40,000 kms ish, wouldn't say no the the right one at higher necessary, saw one at 90k that was perfect except its location, looked too tired again.

Every car's got "horror stories." Volkswagen has "horror stories" about its DSG gearbox.

Some are true, some are not. Don't rule out one of the best cars you were looking at because someone's been claiming his steering wheel's melted; I know plenty of RS Clio 172 owners that have had no problems at all, not even electrical gremlins like many French cars are famous for. Not to mention your recent update in the price range leaves you open to RenaultSport Clio 197s, even a 200 if you look hard enough.

Probably good advice, I guess I should find one and drive it, its harder when they aren't any in the state, but I'll keep an eye out still I guess.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

4 available in Victoria for decent prices.

Also, a special edition R27 Clio for $20k in Vic. Only done 30,000kms.

 

[Conza]

Was meaning the 182 when I said that, but should look at the 197 for sure, strangely enough the power to weight are very similar across the range of them.

EDIT: Oh yeah, how about the Polo GTI? The 1.4 twincharger? More things to go wrong and smaller than the Golf, but, uses 2 litres less per 100km

Also, are they both just as fast (DSG v DSG (only))? Also the Polo is lighter again, probably has slightly nicer interior :/

 

[Conza]

If you had the choice, would you choose a High KM Mk VI or a lower KM Mk V?

MK VI is a tiny bit more expensive, has roughly 75k kms on it
Mk V is privately selling, but is $1k less @ 35k kms

 

[Murcie_LP640]

MkV for reliability reasons, mostly because of the transmission.

 

[Conza]

MkV for reliability reasons, mostly because of the transmission.

Fair enough, didn't know they were different, thought they both used DQ500s.

But anyway, within the price range the cars are actually 'older' by being more used, for more money, or if its the same its considerably older, and I personally prefer the V anyway.

Was meaning the 182 when I said that, but should look at the 197 for sure, strangely enough the power to weight are very similar across the range of them.

EDIT: Oh yeah, how about the Polo GTI? The 1.4 twincharger? More things to go wrong and smaller than the Golf, but, uses 2 litres less per 100km

Also, are they both just as fast (DSG v DSG (only))? Also the Polo is lighter again, probably has slightly nicer interior :/

And on this note, if anyone was interested, the 1.4 was alright, but it just didn't feel quite right, the car was very small, the shifters were a little slower (in my mind atleast), something was missing, drove a Golf right after it, on the same track and I just liked it more.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Actually never mind I thought the Mk6 GTi used the 7-speed dry that the other Golfs used.

The Mk6 is an evolution rather than a revolution over the Mk5 anyway though. The major development of Mk6 over Mk5 is the interior.

 

[Conza]

I think thats right, and look it is better, but the Mk V isn't that shabby, I quite like it, I like the seats a bit more (less tartan is more imo), and the more efficient, more powerful engine is a bit appealing (I think its 5% better on both counts), but then I think about the $5-$10k I'd save getting the V, and that I prefer the looks of it, and its a tiny bit lighter, then yeah, goes to the V.