What car for 4K?

[9Freedman9]

Hi to all that are left.

Back end of the year I’ll be in the market for a car with around a 3-5k budget, although I’d like it to be 4K and under, unless the car was exceptionally good. I am 27 with no kids as yet, so doors aren’t too much of an issue at the minute.

Requirements are as follows;

Fast or at least feel it with decent torque
Reliable
Low Mileage (ish)
Not older than MY2000

My list so far is quite extensive, however I really need to narrow it down.

BMW 330 - Swaying towards Auto here though.
207 GTi - Cheap but hear poor reliability issues? Price makes it tempting.
Audi A3/Golf GTI 2.0 turbo.
BMW 1 series -120d seems torquey so feels quick.
MK1 Leon Cupra R
Focus ST - More top end of budget for a good one it seems.
Vauxhall Astra or Corsa VXR - Like the look of both of these.
Megane 225 - Slightly bland interior though.

That’s about it really, however I am just unsure on what to get. What would you chose?

[JoeHindle]

From experience of 3 of those in the list, the 120d is expensive when the timing chains need doing (BMW charge almost 3k for the lower one)

Corsa VXR- I had one with 24k on it back in 2014 and in 4 months it needed a wheel bearing, a gearbox and a flywheel. So just make sure if anything the gearbox is either already sorted or is solid.

Astra VXR (I had an Astra H) I traded the Corsa in for it, I loved it to bits, but by the time I traded it in, it needed valve stem seals and a gearbox rebuild.

Look for the gearstick knocking back when setting off in 1st as a tell tale for gearbox issues in the Corsa/Astra as they share the dreaded M32 gearbox. (Known for being weak) I was quoted 950/1000 on a rebuild back in 2014 at a Vauxhall specialist

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

[9Freedman9]

Originally Posted by JoeHindle

From experience of 3 of those in the list, the 120d is expensive when the timing chains need doing (BMW charge almost 3k for the lower one)

Corsa VXR- I had one with 24k on it back in 2014 and in 4 months it needed a wheel bearing, a gearbox and a flywheel. So just make sure if anything the gearbox is either already sorted or is solid.

Astra VXR (I had an Astra H) I traded the Corsa in for it, I loved it to bits, but by the time I traded it in, it needed valve stem seals and a gearbox rebuild.

Look for the gearstick knocking back when setting off in 1st as a tell tale for gearbox issues in the Corsa/Astra as they share the dreaded M32 gearbox. (Known for being weak) I was quoted 950/1000 on a rebuild back in 2014 at a Vauxhall specialist

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

Thanks for that, what did you think of the corsa overall?

[JoeHindle]

I hate to admit it, but it was a cracking car. I went from a 1.1 with 60 brake to a 1.6t with 190 and nearly pissed my pants. But I much preferred my Astra in every way.

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

[Pricklep]

V70 t5/s60

[JoeHindle]

Originally Posted by Prickle

V70 t5/s60

Or a Saab 9-5 Aero

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

[Pricklep]

Originally Posted by JoeHindle

Or a Saab 9-5 Aero

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

[Manu]

BMW 330 - Swaying towards Auto here though.

Eurgh, they all rust around here, and reports of auto gearbox issues

207 GTi - Cheap but hear poor reliability issues? Price makes it tempting.

20Rattle GTi. Issues may require you to be handy with a spanner

Audi A3/Golf GTI 2.0 turbo.

Same car different trim, would go for for a 1.8t A3, easy remap at 180bhp and better fuel consumption than a 2.0

BMW 1 series -120d seems torquey so feels quick.

Not quick, timing chain maintenance means engine out. Many issues reported. Also, boyracer cars, I see a lot of kids have moved onto that and ragging it everywhere trying to keep up.

MK1 Leon Cupra R

Sub Golf/Audi, but why not.

Focus ST - More top end of budget for a good one it seems.

Can't speak much for those, not into fords but they seem quite nippy.

Vauxhall Astra or Corsa VXR - Like the look of both of these.

Pass the bucket please, I have something warm and liquidish coming out.

Megane 225 - Slightly bland interior though.

In a nutshell:

Originally Posted by JoeHindle

Or a Saab 9-5 Aero

Wrecking my street cred, one crap car at a time

Man likes his vauxhalls.

[9Freedman9]

Originally Posted by Manu

Eurgh, they all rust around here, and reports of auto gearbox issues



20Rattle GTi. Issues may require you to be handy with a spanner



Same car different trim, would go for for a 1.8t A3, easy remap at 180bhp and better fuel consumption than a 2.0



Not quick, timing chain maintenance means engine out. Many issues reported. Also, boyracer cars, I see a lot of kids have moved onto that and ragging it everywhere trying to keep up.



Sub Golf/Audi, but why not.



Can't speak much for those, not into fords but they seem quite nippy.



Pass the bucket please, I have something warm and liquidish coming out.



In a nutshell:







Man likes his vauxhalls.

So you’re suggesting something VAG then?

[Manu]

Yeah, more or less, though at the end of the day, it is still what tickles your fancy. It's only my opinion and by all means you don't have to abide.

As a side detail, I would have bought something BMW for more fun, but living by the sea side, I can't see a single local e46 without arches that are between rusted and rotten, same goes for mercs. Later generations seem to follow the same pattern, and the chain issues on some models did turn me off.

I have switched to Audi 8 years ago, and not looking back. They 're not perfect, but if you're handy with a spanner, they're quite easy to work on. As a side note, they're fairly cheap to insure too, as opposed to some of those cars you mentioned that do suffer from the boyracer reputation. To me, Fords ST and VXRs are the current chav stuff, I see too many being ragged and I didn't want to fall back into the saxo category of "driver".

Vauxhalls well, they're vauxhalls, they'll fall apart. Then I'm allergic to renaults, stupid breakdowns stupid bills, and silly stuff like turbo disassembly to go change a fog light, water leaks straight into electrics etc. I just had a merc for 10 days with a renault engine under the bonnet, stepping in and closing your eyes made me feel like back in hell. A close by neighbour has a 225 and another girl has a new clio 200 something. They're cute, but I know it's going to be problems after problems, they seem like spending their weekends under the bonnet.

If you're after some torque, get a diesel? But I confirm 120d BMWs are not fast, I smoked them every time they tried.

[9Freedman9]

Originally Posted by Manu

Yeah, more or less, though at the end of the day, it is still what tickles your fancy. It's only my opinion and by all means you don't have to abide.

As a side detail, I would have bought something BMW for more fun, but living by the sea side, I can't see a single local e46 without arches that are between rusted and rotten, same goes for mercs. Later generations seem to follow the same pattern, and the chain issues on some models did turn me off.

I have switched to Audi 8 years ago, and not looking back. They 're not perfect, but if you're handy with a spanner, they're quite easy to work on. As a side note, they're fairly cheap to insure too, as opposed to some of those cars you mentioned that do suffer from the boyracer reputation. To me, Fords ST and VXRs are the current chav stuff, I see too many being ragged and I didn't want to fall back into the saxo category of "driver".

Vauxhalls well, they're vauxhalls, they'll fall apart. Then I'm allergic to renaults, stupid breakdowns stupid bills, and silly stuff like turbo disassembly to go change a fog light, water leaks straight into electrics etc. I just had a merc for 10 days with a renault engine under the bonnet, stepping in and closing your eyes made me feel like back in hell. A close by neighbour has a 225 and another girl has a new clio 200 something. They're cute, but I know it's going to be problems after problems, they seem like spending their weekends under the bonnet.

If you're after some torque, get a diesel? But I confirm 120d BMWs are not fast, I smoked them every time they tried.

Main reason I like the ST's is my dad just bought one, which is now running 340BHP for little money, completely standard looks and is still sensible in terms of driveability etc.

I had 120d for a week and thought it was pretty torque, i'd be more tempted in the 123d as they are twin turbo afaik?

No idea, i've got some time to think so will access it later I guess, just thought i'd ask for some more knowledge from people who may have had experience with these sort of cars.

[Manu]

Aaaah so it's a family thing.

The 123 is going to be a little more sporty, I just find the 120 right on the balance in terms of speed vs fuel economy. But I think mpg is not an issue for you since you're also looking at an ST.

And yeah the 123d is 2 turbo, pushes around 200bhp, but then you do get that extra torque feeling about it.

I suppose not a bad choice either way, sensible torquey BMW or madman ST. You would enjoy driving both. Don't get an ST if your dad lets you drive it, unless you actually fancy having 2 STs and go get some sunday fun if you see what I mean. Pretty sure you could tune the beemer a little higher up if you wanted it.

[9Freedman9]

Originally Posted by Manu

Aaaah so it's a family thing.

The 123 is going to be a little more sporty, I just find the 120 right on the balance in terms of speed vs fuel economy. But I think mpg is not an issue for you since you're also looking at an ST.

And yeah the 123d is 2 turbo, pushes around 200bhp, but then you do get that extra torque feeling about it.

I suppose not a bad choice either way, sensible torquey BMW or madman ST. You would enjoy driving both. Don't get an ST if your dad lets you drive it, unless you actually fancy having 2 STs and go get some sunday fun if you see what I mean. Pretty sure you could tune the beemer a little higher up if you wanted it.

I like the ST's due to tunability really, in standard format I don't actually think they are that quick, that being said it's still a remotely modest looking car, although they are becoming the chav car of choice it seems.

Like the BM's although the 123d is a little higher up the price range for a decent one, with a map I suppose it would push around 230bhp, however I am slightly wary of Diesel at the moment, seems to be penalised more and more!

[Manu]

I actually mentioned you earlier while speaking of STs, and the other guy said, quote straight from the horse's mouth:

It's even worse now I own an old Focus ST (mk2) every chav on the road thinks I'm one of them!

Thing with STs, you have to rag them to get momentum. Never driven one to be honest, but the lesser models gives you a rough idea of how they handle and drive.

That said with the beemer, you will attract some other kind of racer plums, or some chav with a 12% finance.

My mother recently just made me the same remark about diesel, but if you're a high mileage type of guy then you can't beat diesel.

:edit so I could take my time to do some honest thinking:

if I was in your shoes, I'd leave the ST to your dad and get some RWD fun, but on the other side you could have both the same, and share some knowledge and parts. That can also lead to a better maintenance economy if you share, and a bit of my cars better than yours fun on the back roads.

The only thing that sets me back on a 1 series beemer is the chain maintenance, you do have to drop the engine. I can't speak much on ST reliability as I have zero experience with that. But you could flip that around by having the same as your dad. Both have a chav magnet factor, but I would debadge the BMW to counter that. Can't really do that with an ST because it will still look like an ST.

Flip a coin?