New car required

[Basher]

Evening all!

I'm looking to change my car very soon and fancying something a bit vroom! (mid life crisis!)

I've only scoured the net so far and like the look of either:

Focus ST3
Civic Type R

I'm loving the look of the Focus but hear both cars a bit on the thirsty side!

I'm looking for something 2nd hand (07 or 08 plate) sporty, but family friendly and obviously a bit more frugal on the old petrol.

Any ideas people?

 

[RGDave]

The first Civic type R was a corker. The latest model is less good i.m.o.
The ST focus is also superb.

I know which one I'd be in, given the choice....the Honda, but not the recent model. The Ford is just trying too hard, despite being wonderfully fast and great to drive.

Not that MPG should matter....surely the Civic isn't as thirsty?

 

[DelB]

Have driven both machines mentioned and I'd have the Focus every day of the week. The engine is thirstier, yes, but it's just so much more flexible and torquey. The Honda revs to 9500 rpm, but there are very few real world situations where you have the opportunity to get it there.

How about a Mark V Golf GTI Edition 30 or a Renault Megane F1?

 

[Herbie]

I think they are both good motors, but to me it would depend on how long you intend keeping it? If its short term, it would be the Focus, if long term, The Civic.
Thats my economic judgement.

 

[Region3]

Just to throw another name into the mix I have a Seat Leon and love it.

Granted, the interior isn't as nice or as well put together as a Golf, but I'd still buy the same given the choice again.

There's the FR diesel at around 170bhp and you'll get over 40mpg from it, the FR petrol at about 200bhp, and the Cupra at 240bhp. They all have 4 doors as well.

The other thing with getting a turbo'd engine is they can easily produce more power for less than the cost of a set of high-end irons, if that's your thing.

 

[Herbie]

Just to throw another name into the mix I have a Seat Leon and love it.

Granted, the interior isn't as nice or as well put together as a Golf, but I'd still buy the same given the choice again.

There's the FR diesel at around 170bhp and you'll get over 40mpg from it, the FR petrol at about 200bhp, and the Cupra at 240bhp. They all have 4 doors as well.

The other thing with getting a turbo'd engine is they can easily produce more power for less than the cost of a set of high-end irons, if that's your thing.

Great car now, so I hear, but they had no end of lecky probs in the early leon days, I know, I used to deliver loads of them.

 

[madandra]

My neighbour has the TYPE R and gets 28mph if he hoofs it.


Focus for me.

 

[Smiffy]

Just to throw another name into the mix I have a Seat Leon and love it.

Seconded. Superb car, looks good and drives well. You can get a lot more car for your money than going for a Honda, VW or even Ford.
I'd buy one tomorrow if I needed a car, and I've been in the trade for 23 years....

 

[Adrena1in]

I'm looking for something 2nd hand (07 or 08 plate) sporty, but family friendly and obviously a bit more frugal on the old petrol.

I don't know much about cars, but a mate had a Golf TDi (150bhp) once, and it was a real Jekyll and Hyde type car. When he thrashed it it was great, but take it easy and he could get 60mpg out of it. He's now got one of those Smart Sports cars, which isn't very practical, but is great fun to drive and can also deliver over 60mpg.

 

[piratepete]

I've driven all the above as I used to work for a vehicle leasing company,the smaller ones are ok,but a bit on the tinny side,I've just changed to the BMW 320 petrol model,I tested the 330 1st,boy that thing flies,however, you need a tesco tanker to follow you,so opted for the 320 it has plenty of power and returns late 30's mpg (even got 41 once when I was dawdling with the cruise control)although if you boot it it will drop to mid twenties and it has refinement too. I know,I know a lot of these are driven by wally reps who think they're the new F1 champ.