What car?

[Flibster]

Originally Posted by kaiowas

Takes some going to say that immediately after recommending an Alfa

3 Turbo's at 1200quid each in a year?

I think even an Alfa is cheaper than that.

[kaiowas]

Originally Posted by Flibster

3 Turbo's at 1200quid each in a year?

I think even an Alfa is cheaper than that.

To be fair that just sounds like an incompetant dealer who couldn't diagnose the fault that was killing turbos.

[Nutcase]

Originally Posted by Zirax

I thought of this last night with SAAB's. They are great on the road until something goes wrong, then you get hit with premium price repairs. Although they are cracking motors to keep one on a road would be rather costly so I would be motioning against them at the moment for K.

Depnds where you go, but yes Saabs can be expensive to repair. Some engines also have a "sludging" problem which can kill the engine and it's hard to get a replacement under warranty.

Nice cars overall though

[Pebs]

OK, well I read a mens magazine while I was waiting in the clinic today and it did a huge review on the latest hot hatches, about 15 of them to start with. Clio, Mini, Audi, Seat, the Focus ST, Megane R26, Golf and loads more.

I badly want a Megane now. A yellow one. Shame they are dreadful inside

[Flibster]

The The Megane is a superb car. Built cheap, but they have spent the money where it matters. Very quick. Big fun. But as you can get them new for 16k, the second hand prices are staying reasonably low.

But still over 10k

R27 is better than the R26. And they look good in yellow - which is a feat that very few cars manage.

Simon/~Flibster

[vix]

the Renault yellow is gorgeous

[mejinks]

Originally Posted by vix

the Renault yellow is gorgeous

I agree. I used to own a phase 1 Renault on a meeeeeelion miles and original gearbox/engine.

I really like the shape of the New renault coupe, but not the standard Renault Megane.

[Muban]

How old is newer rather than older? Give us a no older than... then I will see what I can come up with

As for the Megane...... I shall try and be tactful, have you driven one? (sorry I you have said somewhere that you already have ). I only drove one once, one of the most horrible cars I have ever driven. Mind youi if you get a list together of ones you like that can be half the fun. Going out test driving lots of cars....vrrooooooomm

[Pebs]

No I havent driven one Muban. And after going and having a look at one a couple of days ago I'm not sure I can compromise that much on how vile they are inside. They are supposed to be just about the best hothatch around (the R26) but common sense is kicking in, a quick look in the mirror tells me I'm not 19 any more and do I really need to be able to outrun the world and his neighbour in a plastic filled french car. No.

I can't get away from the fact that the BEST fun I've EVER had in a car, bar none has been driving Matts Mini (even more fun than the 5 turbo we had many moons ago). I lovelovelovelove it. And that's primarily what I want, a car I LOVE driving. So I'm going to take the girls and see if they can all comfortably fit in one and still be able to inflate their lungs properly and then hopefully the hunt will be on.

If I do get a Mini I'm not going to compromise on what I want, and my wants are totally and utterly girlie! I want an indie blue one with white bonnet stripes, white mirrors and a white roof but NOT white wheels. Must be Cooper S, would secretly love a JCW but they are rarer than hens teeth so doubt I'll find one. This is still subject to finances though..grrrr!

If they dont fit in it I don't know what to go for. No idea. Nothing older than a 52, must have minimum 4 seats, must be reasonably easy to get parts for, must be fun! Thats it.

[Matblack]

If you can get an S, I wouldn't get a Works, it really breaks my heart to say it but they just aren't worth the money.

Let me explain a little.

I do not in any way regret my decision to buy Minnie, she's great fun, very quick and having 'tlc' I don't have to pay to get her serviced for three years and I have a pretty solid warranty. She'll always command a higher price than a standard S and being one of the last JCW's come come out of the factory with a supercharger, and as a low mileage example I've probably got a bit of a collectors item on my hands.

However if I were looking at second hand I would buy a an S and take it down to Roland at GTT in Dorset. The same premium you would pay for a JCW would get you 60 as opposed to 40 more bhp and more usable torque. To get the 40 a JCW has would cost a good deal less. It also gives you a chance to drive an S for a while and either settle for 170bhp (which is still a very fast little car) or a chance to save up a bit and get the work done later Its what I'd do if I hadn't bought new

GTT210 ecu reset + optimised bypass valve + iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley + performance panel filter. £695+vat FITTED
GTT215 ecu re-map + performance panel airfilter + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drivebelt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley £795+vat FITTED
GTT220+ ecu remap + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley. + GTT 'cold ram' induction system £995+vat FITTED
GTT230+ ecu remap + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley + GTT 'cold ram' induction system + GTT large top mount 16 tube intercooler c/w GTT diffuser + GTT exhaust re-route pipe £1645+vat FITTED
GTT240+ ecu remap + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt +GTT twin bearing idler pulley + GTT 'cold ram' induction system + GTT large top mount 16 tube intercooler c/w GTT diffuser + GTT exhaust re-route pipe + GTT lightweight 2 piece sports manifold & cat + GTT 63mm throttle body £2495+vat FITTED
GTT250+ ecu remap + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley + GTT 'cold ram' induction system + GTT large top mount 16 tube intercooler c/w GTT diffuser + GTT exhaust re-route pipe + GTT camshaft + GTT adjustable cam timing sprocket + GTT 63mm throttle body + GTT lightweight 2 piece sports manifold & cat + GTT stage 1 cylinder head + Larger Fuel Injector Set £4395+vat FITTED (includes all gaskets & new headbolts etc)
GTT260+ ecu remap + optimised bypass valve + high temp iridium sparkplugs + GTT supercharger pulley + shorter 'stickier' drive belt + GTT twin bearing idler pulley + GTT 'cold ram' induction kit + GTT large top mount 16 tube intercooler c/w GTT diffuser +GTT exhaust re- route pipe + GTT camshaft + GTT adjustable cam timing sprocket + GTT 63mm throttle body + GTT stage 2 cylinder head + GTT lightweight 2 piece sports manifold & cat + Larger Fuel Injectors £4895+vat FITTED (includes all gaskets & new headbolts etc)

Of course if you are feeling VERY VERY flush there is always this http://www.gtt.uk.com/miniturbo.asp

MB