Spec me: £6-9k, practical(ish), fun(ish), low use

turbot1984 · 24 Sep 2020 at 20:16

RobHu said:
I like them both but space wise could be a problem.

I was looking at that earlier! Currently leaning towards one of these. They didn't seem to review amazingly well but I do really like them and have always wanted to own an Alfa.

All of these on my radar for sure, will try to drive at least a couple of them.

Have you driven a Giulietta? I hired one in Sardinia a couple of years back (a diesel for gods sake!) and totally fell in love with it. With THAT engine, come on!

sideways14a · 24 Sep 2020 at 20:40

RobHu said:
For reliability reasons or you just don't like them? Reliability is the only thing slightly putting me off.

Both.
I knew several owners one of which had 2 models of the same care with the selespeed box, bought it - had it 3 days ... developed a fault, back to garage. New box (or whatever) went in, two weeks later same thing. So he demanded an new car, got another and... yep within a month it was also doing the same thing. Also knew a few others who all had some sort of drama... some not so serious and some terrible. Also watch out for magazine articles on there fleets there staff drive, almost always you see an alfa in there and its electrics **** up or something needing a garage.

Also, a brand that for many years put its mark down on the side of "Drivers cars" but had FWD only models???? er total BS.

Yup i dont like em, i dont like Audis either or most french cars.

tom_nieto · 24 Sep 2020 at 22:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_4C

https://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/models/quadrifoglio/giulia-quadrifoglio

Guilietta is slightly different, granted, but there are plenty of driver focused FWD cars in the world too.

Akagi · 24 Sep 2020 at 22:03

turbot1984 said:
If you don't buy it I might as its up the road from me.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313124607

That seems like a truly crap way to spend 10 grand.

tom_nieto · 24 Sep 2020 at 22:11

Acme said:
That seems like a truly crap way to spend 10 grand.

Plenty better hot hatches in this word, that’s for sure! If you had to go Italian hot hatch surely you’d go for an Abarth 500?

Nasher · 25 Sep 2020 at 09:02

sideways14a said:
Both.
I knew several owners one of which had 2 models of the same care with the selespeed box, bought it - had it 3 days ... developed a fault, back to garage. New box (or whatever) went in, two weeks later same thing. So he demanded an new car, got another and... yep within a month it was also doing the same thing. Also knew a few others who all had some sort of drama... some not so serious and some terrible. Also watch out for magazine articles on there fleets there staff drive, almost always you see an alfa in there and its electrics **** up or something needing a garage.

Also, a brand that for many years put its mark down on the side of "Drivers cars" but had FWD only models???? er total BS.

Yup i dont like em, i dont like Audis either or most french cars.

For a long time Alfas were basically re-badged Fiats. The current ones are much better.

rodenal · 25 Sep 2020 at 09:57

My focus ST estate is probably the best car I e owned so far for a balance of practicality, bit of power and general reliability - early ones are under £10k now, just check the rear arches for emerging rust (ask me how I know).

Mine has lost very little money in the 3.5 years I've owned it too, which is nice

Although in practice any focus sized hatch will do, go out and sit in / drive a few of them and see what you think

RobHu · 25 Sep 2020 at 10:51

turbot1984 said:
Have you driven a Giulietta? I hired one in Sardinia a couple of years back (a diesel for gods sake!) and totally fell in love with it. With THAT engine, come on!

Nope, will be looking to do so though.

sideways14a said:
Both.
I knew several owners one of which had 2 models of the same care with the selespeed box, bought it - had it 3 days ... developed a fault, back to garage. New box (or whatever) went in, two weeks later same thing. So he demanded an new car, got another and... yep within a month it was also doing the same thing. Also knew a few others who all had some sort of drama... some not so serious and some terrible. Also watch out for magazine articles on there fleets there staff drive, almost always you see an alfa in there and its electrics **** up or something needing a garage.

Also, a brand that for many years put its mark down on the side of "Drivers cars" but had FWD only models???? er total BS.

Yup i dont like em, i dont like Audis either or most french cars.

Fair enough, points taken on board. I have heard that the new(er) models don't suffer too much from reliability issues.

Acme said:
That seems like a truly crap way to spend 10 grand.

Spec me a better one then!

. All suggestions welcome because most of my requirements are flexible.

rodenal said:
My focus ST estate is probably the best car I e owned so far for a balance of practicality, bit of power and general reliability - early ones are under £10k now, just check the rear arches for emerging rust (ask me how I know).

Mine has lost very little money in the 3.5 years I've owned it too, which is nice

Although in practice any focus sized hatch will do, go out and sit in / drive a few of them and see what you think

Focus ST I'm considering for sure, almost bought the older one ~8 years ago actually.

Mr_Sukebe · 25 Sep 2020 at 11:15

GT86 or MX5, depending upon what you mean by a load of fishing gear.

Nasher · 25 Sep 2020 at 12:46

The MX-5 boot is tiny. There is a lot more room in the GT86 especially with the rear seats flat.

Akagi · 25 Sep 2020 at 12:57

Mr_Sukebe said:
GT86 or MX5, depending upon what you mean by a load of fishing gear.

Nasher said:
The MX-5 boot is tiny. There is a lot more room in the GT86 especially with the rear seats flat.

Thats how I read what he said. MX5 if you have a small amount of fishing gear, GT86 if you have a larger amount.

The Running Man · 25 Sep 2020 at 13:43

Problem with the gt86 is right in front of you...

That engine. Stupid choice.

Nasher · 25 Sep 2020 at 13:58

Yea, it should be in the middle

The Running Man · 25 Sep 2020 at 14:11

Nasher said:
Yea, it should be in the middle

Of the subaru junk yard.

sideways14a · 25 Sep 2020 at 19:35

How long are your sticks? I can go measure my ND and see if they will fit in the boot.
However i have seen a lot of folk obviously out fishing with them as they have the rods just sitting on the passenger seat with the roof down.

Depends entirely how much fun you want.
GT86 and Mx5 have compromises, the 86 has an engine that could do with an inhaler and the mx5 has tight dimensions. If either of those dont worry you then you will not find more fun for decent money and that includes any hot hatch.

Nasher · 25 Sep 2020 at 20:49

GT86 just needs the primary cat removing (with a manifold upgrade) and a remap. After that it's much more responsive.

Uncle_Gravy · 25 Sep 2020 at 22:41

Wildcard, E86 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe.

The Running Man · 25 Sep 2020 at 23:29

Uncle_Gravy said:
Wildcard, E86 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe.

I actually like my e82 125i coupe and the e87 130i hatch back would ne ideal for fishing..

RobHu · 26 Sep 2020 at 00:23

The Running Man said:
I actually like my e82 125i coupe and the e87 130i hatch back would ne ideal for fishing..

I had an E82 135i, great car for the money.

Doobedoo · 28 Sep 2020 at 17:48

I’d throw the Polo Gti into the mix as it seems to have been missed. Maybe not quite as fun as a Fiesta St but a bit more refined and grown up for sure. The interior is much nicer imo although I maybe a tad biased as I’ve just done a deal on one

.

Spec me: £6-9k, practical(ish), fun(ish), low use

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