"winter" car - Z4's backup

S

samZ4M

Active member
 Oxford
As the nights draw in and the temperature drops I get worried about taking the M to work every day. I live on top on a big hill, so roads get frozen easily.

So, I'm looking for an 'old banger' to run as my winter/everything car. Something that's cheap to run, but can also put a smile on my face. I've also got a dog, so he'll need to be in a car with me sometimes. I'd also like to partake in some track days. But don't really want to spend over £1k.

I've looked across PH and the best I can come up with is a Clio sport (172/182). A few decent examples around that price. They've got a bit of poke, would be better in winter as I'd not be overly fussed about a knock and winter tyres would be a lot cheaper. Dog can ride in the back seats. And a good starter car for a few track days a year.

What do you think? Good fit? What else could I get? Oh, I don't want a ford either!
 
This sounds like something the old Top Gear would have done.

Clio sounds like it ticks most if not all your boxes. Love the idea you can turn it into a track day car. Thats a pretty neat idea!
 
I know you said you didnt want a ford, but how about an ST170 or Fiesta Zetec S?

Alot more reliable than the Clio and still fairly good fun :)

Another Car to consier is the Peugeot 106 GTI or a Citroen Saxo VTS good fun a pretty cheap.
 
Sam doesn't like fords! They seem to be older and more expensive. Maybe something to say about the Clios!

106/saxo's are too old now, very basic, not that safe etc.

It wouldn't be stripped and bucket seats, I wouldn't throw that much money at it, but maybe uprated brakes and a few performance tweaks. so it's a bit of fun.
 
samZ4M said:
Sam doesn't like fords! They seem to be older and more expensive. Maybe something to say about the Clios!
Click to expand...

I think you have your answer, they are cheap to buy and good fun but they are not very reliable.

A good mate of mine has one and it is always broken, starter motors, dodgy electrics, 3rd Cat in 4 years, new engine fitted, exhaust hangers, alternator are a few of the issues he has had.

If you do buy one, check the Cambelt has been done recently as they are expensive to replace due to lack of space in the engine bay.
 
I had three of the ph1 172's and they didn't break down once but these didn't have all the electronics of the ph2. Great little cars but I wouldn't say they were any use in winter.
 
better than 350bhp through the rear wheels? Down narrow winding roads?

I'd have winter tyres on it, but it's more to stop anything happening to the Z, coupled with the requirement to take the dog sometimes and track a car.
 
I run a Mazda3 Sport :thumbsup: 54 plate as my daily and for wet days out with the Piston Heads. It's basically a Mk1 Focus st, in a Mazda suit. But unlike the ST you can pick them up unmolested for peanuts, and no one sees you coming. Plenty of room for your dog. Car tax is £235. MPG is high 20's on the urban run to work and back. Very stable through high speed twisties. Really good fade free breaks and I do hammer them on some of the B roads around here. Also most important for a daily that get ragged, it's proved bullet proof thus far. :wink:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508156078750?onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&engine-size-cars=2l_to_2-5l&postcode=ca117tu&page=1&fuel-type=petrol&model=mazda3&make=mazda&sort=default&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&price-to=1500&logcode=p

Another one I've thought about is the Megan 2.0T sport 225bhp but more around 2k than 1k price wise and it's a Renault so it will break. :cry:
 
buzyg said:
I run a Mazda3 Sport :thumbsup: 54 plate as my daily and for wet days out with the Piston Heads. It's basically a Mk1 Focus st, in a Mazda suit. But unlike the ST you can pick them up unmolested for peanuts, and no one sees you coming. Plenty of room for your dog. Car tax is £235. MPG is high 20's on the urban run to work and back. Very stable through high speed twisties. Really good fade free breaks and I do hammer them on some of the B roads around here. Also most important for a daily that get ragged, it's proved bullet proof thus far. :wink:

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508156078750?onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&engine-size-cars=2l_to_2-5l&postcode=ca117tu&page=1&fuel-type=petrol&model=mazda3&make=mazda&sort=default&search-target=usedcars&radius=1500&price-to=1500&logcode=p

Another one I've thought about is the Megan 2.0T sport 225bhp but more around 2k than 1k price wise and it's a
Renault so it will break. :cry:
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golf gti 2lr
 
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