15-12-2012, 07:12 PM
Issues with the cars you've posted as I see it...
MX5 -
Without massive amounts of work, they're quite boring, even the 1.8 is disasterously slow... Coming from a 306 they're nothing to write home about, when coming from an Astra etc they're impressive... They're not Drift Kings choice of car much as most people will make out... Also, you need to add CHRONIC RUST to your list of cons IMO after dealing with one for a while, they do rust BADLY... The Mk2 is better... If you want something with more pace, this isn't the car, they're significantly slower than a GTi6.. No Mk1 is over 130hp/tonne.
325i -
The E30s aren't that nice, aren't that quick and unless you're prepared to spend a lot on it, they won't drive anything LIKE as well as a 306...
ITR - Rust isn't as much of an issue as first made out, the engines are very nice if you like revving and REALLY working them... If you want something a bit less frantic, they're not the car to go for, if you want something you have to drive ten tenths everywhere to make it an enjoyable drive - it's the car for you, don't get me wrong, there's nothing quite like the top end "rush" of a VTEC... If you one day fancy picking up the pace without battering the engine off the limiter, you're going to go about as fast as a 1.6 306... They are NOT quick unless being ragged to death, but if you like ragging to death, go for it.
Megane 225 - Would never buy a 225, I'd only bother getting an R26, which will barely be in your price range, the reliability isn't excellent, as you've pointed out running costs are high and with a stage 1 remap to ~270hp they start f*cking clutches and remember they have a dual mass flywheel - however their midrange pace is the best out of all the cars listed... The R26 has an LSD and suspension tweaks and really is a drivers car, they do corner VERY well, the 225 is numb in comparison...
Looked at Clios etc - hate to say it, they're the only thing that comes close in your list? Only other cars are more towards big awd saloons...
MX5 -
Without massive amounts of work, they're quite boring, even the 1.8 is disasterously slow... Coming from a 306 they're nothing to write home about, when coming from an Astra etc they're impressive... They're not Drift Kings choice of car much as most people will make out... Also, you need to add CHRONIC RUST to your list of cons IMO after dealing with one for a while, they do rust BADLY... The Mk2 is better... If you want something with more pace, this isn't the car, they're significantly slower than a GTi6.. No Mk1 is over 130hp/tonne.
325i -
The E30s aren't that nice, aren't that quick and unless you're prepared to spend a lot on it, they won't drive anything LIKE as well as a 306...
ITR - Rust isn't as much of an issue as first made out, the engines are very nice if you like revving and REALLY working them... If you want something a bit less frantic, they're not the car to go for, if you want something you have to drive ten tenths everywhere to make it an enjoyable drive - it's the car for you, don't get me wrong, there's nothing quite like the top end "rush" of a VTEC... If you one day fancy picking up the pace without battering the engine off the limiter, you're going to go about as fast as a 1.6 306... They are NOT quick unless being ragged to death, but if you like ragging to death, go for it.
Megane 225 - Would never buy a 225, I'd only bother getting an R26, which will barely be in your price range, the reliability isn't excellent, as you've pointed out running costs are high and with a stage 1 remap to ~270hp they start f*cking clutches and remember they have a dual mass flywheel - however their midrange pace is the best out of all the cars listed... The R26 has an LSD and suspension tweaks and really is a drivers car, they do corner VERY well, the 225 is numb in comparison...
Looked at Clios etc - hate to say it, they're the only thing that comes close in your list? Only other cars are more towards big awd saloons...
