Life after Evo, replacements?

[ben_r1]

Afternoon everyone.

havent shown my face for a while but I retune to pose a question to all the like minded enthusiasts.

I'm currently in the process of selling my dream car, mint 400bhp Evo 9, the mrs has forced my hand in the matter in favour of a house. If you ask me her priorities are well mixed round! :thumb1:

Anyway I need some car replacement ideas, something that will still get me excited even after owning possibly the most focused performance car ever built.

Criteria:
Budget of up to 8k, anything below a bonus.
Capable of track work out the box.
Not too old, I'd like at least a degree of refinement and reliability.
Something I can be proud to take to car shows.
Tuning potential in case I get bored.
Not a Vauxhall.

So far my short list:

Mazda 3 mps
Integra DC5
Megane R26
Clio 182
Cheap tatty Evo 6.

Not really after a 197/200 as I've had one before and not willing to spend 20k to get it to the spec I was happy with and it's always nice to try something new.

Suggestions or opinions/experiences on above cars?

 

[CallorFold]

I guess something like a Meg R26 F1 is a good place to start looking since it's on your shortlist. It's within budget, perfectly capable of track day hoons, plenty of mods available if you wish to go that route.

Focus ST might be another one to add

 

[ben_r1]

Problem with the megane is they're all getting on a bit now and have lots of common faults window regs, turbo coolant seal, swivel hubs, radiators, DMFs etc. and they'll only take a safe 260bhp before internals are needed.

In comparison the Mazda 3 mps will easily see 320bhp on standard internals but I don't suspect it'd be that hot in the twists.

Always loved the DC5 but think Vtec power delivery would get frustrating quickly after the turbo cars I've had.

 

[DS197]

I can understand why you'd not want another 197, but why is there a 182 on the list?

 

[welshname]

You should make her sell the scooby too then (assuming you're the ben I'm thinking you are).

On a serious note R26, Ultra Red. All the others will bore you (182 you'd have some smiles in but day to day would drag) same can be said for the DC5.

3 MPS, fast, fairly reliable but just a bit "meh".

Cheap tatty 6, how long would it take to end up spending the same on that as you've just made back from the 9? Not long at all I reckon.

 

[ben_r1]

I can understand why you'd not want another 197, but why is there a 182 on the list?

Can be had for 2k, rest of budget spent on upgrades will pitch it against all others on the list easily.

MPS seems a good choice but as everyone says I don't think it's particularly exciting enough.

 

[Cal]

MK5 Golf GTi?
John Cooper Works Mini?

seen a few audi S4's for around that price range and you said you don't like vTec but could pick up a supercharged civic type R for that

 

[Chris]

Proud to take to car shows? Id wipe anything cheap and tatty off your list lol.

You can buy a 182 turbod for 8k, or a nice trophy or something...


Jcw mini is a good shout tbh!

 

[ben_r1]

Thinking of a 2k 182 and blowing the rest on an epic spec. But if my 10 years of experience has taught me anything it's that if you want a fast car buy a fast car.

Too old and not enough patience anymore for teething issues and unreliability.

 

[CallorFold]

I guess buying a 182 Trophy wouldn't be a bad way to go. Spend a bit of money on some desirable mods without drastically changing the car, and it should retain its value well.

Nice review video from Harry Metcalfe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTI-aMKn60

 

[Mattb_197]

I wouldn't write off the Integra but it's probably going to land quite a bit out of budget if you wanted to start messing with it as well, still very capable out of the box though. Your easily able to extract 300-350bhp out of the K20 engines before you even need to think about messing with internals. Just breathing mods, ECU and a JR supercharger will see 300-320bhp all day long.

It will likely hold it's value better than all the others too as it's quite a rare sought after car, the newest you'd be able to get would be a 2006 though and they come in well over budget at around 10-12k. So might not be the sensible option.

The last thing you want to do is buy something and end up spending the difference on modifying it or fixing it. Seems pointless then, you might as well have just kept the Evo!