Incidently why not a Focus? just dont like the looks? I ask as you like the Volvo and its the same car
I've just picked up a 197 as a new daily. Like you I was after something a bit sensible, but could still have fun in it. It's ok on fuel, motorway sees you in the 30's, town you're in the 20's. Fantastic to throw about though.
Because I wanted to know what was funny, as I said
Alex B
Auris SR180
Let me put it this way - I went to Le Mans in the Integra. Other than having to fill up with petrol, twice, on that run I didn't stop for anything. I got out the other end and was knackered - eyes bouncing around in my head, ears ringing. Conversely I went to Argenton-sur-Creuse in the BM, which is about 150 miles further south east from Le Mans, and I did that journey back in one go, on one tank of diesel, not stopping. Got out the other end and felt absolutely fine and could have turned straight round and gone back again.
There's different levels of comfort; some people use stripped out S13's with track suspension, welded diffs and noisy exhausts - doesn't mean it's comfortable in anyone's book but theirs
No manning up to be done. Just common sense - motorway driving doesn't suit Integras.
I was joking when I mentioned integras btw guys hence the
Apart from a dc5 perhaps.
1998 Nissan 200sx s14a , 2000 std 5 speed with nismo supercoppermix clutch bn6 Sapphire Blue
Being a vw fan I'm a bit biased but I love my mk5 golf gti dsg.
If you're on a budget for a cheap old shed then a mk4 gt tdi 130 or a 1600 / diesel focus I reckon.
Genuinely suprised by people recommending a C30!
My mum has a 2l (I think) petrol and it's horrible. The ride is really crashy and harsh, and the engine is pretty gutless. I don't think it's 'sport' suspension or anything of that ilk. It rides worse than our E46 on sport suspension, and that's saying something! Doesn't even handle particularly well either. It's an OK hatch, but I certainly wouldn't consider it over a focus. (it's a first gen one, dunno if the second gen ones are any better)
Hold up... we're missing a trick here...
Hatchback? Practical? Not too boring? Not too thirsty? Diesel?
What you need is Graham's derv S13
I've found them a good base for normal cars, our '03 plate Mondeo, '56 plate Vectra and '97 V70 all run at an average of 3mpg above the round town figure, for mostly round town driving, (as close to town driving as you can realistically get)
Certainly a better reference than I get xxx miles to a tank that seems to be the norm for fuel economy figures.
Alex B
Lol Exactly! My 200 isn't a full out and out track car but it's not anywhere near a BMW or other modern cars comfort levels. If I'm gonna get something it has to be a bit refined or theres no point I might as well get a transit van for carrying stuff :P
I can do long journeys but it does exhaust me- stiff suspension, a race engine and booming exhaust - yes I'm old
OK so the volvo sounds bad...Fords just don't seem like they'll be "interesting" enough. I do want to have a car I like.
Ben, you're not the only one who suggested an S13!
Test drives are gonna be had when I can drive again - will report back what I think if anyone's interested
I have just bought an 07 Civic 2.2 deceptively quick in the midrange, and 55mpg with plenty of space.
T'was standard bar a flywheel pretty much. On a motorway at 80mph it's doing 4k+ rpm and was quite buzzy. The BM does that at 2.5k rpm and you can hear a pin drop inside. The Integra was no worse than my R32 in terms of ride comfort - apart from maybe it was a little more crashy / underdamped in certain circumstances - but the R32 wasn't refinement redefined either. Comfortable luxobarges are SO much more comfortable on a long run.