Well, the other half has decided her new car will be either

1. Lexus IS200

2. Saab 9-3 Aero

3. Audi A4

None of these will fit in the garage like her Golf does atm, and none are particularly well suited to a rear-mounted cycle rack. We don't want roof bars as we're too lazy to take them off between rides.

This leaves me wondering if I should replace the vRS with a smaller hatchback. The problem is, if I get anything less powerful than the Octy, or with a lower equipment spec, I know I will hate it.

Obviously I will test drive a Furby. I know the engine can be Jabba'd, but how about the suspension and general handling, is it up to Octy standard or will I need to spend some more cash ?

Also, any other suggestions ? I don't like Clios or Civic and I don't think Golfs are particularly good value - although I do fancy a 1.8T or PD150.

Seat Ibiza Cupra / Cupra R?

Of the three choices above a 1.8T A4 would be nice, especially when chipped

Dunno Greg but don't let her get an IS200. 3 people here at work have bought them and got rid rather too quickly due to a multitude of problems incl gearbox failure amongst others..

Replace the Octy with a Furby?

If she is intent on a small hatchback and you need it to be posh you could always go A3 or BMW 1 series route. However with he 1 series people might think **** and be more nasty when it comes to letting you out at junctions...

Have you considered the new Seat Altea Sport. 140bhp TDi or 150bhp 2.0FSi

All the toys and cheaper than the Golf.

Not that i am biased having just bought the TDi

Paul

To clarify, she's going for the Lexus/Saab/A4 so I might replace the Octy with something smaller. I don't actually want to, I'm just trying to be sensible !

I don't actually want to, I'm just trying to be sensible !

Where's the fun in that? I'd probably put my old ECU back in, old dampers back in, steelies back on. I say if you don't want to, don't do it.

Replace the Octy with a Furby?

I did, no problems here

Jonno.

I say if you don't want[/i'] to, don't do it.

You're probably right. What the hell else am I going to buy that's as quick and as practical for the money ?

Now I just need to enlarge my garage to get the Octy in, and shell out for those pesky roof bars for the bikes :(

Or get a tow bar fitted, and get a towball/bar mounted cycle rack. Easy as peasy, job done and bikes secure when in transportation.

Or get a tow bar fitted, and get a towball/bar mounted cycle rack. Easy as peasy, job done and bikes secure when in transportation.

Thought about that, can you still open the boot with the bikes on one of those ?

Thought about that, can you still open the boot with the bikes on one of those ?

Depends which one you go for.

Put it this way, I have a swan neck tow bar (Brink) and carry a 4 bike rack that clamps around the tow ball (Pendle bike racks) and leaves full access to the rear of the car, as well as having an integral lighting board on the rack.

My brother had a normal type fixed tow ball, and clamped to it was a bike rack that hung the bikes off it (Maxxis I think from a camping shop). Anyway, when access to the boot or hatch was required, the rack had a tilting facility to allow full access.

Any of these options would be cheaper than replaceing the car.

ps...if you want , I could take some pics of the whole shebang, including assembly to show you what mine is like and give you an idea.

Well, have decided I'm gonna keep the car - now I just need to create more space in the garage ! Will probably go with the towball bike rack option !

I've had a Brink towbar fitted, quite expensive but it's nice to be able to remove it when not in use . I've also fitted Thule aero bars and cycle carriers to the roof, couldn't get a cycle carrier for the towbar as we will be getting a shed next year to tow around :eek: .

The Aero bars don't look bad and are very quiet, even at speed. Halfords have also got the Thule cycle carriers on offer at the moment, might be worth looking at as the towbar alone was nearly

skoda do the roof bars and bike rack for