a recent string of problems with my Fabia has set off the new car itch quite badly and hasn't been helped by the release of figures for the new VRS!

i do love my Fabia but think that something straight out of the factory with performance and economy to match is a better route than modifying again (thinking insurance savings here)

Needs to be diesel as we do about 20k a year but also fun when the need arises although not super sporty as i'm thinking of something dirt cheap and stripped out to serve for track days (3 series, Saxo, 106 GTi, 306 GTi-6 or MX5)

I can;t get the Renaultsport Megane DCi175 out of my head

and a Leon FR (old or new shape) would fit the bill fits the bill along with

or possibly a Golf mk4 or mk5 PD150

You won't exactly be helping me make a decision; as a change isn't on the horizon; so it's a purely hypothetical (but sensible) exercise please

where to go that is relatively sporty (for something that burns satan's fuel) and still does 50mpg and come in under the 10k mark?

Edited 20 May, 201016 yr by PastyBoy

I can;t get the Renaultsport Megane DCi175 out of my head

I had this thought too a while back. This road test was quite encouraging too.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/221925/renaultsport_megane_dci_175_v_ford_focus_st.html

First of all don't do it.

Second of all if you do then it has to be the Renaultsport Megane DCi175 with a remap for extra smile factor.

I had this thought too a while back. This road test was quite encouraging too.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/221925/renaultsport_megane_dci_175_v_ford_focus_st.html

i think my interest was tweaked by that road test and by knowing that the R26.R is an bit of a weapon.

There must be some good genes there to carry down to the oil burner.

First of all don't do it.

Second of all if you do then it has to be the Renaultsport Megane DCi175 with a remap for extra smile factor.

Thanks Jon v useful!

Although was hoping to keep it as it lesft the factory to keep the insurance down.

Unless of course the "I had no idea it had been remapped" route actually works with insurers!?

I am a little concerned about it being French though as my bosses 1.6 petrol one has had numerous faults.

I also remember seeing a thing on Fifth Gear where is took a presenter 45 minutes to change a headlight bulb, and even took an AA man 20 minutes.

Last thing i want is to be at the dealer every other week.

Edited 20 May, 201016 yr by PastyBoy

i think my interest was tweaked by that road test and by knowing that the R26.R is an bit of a weapon.

There must be some good genes there to carry down to the oil burner.

Thanks Jon v useful!

Although was hoping to keep it as it lesft the factory to keep the insurance down.

Unless of course the "I had no idea it had been remapped" route actually works with insurers!?

I am a little concerned about it being French though as my bosses 1.6 petrol one has had numerous faults.

I also remember seeing a thing on Fifth Gear where is took a presenter 45 minutes to change a headlight bulb, and even took an AA man 20 minutes.

Last thing i want is to be at the dealer every other week.

Changing the bulbs on a Meganne is a pain, but to be fair, how often do you do that? Took me about half an hour to change both bulbs on my ex's car, purely because you're working blind... You access the bulbs through an access hatch in the wheel arch

I'd still be wary of the electrics in general though as they do appear to be a bit hit and miss. I know several people with 2007-2009 Renaults and most have been fine, but a couple of them had had fault after fault with the electrics... Mind you, they are Laguna owners and the Meganne owners I know have been ok... I've already decided I'm never buying a french car again after the pain I went through with the electrics on my 406 a few years back

i think my interest was tweaked by that road test and by knowing that the R26.R is an bit of a weapon.

There must be some good genes there to carry down to the oil burner.

When I had the remap done at RS Tuning in Leeds, Paul had his own R26.R parked outside. It was amazing up close and he kept it immaculate. There was also an article in the waiting room that had been done by either Evo or Performance Car magazine featuring a 175 that had been remapped by Paul himself. He said they remap really well and provide good power.

On a less positive note, our neighbours have the same shape Megane and it's been nothing but trouble in terms of electrics. It's mainly windows and radio related on their car, but is a right pain in the rear.

I guess if you get a good one, then all's well, if not you'd regret it.

You will find that gremlins and issues with the RenaultSport range as really quite rare. People tend to get interested in them, there's a lot to like - but then put off because they know of a standard Renault that has problems

Go and take one for a spin

Honestly know nothing about the sporting range. A friend of mine has a standard one, a 2006 or 07 one. Last summer, he went on a picnic and parked the car up at a parking spot that had no shade or cover. Came back to the car (a good few hours later), touched one of the rubberised dials on the dash (not sure which one) and felt it melt under his touch. It has his fingerprint pushed into it to this day. He did not however have any electronic problems to this date (bought it new, on order from renault).

On a personal level, I'd still stay away from french cars for another 5 years. imho: they'll all even out soon. VAG cars for now though

well a link of a Renaultsport Megane DCi 175 was sent to the other half and met with a phone call of vomiting sounds.

That rules out French.

Is shifting across (and actually back in time for me) back to an Ibiza the stupidest idea ever.

There is a Cupra PD160 available locally and am sorely tempted

although the insurance group appears to be 15!!!

really?? 30 more bhp and 6 insurance groups????!!!

make the premium on a standard car more than the current policy for the modified Fabia!!

well a link of a Renaultsport Megane DCi 175 was sent to the other half and met with a phone call of vomiting sounds.

That rules out French.

Is shifting across (and actually back in time for me) back to an Ibiza the stupidest idea ever.

There is a Cupra PD160 available locally and am sorely tempted

although the insurance group appears to be 15!!!

really?? 30 more bhp and 6 insurance groups????!!!

make the premium on a standard car more than the current policy for the modified Fabia!!

Is that group 15 on the new scale that goes up to 50 though? What's the Fabia vRS on the new scale?

Is that group 15 on the new scale that goes up to 50 though? What's the Fabia vRS on the new scale?

no idea - it's the 15 that Parkers told me

but regardless it's still more expensive than the modified policy on my Fabia

I've had a few..... Dare I say vauxhall 150bhp diesels and the last I had was 3 door astra with exterior pack and I've got to say it looked the dogs danglies and went like s*# t off a stick!!!

And........ They are easily remapped!!!

I got rid because of space, but it's prob same as in size as yours.

well a link of a Renaultsport Megane DCi 175 was sent to the other half and met with a phone call of vomiting sounds.

That rules out French.

Is shifting across (and actually back in time for me) back to an Ibiza the stupidest idea ever.

There is a Cupra PD160 available locally and am sorely tempted

although the insurance group appears to be 15!!!

really?? 30 more bhp and 6 insurance groups????!!!

make the premium on a standard car more than the current policy for the modified Fabia!!

So it's gone full circle now, It's gotta be a Fabia SE, one of the last ones should be a good buy.

Is that group 15 on the new scale that goes up to 50 though? What's the Fabia vRS on the new scale?

nope

The Fabia VRS on the new scale is a group 16, as I have insured one today!!!

The extremely slow, Octavia 1.9TDi 110BHP is a group 22, I don't get how they work it out!!!

My Octy vRS was only group 14 on the old scale (think the petrol one was 15...)