Hello folks, it's been a while since I was last on here. I bought a new MK1 VRS in 2005 which, after three years of reliable service, I swapped for an MX5 2.0ltr Sport. I was just getting my mid life crisis out of the way while I could still get into one, it was a superb car by the way. Well after selling the Mazda earlier today I'm in the fortunate position of looking at a replacement and the new VRS is high on the list along with the Audi A1, Honda CRZ, Mazda2 and VW Polo. My only hesitation concerns the comparatively high-tech engine, but I've done a lot of on line research and people do seem to think rather highly of it. I just wanted to know if anyone out there can tell me;

A). What the servicing costs are like, say over the first five years. I know it's a cam chain engine but presumably it will need expensive oil and the supercharger belt replacing at some stage, unless of course it's gear driven, are their any other scary servicing implications other than the basic stuff?.

2)I know the miles per gallon thing has been done to death, but in the real world, taking it fairly steady on a 20 mile commute, half of it motorway, am I looking in the region of 40mpg?

3) I fully intend to make use of the current VAT free offer, but wondered if anyone else had been able to negotiate slightly better prices when striking a deal- I am from Yorkshire after all.

4) GMP Drivercare are advertising them for £13,146, I haven't called them as yet but has anyone else used them before? Could this really be an the road price?

4) Does a spare wheel come as standard now?

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks.

Hello folks, it's been a while since I was last on here. I bought a new MK1 VRS in 2005 which, after three years of reliable service, I swapped for an MX5 2.0ltr Sport. I was just getting my mid life crisis out of the way while I could still get into one, it was a superb car by the way. Well after selling the Mazda earlier today I'm in the fortunate position of looking at a replacement and the new VRS is high on the list along with the Audi A1, Honda CRZ, Mazda2 and VW Polo. My only hesitation concerns the comparatively high-tech engine, but I've done a lot of on line research and people do seem to think rather highly of it. I just wanted to know if anyone out there can tell me;

A). What the servicing costs are like, say over the first five years. I know it's a cam chain engine but presumably it will need expensive oil and the supercharger belt replacing at some stage, unless of course it's gear driven, are their any other scary servicing implications other than the basic stuff?.

2)I know the miles per gallon thing has been done to death, but in the real world, taking it fairly steady on a 20 mile commute, half of it motorway, am I looking in the region of 40mpg?

3) I fully intend to make use of the current VAT free offer, but wondered if anyone else had been able to negotiate slightly better prices when striking a deal- I am from Yorkshire after all.

4) GMP Drivercare are advertising them for £13,146, I haven't called them as yet but has anyone else used them before? Could this really be an the road price?

4) Does a spare wheel come as standard now?

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks.

On number 2, MPG, Ive just had a demonstator for a week with 7000 miles on the clock, and my daily commute to work which is 60% mway and 40% A/B roads, the best i got was 38, but i did just drive it normally, so i think 40 is possible with a little care

Hello folks, it's been a while since I was last on here. I bought a new MK1 VRS in 2005 which, after three years of reliable service, I swapped for an MX5 2.0ltr Sport. I was just getting my mid life crisis out of the way while I could still get into one, it was a superb car by the way. Well after selling the Mazda earlier today I'm in the fortunate position of looking at a replacement and the new VRS is high on the list along with the Audi A1, Honda CRZ, Mazda2 and VW Polo. My only hesitation concerns the comparatively high-tech engine, but I've done a lot of on line research and people do seem to think rather highly of it. I just wanted to know if anyone out there can tell me;

A). What the servicing costs are like, say over the first five years. I know it's a cam chain engine but presumably it will need expensive oil and the supercharger belt replacing at some stage, unless of course it's gear driven, are their any other scary servicing implications other than the basic stuff?.

2)I know the miles per gallon thing has been done to death, but in the real world, taking it fairly steady on a 20 mile commute, half of it motorway, am I looking in the region of 40mpg?

3) I fully intend to make use of the current VAT free offer, but wondered if anyone else had been able to negotiate slightly better prices when striking a deal- I am from Yorkshire after all.

4) GMP Drivercare are advertising them for £13,146, I haven't called them as yet but has anyone else used them before? Could this really be an the road price?

4) Does a spare wheel come as standard now?

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks.

2. Just done a motorway drive to the NW meet, was pleasantly surprised with the 44mpg return at 70mph. Get around 30mpg anywhere else.

2. Just done a motorway drive to the NW meet, was pleasantly surprised with the 44mpg return at 70mph. Get around 30mpg anywhere else.

Thanks, that sounds good, I'm off to see if I can try one today.

Hello folks, it's been a while since I was last on here. I bought a new MK1 VRS in 2005 which, after three years of reliable service, I swapped for an MX5 2.0ltr Sport. I was just getting my mid life crisis out of the way while I could still get into one, it was a superb car by the way. Well after selling the Mazda earlier today I'm in the fortunate position of looking at a replacement and the new VRS is high on the list along with the Audi A1, Honda CRZ, Mazda2 and VW Polo. My only hesitation concerns the comparatively high-tech engine, but I've done a lot of on line research and people do seem to think rather highly of it. I just wanted to know if anyone out there can tell me;

A). What the servicing costs are like, say over the first five years. I know it's a cam chain engine but presumably it will need expensive oil and the supercharger belt replacing at some stage, unless of course it's gear driven, are their any other scary servicing implications other than the basic stuff?.

2)I know the miles per gallon thing has been done to death, but in the real world, taking it fairly steady on a 20 mile commute, half of it motorway, am I looking in the region of 40mpg?

3) I fully intend to make use of the current VAT free offer, but wondered if anyone else had been able to negotiate slightly better prices when striking a deal- I am from Yorkshire after all.

4) GMP Drivercare are advertising them for £13,146, I haven't called them as yet but has anyone else used them before? Could this really be an the road price?

4) Does a spare wheel come as standard now?

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks.

Hi beerbelly

1. No idea on servicing costs. Can't imagine servicing on one is too steep; dont think they need any major attention until they have plenty of miles under their belt like most cars.

2. Think 40mpg would be realistic once run in and driven sensibly. I think you could expect mid to low 20's if driven like a tool all the time.

3. I dont think you'll get away with negotiating much discount if any as 20% is already a big saving on what is a very new model. We didnt barter too much as it was cheap in our opinion anyway but we'll be trying to get things like mats etc; the usual stuff. We kept optional extras to a bare minimum striking out nice to haves and only having essentials; this way you obviously make the biggest saving. Is a very well equipped car as standard anyway.

4. Spare wheel is standard on the vRS

Thanks all, I've just ordered one, standard spec in blue. Unfortunately I'm looking at a ten week build date though so it looks as if I'll be on the bike for the next few weeks!. Very impressed with the car overall, a real quality feel about it. I also tried a Mazda2 1.5 sport earlier today which actually drove really nicely, the ride quality was better than the VRS but it was rather lacking in power. I toured most of the new car showrooms this morning to see what was on offer from the various manufacturers, the Audi A1 is really nice but oh dear Audi, you want how much for one???? Incidentally I did ring GMP Drivercare who seemed confident they would be able to source a new VRS in a plain colour at £13146.00 OTR, however, for peace of mind I eventually opted to go with my local dealer who did manage a little bit more discount on top of the usual VAT free deal so there wasn't too much in it at the end of the day.

Thanks all, I've just ordered one, standard spec in blue. Unfortunately I'm looking at a ten week build date though so it looks as if I'll be on the bike for the next few weeks!. Very impressed with the car overall, a real quality feel about it. I also tried a Mazda2 1.5 sport earlier today which actually drove really nicely, the ride quality was better than the VRS but it was rather lacking in power. I toured most of the new car showrooms this morning to see what was on offer from the various manufacturers, the Audi A1 is really nice but oh dear Audi, you want how much for one???? Incidentally I did ring GMP Drivercare who seemed confident they would be able to source a new VRS in a plain colour at £13146.00 OTR, however, for peace of mind I eventually opted to go with my local dealer who did manage a little bit more discount on top of the usual VAT free deal so there wasn't too much in it at the end of the day.

At least with a local dealer if anything goes wrong, you should be able to get it sorted pretty easily. My local seems pretty good for stuff like that.

At least with a local dealer if anything goes wrong, you should be able to get it sorted pretty easily. My local seems pretty good for stuff like that.

My thoughts exactly. I told my local dealer that I would rather go with them, but only if they met me somewhere in the middle over the price difference with GMP Drivercare, he didn't exactly meet me in the middle, but every penny counts. I thought their customer service was excellent by the way, very down to earth and friendly with no pressure applied (DM Keith in Ossett,) much better than a certain Mazda dealer in Huddersfield who obviously didn't want to sell me a car as he flatly refused to discuss anything other than the recommended retail price!

Thanks all, I've just ordered one, standard spec in blue. Unfortunately I'm looking at a ten week build date though so it looks as if I'll be on the bike for the next few weeks!. Very impressed with the car overall, a real quality feel about it. I also tried a Mazda2 1.5 sport earlier today which actually drove really nicely, the ride quality was better than the VRS but it was rather lacking in power. I toured most of the new car showrooms this morning to see what was on offer from the various manufacturers, the Audi A1 is really nice but oh dear Audi, you want how much for one???? Incidentally I did ring GMP Drivercare who seemed confident they would be able to source a new VRS in a plain colour at £13146.00 OTR, however, for peace of mind I eventually opted to go with my local dealer who did manage a little bit more discount on top of the usual VAT free deal so there wasn't too much in it at the end of the day.

Well done Beerbelly, dont think you'll regret it by the way. 10 week build v good by the way, we ordered our vRS estate at end of Jan and we're facing a 17 week wait.

Congrats, you'll love it when it arrives! :yes: