What do you get next?

[xyy81t]

I've had my little VRS for nearly three years now and for the most part I love the viscous thing. but for about 6 months I've had the itch for something with a few more mod cons, a little less road noise and a bit more power.

 

3 months ago, I tried a 2016 Golf R and while it ticked the mod cons and interior refinement boxes I was very much underwhelmed by the drive. After that I decided to just stick with the VRS. 

 

This week, I spotted a rather aggressive looking mazda at a mazda garage on the daily commute and thought i'd look into it. Turned out to be a 2012 Mazda 3 MPS and from what I read I thought it might tick all the boxes so arranged to take it out. I've just got back and whilst it wasn't quite as modern as the golf it is an improvement on the inside compared to the VRS. However, the drive was again underwhelming albeit better than the golf was.

 

So what do I consider next? what can come close to the VRS for sub £7k? Nothing seems to drive as well as this car. 

 

If my VRS was less noisy on the Motorway and less rattley on the country roads with at least a heated seat and cruise control I think that'd do.

[WillSmithy]

What sized wheels do you have on your VRS? Surely downsizing to a slightly smaller wheel might help reduce motorway noise, and/or look into adding more sound deadening material. Also you should be able to retrofit heated seats and cruise control, have a look on the forum and you will find some posts on how to do it. Might be a massive pain in the arse and will probably cost you a couple hundred pound each but it'll surely be cheaper than buy an entirely new car.

[Ootohere]

Putting 16" wheels and tyres onto a vRS really makes little difference to a vRS.

As to getting rattly that is just par for the course as they get on in years and as the exhaust gets exhaust and generally they need much more TLC.

 

For 7 grand it really comes down to taste and looking to find something that gives the same fun and might not also be at the age that they can start costing money.

I think a 148 or 150 PS 1.4TSI DSG in a SEAT, VW or Audi can be worth checking out.

Maybe something with a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI with a Wet Clutch DSG.  (but then the euro 5's can be as bad as some 1.4 TSI twinchargers for issues...)

I would avoid ones with Haldex or other makes with AWD systems that might be problematic with age, or lack of regular servicing.

Edited 22 February, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[UrbanPanzer]

fit heated seats and cruise, lot cheaper than new car.🙂

[CS45]

23 hours ago, xyy81t said:

I've had my little VRS for nearly three years now and for the most part I love the viscous thing. but for about 6 months I've had the itch for something with a few more mod cons, a little less road noise and a bit more power.

 

3 months ago, I tried a 2016 Golf R and while it ticked the mod cons and interior refinement boxes I was very much underwhelmed by the drive. After that I decided to just stick with the VRS. 

 

This week, I spotted a rather aggressive looking mazda at a mazda garage on the daily commute and thought i'd look into it. Turned out to be a 2012 Mazda 3 MPS and from what I read I thought it might tick all the boxes so arranged to take it out. I've just got back and whilst it wasn't quite as modern as the golf it is an improvement on the inside compared to the VRS. However, the drive was again underwhelming albeit better than the golf was.

 

So what do I consider next? what can come close to the VRS for sub £7k? Nothing seems to drive as well as this car. 

 

If my VRS was less noisy on the Motorway and less rattley on the country roads with at least a heated seat and cruise control I think that'd do.

How about a Kia Proceed GT? 
The depreciation on them means that for around £7000, sometimes below, you can get a 200bhp hot coupe.

Not the most exciting hot hatch, but the added size and level of kit should mean its more refined. 
Or you could size up to an Octavia?

[Mickmartin]

Had the mk1 mazda MPS aero.....

 

Pro's - Quick 260 bhp out the box, cobb compatible and plenty of aftermarket upgrades, Mine ran 310bhp with a few bolt ons and map.

 

Cons - Jap and tinny feeling, went through wheel bearings and suspension parts constant, £500 a year road tax and I sold my 2007 with 2 brand new arches as they were rotting.

 

 

The fabia will never feel less rattley if you want performance at the same time, Its the joys of being a skoda and VW'S black sheep. For 7k you can pick up an 8p Audi s3 if your happy to go with a bit higher mileage, Focus/fiesta ST's are an option.

[spartacus68]

Surprised about the Golf. I do like the look of the newer models.

 

Sold my MkII Fabia 1.6 TDI Elegance last year and bought a 2015 Polo 6R 1.4 TDI Bluemotion SEL as my daily driver.

 

Great ride, 500 miles per tank, all the toys, air-con, infotainment system, USB, centre arm rest, tyre pressure monitor, 4x electric windows and importantly LED headlights.

 

How many cars have you had with shocking headlights? I have an A4 Allroad with bi-xenon headlights which are fantastic, but the little Polo with LEDs is just dandy.

 

The Polo had 29k miles and was £8,500. Came with 1 year Das WeltAuto warranty which I've claimed on for airbag light, recoding spare key and air conditioning recharge. Can't fault their response. The oil burner might not suit your tastes, but the Polo R or GTI might be worth a test drive.

[xyy81t]

On 21/02/2020 at 18:50, WillSmithy said:

What sized wheels do you have on your VRS? Surely downsizing to a slightly smaller wheel might help reduce motorway noise, and/or look into adding more sound deadening material. Also you should be able to retrofit heated seats and cruise control, have a look on the forum and you will find some posts on how to do it. Might be a massive pain in the arse and will probably cost you a couple hundred pound each but it'll surely be cheaper than buy an entirely new car.

She's bone stock as they say so 17" with 40 profile tyres, currently on Pirelli p zero neros

 

On 22/02/2020 at 08:20, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

Putting 16" wheels and tyres onto a vRS really makes little difference to a vRS.

As to getting rattly that is just par for the course as they get on in years and as the exhaust gets exhaust and generally they need much more TLC.

 

For 7 grand it really comes down to taste and looking to find something that gives the same fun and might not also be at the age that they can start costing money.

I think a 148 or 150 PS 1.4TSI DSG in a SEAT, VW or Audi can be worth checking out.

Maybe something with a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI with a Wet Clutch DSG.  (but then the euro 5's can be as bad as some 1.4 TSI twinchargers for issues...)

I would avoid ones with Haldex or other makes with AWD systems that might be problematic with age, or lack of regular servicing.

The wife has a 2010 Seat Leon FR with the 6sp DSG and a remap. It's not quite as engaging as the VRS to drive and also fails on the interior refinements - newer will be better i know but that'l most likely be her next motor so i'm looking for something a bit more niche. 

 

14 hours ago, Mickmartin said:

Had the mk1 mazda MPS aero.....

 

Pro's - Quick 260 bhp out the box, cobb compatible and plenty of aftermarket upgrades, Mine ran 310bhp with a few bolt ons and map.

 

Cons - Jap and tinny feeling, went through wheel bearings and suspension parts constant, £500 a year road tax and I sold my 2007 with 2 brand new arches as they were rotting.

 

 

The fabia will never feel less rattley if you want performance at the same time, Its the joys of being a skoda and VW'S black sheep. For 7k you can pick up an 8p Audi s3 if your happy to go with a bit higher mileage, Focus/fiesta ST's are an option.

thanks for the info, whilst i didnt drive the mps for long I didn't find it tinny, it was a vast improvement over the VRS inside. Rot around the arches would be a concearn although i've not seen any evidence of that yet on the facelifted ones that i've been looking at. I don't mind a bit of mileage but i also don't fancy something so common as the audi ford vauxhall etc etc which is why i'm drawn to the MPS - I like things a little bit different, I've even considered an older Alfa Brera but decided that might be a bad idea!

 

1 hour ago, spartacus68 said:

Surprised about the Golf. I do like the look of the newer models.

 

Sold my MkII Fabia 1.6 TDI Elegance last year and bought a 2015 Polo 6R 1.4 TDI Bluemotion SEL as my daily driver.

 

Great ride, 500 miles per tank, all the toys, air-con, infotainment system, USB, centre arm rest, tyre pressure monitor, 4x electric windows and importantly LED headlights.

 

How many cars have you had with shocking headlights? I have an A4 Allroad with bi-xenon headlights which are fantastic, but the little Polo with LEDs is just dandy.

 

The Polo had 29k miles and was £8,500. Came with 1 year Das WeltAuto warranty which I've claimed on for airbag light, recoding spare key and air conditioning recharge. Can't fault their response. The oil burner might not suit your tastes, but the Polo R or GTI might be worth a test drive.

I was surprised too, it was manual so My rustyness with the stick may have played a small part in the way i felt but it still should have felt faster than it did once it was in gear, it was a very lifeless drive. 

 

 

I appreciate all your comments, grateful for the advice, I'm going to try a Giulietta and have another hopefully longer go in an MPS and take it from there. If neither makes me want to buy them I'll hang onto the VRS until something else takes my fancy.

[Ootohere]

A Giulietta 1.7 Auto can be quite fun,

but i enjoyed driving a Mito 1.4 petrol Auto even more. 170 ps and playing about with the D,N,A modes.