Hi, just looking for some advice. Having been out of the country for 9 months and not enjoying the rain on the walk to the local bus stop one bit the time has come to re-invest in some automotive transport of my own. I've been looking at a number of 'hot hatches' simply because i enjoy driving and even at 30 i'm not ready to get something more 'sensible' quite yet. The question is mk11 3 mps yes or no? my budgets around 9,000 and there is a host of things available from varying marques and yet i can't make up my mind. It must be reliable, return acceptable figures on a run (above 30mpg) as i can do long motorway trips but more importantly be fun when the opportunity presents. I've test driven a focus st-2 (not a massive fan, didn't feel particularly quick and the performance didn't justify the lack of economy in my eyes) and an astra VXR which despite all the criticism i've seen directed at them i actually quite enjoyed. So if anybody has any advice and or opinions i'd welcome them,

Cheers in advance for anybodies help,

Chris

They are very reliable despite the odd horror story you may hear. You can easy get 30+ mpg on the motorway

Just go test drive one, you defo wont be dissapointed

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Cheers guys, what horror stories? i know there could be turbo and vvt issues on the mk1, i was under the impression they had been rectified? anything particular i should watch out for? In fairness i quite like the low key look of the Mk1 but i refuse to give the government any more than necessary of my hard earned for road tax! A few people i've spoken to have warned about torque steer but they said the same thing about the vxr and i didn't find it hugely intrusive, advice also tends to come from people that have never driven/owned them!

yeah test drive one mate, and you will see what it's all about, i am sure you will love it!, ST no no

At 30 you have many years ahead to enjoy a hot hatch rather then something more sensible. If you buy an MPS you get good performance and rarity.

Welcome to the forum mate. As others have said you'd be better of taking one for a spin.

Torquesteer doesnt happen really on a stock car with fresh tyres ,when they are bold yes its lethal in the wet .

MPG combined will be about 22mpg and that aint gunning it all ,although once mapped your talking 35mpg + on the motorway and about 26-7 combined .

The focus is slow ,shockingly as i found out last month .The VXR is everywhere but they do sound good.

Like you i was looking at these 3 and maybe a cupra after realising a subaru was to much of a risk. Anyway i didnt even test drive the other hatches after i test drove a mps.
Get it bought and then mapped .

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If you want to play be ready to pay ££

MPS NOW SOLD , COME FORTH THE X-TYPE (RIP) , COME FORTH THE BRAVO DERV

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well,

looks like i'm heading to view one Friday, metallic grey, 22,000 miles completely standard. Just a pain everything is so far from where i live. Hopefully it will be worth the trek! i've missed Japanese cars ever since i got rid of my sti, big mistake...

You'll fly over 30 mpg on a run, you can occasionally get into 40mpg on a real steady run

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Yup I got 42 from hull to lake district once but most of that was at 50 mph through average speed cams. But it can be done if you dont mind being bored to death!

Just to give you a wider picture of the variance in MPG people achieve to help you make your mind up, I achieve (standard map) :

22 through the city (rush hour to and from work, lots of stop start)
36 cruising at 70-75
40+ cruising at 60 (once had 44 over 50 miles on the A96)

Obviously this goes down if I put my foot down off roundabouts or away from junctions but it goes to show what can be had from the MPS since not everyone drives like they stole it every day

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Summer / 17x8 Lenso Samurai D1R. 235/45/17 Yokohama V105.
Winter / 17x7 TSW Apex. 205/50/17 Yokohama W.Drive.

Cheers for all the responses, ref the fuel economy i'm not hugely concerned. The car will be doing a 700 mile round trip on the motorway approximately once a month hence the question about economy on a run. Rest of the time will be purely pleasure and i will happily take a lot less mpg as long as i get out with a grin

on that, those are almost exactly the same mpg I get, and you should totally test drive one Commando_chris

Right, 600 mile trip tomorrow, if it's good it's coming home with me!