Hey people,
Just thought I'd say hello!
Unfortunately at the beginning of June some theiving scumbags threw a brick through the living room window and hooked my keys from the coffee table and took off with my pride and joy. Fast forward two months of dealing with a ridiculous amount of insurance back and forth and I've finally been paid out by the insurance and GAP. I could of gone out and signed up to another PCP agreement and carried on owning an M135 but I'm saving up for a mortgage at the moment and I've decided having my own place sooner is more important than owning a high end car so I'm using the fairly significant savings to fast track getting a house.
I initially thought I'd just go super cheap and pondered on which car would provide the most smiles-per-pound and I ended up buying a Renault Clio Sport Cup 172 for £1800 - which I ended up sticking on autotrader 2 days after buying it
I should have put far more thought in to the purchase but after coming down from 2015 plate M135 the sheer gulf in interior quality was just something I didn't pay enough consideration to. One drive back from Wales on the day of purchase and I had instant regret. In saying that - after the initial shock had calmed down I took it out for a blast over the country hills of Dovestones in Oldham and I was completely blown away and I totally understand why the RS Cup's have their reputation - it was an absolute riot and they stick like glue. I don't think the fact it had a full race exhaust, decat and 182 manifold helped either as it was insanely loud and I don't really do obnoxious sounding cars, I prefer subtle and tasteful exhaust notes - everywhere I went people threw daggers haha.
I managed to sell it within 3 weeks on Autotrader and decided to up my budget to around 4k and decided a Golf Mk5 GTI would provide the best balance of performance and comfort. This Sunday I ended up buying a 98k mileage 2006 example with a full VW / Audi official garage service history in mint condition, inside and out, for £3800 - and I couldn't be happier. I knew Golf's had a good rep and they're good cars but I'm genuinely impressed with how crisp everything feels - it's a manual and the gearbox feels crisp and smooth, the steering is light and accurate and the clutch / brakes feel spot on.
I've not had it long enough yet to see what it can do on the twisties but initial impressions are positive - it feels firm but comfy and from the few bends / roundabouts I've thrown it in to it feels planted enough
The interior, for it's age, is impressive - even after coming down from the highly specced M135 with business nav, HK and coral red leather etc - the Golf really isn't a bad place to be. The materials are solid, the dash is well laid out and there's no rattles - it feels quality and even today doesn't feel dated.
After coming from 360bhp (JB+) it's nowhere near as quick - but I'm not dissapointed! I've been out of driving now for 2 months so I'm just glad to be back driving, but I'm really not displeased with the stock performance - 200bhp / 7 secs is still quick enough to briskley navigate today's roads and get out of the way of your average laxidazical drivers. I've been looking at remaps and seeing what's available - seems a fairly moddable car with decent gains - think I may end pursuing Stage 2/2+, starting out with a Stage 1 for a nice and easy quick win to give it a bit of a boost.
Will be lurking around the forums now having a nosy at what the GTI scene is like!
A few pics of the new car:
Mike
