Hi all, a bit of a background to my situation. I currently own a Subaru Impreza STI 2005 and have done for 3 years. It's been an awesome car to own but my circumstances have now changed and I'm soon to be the owner of my first home. However much I'd like to keep it, unfortunately the car will have to make way for something cheaper to run/maintain.
Even before the house sitauation I had been looking at Integra DC5s but I think I want something more economical still. So I then moved onto looking at Lupo GTIs which I had my heart set on until a friend asked if I'd considered a Twingo RS. I hadn't, and didn't know anything about them. At first I just dismissed the idea until I looked into them. I was shocked at how many different options there are and after my research I've decided I definitely want the cup chassis and do like the idea of the individual sliding rear seats, meaning it would have to be a full fat with cup chassis. I would also consider the Gordini, but again would have to have the cup chassis.
Anyway I've been looking a while and finally have a bit of free time on Saturday which I plan to look at a few and have a drive to make sure it's definitely what I want. A lot of the cars at dealers don't specify whether they have the cup chassis, will this be a case of they haven't got it or the dealer just doesn't know? I will be calling before I view, so will ask the question, but just wanted opinions.
There are a few cup models out there for sale, would you recommend one of these or go for the full fat + cup?
Also, do people think these cars have done most of their deprecating by now? From what I've seen I think I'm going to be looking at ones around 5k.
My car history is (in order):
K11 Nissan Micra
VW Polo 6n
Toyota Starlet GT turbo
EP3 Civic Type R
Subaru Impreza STI
So as you can see I've never owned a French car and never really considered one until now. I know the only way I'll know is to go out and test drive them but do you think one of these would be a good move? I've read some reviews saying get the Clio 172/182/197 instead as the Twingo is underpowered. However the whole point of this, for me, is to keep running costs down. Are they as underpowered as people say?
I understand it's going to be completely different to my last couple of cars but I'm sort of hoping it's like the Starlet in that it's small and nippy. I imagine it won't be as quick as the Starlet but hopefully better handling. I loved the Starlet and do miss it.
Thanks for any help and sorry for the essay but I don't want to regret it.
Even before the house sitauation I had been looking at Integra DC5s but I think I want something more economical still. So I then moved onto looking at Lupo GTIs which I had my heart set on until a friend asked if I'd considered a Twingo RS. I hadn't, and didn't know anything about them. At first I just dismissed the idea until I looked into them. I was shocked at how many different options there are and after my research I've decided I definitely want the cup chassis and do like the idea of the individual sliding rear seats, meaning it would have to be a full fat with cup chassis. I would also consider the Gordini, but again would have to have the cup chassis.
Anyway I've been looking a while and finally have a bit of free time on Saturday which I plan to look at a few and have a drive to make sure it's definitely what I want. A lot of the cars at dealers don't specify whether they have the cup chassis, will this be a case of they haven't got it or the dealer just doesn't know? I will be calling before I view, so will ask the question, but just wanted opinions.
There are a few cup models out there for sale, would you recommend one of these or go for the full fat + cup?
Also, do people think these cars have done most of their deprecating by now? From what I've seen I think I'm going to be looking at ones around 5k.
My car history is (in order):
K11 Nissan Micra
VW Polo 6n
Toyota Starlet GT turbo
EP3 Civic Type R
Subaru Impreza STI
So as you can see I've never owned a French car and never really considered one until now. I know the only way I'll know is to go out and test drive them but do you think one of these would be a good move? I've read some reviews saying get the Clio 172/182/197 instead as the Twingo is underpowered. However the whole point of this, for me, is to keep running costs down. Are they as underpowered as people say?
I understand it's going to be completely different to my last couple of cars but I'm sort of hoping it's like the Starlet in that it's small and nippy. I imagine it won't be as quick as the Starlet but hopefully better handling. I loved the Starlet and do miss it.
Thanks for any help and sorry for the essay but I don't want to regret it.