Upgrade Woes

[sambb]

What about the ford falcon ecoboost. 2.0L high comp direct injected, K03 turbo, VVT 190kw, 350+nm. 6 spd ZF auto. With the 4cyl in it the motor is virtually behind the struts, so nice light front end and total weight is only 1650kg - thats in the golf R weight range. I reckon it'd be an awesome car with some mods (a sleeper too) with better fuel economy than the XR6T when your not up it. Same motor as the focus RS so you could delve beyond just ECU type mods. But yeah an XR6T is a weapon. If it came from a euro marque I bet they'd be raving about it internationally.

[Lucas_R]

Let me guess... You're starting a family, buying a tiguan for the Mrs, & claiming the GTI as your own?

Haha not quite. I just dont need an expensive car sitting in the garage not being used. So im planning to sell my R, and we will keep the GTI and ill buy something for around $15k i think. I still want something half decent/fun/powerful and reliable.

[sambb]

why not a B5 A4 with the same 1.8T. That way you get proper legit quattro 4wd ( rather than haldex honda crv style awd), the ease of working on a north south engine, transaxle gearboxes don't torque steer like transverse ones, still a physically small car, audi feel/quality and lots of your knowledge of the 1.8T would transfer over. I bet you could get a low kay one cheap. There are s -lines even right back then I think that had the goodies. Better yet an A4 B5 S4 (2.7L V6 twin K03) for a real weapon.

[noone]

Loving the suggestions.

My budget is <30. I want to be able to park it in the city and inner suburbs, I don't want a family sized car.

[h100vw]

why not a B5 A4 with the same 1.8T. That way you get proper legit quattro 4wd ( rather than haldex honda crv style awd), the ease of working on a north south engine, transaxle gearboxes don't torque steer like transverse ones, still a physically small car, audi feel/quality and lots of your knowledge of the 1.8T would transfer over. I bet you could get a low kay one cheap. There are s -lines even right back then I think that had the goodies. Better yet an A4 B5 S4 (2.7L V6 twin K03) for a real weapon.

S4 better than the 1.8T imo. The ECU in the 132kw quattro isn't easy to tune.

I'd say 8L S3 but they are all older than the Polo. Sub 30K gets you into a lot of VW group awd stuff though.

I'd be spoilt for choice with the budget.

Mine handles well now but doesn't work great with the power due to spin in the lower gears.

Tough decisions Ben

[noone]

yeah, my hard luck.

The S3 was logged today, pulling 12 degrees of timing. Not sure if I should jump in and replace the likely culprits of if I might be buying a money pit. Timing pull on a stock S3, all cyl on boost... Odd...

[h100vw]

yeah, my hard luck.

The S3 was logged today, pulling 12 degrees of timing. Not sure if I should jump in and replace the likely culprits of if I might be buying a money pit. Timing pull on a stock S3, all cyl on boost... Odd...

91 octane. Good call checking that out Ben!!

[Sharkie]

Mk 6 R can be had for less than $30K these days. Buy a manual and you will have lots fun and reliability for years to come .....

[sambb]

What do the first gen 350Z nissans go for? they sold new at the time for big bucks but they must have come down now.

[Blue9N3]

Mini JCW. They seem to be going for around the 25k mark now.

[sambb]

skoda octavia RS?

[ZantetsukenJ]

honda s2k

[kaanage]

There must be some 2nd hand Toyota 86's coming on the market now. Cheap interiors as well, though

[noone]

Nice ideas guys. I won't discuss why each is wrong for me.
The seller of the S3 is looking into the issue, hoping they get somewhere.

[Eddy]

There must be some 2nd hand Toyota 86's coming on the market now. Cheap interiors as well, though

Hoyhoy.

Have a look Greg, there's 100's of them @ new prices, but now the steelers are starting have them sitting in stock.
You'll have to wait a bit longer for second hand deals, I've been looking, because I'm interested in one.
The Little Blue Girl might have to move out in the near future.