Well, I've tried to be good and economical with my Mazda 6 estate but I am getting bored. It's a perfectly good car but I have decided (again) that diesels aren't for me and I am hankering something petrol. Also, now we have the 5008, the need for a large estate has diminished some what.
I think I am going to return to my roots and go for a hot / warm hatch of some sort. Back in the day I had a string of good fun practical hatches, my particular favourite being a 306XSi. So I figured I may go back to that formula for a while and get something family friendly yet fun.
A scout round the classifieds left me a little underwhelmed but I stumbled across the Renault Megane 225 which fires the interest.
So, my question, has anyone run a standard 225 (not an R26R or any of the various specials that were done) and what was it actually like?
22 February 2010
Hi Teg, How is the search going? I have eventually settled for a Mk 5 GTI - looked at the Leon, but couldn't get beyond that awkward A pillar, found the MPS a bit plain and have had enough of french electrics for now so no 225 for me! I was pretty keen on an ST, but thought the fuel economy would be pretty crippling and wasnt a huge fan of the 'essex image'! Anyway, good luck on your search.
8 April 2010
Why do people keep going on about the 3 MPS thirst? I get 400 miles to a tank out of mine when driven carefully? About 300 when not. I thought that was pretty good? What's average for a hot hatch?
25 November 2007
Teg - I picked up a manual 57-plate petrol TFSI Leon FR last week........
Excellent news!
Sounds like you've found a really good one!
I had heard about the rough sounding engine but if it is an effective tool, then I won't be too worried.
As yet, I have done sweet Fanny Adams about the situation. The weather is only just starting to improve and the roads are still too greasy / salty / slippery for me properly drive one. Yes, I know I am probably being a little too pedantic about it but my main criteria from a day to day perspective is the way it drives, what feed back it has and how many smiles I get out of it!
It's all about the twisties........
31 October 2008
Teg - I picked up a manual 57-plate petrol TFSI Leon FR last week. So far, very impressed - a little wind and road noise but concerns over the ride are largely unfounded, especially on the 17in standard wheels. Superb seats and decent kit levels (dual climate, cruise, Aux-in stereo, OBC etc) and seems to handle pretty well.
As for performance, I wanted to benchmark a manual against the DSG I mentioned in my previous post, but this one is has very obviously been remapped so I can't do so. Its on a different planet in terms of performance and feels stronger than the 250bhp a lot of mappers quote. In fact the extra urge 'makes' the car and was a main reason for choosing it.
The 2.0 TFSI does sound dog rough though, more like a diesel at idle and mine seems to have the widely-reported squeaky cambelt tensioners. I'll be getting that sorted asap.
Any update on your search?
5 September 2011
Sorry, Teg. You're just a bit too awkward! I'd love to help you, but I'm really struggling!
I'll keep trying...
25 November 2007
I know you really don't want a diesel, but the Golf GTD might be worth a look. That or a Mazda3 with the 2.2D in 185bhp form. I've heard it's a bit of a sleeper, and specced right, the facelift can look great. You could also pay an extra couple of hundred quid to chip it quite significantly - it wouldn't cost you much at all to get it well in excess of 200bhp.
It's not ultimately about straight line speed for me. It's about decent power delivery (I don't want the wads of torque and a narrow power bad that a diesel gives) and good chassis balance. Also, I've had a Mk5 Golf 140TDi before and I hated it!
Sorry has to be petrol!
I am in a similar position Teg ... I will probably end up with something completely unrelated!
You know exactly where I am coming from! I'm glad to know I am not the only awkward bugger out there! lol.
If you come up with anything else, I'd always be interested to hear.
It's all about the twisties........
5 September 2011
I know you really don't want a diesel, but the Golf GTD might be worth a look. That or a Mazda3 with the 2.2D in 185bhp form. I've heard it's a bit of a sleeper, and specced right, the facelift can look great. You could also pay an extra couple of hundred quid to chip it quite significantly - it wouldn't cost you much at all to get it well in excess of 200bhp.
22 February 2010
I am in a similar position Teg - currently got a Clio 197, but have recently got a bit sick of the electrics. Also, being a 2006 model, it doesnt have the super sharp steering of the later 197's/200's.
So I am looking for a replacement of the Type R, GTI, FR variety.
I have found a good deal on the Leon FR, but it is yellow and I dont know if I really get on with the styling. I really like the GTI, but I have never driven one and for the amount I am looking to spend they are all high milers. Mazda 3's seem to be excellent value, but I am put off by their thirst...likewise the ST...so it comes down to whether lower miles mean cheaper running costs in the long run, or whether a Leon and GTI would be a better place to put the cash...
I will probably end up with something completely unrelated!
25 November 2007
Teg
I was passing a Seat garage last night so popped in and managed a drive in an 07 Leon FR with DSG..........
Excellent stuff, thanks for that.
That does sound like where I want to go with it. I'm not to worried about the pulse racing side of things, if I were I'd probably go for the Cupra instead. I like the idea of it being quite well rounded and rapid without being OTT. The 170tdi version does sound like it would suit you better though, the kick in the back being a little more pronounced (well from other VW products I've driven with that engine at least).
I know what you mean about the boot aperture, it is quite tapered but that seems to be a problem with most modern designs - style over function. If that is an issue for you, then you could look at the Altea FR if you can live with the slightly more upright styling.
It's all about the twisties........
31 October 2008
Teg
I was passing a Seat garage last night so popped in and managed a drive in an 07 Leon FR with DSG.
The ride was just on the right side of acceptible and the steering nice and meaty. Build quality was fine and there was none of the usual Seat brittleness (I’ve owned two previously). Front end grip seemed excellent and handling fine within the confines of a 30 min drive.
Wasn’t overkeen on the DSG but that’s a different subject – except that the ‘box kept the turbo spooled up so there was little of the build up of boost which I kinda like. As a result whilst the car was swift the performance felt a little thin. More revvy than torquey if that makes sense. One question mark I have is around the boot apeture, which is quite curved and slightly narrow at the base. The lip was high too. I might try and grab a drive in a manual at some point or even the 170Tdi, but overall impression was that it was a good allrounder but my pulse wasn’t racing afterwards.