Not getting rid of the 'rado... Well OK I have!

[Alexander 0]

Really, the Fiat Coupe build quality is that good? I'm surprised to be honest... I'd love to have a go in one because everyone says they're terrifyingly quick. What kind of BHP do they put out?

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Yep, the FIAT is surprisingly taught and robust feeling because it was contracted out to a coach builder (Pininfarina) and was built better than he mainstream FIAT cars. Exactly the same situation as the Corrado, although the FIAT's handles don't fall off!

 

Honestly, the Coupe is no Punto. It really does not feel like a FIAT inside, it's really tough and the Recaro seats are excellent.

 

I don't know why the FIAT gets a hard time. Sure the Bangleised slashes divide opinion but it's one of his better creations imo. It's got a brilliant engine (220hp) and was very sophisticated in it's day. Made the C VR6 look very ancient, under spec'd and over priced by comparison.

 

In case you hadn't guess, I very nearly bought a Fiat coupe 6 years ago, but bought the Corrado instead. Knowing what I know now about Rados, I think I'd have gone the FIAT route.... but it's never too late :wink:

[Alexander 0]

Interesting! They do seem a bit small compared to the C, I wonder how practical one would be for a daily driver? I tend to have to put a fair amount of musical gear in the boot generally speaking. They're not even that pricey anymore are they, although obviously like every car the sensible thing to do is spend a good amount on a well looked after one.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

The boot isn't as big as the Corrado's but they're not too dissimilar size wise, overall.

 

Take a fit one out for a test drive and you might be pleasantly surprised :D

[corozin 0]

Obviously insurance might be an issue for younger owners than me, but if/when I swap out I'm going for either an M5 or a Jag XJR. The lure of a rwd uber-saloon with 400bhp is currently pretty strong in the corozin household :)

 

If MkIV R32's continue to depreciate at the current rate I might consider one, but frankly a Subaru would be less money and faster.

 

But I'm sure that when my replacement engine is in the VR6 I'll probably fall in love with it all over again (yes - another engine)

[Alexander 0]

Yeah that's the good thing about being 33 - insurance isn't really that much of a factor! I thought about an R32, but I really don't like the shape of Mk4 golfs, and a Mk5 one would be well out of my price range.

[StuartFZR400 0]

I have no idea what car I'd want next! Bearing in mind the C won't last forever, and is only one shunt from a 4x4 away from being a write-off on any given day, I like to have in the back of my mind what I'd get next.

Agreed, and I had this dilema before; its not an easy fix.

 

Bearing in mind my budget will be about 5k max, I'm stumped.

 

* Mk2 Golf GTI -

* Seat Leon Cupra/Cupra R - not impressed with Seat build quality at all

* Civic Type R (53/54 plate shape) - look good but not sure I could live with the VTEC. Ultra reliable though.

* Porsche 944 S2 - probably wouldn't find a decent one for 5k, been warned off them by a mechanic mate

* Peugeot 205 GTI - bet they're tons of fun, but the build quality is allegedly crap, and it's French!

* Fiat Coupe 20VT - ultra rapid, but a bit small, expensive to fix

* Alfa GTV V6 - again, it WILL go wrong and be expensive to keep on the road

* Another Corrado!

 

Obviously all cars have plus and minus points, but what else am I missing?

 

Most of those are as old as your C, and dont see why you wouldn't just look for another C. Yes you've spent a lot on yours, but I'd be mostly tempted to rip off everything expensive before your original went for scrap - the scrappy wouldn't pay you extra because it has a SS exhaust on it; take the stuff, its yours.

 

The only improvement there, in terms of reliability and modern safety is the Civic R. No brainer.

 

The Alfa is prone to going wrong. The Fiat is fine and is down to luck if it goes bad; its far quicker than a standard G60 and a touch quicker than a VR. The Fiat 5 cylinders also sound beautiful !!!

(the belt change can be done in-situ, specialist guy in B'ham does for half the price). Wish I'd bought one 2 years ago when I saw it with 32k miles for £3k. There arent too many electrical to go wrong. The one I know of drinks oil, but is always clean because of it, lol.Lots less small niggles than most cars of its age; yeh the rear calipers cease on, so fix it. (oh, btw, ins group 20)

 

How about a girly 1.8 TT? Just bear in mind the cheaper/older ones will start becoming as loose as your Corrado.

 

If money were no object, then the conversation becomes silly. As for intermediate ranges, like 3.2 TT's, S2000, Z4M's etc, tricky call. Love the Z4 coupe looks, hate the electric steering. S2000 is incredibly loud, and needs to be revved, and is an A&E waiting to happen if you get the pre-06 non-esp. The TT does it all. A 350z sounds nice, but has no boot and is a bit bulky IMO. Hmm, a common M3? Blurr.

 

You're also mixing hatches with coupes... :nono:

[Alexander 0]

Haha, well, hatch or coupe, as long as it's sexy and quick I'm not fussed! Well, actually as I've proven I'm a fussy bugger so that's not strictly true!

 

Way I see it, it would be good if my next car was:

 

* At least as good looking/head-turning as the G60

* At least as fast

* Less rattly!

* Easier over the 2 million speedbumps I have to traverse every day, but still well-handling

* Blessed with a leather interior

* A/C equipped

* Has some kind of decent boot space

 

But, not:

 

* Worse on fuel/MPG

* More expensive to maintain

* Longer/larger than the C

 

I know my initial list contains some cars that contradict these, but obviously every car has pros and cons.

 

Regarding getting another C, I just couldn't bear going back to square 1 again, hunting down fog lights all over the world, sourcing a non-ripped drivers seat, it'd be like Groundhog Day! Plus there's nothing wrong with wanting a change is there? :) *ducks flying chairs*

 

Thanks to all who've given their 2p so far, you're all legends!

[Critical_Mass 10]

Note the title of thread... but it does sound like you are seriously considering getting rid, are you?

[StuartFZR400 0]

Haha, well, ..., as long as it's sexy and quick I'm not fussed!

;) eye

 

Way I see it, it would be good if my next car was:

 

* At least as good looking/head-turning as the G60

* At least as fast

* Less rattly!

* Easier over the 2 million speedbumps I have to traverse every day, but still well-handling

* Blessed with a leather interior

* A/C equipped

* Has some kind of decent boot space

 

But, not:

 

* Worse on fuel/MPG

* More expensive to maintain

* Longer/larger than the C

 

Regarding getting another C, I just couldn't bear going back to square 1 again, hunting down fog lights all over the world, sourcing a non-ripped drivers seat, it'd be like Groundhog Day! Plus there's nothing wrong with wanting a change is there? :) *ducks flying chairs*

 

 

Oh, real easy then. A battered M3... oh yeh, it looks like a BMW sorry, and yu might deal drugs, lol.

 

Looks - totally a personal pref

As fast - doable today

Less rattles - easy to a point

Nice over Bumps - got to be modern then. Forget the S2000 and Z4, lol. Civic maybe ok; Fiat does a fine job on its standard 16's.

Leather - kinda easy (Fiat does it)

A/C - Fiat 20vT does it

Decent Boot - like mafia body storage large? The TT is dreadful. Fiat is ok (fits a keg). S2000 - a what? Civic - its a hatch, and the least I'd expect is room when loosing coupe-ness.

Same MPG - go modern. Even the Z4 3.0 does 30mpg about town. The Fiat puny 2.0, is ok... honest (no worse than a G60)

Not more expensive to run - easy, just avoid stealers of BMW's, Merc etc. Not sure about Honda parts.

Size - well the Corrado is very slim. As for length; whats the worry? Civic is very girl/parking friendly (except large rear pillars). TT is a doddle IMO, but wider.

 

Sit in a TT, then a Fiat and spot the difference; build quality in the cabin there is none. One will be an older car (S reg etc) and therefore loose, whereas the other is far slower (on your budget).

[Alexander 0]

Note the title of thread... but it does sound like you are seriously considering getting rid, are you?

 

Well, at the moment I have no reason to, but the engine is breathing heavy according to my mechanic, so it's not going to last forever unless I get it rebuilt with new piston rings etc. The charger was rebuilt this year so that's fine, interior is sorted, and there's just a couple of tiny bits of rust on the exterior and other than that it's running really well. Well, there's the battery drain problem but that's another story. Basically I've spent at least £1500 getting the car totally fettled, and I'm determined just to enjoy it now. I really believe it's one of the best examples of a G60 out there, it's that sorted.

 

But! It took me about 8 months to find it, because I'm one of those kind of dudes who likes to do a LOT of research before spending big wodges of cash. Most of those 8 months were lurking on this forum, reading tons of reviews and technical articles etc. and only then did I go out test driving. The way I see it, if the C was to die tomorrow (god forbid) or someone drives into me and writes it off, I don't want to be left stumped on what to get next, and have to buy a shitter to trundle around in, absorbing my spare cash, while I figure it out.

 

So my thinking is really "what's my next car going to be", whenever that is, rather than I'm actually looking to buy something right now. By the sounds of it it's the kind of speculation a few of us petrol heads engage in regardless of what we drive or how happy we are with it!

[Critical_Mass 10]

Note the title of thread... but it does sound like you are seriously considering getting rid, are you?

 

Well, at the moment I have no reason to, but the engine is breathing heavy according to my mechanic, so it's not going to last forever unless I get it rebuilt with new piston rings etc. The charger was rebuilt this year so that's fine, interior is sorted, and there's just a couple of tiny bits of rust on the exterior and other than that it's running really well. Well, there's the battery drain problem but that's another story. Basically I've spent at least £1500 getting the car totally fettled, and I'm determined just to enjoy it now. I really believe it's one of the best examples of a G60 out there, it's that sorted.

 

But! It took me about 8 months to find it, because I'm one of those kind of dudes who likes to do a LOT of research before spending big wodges of cash. Most of those 8 months were lurking on this forum, reading tons of reviews and technical articles etc. and only then did I go out test driving. The way I see it, if the C was to die tomorrow (god forbid) or someone drives into me and writes it off, I don't want to be left stumped on what to get next, and have to buy a **** to trundle around in, absorbing my spare cash, while I figure it out.

 

So my thinking is really "what's my next car going to be", whenever that is, rather than I'm actually looking to buy something right now. By the sounds of it it's the kind of speculation a few of us petrol heads engage in regardless of what we drive or how happy we are with it!

 

Indeed there is nothing wrong with speculating, or being prepared by know what you would get next if you were to get rid, or if the worst ever happened. Just sounds like, if the right car popped up for sale tomorrow you wouldnt hesitate. I've contemplated this same question myself, but can never seem to come to a conclusion as to what to get next if i was put in that position. I just wouldnt know what to replace the C with. There's nothing that distictive out there that interests me to be honest or at least nothing that is within the budget. I can think of other cars of similar age to the C that i like but if i had to swap the C for something i'm feeling it would be for something a little newer.

 

But for now and the foreseable future i'm happy :D

[Alexander 0]

Yeah I'm absolutely the same - I'm so fussy about cars, that's why it's worth giving it some thought well in advance.

 

Oh and if the right car came up tomorrow I wouldn't do anything, as I'm skint!

[AlexDG 0]

For me it would be a 944 S2 if the boot wasn't so flippin shallow...

 

Surprised no one has mentioned the Gen 7 Celica - the 190 bhp engine goes well (though it needs thrashing to get the best from it) and not too thirsty. Not really aware of what prices are doing these days but the face lift t-sport has a decent standard spec (leather, air con, 17's etc.).

[MonkeyVR6 0]

I'm kinda thinking the same way recently. My Corrado VR6 is becoming a hard car to justify. I was honestly thinking of a Lupo GTi or a Renault 172?

[Alexander 0]

Alex - at the moment, the 944 is one of the very few cars I could afford that actually makes me go "wow", fantastically sexy looking vehicle. Of course the S2 is the one to get, but finding a good one would be very important, a lot to go wrong and potentially very expensive.

 

Lupo/Clio are great cars, but a bit too small for me. I can see how they'd be a nice change from a VR though!

[leadfoot 0]

This thought has crossed my mind recently also as you never know when the rado will abruptly cease to function, although with slightly different considerations:

 

- I work away from my family during the week, so have a 300 mile round trip at the weekends and rado is my daily driver

- Wife due a baby, so thinking I need a car that will take 2 baby seats in the back and my 8 year old in the middle (so 2x2's are out-need middle seat belt)

 

I agree with all the comments below on just how special the corrado is (which is why I've owned mine for 10 years). Originally thought of getting an FTO/GTO,an old audi Quattro or an S2. You can't beat the Corrado for that feeling of cameraderie between drivers, the rareness (especially in Ireland) and the shape - sporty but not shouty

 

I would love an A5, but way to expensive, so I thought of an A4 1.8T conv. (cheap insurance, good shape, but conv. too :camp: ).

Could probably just about bring myself to drive a BMW if was a fully specced 325+ ci (maybe in red)or the M3 (pretty rare in Ireland, althrough the insurance here and the chances of it gettign nicked are high, not to mention the fact that a £10K one would cost an additional €15k+ in VRT import tax! :mad2: Its bad that the BMW is the only reasonable alternative I could come up with :shrug:

 

A dilemma indeed!

[BigTartanJudge 0]

Weird, Im having naughty thoughts about Audi S4's and e46 M3's just now :wink:

 

 

e46 M3's = Chav Mobil!

Audi S4's = Understated exec power, but very bland.

 

Corrado wins!

 

I'd hardly call an e46 M3 a chav mobile :scratch: maybe if it was an EVO or Scooby

[BigTartanJudge 0]

Obviously insurance might be an issue for younger owners than me, but if/when I swap out I'm going for either an M5 or a Jag XJR. The lure of a rwd uber-saloon with 400bhp is currently pretty strong in the corozin household :)

 

If MkIV R32's continue to depreciate at the current rate I might consider one, but frankly a Subaru would be less money and faster.

 

But I'm sure that when my replacement engine is in the VR6 I'll probably fall in love with it all over again (yes - another engine)

 

M5's ya say, I hear you on that one :wink:

 

£10k now, and a LOT of car for the money.

[bunjiman 0]

have you driven a vr6 c mate?

 

find a leather one 93 onwards with ac and a good engine and you're lauging :)

 

i'd seriously recommend you get one if your G60 goes and as afforementioned take the good stuff off and swap as required

 

check this out:

 

 

they are quick in stock and can be easily made to go quicker

 

vr6 spec generally well equiped (esp with leather ac etc)

 

lots of bargains about now too!

 

i picked up a nice one in the spring and have not looked back.

 

download/file.php?id=66349&mode=view

 

download/file.php?id=66350&mode=view

 

used to own a 16v. this beats this shit out of it!

[skinnyman9000 0]

My vote would be the Fiat Coupe.

 

Ive just had a quick scout on youtube and they sound bloody lovely! There is a video of a red one with a carbon fibre centre console which looks pretty swish, and at 220bhp standard i'd imagine a decent exhaust system and remap would see this to 260 easy.

 

I do have one major concern with the coupes though, and thats wheel choice. Im not a fan of the standard alloys, and due to the lines of the car i cant really think of any wheels that would match it well.

 

Hmmmm, fiat coupe, hmmmm.

[monVR6 0]

What an interesting discussion! Everyone is calling out all the alternatives I've ever thought of - BUT - can never justify changing my VR as I can't imagine a better all-rounder that looks so good without being shouty - great handling, sound, performance, space (for the size) etc etc . .

 

Have driven a good few options - but none of them have ever been good enough to make me change.

 

SO - I bought a second car for the long round trips to the office. Have a Skoda Fabia vRS - 130BHP - stonking mid-range - and 60mpg on a cruise. Can also get a whopping BHP and torque increase via a generic remap for about £280.

Build is cracking, good space for size (again), nice to drive, well-equiped, refined etc etc.

 

Think I have a great combination - and still have the rare VR - which I love driving every time I get in it!

 

PS - one other thought - Lotus Elan SE Turbo - different - and interesting - also a great drive . .

[Alexander 0]

I must say I've never heard anything bad about the VRS's - both the Fabia and the Octavia.

 

Good point above about a well-sorted VR6 as an alternative to the G60, still get the great looks we all love but with leather, AC, ABS and an updated interior. It would have to be an absolute minter tho!

[Alexander 0]

Well, just a bit of an update - had a bit of a change in circumstances since starting this thread (all good, I might add!) which means it's now looking likely that I'm going to be getting shot of the G60 in the near future.

 

Be gutted to see her go, but I'd rather sell a totally sorted car to another enthusiast who can keep her in good nick, than gradually watch her deteriorate, and I just don't have the passion to keep fixing the little bits and pieces cars this age always need. I'll put up a for sale thread when I get some decent pics.

 

As for my decision as to my next car? Well I've not been out test driving yet but on paper it's looking like a shortlist of Civic Type R, Audi S3 or Leon Cupra R. I just know I'll always miss the G60 though, just like I've always missed my Mk2 Golf GTI but you have to keep moving forward in life eh?

[Abdul 0]

Personally, ive thought about and have put the rado up for sale twice in the last 10 months or so and tbh i cant do it. Im thinking of getting something a bit newer, faster, more refined etc but im pretttttttttttttyy sure ill sell it and buy another rado so just goin to stick to it...

 

I say u buy a Vr and charge it, might cost a bit more than 5 but hell its going to be worth it! :D

 

Or, if its more reliability etc u want why not do an engine conversion to something newer? Out of the above 3 id go for the cupra btw, A/S3's are nice cruisers but so damn boring to drive imo... the cupra's actually more fun with its 2wd. Type R could be interesting aswell though but i cant imagine it being very refined!!