Is there a fun, petrol car that will do a genuine 40mpg?

[fatboy b]

I’m 3 months into a 2018 Cooper S hatchback. Cracking fun car to drive. I get high 30s generally. But low 40s on a run.

[TameRacingDriver]

If it was me I’d look at the Fiesta Red edition as per a few pages back. It seems that they are ridiculously cheap to run for the performance on offer and handle well and have genuine character too.

[T-195]

MR2 MK3?

An easy 35 the gallon.

[Jamesgt]

We are currently running a mk7 golf gti. I’m genuinely impressed. I always get over 40mpg when I drive it. I drove it on a 200mile journey just before Christmas and the car said it returned over 50mpg. I’m sure someone will say VAG is inaccurate but I brimmed it at the start of the journey then at the end and it cost under £25 from a BP services where fuel is always a touch more expensive.

[jam_up]

hollythedog said:

So four years on what have we learnt? I am in a similar position as the OP. Work vehicle with an allowance. 15k to spend and needs to do a 40mpg average during work motorway miles. Only get 12ppm petrol rebate for work miles.
Fun weekend milage I’m not so concerned.
Has to have five doors/hatch. Currently considering. F56 Mini Cooper S. Mk7 Golf GTI. After owning a previous iteration of the TFSI, I’m not so so the Golf can do that MPG on a run if driven sensibly.

EA888 TSI engines are noticeably more economical than the older TFSI. My mk6 gets 38-41 on the motorway so you shouldn’t have any issues in the mk7 which is more even more economical. 40 as an average, however, will be tough if you decide to have “fun”. I’m getting 32 out of mine in a similar scenario so probably expect ~35 out of the mk7.

[hollythedog]

TheDrBrian said:

MX5.You can get 57mpg on the motorway on cruise.

Work car. Must have five doors.

[bearman68]

T-195 said:

MR2 MK3?

An easy 35 the gallon.

See that has been my thought all along. Certainly if I wanted 40 mpg, and a fun car this would be near the top of the list.

I don't know anything about cars that cost more than about £10k on the grounds I have no interest in them at all. Bit sad really.

[TameRacingDriver]

bearman68 said:

T-195 said:

MR2 MK3?

An easy 35 the gallon.

See that has been my thought all along. Certainly if I wanted 40 mpg, and a fun car this would be near the top of the list.

I don't know anything about cars that cost more than about £10k on the grounds I have no interest in them at all. Bit sad really.

I had one. Great fun. However, 40MPG is only really happening on a long boring steady drive. They're also not exactly what you would call practical. However, it's the most fun I've had in a car that cost £2k!

[Welshbeef]

Does the Golf R and M135/140i\RS3 not achieve the requirement?

[Jag_NE]

Spend 20k on something like a GTD / 320d, and spend the rest on a motorbike. Get 50-60mpg from a half decent car and then more fun than you can ever get on 4 wheels.

[cerb4.5lee]

fatboy b said:

I’m 3 months into a 2018 Cooper S hatchback. Cracking fun car to drive. I get high 30s generally. But low 40s on a run.

That mirrors my experience with a 2017 Cooper S hatchback and the fuel computer has stayed at 40mpg since I've had it(2 years in August). Agree that it is a cracking fun thing to drive!

[TheDrBrian]

hollythedog said:

TheDrBrian said:

MX5.You can get 57mpg on the motorway on cruise.

Work car. Must have five doors.

Bonnet
Boot
Drivers door
Passenger door
Fuel door.

Done

[Montybaber]

Fk8 type r gets indicated 40mpg on a run, 35 around town (315bhp)

[cerb4.5lee]

Montybaber said:

Fk8 type r gets indicated 40mpg on a run, 35 around town (315bhp)

That is a very good performance/economy mix for sure.

[Scobblelotcher]

Welshbeef said:

Does the Golf R and M135/140i\RS3 not achieve the requirement?

My M135i will do high 30’s, low 40’s on a run but around town lows 20’s but I don’t drive gentle and usually see 17-19mpg.

[bearman68]

TameRacingDriver said:

I had one. Great fun. However, 40MPG is only really happening on a long boring steady drive. They're also not exactly what you would call practical. However, it's the most fun I've had in a car that cost £2k!

I thought they were superbly practical. Got a sofa and a house move into mine. (Y'know in the same way a 320d is faster than a Ferrari)

[Scobblelotcher]

cerb4.5lee said:

Montybaber said:

Fk8 type r gets indicated 40mpg on a run, 35 around town (315bhp)

That is a very good performance/economy mix for sure.

The trip computer if used though is hopelessly optimistic. Mid 20’s, low 30’s (mixed driving) is what most people report (with most in the 20’s) if driven very gently which is still pretty decent given it’s a powerful car.

Still, it definitely ticks the fun box!

[Montybaber]

Scobblelotcher said:

The trip computer if used though is hopelessly optimistic. Mid 20’s, low 30’s (mixed driving) is what most people report (with most in the 20’s) if driven very gently which is still pretty decent given it’s a powerful car.

Still, it definitely ticks the fun box!

I did say indicated, I am not really into creating spreadsheets on fuel figures etc but I have been surprised at the economy so far

I would estimate low 30s around town and not driven gently, I am lucky enough that it doesnt make a huge difference to me but with a possible job change on the horizon I may be looking at it a little closer

[LateStarter]

Scobblelotcher said:

Welshbeef said:

Does the Golf R and M135/140i\RS3 not achieve the requirement?

My M135i will do high 30’s, low 40’s on a run but around town lows 20’s but I don’t drive gentle and usually see 17-19mpg.

Mk7 Golf R is not even close in my experience.
Mine did low 30s on a run (28 was the norm for brisk driving) , and 20s in city driving.
In heavy traffic city driving it would go down to 15 ish.

All depends on how you drive etc and how much you care about economy of course, I drive briskly and used to do small miles so fuel cost wasn't really a factor.

[TheAlastair34]

kambites said:

Do any of you guys with Cooper Ss actually average 40mpg or is it more a question of "it should be possible but no-one would ever actually do it"? It's very impressive if it can average 40 without trying.

I have a R56 JCW later N18 engine post 2012 and in 25k ive averaged above 40 mpg

my commute is motorway to be fair but just doing that it returns 45 mpg no worries will do 50 if you dont go above 60

i also have a Lotus Elise and the mini is great fun i have no regrets running it along side, the ride is bad but thats the only downside, its well built, quick enough and different to most cars on the road