What car for a girl- economical and aesthetic for £6k

[turbolucy]

I am going to have to sell my Cooper S as it is just too thirsty and now I'm back at university and going on placements as far as Penzance, it pains me to get 23mpg even when I drive it as economically as possible.

I did a trip to Cornwall in a BMW 116i last week, and at the moment a diesel 1 series is what I'm thinking of getting. I liked the interior and if it had a nicer engine I'd love it. However I'd like to see what others people come up with. Here are my criteria -
- at least 35mpg, doesn't have to be diesel
- Different to the usual student cars - both my housemates have mk4 or mk5 Golfs, I just want something slightly different.
- I know this is a girly shallow thing but I do hope I can get a car that looks nice...I've really enjoyed having the Mini.
-6k is pushing the budget so can't stretch to 7 but maybe 6.5k.
- I have access to trade deals and also cheap body repair/mechanics so will likely be able to pick a car up cheaper than retail.




A3? Mini Cooper? Ideas please

[edo]

even at trade prices I think you might struggle to get into a 1 series for 6k, but if you can then a 120d is a cracking car, and will easily give you 50mpg. (I am averaging that in a heavier 3 series 320d over 30,000 miles without trying).

[edo]

Cheapest one i can find:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[mpm1987]

I'd have the mini looked at to start with, your mpg does sound really low, even if you are doing all town driving. I run a R53 JCW, and Average 27 mpg, thats a mixture of driving, on the motorway I can get upto 35mpg, which you say would be respectable?
Where are you based? what sort of journeys will you be doing to uni? motorway etc? If you really like the car, then Id have a look at how its running, especially if you can get cheap labour etc?

[mattmoxon]

Alfa 147 with the 1.9 diesel engine? Nice looking, frugal etc etc, A mate of mine has had one for over four years, it has been super reliable (seriously) and regularly returns 50+ mpg You should be able to pick them up for her budget.

[MadRob6]

No mention of an MX5 yet? Don't know what the fuel economy is on them but surely they can manage 35mpg.

[Colonial]

MX5.

It actually does tick boxes this time.

[pmanson]

MadRob6 said:

No mention of an MX5 yet? Don't know what the fuel economy is on them but surely they can manage 35mpg.

Should be able to do that on a long run but the older ones can be very thirsty around town/when being thrashed.

Clio Sport?

How about a VW Eos? (Not sure if you can get one on budget though).

[bga]

MadRob6 said:

No mention of an MX5 yet? Don't know what the fuel economy is on them but surely they can manage 35mpg.

You'll be lucky to get 35mpg, maybe on a long motorway run. They are surprisingly thirsty, mainly because the engine needs to be worked to make progress.

[BRMMA]

I'd be surprised if you could get a decent 1-series diesel for 6k but if somehow you can then i think that'd be a good way to go.

how about a clio 182? I currently use a 172 as my daily commuter and it's good on fuel, typically getting over 40mpg and last week on a 400 mile motorway run it returned 47mpg with my average speed being about 70, it's pretty rattly and the interior is crap compared to the mini but it's great fun to drive and cheap to run

also worth considering an Alfa GT 1.9jtd, will do 50 mpg and look great IMO

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Colonial said:

MX5.

It actually does tick boxes this time.

BMW 335d (remapped)??

gotta be better than 23MPG and diesel....

[Hitch78]

Comments like that should get you banned.

[Plotloss]

StreetKa?

Are they down to £6K yet?

[jimmy156]

I wish i could have afforded 6-7 grand on a car when i was a uni student. In fact i wish i could afford that now!

[ZesPak]

Petrolhead_Rich said:

Colonial said:

MX5.

It actually does tick boxes this time.

BMW 335d (remapped)??

gotta be better than 23MPG and diesel....

You fail at reading:

original post said:

- at least 35mpg, doesn't have to be diesel

1-series will be tight and not nice in your budget imho.

As said before, Alfa 147 ticks the boxes, good ones can be easily had below budget.

[GKP]

New shape Panda.

[tim-b]

Suzuki Swift Sport? Might still be a bit thirsty though....

[touching cloth]

Plotloss said:

StreetKa?

Are they down to £6K yet?

Most of them dream of £6k, start at about £2k. Had one and ours was a dreadful thing on many levels - also old 8v 1.6 duratec engine in them is both gutless and thirsty.

I'd be eyeing up Smart Roadsters, Mrs Cloth loved hers right up until the point she crashed it

[Plotloss]

Ah right so, shows how much attention I pay to car prices!

[Roman]

Alfa GT