can you buy a 50mpg (fun-ish) car for around £6k
Discussion
I was in exactly the same boat myself and was looking at a vrs,
With a 5k budget I found them to be a little expensive for what they are, I was also looking at a polo gt for a more discreet package.
Good little work horses but I think the fabs are massively overrated, and even though I wanted one I tried to convince myself that they were ok looking. But tbh they are pig ugly.
I went a bit left field and chose the alfa, I'm glad I did. Its looks fantastic drives nice and returns decent economy.
With a 5k budget I found them to be a little expensive for what they are, I was also looking at a polo gt for a more discreet package.
Good little work horses but I think the fabs are massively overrated, and even though I wanted one I tried to convince myself that they were ok looking. But tbh they are pig ugly.
I went a bit left field and chose the alfa, I'm glad I did. Its looks fantastic drives nice and returns decent economy.
How is the legroom in the back of the Alfa GT? Better or worse or the same as a hatch like an Ibiza or a 147?
As the car is intended for daily winter use, am minded to go front wheel drive I think, so the 3 series and 5 series is out.
I had no idea those Brabus Smarts had such poke about them, surely they can't do 50mpg?! They aren't pretty though, not sure I could get past the looks. Are they built well? They are pretty rare too aren't they?
As the car is intended for daily winter use, am minded to go front wheel drive I think, so the 3 series and 5 series is out.
I had no idea those Brabus Smarts had such poke about them, surely they can't do 50mpg?! They aren't pretty though, not sure I could get past the looks. Are they built well? They are pretty rare too aren't they?
AndyT77 said:
Mr Gear said:
That's a damned good car for the money.
Agreed. Having the remaining manufacturers warranty until 2015 has got to be nice too. What do these retail at new?Three years old and with 4 years warranty still, at under 6k this is the bargain of the century.
zebedee said:
I had no idea those Brabus Smarts had such poke about them, surely they can't do 50mpg?! They aren't pretty though, not sure I could get past the looks. Are they built well? They are pretty rare too aren't they?
Pretty? Is there a hatch that is? The Alfa GT looks pretty mingy to be fair too, or at least the wrong side of pretty.I do know what you mean though
but I can't see how it looks any worse than Focus, Golf or Fabia.I think they are fairly well built. Certainly on par with other cars you are considering.
I think they are rated at 41mpg combined, but they only weigh 1090kg, so drive steady on the motorway and I don't see why you couldn't get 50mpg+ out of them.
However, they are a turbocharged, so it's going to depend how you drive them. Use the boost and I'd think you'd be more like 30mpg pottering about or hooning.
zebedee said:
As the car is intended for daily winter use, am minded to go front wheel drive I think, so the 3 series and 5 series is out.
Ye wus! 
Used my E36 318is for the last year as a daily commuting nearly 500 miles per week. Yes its not very good in the snow but unless you live in the middle of nowhere most main roads get cleared/gritted each day. It did get stuck on a perfectly flat Tesco car park though! Had to get some lads to push me off.
Definately worth getting it for the fantastic handling and quality. You won't want to get rid after the winter. Much better drive than the FWD options on your list.
You can always buy the sock things if it gets really bad.
GreatGranny said:
Ye wus!
Used my E36 318is for the last year as a daily commuting nearly 500 miles per week. Yes its not very good in the snow but unless you live in the middle of nowhere most main roads get cleared/gritted each day. It did get stuck on a perfectly flat Tesco car park though! Had to get some lads to push me off.
Definately worth getting it for the fantastic handling and quality. You won't want to get rid after the winter. Much better drive than the FWD options on your list.
You can always buy the sock things if it gets really bad.
its not just for winter anad then selling on, but part of the justification is as a winter hack. Do like that shape of the 3 series and the diesel looks pretty compelling in all respects, other than it will be about 30k miles more than something like the Alfa GT, which in the right colour and with the right wheels does look pretty in my book! A 55k GT that has had its £800 belt change already for around 6k seems hard to resist at the moment, provided putting child seats in doesn't leave no room for little legs!Used my E36 318is for the last year as a daily commuting nearly 500 miles per week. Yes its not very good in the snow but unless you live in the middle of nowhere most main roads get cleared/gritted each day. It did get stuck on a perfectly flat Tesco car park though! Had to get some lads to push me off.
Definately worth getting it for the fantastic handling and quality. You won't want to get rid after the winter. Much better drive than the FWD options on your list.
You can always buy the sock things if it gets really bad.
zebedee said:
its not just for winter anad then selling on, but part of the justification is as a winter hack. Do like that shape of the 3 series and the diesel looks pretty compelling in all respects, other than it will be about 30k miles more than something like the Alfa GT, which in the right colour and with the right wheels does look pretty in my book! A 55k GT that has had its £800 belt change already for around 6k seems hard to resist at the moment, provided putting child seats in doesn't leave no room for little legs!
Belt change inc idlers wp and aux belt is about 400 quid. its a must have thing apparently, got mine done straight awayMondeo TDCI 130. I've had mine for 5 years and its the best all round car I've ever owned. Very comfy, loads of space, superb steering feel, well equiped (climate control, cruise, remote central locking, CD, 6 air bags), 6 speed 'box as standard, handles well for what it is (possibly BETTER than a Fabia VRS!), costs buttons to service and insure, tyres are £80-85 a corner, 1200 Ford dealers in the UK so you will never be far from one. Mine has also been very reliable. I like the fact that I can leave it anywhere and not worry about it getting stolen. I'm currently getting 54 mpg although I will admit that my daily commute involves lots of NSL A roads. Official combined mpg is 47.8 I think and I rarely see less than this even doing a lot of town driving. Around 49-50 mpg is the norm.
£6K will get you a good one.
Downsides? Depreciation will be steep, image perhaps?, they are common (with good reason. They are an excellent car)
Good luck.
£6K will get you a good one.
Downsides? Depreciation will be steep, image perhaps?, they are common (with good reason. They are an excellent car)
Good luck.
Edited by Ecosseven on Wednesday 19th October 13:09
Honda Accord ctdi? I have a 5 year old one and on anything involving A roads or M-ways, its easily over 50mpg. My main driving is mostly 6 miles to the station and back, then town. And still average mid to high 40s. Very comfy with all the toys you might want too.
My dad has a diesel 320 and its a pig to be a back seat passenger in. Uncomfortable, cheap cloth seats, horrible. He tells me its great to drive though, so probably a very different experience as the pilot!
My dad has a diesel 320 and its a pig to be a back seat passenger in. Uncomfortable, cheap cloth seats, horrible. He tells me its great to drive though, so probably a very different experience as the pilot!
Conor D said:
Something like this?
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3279896.htm
Honda Insight.. It might not be "Holy JESUS" fast or fun, but I think they're a genuinely cool car.
I was going to suggest that. Despite what many think, I always felt they were quite cool. Really pretty light as well aren't they?http://pistonheads.com/sales/3279896.htm
Honda Insight.. It might not be "Holy JESUS" fast or fun, but I think they're a genuinely cool car.
Well this has given me food for thought,, there is an Alfa 159 jtdm lusso for just over £6000 in Redditch anyone got advice opinions on these? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Edited by S2Mike on Friday 6th July 22:13
Similar boat my self.
From experience, Fabia VRS, re map and turbo can easily get 200 bhp can easily get 50mpg, change suspensions and add an anti roll bar. Not a go kart by any means but fun to drive.
Also seen positive feedbacks on Accord i-cdt (or something similar)
The Alfa seems very cheap, I currently own the 2.2 petrol and are great cars.
My money? E46 330D stretching the budget or with an higher mileage
Alternatives: Mondeo ST TDCI
From experience, Fabia VRS, re map and turbo can easily get 200 bhp can easily get 50mpg, change suspensions and add an anti roll bar. Not a go kart by any means but fun to drive.
Also seen positive feedbacks on Accord i-cdt (or something similar)
The Alfa seems very cheap, I currently own the 2.2 petrol and are great cars.
My money? E46 330D stretching the budget or with an higher mileage
Alternatives: Mondeo ST TDCI
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