Fun economical car...

[Rickyy]

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Something like this would be my bet.

Not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but does have that old school Turbo Diesel punch.

Handles fairly well, a bit more body roll than modern cars, but it is fun to drive. I loved mine.

Not sure what the HDI versions are like, I had a Berlingo for work with the HDI lump and took it from 130k to 160k and hadn't ever failed.

[T0MMY]

Yes, I'm thinking French is the way to go for nice handling and cheapness. Smart Roadster is an intersting option but then I have 2 impractical cars! If I'm going to get a second car I may as well get something with a proper boot.

The other (very left field) option is something like a Berlingo so I can transport my trackbike around but it might be a bit of a squeeze. I drove one for my old job and actually quite enjoyed it...it even managed a bit of lift off oversteer. Should manage 50 mpg from one.

[PompeyPaul]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I absolutely love smart roadster, great fun.

And look great too IMO like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SMART-ROADSTER-COUP...

Why can't they have a bigger engine? Would be awesome with those looks!!

[gowmonster]

106/saxo/ax 1.5d for 60+mpg and reasonably good handling.

not in any way fast but thats what you have the mx5 for....

[nottyash]

wackojacko said:

Spend the dough and get yourself a Skoda Fabia VRS.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^

[T0MMY]

gowmonster said:

106/saxo/ax 1.5d for 60+mpg and reasonably good handling.

not in any way fast but thats what you have the mx5 for....

The MX5 is dog slow...130bhp I've sort of grown out of fast cars now though, more power doesn't equal more fun for me. I had the WRX alongside the MX5 on my drive for a while but found I always picked up the Mazda keys on a sunday morning so I got rid.

Fabia VRS seems the best option but I'm considering just using motorbikes now actually. Traffic on the A14 can be a bh and it's nice to be able to filter through it all. I might just turn my trackbike back to road spec, run it into the ground then buy a nicer one for next year.

[gowmonster]

having had a mk2 1.8 i know what you mean, it's not the all out power its the responsiveness on a fun b road.

saying that, i usually picked the pug over the mx5, as i had it setup with some bilstein shocks and eiback springs. taking a not so powerful car to 99% is sometimes better than 40-50% of a high powered car

[swiftpete]

Liquid Knight said:

The Fiat Coupe 20VT can do around 30is hmpg if you're careful.

Corrected that for you.

[AC Motors]

Seat Leon FR Tdi, has all the Cupra bits great handling etc, except 50mpg + VW motor which is Seat tuned and is very good IMO, I had the older version but I think the latest model is even better.

[Laird]

Sifly said:

Keep the MX5 for the weekend.

Pick up a clio 1.5 dCi for around £1500. bit boring, but Comfy, nippy and they average around 64MPG! A fill up for £60 will get you alomost 700 miles.

Now the best bit.......12 months tax = £30.00

I am saving around £150 per month on fuel using one for my work commute!

Sifly said:

Keep the MX5 for the weekend.

Pick up a clio 1.5 dCi for around £1500. bit boring, but Comfy, nippy and they average around 64MPG! A fill up for £60 will get you alomost 700 miles.

Now the best bit.......12 months tax = £30.00

I am saving around £150 per month on fuel using one for my work commute!

Sage advice.

Just did something similar: bought a MKIV Golf TDI 130 for the slog. Currently averaging 50mpg and it'll return that while sitting on the motorway at 80mph.

Keep the toy for the weekend.

[grimfandango]

What about LPG? I assume its still about 50/60p a liter?