What 'sensible' car?

[TameRacingDriver]

Yes, a boring topic, apologies for that.

So, as alluded to in my other thread "falling out of love with cars", I've decided I want to dramatically downscale my car (in terms of running costs). Currently driving a 350Z and can no longer justify £650 insurance, £475 road tax, £200 tyres, and 20 MPG on super unleaded; I'm looking to move out of my current place, so I need to start saving some money.

Having said that, I'm not quite ready to completely give up on all motoring fun, as I would resent paying for something from which I could not derive any fun.

So, the requirements are thus:-

• 40 MPG average (95 UL), 50 MPG (Diesel / SUL). When I say average, I don't mean a 328 Sport which could average 40 MPG doing 40 mph for 100 mph. A genuine, achievable average in mixed driving.
• Cheap VED, and insurance. Absolutely no more than the current £220 (VED), but preferably significantly less. Absolutely no more than £500 insurance (33 yr old, FNCB).
• Decent handling would be nice. Straight line speed would be a bonus, but certainly not essential by any stretch of the imagination. But more than this, FUN.
• Reliability is a must. It will be pointless to drive an economical car if it goes wrong all the time. NO RENAULTS.
• Cheap to maintain. Tyres should not be too expensive, and neither should servicing, or repairs.
• Max budget £4K

So, my shortlist so far is:-

• Toyota Aygo / Citroen C1
• Seat Arosa / VW Lupo TDI
• Seat Ibiza FR TDI 130 / Skoda Fabia vRS
• Ford Fiesta TDCI Zetec S

Any others I should consider?

[kambites]

I think early MINIs have fallen below 4k now. Would one of them meet the mpg requirements?

ETA: Hmm, the official figure for the One is 43mpg, so probably not.

[ian2144]

Fabia vRS gets my vote, every time someone is looking for an economical runabout

Real world 50mpg and it's a fun car. We have had ours for almost 4 years now and it's been faultless.

[TameRacingDriver]

ian2144 said:

Fabia vRS gets my vote, every time someone is looking for an economical runabout

Real world 50mpg and it's a fun car. We have had ours for almost 4 years now and it's been faultless.

I've had one before, and am drawn to it again, not sure whether I would choose the Ibiza this time though?

[otolith]

Don't know much about them, but have you seen how cheap Smart Roadsters are these days?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/smart...

[TameRacingDriver]

otolith said:

Don't know much about them, but have you seen how cheap Smart Roadsters are these days?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/smart...

You know, I would be very, VERY tempted, but I am unsure about reliability; Certainly on one of my previous threads (would I regret swapping a 350Z for a roadster), there weren't exactly glowing reports of reliability for these. Which is a huge shame, really.

[HustleRussell]

Folk love the Audi A2 TDI on these forums... I'm yet to experience one really, except I was once tasked with opening the bonnet which Audi made ridiculously difficult- it really put me off.
It fulfils the criteria comfortably while carrying an 'Audi' badge and looking pretty funky into the bargain.

[300bhp/ton]

TameRacingDriver said:

Yes, a boring topic, apologies for that.

So, as alluded to in my other thread "falling out of love with cars", I've decided I want to dramatically downscale my car (in terms of running costs). Currently driving a 350Z and can no longer justify £650 insurance, £475 road tax, £200 tyres, and 20 MPG on super unleaded; I'm looking to move out of my current place, so I need to start saving some money.

Having said that, I'm not quite ready to completely give up on all motoring fun, as I would resent paying for something from which I could not derive any fun.

So, the requirements are thus:-

• 40 MPG average (95 UL), 50 MPG (Diesel / SUL). When I say average, I don't mean a 328 Sport which could average 40 MPG doing 40 mph for 100 mph. A genuine, achievable average in mixed driving.
• Cheap VED, and insurance. Absolutely no more than the current £220 (VED), but preferably significantly less. Absolutely no more than £500 insurance (33 yr old, FNCB).
• Decent handling would be nice. Straight line speed would be a bonus, but certainly not essential by any stretch of the imagination. But more than this, FUN.
• Reliability is a must. It will be pointless to drive an economical car if it goes wrong all the time. NO RENAULTS.
• Cheap to maintain. Tyres should not be too expensive, and neither should servicing, or repairs.
• Max budget £4K

So, my shortlist so far is:-

• Toyota Aygo / Citroen C1
• Seat Arosa / VW Lupo TDI
• Seat Ibiza FR TDI 130 / Skoda Fabia vRS
• Ford Fiesta TDCI Zetec S

Any others I should consider?

If it's to save money, or at least reduce out goings I'd highly recommend spending less, like £1500-2000 tops, even more so if its on cars like the ones you've listed. A £4k Ibiza will lose money quicker than EU and you won't feel good about it.


I also see no reason why you still can't have something mildly interesting to drive.


-BMW e30 318is (as per your other thread)
-smart ForTwo, really cheap running costs and more fun than you'd think to drive
-Honda del sol CRX the VTI ones are actually quite quick
-Peugeot 106 Rallye/GTI
-Peugeot 306 GTI/ Rallye
-Rover Metro with a 1.8 VVC engine swap (usually a few about)
-Celica

If you want to spend £4k then I'd also suggest the car I'm currently using daily, a smart Roadster. Huge fun to drive, more practical than you'd think, cheap tax and I'm currently getting 55-58mpg from it!

[v8will]

HustleRussell said:

Folk love the Audi A2 TDI on these forums... I'm yet to experience one really, except I was once tasked with opening the bonnet which Audi made ridiculously difficult- it really put me off.
It fulfils the criteria comfortably while carrying an 'Audi' badge and looking pretty funky into the bargain.

But you don't really need to open the bonnet on these unless doing home servicing. We had a new one back in '02/03, cracking little car. They are getting on a bit though.

I can't speak for the longevity of the TDCI Fiesta but I looked at buying one a few years back and it drove really well.

I have a D4D Yaris now, 2005 Mk1 model, has been more or less faultless, now with 103K on the clock. Stupidly cheap to run (if money saving is the objective)and no worries of cambelts etc. Bigger and better built than the C1/Aygo option as well.

Ford SportKa as a leftfield choice? If you can get a rot free one though.

[TameRacingDriver]

I don't neccesarily WANT to spend £4K, that is an upper limit.

I'm tempted by the Smart Roadster though I have to admit, if I could be re-assured it wasn't to be a money pit.

[otolith]

TameRacingDriver said:

I'm tempted by the Smart Roadster though I have to admit, if I could be re-assured it wasn't to be a money pit.

They are very cheap, aren't they? It's probably for the best that I don't have room on the drive for another car...

[v8will]

TameRacingDriver said:

I don't neccesarily WANT to spend £4K, that is an upper limit.

I'm tempted by the Smart Roadster though I have to admit, if I could be re-assured it wasn't to be a money pit.

Ever driven one?

[kambites]

doogz said:

Mk3 MR2.

40mpg, buttons to run, 15" tyres, little brakes, simple engine, light car.

Handle better than anything you've mentioned so far, the only place they give anything away is practicality. Depends if that's an issue for you or not.

I know a few owners, and none of them average 40mpg from them.

[MysteryLemon]

+1 for Lupo/Arosa.

Can be picked up for £1k upwards, saving you loads on your budget for other nice things. 40mpg easy, even on the petrols. Roomy, comfy interior for such a small car. Refined drive, feels like a bigger car. Very cheap to maintain. £40 a corner tyres, parts plentiful and cheap. Tax = £75 for 6 months pre 2001, cheaper post 2001. Should prove to be reliable. Seems they suffer little electical faults such as electric windows and interior bulbs being faulty etc, but enginewise, should be spot on. the 1.4 8v and 16v petrols are good engines. The TDIs have a good reputation too. SDI should be bombproof, although slow. Handling ok. Had mine a few weeks now (1.4 16v S) and its nice to drive but feels twitchy when cornering enthusiastically, not that my commute allows for much of that though.

100miles a day may get a bit tiresome though. Its a nice place to be but something big you can stretch out in may be better. Golf?

Edited by MysteryLemon on Wednesday 14th November 11:05

[otolith]

v8will said:

Ever driven one?

Got to be more fun than an Aygo/Arosa/etc, surely?

[TameRacingDriver]

v8will said:

Ever driven one?

I've drive a ForTwo, and I found it a really characterful little car, loads of fun, and feel so much quicker than they are. I'm warming to the idea of a Roadster now.

I thought about the MR2 Mk3 as well, but ultimately, I reckon I'd be down into mid 30's average at best.

Do the Roadster / MR2 need Super Unleaded?

[mrtwisty]

Did anyone notice that 300 suggested several cars, none of which were a yank tank, TR7 or Landie?

Has someone hacked his account?

In all seriousness, the Celica might be worth a shout with the op's criteria... Currently getting 37mpg average from mine (equal mix of town, mway and b road hooning) Sharp handling, grippy, bombproof reliability.

Edited at add - If practicality isn't a consideration the MR2 would be more fun. With the same engine but less weight I can't believe it would get worse mpg than what I'm achieving.

Edited by mrtwisty on Wednesday 14th November 11:09

Edited by mrtwisty on Wednesday 14th November 11:11

[v8will]

Yes no doubt more fun than a Aygo etc.

I merely mentioned as I couldn't get along with the example I drove (and the Fortwo) Didn't like much about it, a shame as they look great.

[muthaducka]

What about something on lease, i.e a c1 or aygo for around the £100 p/m mark. That way, you get the low tax, no MOT for 3 years, new tyres and warranty therefore you can chuck the car around and just hand it back at the end of the term. It ensures you have something reliable (or fixed under warranty) and pretty fixed costs . outgoings. You could then put the cash from your car sale into your house deposit.

Otherwise, I would also be tempted to go the route of a £1k banger rather than 4k on something you don't want. I've run a couple with great success as cheap as chips motors. It's invigorating driving something you don't care about.

[TameRacingDriver]

doogz said:

Mine must be backwards broken then. Filled it on Monday, 40.5 from the last tank. Seen lower, seen higher.

OK, I guess I'll add this to the list.

If I want an early one, I guess I need to look at one with the pre-cats removed?

Does it need super unleaded doogz?

ETA: Looking at the official figures, I still think I'd struggle to better 35 on my commute under any circumstances.