Economical, quick and exciting around 10k

[zredarb]

Hey,

So a long story cut short I am going to be buying a new car imminently. Now this was always going to be an easier choice in the past, was considering something like a mk2 civic type r, elise or a scooby.

Now my choice has been made a lot more difficult as a recent job change means i spend 3 hours travelling every day as a minimum. So I need something that is going to ideally give me 35-40mpg

Based on this I am thinking of something like a Leon FR with a remap, but really unsure. Ive got around 10k to play with.

PLEASE somebody help me!! I'm really struggling so would love to hear some of your thoughts or any experiences?

Thanks in advance!!

[Zoobeef]

Vx220 turbo.
Mpg up to 45ish but obviously depends how you drive it

[Ordinary_Chap]

Zoobeef said:

Vx220 turbo.
Mpg up to 45ish but obviously depends how you drive it

3 hours a day in a VX220? Good luck with that!

A mapped diesel is really the only choice (personally) as I'd want a good level of comfort and other than fuel running costs to do 3 hours traveling a day.

I think I maybe temped to dump the exciting and quick (although quick is subjective) title and consider economy and running costs and then if you can fund it, something that is actually exciting and quick like a classic scoob or other bargin rocket.

[MissChief]

Mondeo 2.5T?

[Chr1sch]

My A4 2.0T Avant Quattro does 34mpg and is good fun (golf Gti engine) mine is a special ed with 220bhp, 56 plate bought it for £7k...

Plus 4wd will be good in the snow...

[LocoBlade]

BMW 130i, a 260bhp RWD straight six that's good to drive and will actually give you 35-40mpg if driven at the speed limit on the motorway, especially the facelift models from 2007 onwards which are a couple of mpg more economical and within budget. I imagine an early E9x 330i with the same engine would also come within budget.

[typer0612]

LocoBlade said:

BMW 130i, a 260bhp RWD straight six that's good to drive and will actually give you 35-40mpg if driven at the speed limit on the motorway, especially the facelift models from 2007 onwards which are a couple of mpg more economical and within budget. I imagine an early E9x 330i with the same engine would also come within budget.

I second this, or lower your budget to account for running costs.

[V8RX7]

Whatever you fancy for £8k and a £2k LPG conversion

[Zoobeef]

Ordinary_Chap said:

3 hours a day in a VX220? Good luck with that!

A mapped diesel is really the only choice (personally) as I'd want a good level of comfort and other than fuel running costs to do 3 hours traveling a day.

I think I maybe temped to dump the exciting and quick (although quick is subjective) title and consider economy and running costs and then if you can fund it, something that is actually exciting and quick like a classic scoob or other bargin rocket.

An hour and a half each way is nothing, especially on a good weather day
Youve been spoiled by luxury haha

[philmots]

MissChief said:

Mondeo 2.5T?

Which is renowned to be crap on fuel in its Focus ST application..

It'll probably be web worse in the heavier Mondeo.

[zredarb]

Thanks a lot for all the responses so far.
A VX220 is an interesting thought but I'm not so sure about sitting in one for 3 hours a day, although I'm reading it is comfort than many think (once your in) I will look into this.
On the subject of a mapped diesel what would you guys go for in this case?
Thanks again

[PaperCut]

If you're spending a lot of time in a car i would want something with a premium feel. Leon cabin is a bit naff.

You could get an early and albeit highish mile Audi A5 coupe - even the 3.0 TDi quattro. Or again an early Jaguar XF?

Alpina D3 saloon?
Lexus IS220d?
Citroen C6 2.7d?
Alfa 159 2.4JTD?

List is endless..

[340600]

Mk5 Golf GTI

[the stigs dad]

Mk5 golf r32 with LPG conversion.

[kambites]

I think three hours a day in an Elise or VX220 would probably drive you mad. They're comfortable enough to sit in and have a surprisingly good ride, but hey're extremely noisy and the controls are rather wearing because they're so hyperactive.

The Mk3 MR2 might be worth a look as a sort of compromise?

Edited by kambites on Sunday 25th November 11:00

[CraigyMc]

zredarb said:

Thanks a lot for all the responses so far.
A VX220 is an interesting thought but I'm not so sure about sitting in one for 3 hours a day, although I'm reading it is comfort than many think (once your in) I will look into this.

Lots of people are put off elises and VXes on first attempt because it's a car you have to learn to get in an out of effectively.

Once you have done so (perhaps a few weeks later) you cease to even realise it's different.

C

[chrispj]

If you're going to spend 3 hours + a day in the car then something comfortable. Old style petrol XJ with LPG conversion?

[retrorider]

kambites said:

I think three hours a day in an Elise or VX220 would probably drive you mad. They're comfortable enough to sit in and have a surprisingly good ride, but hey're extremely noisy and the controls are rather wearing because they're so hyperactive.

The Mk3 MR2 might be worth a look as a sort of compromise?

Edited by kambites on Sunday 25th November 11:00

+1.Do these people on this thread who suggest the Elise and VX220! Have you ever owned one ? Well i have and they shouldn't even be a consideration for the OP.If you do however decide to take this route, my advice would be to buy some decent ear plugs or noice cancelling headphones...

[LocoBlade]

zredarb said:

On the subject of a mapped diesel what would you guys go for in this case?
Thanks again

I sound like a 1 Series salesman here but a 123d can also be had for under £10k, it's 200bhp stock and chipped they reach 250+bhp. It would be better than the 130i in economy terms obviously but they aren't amazing on the motorway due to relatively low gearing, so mid 40s mpg as long as you keep it under 80 or so.

Although its great for a diesel in terms of power delivery (feels much like a turbo petrol), they're still not as exciting to drive enthusiastically as the 130i simply due to the engine characteristics and noise of the straight 6, so if you can sacrifice 8-10mpg I'd go with the 130 (and that's from a very happy 123d owner)

[Ordinary_Chap]

LocoBlade said:

zredarb said:

On the subject of a mapped diesel what would you guys go for in this case?
Thanks again

I sound like a 1 Series salesman here but a 123d can also be had for under £10k, it's 200bhp stock and chipped they reach 250+bhp. It would be better than the 130i in economy terms obviously but they aren't amazing on the motorway due to relatively low gearing, so mid 40s mpg as long as you keep it under 80 or so.

Although its great for a diesel in terms of power delivery (feels much like a turbo petrol), they're still not as exciting to drive enthusiastically as the 130i simply due to the engine characteristics and noise of the straight 6, so if you can sacrifice 8-10mpg I'd go with the 130 (and that's from a very happy 123d owner)

This is a good idea. The 123d is a great car, it blends superb performance (once on the move) with fuel economy especially when chipped. A friend has one that has been modified (I think around 240bhp) and the mid-range performance is excellent.

People suggesting a VX200 for 3 hours a day is ok are frankly extremely hardcore. I own a Impreza RB5 and that is pretty tiring to drive on long journeys due to the noisy and how hyperactive it is.

My last company car was a Golf '09 TDI and that was very comfy on long journeys with cruise control and its mild mannered responses. When I do an identical journey in my Impreza it feels so, so much more tiring and sometimes I get frustrated with it in that application and really don't enjoy driving it over long distances but then to be fair the Golf is designed for it and the Impreza is not.

And the Impreza has nothing on a VX220.