Best fast - cheap - economical car

[jamesvxr8]

I've been looking for a car that meets all of the above criteria.

Not too slow (0-60 under 9 preferably under 8)
Not too expensive to buy to begin with (Under £15,000)
Good mpg (45+)
Cheap to run (road tax, insurance)

Currently I only have two cars that fit the bill that interest me.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI (122bhp - 0-60 under 9 - 50mpg)
2012 Civic 2.2 I-DTEC (150bhp - 0-60 8.5 - 60mpg)

Can anyone think of anything else that fits all the above.

Wish my VXR8 would do 50 to the gallon and have tax less than £475pa!

[mike325112]

I take it you mean new?

Otherwise there are loads of cars which fit the bill.

[PaperCut]

BMW 123d? Coupe or hatch?

[harryowl]

Caterham

[300bhp/ton]

mike325112 said:

I take it you mean new?

Otherwise there are loads of cars which fit the bill.

+1

Also what type of car are you needing/wanting? I'd need serious persuading that any 1.4 Audi is actually fun to drive.


Can you still get the Ralliart Colt?

[MX7]

mike325112 said:

I take it you mean new?

Otherwise there are loads of cars which fit the bill.

I don't think you'd get the Civic for that.

[Bill]

jamesvxr8 said:

I've been looking for a car that meets all of the above criteria.

Not too slow (0-60 under 9 preferably under 8)
Not too expensive to buy to begin with (Under £15,000)
Good mpg (45+)
Cheap to run (road tax, insurance)

Currently I only have two cars that fit the bill that interest me.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI (122bhp - 0-60 under 9 - 50mpg)
2012 Civic 2.2 I-DTEC (150bhp - 0-60 8.5 - 60mpg)

Can anyone think of anything else that fits all the above.

Wish my VXR8 would do 50 to the gallon and have tax less than £475pa!

What's your VXR8 worth?

I suspect anything else you buy will cost the same (more or less) per mile due to depreciation, while not being a RWD V8.

[Nick1point9]

I thought you were getting an A1 1.6TDI?

As said above, take depreciation into consideration when you do the numbers. Whilst it doesn't take money out your pocket every week it is a cost.

[jamesvxr8]

Didn't like the 1.6 TDI engine. The 1.4 TFSI engine was more engaging.

Civic I can get a 2012 with 10,000 on the clock for £14,750.

Just need something that is enjoyable to drive still.

[300bhp/ton]

jamesvxr8 said:

Didn't like the 1.6 TDI engine. The 1.4 TFSI engine was more engaging.

Civic I can get a 2012 with 10,000 on the clock for £14,750.

Just need something that is enjoyable to drive still.

I know this is individual, but how enjoyable are most regular fwd hatchbacks? I admit there are some stonkingly good ones. But these just seem a little humdrum and something you'd be bored of within the 50 miles of driving them.

[walm]

It will only do 40 mpg but it's acceleration and driver engagement might make up for it.
Plus the lack of depreciation will more than make up for the slightly higher fuel bill.

Lotus Elise S2 111s.

[kambites]

How about a diesel Octavia VRS? 0-60 in 8.2 seconds; 50mpg (officially, so probably 45 in practice).

You should be able to get one for half your budget.

[CDP]

Bill said:

What's your VXR8 worth?

I suspect anything else you buy will cost the same (more or less) per mile due to depreciation, while not being a RWD V8.

How about a snotter for the commute and keep the VXR8 for high days?

Failing that a used good 530D (remapped) might do the job.

[zabba]

You can get a brand new Fabia VRS for £13,600 on drive the deal, 180 bhp and 0-60 in low 7's

Reasonable running costs, but DSG only.

[Matt UK]

BMW 320d

[valiant]

What about the new Focus with the 1.6ecoboost engine?

Ticks nearly all of your boxes and gets as near as dammit to your mpg requirements without getting a diesel.

[CDP]

Would the VXR8 take LPG?

[chrisispringles]

Alpina D3?

[Paraicj]

New Suzuki Swift sport, Less than £13k, not bad looking, quick.

[Loplop]

Might not be 'fast' but it's certainly Fun, Cheap and Economical.

Any Morris 11/1300 and it's variants, one of the most fun cars I've ever driven as it seems to handle like it's on rails (in the dry atleast) is magically comfortable and my Dad was putting about £5 a week in the on his twice daily commute to work and back. He reckons they're better to drive than Minis of the same vintage.

Probably not what you were looking for...