What car: Fun but economical motorway transport for £2k

[Chris71]

Due to an unfortunate incident yesterday that involved me stopping at a roundabout while the car behind didn't I suspect I may need a new daily driver.

I can think of a number of fun runarounds (MX-5, MR2, Clio 172, Ignis Sport etc.) for the money, but I'm likely to end up doing quite a lot of motorway miles over the next six months, so I'd like something which is reasonably cheap to maintain and insure, tolerably economical - preferably 40mpg at a 70mph cruise - and fairly civilised on the motorway.

Thoughts so far:
Celica 190 - heard conflicting reports on what they're like to drive
E36 328 Sport - bit thirsty?
E36 318iS - no idea what these are like compared to the sixes
Man up and get something less civilised but fun (would still need to be cheap-ish to run)

[eltax91]

Octavia VRs?

[Chris71]

eltax91 said:

Octavia VRs?

Had wondered about that.

I've never driven one, but reports of numb steering put me off somewhat. I'm not particularly fussed about straight line speed and if it's not going to provide a decent amount of interaction then I might as well be in another FWD hatch that's cheaper to fuel and insure. (I fully appreciate this might be rather unfair on the vRS until I've had a go in one, but that's the impression I get from reading reports...)

That said, it'd be fun watching everyone slow down to 70mph when they see an Octavia appear in their mirrors.

Do you reckon 40mpg on the motorway is realistic in a mk1 vRS?

[snowen250]

On a motorway commute you should see low 40s in a vrs. 2k should get you a good one, huge boot and very comfortable.
Not the best handling car, but they are ok. And its built like a czech st house
Need more info? Let me know
Simon

[Chris71]

To turn this around a bit ... What do you reckon would be the cheapest thing to run that's acceptable on the motorway (fun ignored).

[simoid]

Are you ruling out MR-2, MX-5 and Clio?

Would think at least one of them is as appropriate as the Celica

[cdrx]

A Clio 172/182 is no fun on the motorway, too much road noise.

[simoid]

cdrx said:

A Clio 172/182 is no fun on the motorway, too much road noise.

Not for me

YMMV.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

simoid said:

cdrx said:

A Clio 172/182 is no fun on the motorway, too much road noise.

Not for me

YMMV.

its the drone at 4k thats annoying in a 172

[Bonefish Blues]

Petrol Avensis must be in with a shout - should easily do those numbers.

[Bonefish Blues]

Yep, that was sort of my point - budget plus mpg requirement plus motorway does not = fun, sadly.

[ikarl]

MR2 (mk2) will see high 30's on a motorway.... I did manage to get 42 on a 400mile motorway run!

[6fire]

Saab 9-5. Epic mid range shove, hugely comfy seats and if you keep to the speed limit they'll be knocking on the door of 40mpg.

[ShawCrossShark]

Bonefish Blues said:

Petrol Avensis must be in with a shout - should easily do those numbers.

Depends whether you are talking 1.8 or 2.0. I have an 02 2.0VVTi GLS and tend to average about 37mpg. Seats are a bit hard for my liking (although that might be because I am used to French armchairs)

Only had it 6 weeks though and otherwise have to say it's a nice place to be, and it does have decent poke once it gets to 3k rpm

[Bonefish Blues]

6fire said:

Saab 9-5. Epic mid range shove, hugely comfy seats and if you keep to the speed limit they'll be knocking on the door of 40mpg.

Agree - we run one, but reliability hasn't been great, tbh, and depending on the model there's the sludge issue, too.

[CDP]

ikarl said:

MR2 (mk2) will see high 30's on a motorway.... I did manage to get 42 on a 400mile motorway run!

When I was doing a lot of dual carriageway commuting in my MK2 I used to average 37 by keeping it to 70. It got noiser over 75 as the inlet flap changed over so this stopped me from creeping up too much.

My MG TF averaged 40 on a trip from Norfolk to Hull to Southend, roof down and mostly 70 to 80 on motorways and what I could safely manage on A roads but definitely not an economy run. With the roof up and sticking to 70 you should easily beat that.

[Dift]

A nice MGTF?

Will do 40mpg easily on a run, and a little more fun than an avensis

Or a nice MR2, should bring high 30s.

[Chris71]

simoid said:

Are you ruling out MR-2, MX-5 and Clio?

Would think at least one of them is as appropriate as the Celica

Nope. Just a question of priorities. May well say bother it and get something fun and live with its motorway defencies.

Interested to see what the most economical solution is for that sort of money (barring tiny superminis).

[matchmaker]

snowen250 said:

On a motorway commute you should see low 40s in a vrs. 2k should get you a good one, huge boot and very comfortable.
Not the best handling car, but they are ok. And its built like a czech st house
Need more info? Let me know
Simon

Best ever on my vRS was 44.5 mpg on a long motorway drive using cruise. I've never found the steering numb. My son has one too - his 51 plate has 136,000 miles on the clock and is still drives like new.

[Chris71]

I'm assuming an Audi A2 is out of budget in the sensible and possibly diesel stakes?