A Friday morning "What car?" - Cheap, reliable but cool

[moebiusuk]

So my girlfriend needs a new car. She's currently running a 1979 Mini which is very cool but has holes everywhere which means it gets soaked inside when it rains. I'm forever giving her lifts everywhere so it's time for her to get something else. Anyway, requirements are:

- £2000 or less.
- Good MPG (30+)
- Low insurance cost
- Reliable and low maintenance
- Doesn't have to be fast but at least 1.4 litre. She'll be doing motorway miles soon so I don't want sitting at 70mph in a 1.0.
- Good boot space
- Preferably a hatchback but can be a large one.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: It has to look cool.

It has taken me months to convince her to get a "new" car but she always complaining that modern cars look boring. I see her point but obviously I'm not going to admit that to her so I promised to draw up a list of cool looking modern cars that are cheap.

[LukeR94]

I cant help thinking, apart from the hatchback/boot space requirement, that an MX-5 fits fine.

[dapearson]

Civic 1.6 Sport? Looks a bit like the Type-R, but without the hefty insurance.

Edited by dapearson on Friday 7th February 09:10

[AnotherClarkey]

If I were her I would just get a K11 Micra. and get on with driving it (the 1.0 is absolutely fine on the motorway). Really though you can't win on this - she should just get what she fancies. 'Cool' will not be defined by you or any of us on here, it is all about how she feels in the car and what adventures she undertakes in it.

[Orangecurry]

[Orangecurry]

Ford Puma 1.7 16v in black.

Spend the other 1000 on drugs and hookers.

[andy-xr]

E30 318 or 320, boot space isnt bad, it's quick enough and will handle motorway speeds fine. I'd say 325 but tbh that price point will be a bit wonky.

[Orangecurry]

moebiusuk said:

- Good boot space

...apologies - the Puma can't do that.

[Orangecurry]

moebiusuk said:

- £2000 or less.
- Good MPG (30+)
- Low insurance cost
- Reliable and low maintenance
- Doesn't have to be fast but at least 1.4 litre. She'll be doing motorway miles soon so I don't want sitting at 70mph in a 1.0.
- Good boot space
- Preferably a hatchback but can be a large one.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: It has to look cool.

mk2 Golf GTI?

[HJMS123]

dapearson said:

Civic 1.6 Sport? Looks a bit like the Type-R, but without the hefty insurance.

Edited by dapearson on Friday 7th February 09:10

I had one of these as my previous car, suprisingly shifts quite well. Although terribly loud at motorway speeds

[moebiusuk]

Thanks all. The whole idea of "cool" changes per person so, to clarify, I really meant "cute". Yes yes but that's what she wants.

The K11 Micra and Civic is a good shout. Forgot about those!

[_Neal_]

moebiusuk said:

Thanks all. The whole idea of "cool" changes per person so, to clarify, I really meant "cute". Yes yes but that's what she wants.

The K11 Micra and Civic is a good shout. Forgot about those!

Ford SportKa?

[Orangecurry]

I'm out.

[veevee]

Clio 182

[P-Jay]

moebiusuk said:

mk2 Golf GTI?

I'm a big fan of MK2 GTis I owned a 16v and I adored it - but forget the whole VW = reliable thing, the very, very latest of them will be at least 22 years old and it's going to break down a lot and unless you're extremely lucky, or spend a lot more than £2000 it's going to be very tired.

£2000 would get you a sub-10 year old Seat Ibiza, they did selection of engines, but a 1.4 Sport in a nice colour would be a good mix of insurance cost / performance I think?

[thatdude]

dapearson said:

Civic 1.6 Sport? Looks a bit like the Type-R, but without the hefty insurance.

Edited by dapearson on Friday 7th February 09:10

I drive one of these. Sheep in wolfs clothing, does 45 mpg or better on a motorway run and 35 or better in town, comfy and easy to work on and generally just nice simple motoring with that honda peice of mind.

Not sure what state you'd find one in for 2k though. heated wing mirrors are very useful on wet journeys! Sits at about 3500 rpm at 70 mph. It's noisy but no more so than any other comparable car, im suffering no ill effects and I spend 100 mile a day in mine

Edited by thatdude on Friday 7th February 14:49

[TTwiggy]

Audi A2

[HYPESTHYPE]

Sounds like c900i to me...

[Fittster]

A car designed to look retro cool (to girls)

[Ten Four]

Best I've got...

little over budget
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...

and again
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

getting closer
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

possibly a bit bland
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

and again
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

maroon...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

this is a hatch, I promise
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

very boring but looks the goods
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...