What wee shed?

[niccis dad]

Just started new job which entails a 50 mile each way commute. Roads are a great mix of quick A roads and some entertaining B roads.

I do like to "nip on" a bit, but the XJR (X300) is returning around 15 mpg. The 3.2 Sport is hovering around the 22 mpg range.

So, I need something that is cheap ( under £1000,00 ) but decent to drive and capable of taking a bit of stick. Ideally something that would return around 30 mpg would meet my need, but would need to be a bit bullet proof.

So, thinking of MR2, Celica, VW golfs / polo's, Hyundai coupe things, Civics, etc etc.

Anyone with experience of anything in this price / performance / reliability range, I'd welcome your opinions.

Thanks.

[Urban Sports]

This looks decent

[JamesD1]

£1000 is not a bad budget and you can pick up some alright metal in this category. i had an mr2 and it was fautless, pulled like a train and i would have another if i could afford to run a 2nd car.

can probably buy a cheap clio 172 for that. mk4 golf gti could also be had, whilst there not sporty they can be quick (with remap) and from personal experience and a friend running one they seem too hold up well.

buy on condition and recent work / receipts at this price, ive always found buying with an issue has done me well.

[SV8Predator]

100 mile a day commute? You're certainly going to have one hell of a monthly fuel bill. Enough to make you move closer to your new job.

I'd be be looking at small diesels (Fiesta, for example) that will give you much better than 30mpg.

[niccis dad]

Urban Sports said:

This looks decent

There's always one.

[niccis dad]

SV8Predator said:

100 mile a day commute? You're certainly going to have one hell of a monthly fuel bill. Enough to make you move closer to your new job.

I'd be be looking at small diesels (Fiesta, for example) that will give you much better than 30mpg.

The roads on my commute would bring a smile to your face. N E Scotland. We don't do congestion up here. Just fun. I appreciate your suggestion but somehow a diesel Fiesta doesn't really float my boat.

[Fastdruid]

niccis dad said:

SV8Predator said:

100 mile a day commute? You're certainly going to have one hell of a monthly fuel bill. Enough to make you move closer to your new job.

I'd be be looking at small diesels (Fiesta, for example) that will give you much better than 30mpg.

The roads on my commute would bring a smile to your face. N E Scotland. We don't do congestion up here. Just fun. I appreciate your suggestion but somehow a diesel Fiesta doesn't really float my boat.

Ford Puma. Everything a Diesel Fiesta isn't and >30mpg (unless you're >100mph).

[callywally18]

Im sure i have seen a BMW 520i lurking about for £500, Now where was it....?








My driveway.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Let's get realistic here. With that distance of daily commute you need a Micra or Fiesta with hardly any engine at all. Diesel is definitely worth a look but some of the small petrol cars can be incredibly economical.

[Scottland]

I used to average well over 35mpg from a 172. I had a Puma 1.7 before that which was about the same on fuel.

[Fastdruid]

callywally18 said:

Im sure i have seen a BMW 520i lurking about for £500, Now where was it....?

Nice wafter but big, heavy and slow and it's going to struggle to hit 30mpg on a twisty road.

[callywally18]

Fastdruid said:

callywally18 said:

Im sure i have seen a BMW 520i lurking about for £500, Now where was it....?

Nice wafter but big, heavy and slow and it's going to struggle to hit 30mpg on a twisty road.

Iv been pleasantly surprised with the economy on it, putting a fiver in it is giving me 40+ miles (driving like the queen)

May just be the computer going wild though.

[slipstream 1985]

i did 50 miles a day in a diesel and my fuel bill was £150 a month. switched to petrol and it rose to 350-400 per month. You need a fun diesel imo.

[Fastdruid]

slipstream 1985 said:

You need a fun diesel imo.

Does not compute.

[niccis dad]

Fastdruid said:

Nice wafter but big, heavy and slow and it's going to struggle to hit 30mpg on a twisty road.

Yes. Not just twisty, but hilly as well. Brakes and shocks take a pounding on a heavy car. Needs to be relatively light. Anyone selling an Aerial Atom for a grand? st, just thought about our Scottish winters. Get a diesel Defender and get up at 4am ?

[sparkythecat]

The Ford Puma 1.7 is a hoot on the twisties, and as has been said, does 35mpg

[Who me ?]

SV8Predator said:

100 mile a day commute? You're certainly going to have one hell of a monthly fuel bill. Enough to make you move closer to your new job.

I'd be be looking at small diesels (Fiesta, for example) that will give you much better than 30mpg.

Fabia 1.4TDi - for 75bhp, nippy and at 50mpg .

[Fastdruid]

Who me _question mark_ said:

Fabia 1.4TDi - for 75bhp, nippy and at 50mpg .

Not going to get one with less than spaceship miles on for less than a grand though!

[sparkythecat]

Fastdruid said:

Not going to get one with less than spaceship miles on for less than a grand though!

I could only find ONE in the country on Autorader..... an estate with 177kmile

[poing]

niccis dad said:

Yes. Not just twisty, but hilly as well. Brakes and shocks take a pounding on a heavy car. Needs to be relatively light. Anyone selling an Aerial Atom for a grand? st, just thought about our Scottish winters. Get a diesel Defender and get up at 4am ?

I live in the same part of the world as you, managed the last 7 years in an MX5 of some flavour with winter tyres on just fine. To be fair I do seem to do a bit snow plowing with it and when the snow freezes it makes some scary noises underneath but so far so good.

I've owned a Hyundai Coupe in the past, good little cars but can rust a bit and parts cost a lot. If I wanted a coupe like that again I'd consider a Toyota Celica or Ford Puma instead. You can (just) get into a Yaris 1.5 t-sport, Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S if you can find any that haven't been heavily modified.

Finding them in our part of the world is always a bigger challenge though