Small(ish) nippy family car, good real world MPG?

[ehyouwhat]

Hi,

A close friend has decided that the time is right to replace her Jaguar X-Type 3.0 V6 with something a little more restrained on fuel consumption (she averages 25MPG in the Jag).

She'll ideally like a new car but she'd consider something up to three years old if it offered great value for money. A semi-premium feel is also important to her.

She has a partner and a baby so 3-door cars are out, and she doesn't want something as large as the X-Type. Most of her driving is based around shorter runs though the car does a twice-weekly sixty-mile run, and a cross-country run every other month or so. Given these driving specifics, she'd like something that can attain a realistic fuel consumption average of 50MPG or more. She would also like something with a bit of go should she need it.

Her budget could stretch to £20k for the right new car, but she'd preferably like to spend less.

At the moment she likes the look of the BMW 118d, and also the MINI Clubman Cooper D (112bhp). She also likes the VW Golf and Polo diesel variants, although I have to say that I have heard of countless reliability issues from most of my VW-owning friends.

Any other suggestions from the PH collective?

Thanks,
EYW

[ewenm]

Focus is supposed to be a relatively good drive. I was underwhelmed by the BMW 118d I drove and the boot is small so could be difficult with all the baby clobber (friends of mine with a 1-Series and a 1-year-old often wish for more space). I also won't go near another Mini but that's probably just me.

Focus or Golf (or derivative from Audi/SEAT/Skoda) are the obvious choices.

[HellDiver]

ewenm said:

Focus is supposed to be a relatively good drive.

They're supposed to be, but they're really not particularly good. I'd rather drive my battered '05 Mondeo than the brand new Focii on the fleet at work. The electric PAS on the Focus is just plain wierd, the brakes are severely over-servoed, and they are pretty lumpy and uncomfortable if you're going much more than 50 miles. We're running 1.6TDCI 110hp Style and Zetec Estates.

I'd have a 308 before a Focus...

[evenflow]

Fully loaded 5 door Fiesta Titanium plus change for that, although the Ford badge may not be ideal from what you've said...

[tonyvid]

HellDiver said:

They're supposed to be, but they're really not particularly good. I'd rather drive my battered '05 Mondeo than the brand new Focii on the fleet at work. The electric PAS on the Focus is just plain wierd, the brakes are severely over-servoed, and they are pretty lumpy and uncomfortable if you're going much more than 50 miles. We're running 1.6TDCI 110hp Style and Zetec Estates.

I'd have a 308 before a Focus...

Me to, although it goes against the general flow.

We get loads of AVIS hire cars and I've grown to hate getting into a current Focus, the seats kill me, the brakes are just plain horrid and the interior of the average model ones looks like Airfix. Yes, they handle really nicely when really chucked about but that's a tiny part of the time.

308, new Astra, Megane and Guillietta are a lot nicer all round - the 308s can give some amazing MPGs as well.

[mgmrw2003]

£20k will get a lot of car.........

for less than 1/2 that, she could be in a well spec'd diesel focus, mondeo, pug, or such like.

Mates dad has a 308 1600HID "rapier" I think it is... black leather, panoramic roof, alloys, sportsy bits. 130bhp (ish I think - may be less/more) and round town it does well.

He even tows a caravan with it, AND has 2x average/large dogs that go in the boot.


PERSONALLY: after owning a Focus, and adoring the handling and cheap running costs.... I'd be finding a high spec derv focus. 1800 or 2000cc tdci, leather, climate, big boot, alloys, fancy bumpers and all of it. Seen them at 9-10k with minimal miles.

But as someone else commented, depends if she's a badge snob.

Also, on the mileage she does, will diesel be her best option? I run 1x derv and 1x petrol.. and unless hitting 20,000 miles per annum, rarely find diesel is cheaper to run in terms of TCO.

Round town, a 2litre straight six beemer is in the same fuel costs if tickled gently

[ewenm]

Fair enough on the Focus - I've only driven my mum's old one and it was ok (not great but ok). We went straight from 3-door coupe/hatch to estate when the baby arrived so missed out the 5 door hatch options.

[mgmrw2003]

2005 plate 1600tdci focus estate. Bought with 77k, sold 12months later with 120k+ on clock. Lost £500 on price I paid of £3700.

Boot space was CAVERNOUS........ handling was amazing.... and it was so easy to drive.

bad points: pov spec interior on mine, and awful seats.

so a better spec'd one, with the nice leather comfy seats...... job done

[Spanna]

Could get a brand new Fabia VRS Estate for that. Only downside is the MPG and a bit more on the insurance, but it certainly has the 'go'. Probably has the wrong badge though...

[va1o]

Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Its the best in class and the best all round car below £20k IMO

[Viperz888]

Escort GTi or RS2000 if you could manage with 3 doors (but much faster)