An all-rounder for 5k - Help!

[RedMedic]

Greetings! Apologies for yet another what car thread and many thanks for those who take the time to reply. Essentially the car I inherited from my padre is on its last legs (52 Reg C200 AMG spec) and mostly because people ask why I'm driving an old mans car at the age of 25. I'm only about 18 months into working life and have just about managed to clear debts from student life so I'm not flush with cash. Looking to pick up a new car for roughly 5-6k with the following requirements:

No more than 10 years old
0-60 in <8s
30+mpg
Usable back seats for when I have to cart friends around
Something that looks reasonably smart and has a decent level of comfort for when I have to do those post A&E shift drives
Ideally a car which is better with a manual gearbox as I've been driving an auto for the past two years and don't want to lose my skill
Potential for remapping when I can save some more pennies for a bit more fun

Potentially a 1 or 3 series?

Any other ideas chaps?

Thanks

[Defcon5]

How many miles are you doing? Golf GTI was my first thought

[benjijames28]

Audi a3, petrol. 1.8 TFSI or 2.0 TFSI.

[RedMedic]

Between 10-15k tops I imagine. Probably less depending on where I get placed hospital wise.

[Shotaro]

A £5K do all car...

Pig nose Impreza

New age Impreza

[TEKNOPUG]

Shotaro said:

A £5K do all car...

Pig nose Impreza

New age Impreza

Don't buy a 2.5
Plenty of 2.0s about

[TEKNOPUG]

RedMedic said:

Greetings! Apologies for yet another what car thread and many thanks for those who take the time to reply. Essentially the car I inherited from my padre is on its last legs (52 Reg C200 AMG spec) and mostly because people ask why I'm driving an old mans car at the age of 25. I'm only about 18 months into working life and have just about managed to clear debts from student life so I'm not flush with cash. Looking to pick up a new car for roughly 5-6k with the following requirements:

No more than 10 years old
0-60 in <8s
30+mpg
Usable back seats for when I have to cart friends around
Something that looks reasonably smart and has a decent level of comfort for when I have to do those post A&E shift drives
Ideally a car which is better with a manual gearbox as I've been driving an auto for the past two years and don't want to lose my skill
Potential for remapping when I can save some more pennies for a bit more fun

Potentially a 1 or 3 series?

Any other ideas chaps?

Thanks

What happens when a car gets older than 10 years?

[TEKNOPUG]

108 in the classifieds

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Acceleratio...

[nottyash]

Audi A3 2.0tfsi. Quattro model even better if you can get it.
there is a A4 with the same set up in that price range too.

I just paid £6200 for an 07 plate A3 2.0 tfsi Quattro sportback s line with 48km miles.
200bhp standard, its now around 250bhp. bring on the snow

[Shotaro]

TEKNOPUG said:

108 in the classifieds

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Acceleratio...

In that list I found the following; 0-62 in 5.4 seconds, 39.8 MPG all from a 2l diesel putting out 111bhp, this Tuscon is a winner! ...Yes those figs are definitely incorrect, at least for the 0-62

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say have a look at the R26 Megane as this fits your criteria, or the Clio

2007 Megane R26 47k & the all important Recaro's

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

2007 225 Cup 51k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Clio Cup 66k with the Recaros FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2010 Clio Cup 44k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Clio Cup FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

For a less focused alternative I can't see much beating the Focus especially in ST-3 form with that 5 cylinder engine under the bonnet it's hard to discount it.

2006 ST-3 67k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Nav 70K FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

64K FSH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 Golf GTI 70k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2005 Edition 30 GTI 65k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
A leftfield alternative is the A3 3.2 which gives you R32 power for GTI Money but just outside of your 10 year rule.

2005 3.2 A3 240bhp 57k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

3.2 24k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Thursday 3rd November 20:06

[RedMedic]

Appreciate the reply gents. Much food for thought!

[Japveesix]

Skoda Octavia VRS hatchback.

5-6k would buy a really decent low mileage car. They remap well and have generally higher levels of kit than an equivalent audi/VW.

And they look good if you're not a badge snob.

[BenWRXSEi]

TEKNOPUG said:

Shotaro said:

A £5K do all car...

Pig nose Impreza

New age Impreza

Don't buy a 2.5
Plenty of 2.0s about

FWIW, I much prefer my 2.5 to the 2.0 I had previously (both WRX Wagons).

And no, it hasn't grenaded.

OP, from the list above, my sensible head would say get the Octavia VRS. In reality I'd still buy the Impreza and hang the fuel costs

Edited by BenWRXSEi on Thursday 3rd November 18:07

[caelite]

[redacted]

[TEKNOPUG]

[redacted]

[s m]

Shotaro said:

TEKNOPUG said:

108 in the classifieds

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Acceleratio...

In that list I found the following; 0-62 in 5.4 seconds, 39.8 MPG all from a 2l diesel putting out 111bhp, this Tuscon is a winner! ...Yes those figs are definitely incorrect, at least for the 0-62

Maybe they meant 0-62km/h?

[lewisf182]

I know its recommending my own car but a 130i would fit the bill. 30+mpg may be a slight push (im on 28 average), however your budget will get you an efficient dynamics model for a few more mpg - you could even go 125i coupe route which gives potential for remap to 130i levels in the future.

Mines been rock solid and depreciation has been less than £1k a year for the last 3 years i've owned it which helps off ser the mpg.