Cars that are frugal but fun

[keith2874]

Greetings all

I work 10 miles from home and travel down a mixture of country lanes and A roads - at present I'm commuting in a 2.5 litre BMW which permanently has a thirst on. Since the price of fuel is getting ridiculous I'm looking for a frugal but hopefully still fun car to replace this with.

If the UP! GTI was being launched this year I'd probably hang on and lease one of those but I'd rather not wait that long so.......

It must have 4 seats, a reasonable turn of pace and be reliable - and ideally be around £5k

Any suggestions?

Regards

Keith

[CubanPete]

100bhp panda
Swift

[lee_erm]

Suzuki Swift Sport
MK7 Fiesta Zetec S
Brabus Smart Four Four

I'd go with the Zetec S. Although the Smart will be properly rapid!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262691868038

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292031930696

Edited by lee_erm on Sunday 26th February 20:14

Edited by lee_erm on Sunday 26th February 20:15

[Nickp82]

Swift Sport would get my vote although I would try and get a 2012 onwards one which seem to be more £5500 upwards atm.

[wemorgan]

Changing cars to save £1 a day on fuel seems a bit rash.
But if you were planning on changing cars anyways then why not.

[JasperT]

wemorgan said:

Changing cars to save £1 a day on fuel seems a bit rash.
But if you were planning on changing cars anyways then why not.

10 miles to work = 20 miles a day (not including any non work related driving activities).

20 miles/day at 25mpg (estimate, probably a generous one) in the BMW:
20/25= 0.8 gallons/day
0.8*4.55= 3.64 litres/day
3.64 litres at £1.20 (est) per litre = £4.37/day

20 miles/day at 45mpg in a more frugal car, Fiesta Ecoboost for example:
20/45= 0.44 gallons/day
0.44*4.55= 2.00 litres/day
2.00 litres at £1.20/litre = £2.40/day

Thats a £1.97 saving every working day
261 working days per year so thats a, £1.97*261= £514.17 saving per year just on work journeys!

Don't forget the subsequent savings on RFL that come with owning a more frugal car (likely around £200/year in this situation)
Insurance would likely be cheaper too!

Although, if its fun you're after, sod the economy and buy something that will make you smile every day while you do your bit for global warming!

[ScoobyChris]

CubanPete said:

100bhp panda

Fun but not sure I'd call it frugal. Mine averaged 34.9mpg over the 3 years/60k miles I owned it.

Chris

[Codswallop]

JasperT said:

Thats a £1.97 saving every working day
261 working days per year so thats a, £1.97*261= £514.17 saving per year just on work journeys!

Don't forget the subsequent savings on RFL that come with owning a more frugal car (likely around £200/year in this situation)
Insurance would likely be cheaper too!

Although, if its fun you're after, sod the economy and buy something that will make you smile every day while you do your bit for global warming!

That's not much extra to pay if driving and cars are a hobby (which I would hope to be the case for most on this site).

Think the last part of your post is the most important TBH

[ZX10R NIN]

Another one worth a look is the Clio 1.2 GT Line

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[saaby93]

Anyone know about the Suzuki Celera - Low prices a year old

[Yiliterate]

...and with a fair chunk of change left over!

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or, if you were willing to burn a smidge more fuel for an extra 50-odd bhp...

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by Yiliterate on Monday 27th February 12:32

[seadragon]

Smart 44 Brabus, cheap to run, quirky and as quick as a scalded cat. I had an 07 reg one and it was pretty awesome. Awful turning circle but otherwise a fun car.