Small and fun for the short term.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Right so new job looking like its going ahead, just need to sign on the dotted.

So it is new car time. My current chariot is just knackered now...2006 Civic, fall apart, worth buttons. It still works of course, but not sure how its going to withstand stepping up to 16,000 miles per year just going to work.

Route to work is 33 miles. All A/B roads, no motorway, no dual carriage way even. Its actually a lovely drive even if it takes crica 50 minutes.

Ever since I graduated nearly a decade ago, I've promised my self a fun car. Never happened though because the money always got spent on something more sensible; a fridge, a house, a sensible car for the OH etc etc. I've just proposed to the OH and with wedding, babies and house improvements next on the list to suck my bank account dry I though I'd better jump into owning something a bit fun while I still can. 1 to 2 years, then wash my hands of it.

The choices are overwhelming though:

Fiesta Zetec S/ST Line 140
Fiesta ST
Peugeot 208 GTi
Audi A1/S1
Polo GT or GTi (think the new GTi is a 1.8, but the older ones are 1.4)
Seat Ibiza Cupra
Abarth 595 Turismo/Comp
Clio RS
Mazda 2 GT 115PS

Anything else?

Top of the list for me is the 595, because it just seems like a laugh, makes a silly sound, looks daft. I can fit (which I can't in an NC/ND MX-5 otherwise they'd be on there)... I just need to actually drive one. My only concern is whether, at 16k pa, it'll do me in or not.

Fiesta is a known quantity and there are loads for sale. Its a backup choice. The 140 Ecoboost seems to be slower than I thought at nearly 10 sec to 60 on paper. Are they really that slow?

Peugeot 208GTi seems like THE all-rounder; plush interior, 208 hp, lots of kit, pan roof etc but they are suspiciously cheap? Again, sat in one, fit well, comfy but not driven.

VAG cars. Not normally something I would go for. But I have been driving new Golf Mk 7's all this week and with DSG they are actually quite relaxing to drive and seem to go down the road very well. So for these I think I would opt for DSG automatics. So many different combinations to go for on these so its hard to know where the sweet spots are. Do the older 180 horse 1.4's not have problems with oil consumption? Ibiza might present better value.

S1 is on there because you can get one for about £15k (top of my budget). Not sure about it though really, think I'd be just as happy with an A1 1.4 TFSI.

Clio RS... much maligned, but does offer that DSG easiness. Just depends how good that gearbox is given how ridiculously good VW's DSG is.

Mazda 2 ... odd one out but I think probably overlooked. Likely to handle well and I know it'll feel nice to drive because we also have a 3 and the steering, pedals and gear change are bloody excellent. The high compression skyactiv engines are nice and strong and they sound alright to boot! Will probably lack the ability to perform overtakes though, which I think will be crucial on such roads.

Would be very grateful if people could suggest other cars or maybe comment on any of those on the list; what they're like, what to look for etc?

I'd rather not spend £15k to be honest. Less is better, however quite content to spend 10-12 ish on something 2 years old... gives me a years warranty at least.

[Mammasaid]

Alpina B3?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Otispunkmeyer]

Mammasaid said:

Alpina B3?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

tis nice... but I'd like to keep the size down to that category (ST or smaller) and something not so juicy!

[Mammasaid]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Mammasaid said:

Alpina B3?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

tis nice... but I'd like to keep the size down to that category (ST or smaller) and something not so juicy!

Booo....

1 series then?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[mikey P 500]

Surely you can still have a hatch after wedding babies etc I would run something less practical while you can, (if not mx5) maybe boxster, cayman, gt86, 370z, s2000 some are not much worse in fuel than the hot hatches listed and would feel more special.

[Ahbefive]

Megane R26 is fun for a fwd car, later ones may be even better.

Focus ST.

Mazda 3 MPS

Civic type-r

[Otispunkmeyer]

Don't want a Civic... got one of those already and won't be venturing Honda's way for a while.

Focus ST is a good one as is the Megane RS.... Mazda MPS...left field. I like it.

I forgot about the Mini Cooper S, though I would only go for a Clubman because I like the way it looks more than the hatch. Only 3 decent ones for sale though! (well decent and of 2014+ age under £15k)

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 4th October 20:11

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Focus in ST-3 spec is a cracking car but the Megane RS265 is an absolute peach especially if you get a Lux model with the Cup Chassis.

ST-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Megane RS265 Lux with the Cup Chassis

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RS265 Cup

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Clio RS220 Trophy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Digby]

Brabus Smart

[RSTurboPaul]

Clio 182?

No flappy paddle nonsense and a hoot to drive on A/B roads.

[PapaJohns]

RSTurboPaul said:

Clio 182?

No flappy paddle nonsense and a hoot to drive on A/B roads.

Iv not long picked up a low mileage,clean and well maintained 172 Cup as a second car/run about circa 3000miles a year , I figure the mileage will still be lowish around/under 60k miles and I shouldn't lose any money on it in say 2/3yr when I move it on

An absolute hoot to drive

[culpz]

ZX10R NIN said:

Clio RS220 Trophy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Controversial, i know but that would be my pick. I think they're fantastic. Never driven the Trophy model but did have a test of a 200T a few years ago and i really liked it. Fun when the mood takes you but quite chilled and civil when pottering about.

The proper answer is to test as many of the cars on your list as you can or at least the ones you are considering the most. Then see which one(s) really take your fancy and make a decision from there.

[Nickp82]

Have you considered a Suzuki Swift Sport? Great fun and will return sensible MPG

[RSTurboPaul]

Or a Suzuki Ignis Sport?

[300bhp/ton]

mikey P 500 said:

Surely you can still have a hatch after wedding babies etc I would run something less practical while you can, (if not mx5) maybe boxster, cayman, gt86, 370z, s2000 some are not much worse in fuel than the hot hatches listed and would feel more special.

+1

I’m not sure any car the op has listed is what I’d call or give the definition of ‘fun’ too.

Not saying they are bad cars at all. There are certainly a “more fun” cars out there.

[300bhp/ton]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Focus ST is a good one as is the Megane RS.... Mazda MPS...left field. I like it.

You said no to a bigger car earlier on. But a MK2 Focus is hardly a small car. In normal guise it’s a 5 seater family Vehcile with a big boot. And sits pretty much where a Sierra or mk1 Mondeo would have done.

And I think you’ll be amazed at how juicy the 5 pot ST is. Look at any threads on here and owners will be claiming 18-22mpg as not unrealistic. Sure at a 60mph cruise on the motorway they might top 30mpg. But that hardly matches with your route. And driving like that sure isn’t the essence of “fun”.

Any remapped ST will also require Superunleaded fuel. Although I’d not personally run any turbo on 95 RON given the choice.

Superunleaded is at least 5% more to buy. This means when comparing mpg or pence per mile. Superunleaded cars will be 5%+ worse mpg compared to 95 Ron prices.

[ZX10R NIN]

I had my ST mapped & fettled it ran on 95 RON and it ran fine for years with no issues, as for fuel consumption expect an average of 26mpg.

[Otispunkmeyer]

300bhp/ton said:

mikey P 500 said:

Surely you can still have a hatch after wedding babies etc I would run something less practical while you can, (if not mx5) maybe boxster, cayman, gt86, 370z, s2000 some are not much worse in fuel than the hot hatches listed and would feel more special.

+1

I’m not sure any car the op has listed is what I’d call or give the definition of ‘fun’ too.

Not saying they are bad cars at all. There are certainly a “more fun” cars out there.

Well for me they'll be fun.

Don't want a porsche, sorry, just don't like them. GT86 isn't for me, been in one, driven one..... nah. 370 Z too juicy and S2000, hmmm its rather getting on a bit to be honest (and I can just see it now, going backwards through a hedge in the wet).

300bhp/ton said:

Otispunkmeyer said:

Focus ST is a good one as is the Megane RS.... Mazda MPS...left field. I like it.

You said no to a bigger car earlier on. But a MK2 Focus is hardly a small car. In normal guise it’s a 5 seater family Vehcile with a big boot. And sits pretty much where a Sierra or mk1 Mondeo would have done.

And I think you’ll be amazed at how juicy the 5 pot ST is. Look at any threads on here and owners will be claiming 18-22mpg as not unrealistic. Sure at a 60mph cruise on the motorway they might top 30mpg. But that hardly matches with your route. And driving like that sure isn’t the essence of “fun”.

Any remapped ST will also require Superunleaded fuel. Although I’d not personally run any turbo on 95 RON given the choice.

Superunleaded is at least 5% more to buy. This means when comparing mpg or pence per mile. Superunleaded cars will be 5%+ worse mpg compared to 95 Ron prices.

Would like to keep fiesta sized yes, but if there is something worth having in the next segment then I will consider it. Wouldn't be a MK2 focus... but thanks for the advice.

Nickp82 said:

Have you considered a Suzuki Swift Sport? Great fun and will return sensible MPG

New SS has my eye, as does the new UP GTi

Would have to see what the prices were like when they finally come out as they'd be new purchases



My heart is set on an Abarth... but the test drives need to be done really. It could be unworkable (like the MX5)

[300bhp/ton]

ZX10R NIN said:

I had my ST mapped & fettled it ran on 95 RON and it ran fine for years with no issues, as for fuel consumption expect an average of 26mpg.

No offense. But that thing must have been pulling timing assuming it had a knock sensor. Can’t see how running a turbo car of that nature on 95 Ron can be anything other than a negative thing.

[ZX10R NIN]

No offense taken it ran fine it would run more power (switchable maps) on super but ran fine in normal conditions, the best mod was the change of intercooler which stopped the derate when it ran hot.