Fun daily driver

[J.DOT.P]

I’ve got 12k to spend and I want a car that is:

- Fun-ish (No Caterhams )
- New-ish (Up to 8 years old)
- Reliable
- Ok on fuel (25mpg+)
- Decent looking (subjective I know)
- And relatively fast (eg. 7 seconds to 60 min. as a guide)

Don’t know what to look at as I’ve no idea what most cars drive like. Steered closer to the hot-hatch section (the Megane RS) and also the 3 litre 3 series Beemers but are they reliable and comfy enough for a daily? Or is there better options?

Any recommendations?

[SB8999]

Vauxhall astra vxr 2012 on motors.co.uk for £11,495?

[SB8999]

SB8999 said:

Vauxhall astra vxr 2012 on motors.co.uk for £11,495?

Sorry meant £10,557

[J.DOT.P]

Astra VXR looks a good shout! Are they comfy enough for the girlfriends commute every day? (Only 15 miles). They look like a ‘hardcore’ hot hatch.

[SB8999]

J.DOT.P said:

Astra VXR looks a good shout! Are they comfy enough for the girlfriends commute every day? (Only 15 miles). They look like a ‘hardcore’ hot hatch.

I don't know I haven't got one, it was just a suggestion for you. Or you could try a seat ibiza cupra, we have an ibiza fr and they're quick, the cupra must be like a rocket.

[J.DOT.P]

Any more recommendations?

What’s the Astra VXR like compared with the Megane RS?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Vauxhall isn't too hardcore they're pretty comfortable (for a hot hatch) the Megane is the best drivers hatch but is quite firm with the desireable Cup pack fitted.

I'd say go for a Focus ST-3 you get a good steer (not as good as the Megane) but a well kitted car that you girlfriend will be happy to commute in it plus you get that stonking 2.5T engine to (if you go for a last of the line model) release some noise from.

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

The latter 2.0 Ecoboost is a good car too but missing that 2.5.

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

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

[cerb4.5lee]

A 330i will tick most of the boxes for you but I wouldn't exactly call them fun, but they're excellent cruisers though. A Megane RS would be my choice because it ticks the boxes and will put a smile on your face.

[p1stonhead]

Megane RS is fantastic.

[S9JTO]

SB8999 said:

I don't know I haven't got one, it was just a suggestion for you. Or you could try a seat ibiza cupra, we have an ibiza fr and they're quick, the cupra must be like a rocket.

Indeed

[S9JTO]

Seeing as though nobody has said it yet, Fiesta ST?

[designforlife]

If you can compromise on age, and want something depreciation proof, how about a DC5?

[J.DOT.P]

designforlife said:

If you can compromise on age, and want something depreciation proof, how about a DC5?

I would, the girlfriend wouldn’t

I think I’ve toned it down to either:
- Megane RS
- Fiesta ST
- Focus ST
- BMW 330i
- Astra VXR

That’s a lot of test drives

How are Focus STs? Is a Fiesta ST the better choice if the extra size/room is not needed? Don’t really like the young, boy racer Fiesta image but I suppose I could get over that (or else the Astra wouldn’t be on the list either)

[p1stonhead]

What about a 130i? Cracking car.

[S9JTO]

J.DOT.P said:

I would, the girlfriend wouldn’t

I think I’ve toned it down to either:
- Megane RS
- Fiesta ST
- Focus ST
- BMW 330i
- Astra VXR

That’s a lot of test drives

How are Focus STs? Is a Fiesta ST the better choice if the extra size/room is not needed? Don’t really like the young, boy racer Fiesta image but I suppose I could get over that (or else the Astra wouldn’t be on the list either)

If the extra space isn't needed then from that list I'd definitely go with this Fiesta ST, probably the cheapest and most reliable too IMO. The only reason not to go for one is like you said, the 'image' it portrays. I wouldn't care though if I were you!

[designforlife]

J.DOT.P said:

I would, the girlfriend wouldn’t

I think I’ve toned it down to either:
- Megane RS
- Fiesta ST
- Focus ST
- BMW 330i
- Astra VXR

That’s a lot of test drives

How are Focus STs? Is a Fiesta ST the better choice if the extra size/room is not needed? Don’t really like the young, boy racer Fiesta image but I suppose I could get over that (or else the Astra wouldn’t be on the list either)

oh dear, is she one of the youth=reliability crowd?

[ScoobyChris]

Last thing I'd describe any of the hot hatches as is comfy, but I guess it depends what your level of tolerance is like for a daily driver. The 330i will be most comfy (especially if you go for SE trim), but I think you'll be sacrificing some fun/hooliganism

Chris

[J.DOT.P]

designforlife said:

oh dear, is she one of the youth=reliability crowd?

Yes, unfortunately stupid I know

ScoobyChris said:

Last thing I'd describe any of the hot hatches as is comfy, but I guess it depends what your level of tolerance is like for a daily driver. The 330i will be most comfy (especially if you go for SE trim), but I think you'll be sacrificing some fun/hooliganism

Chris

Comforts not a massive priority, as long as it’s reasonable to live with every day. I hear a lot about Fiesta STs being spine shaking but yet I hear a lot about them being used as practical daily drivers.

[ScoobyChris]

J.DOT.P said:

Comforts not a massive priority, as long as it’s reasonable to live with every day. I hear a lot about Fiesta STs being spine shaking but yet I hear a lot about them being used as practical daily drivers.

I think both can easily be true and it comes down to what you'll accept. I had a Panda 100hp with suspension made from granite but still racked up 60k miles in it over 3 years as a daily driver. Lots of people rode in it and told me they couldn't live with a car that firmly sprung

Chris

[zedx19]

I have a 2010 Focus ST with the 5 pot, previously I had a Mondeo with the newer Focus ST 2.0 Ecoboost engine. At the time I had the Mondeo I needed the space, but the engine was dull and the car a bit boring to drive, so got the wife a 7 seater and bought myself something fun. Went for as late model as you could get the 2.5 5 pot engine in which was 2010 (2011 are just late registered cars). I've remapped mine to Stage 1 which is around 275bhp and "de-res" the standard exhaust and absolutely love the thing. The engine dominates everything, makes a great noise, produces decent power and delivers that power in huge whacks, it is not a sutble car. I mostly potter to work on country lanes and it returns 27mpg in the current colder weather, in summer that's around 30mpg. It's a company car so occasionally I do longer runs and it'll return around 35mpg on the motorway.