Can't work out what I want.. reliable, warm, fun & practical

[ka90]

I've been racking my brains over this far too long now, and it's starting to annoy me.
Very much a moon on a stick scenario..

I'm looking for a car that covers the following:
1. Reliable- it'll be my daily driver. Parked on the drive, doing 13,000m/yr and driven all year round.
2. Power- current car is awful (bought as a stop gap whilst purchasing house) and miss my 150bhp. New car will need to be 0-60 in under 8 seconds as a minimum. Needs to be petrol.
3. Engaging to drive- not talking Elise, but something with a good chassis and reasonable steering feel.
4. Comfortableish- I test drove a Fiesta ST '14 and it was awful on my B roads. It left me with a headache, but I'm not sure if it was modified..
5. Reasonable running costs- not looking at old barges or aging german cars.
6. Practicalish- I could get a 2 seater soft top, but then I'll miss being able to chuck stuff in the back or carry mates & bikes.. so it's not a must, but if it's practical I'll keep it for longer with a family planned for the near future.

Budget is very flexible. Ideally up to £11,000, but could go up to £16,000.

Currently on the list:
Focus ST ST-3 '13
Z4 Coupe Si '07/08
Polo GTI '15
Mazda 3 Sport 165 '15
Octavia 1.4 SEL 150bhp '16
Yeti SE 110 1.2
Octavia VRS '11
Fiesta ST200 (possibly with smaller wheels for more comfort??)
Toyota GT86 '13
MX5 mk3.5 2.0 Venturo edition
BMW 135i coupe '08-10

What would you suggest? Very diverse choice, I know.. but needed to narrow it down and really can't decide.

[Maccles]

From your rather vague brief (ish!) I'd say the two that stand out as meeting your requirements best are the coupes - GT86 and BMW 135i. Maybe go have a drive of each?

You'll struggle to get bikes in either, but either would take a roof cycle rack and both have rear seats (tiny and uncomfortable, but that's so not your problem!)

[SaggyOstrich]

If it were me, I'd get an Integra DC5 Type R but failing that I'd go for a Megane RS 250/265.

Edit: Out of your shortlist I'd go for the 135i.

[Shiv_P]

I'd be looking at a mk3 Focus ST

[SamCar10]

What about an R56 Mini Cooper S?

I've got a JCW of the same period and it's my daily, starting to get a little tired of the crashy ride, but it's good fun to drive and fits 4 so maybe a Cooper S would be the sweet spot.

Just for peace of mind I'd avoid the N14 engined ones and go for an N18 (2009 onwards I believe).

[ka90]

Thanks all.
Will certainly add the 135i to the test drive list.

I can't seem to find any Focus ST Mk3's within budget with reasonable mileage/history..

Not keen on the Mini, two of my friends have the R56 and had notthing but problems. Plus they're expensive when they go wrong.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say take a look at the last of the line 2.5T Focus ST-3 form they're a good steer & has a great engine comfortable ride:

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

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

Astra VXR these are an underrated car they're not as stiff as other hot hatches & well worth a test drive:

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

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

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

If you want a sensible warm hatch that's more reliable but on par handling wise with the Polo GTI/Ibiza & their unreliable twin charge engine.

They also will have a chunk of Warranty left on them:

Pro Cee'd GT Tech

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

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

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

Cee'd GT Tech

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

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

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

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


Or a non Cup Chasis'd Megane:

RS250/265 Lux these still handle well but aren't as stiff or sharp as their Cup Chassis'd brethren.

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

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

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

[Toyoda]

Too broad a longlist, Shirley? 1.2 Yeti or an asthmatic Mazda in the same breath as a Focus ST or Polo GTi? Figure out how much shove you want OP and take it from there. Or prioritise in terms of age, mileage etc.

[ka90]

Some interesting choices I hadn't thought of, thanks!

The yeti is the only odd one out- all the others are 150bhp plus. I can forgive power for handling & 'fun'.

[Toyoda]

You say the Yeti's the odd one out but the Mazda 3 and Octavia both take over 8s to hit 60, but you stipulated under 8 seconds as a minimum.

There's the Giulietta in 1.4 (170) and 1.75 flavours that tick your boxes but out of your list, keep looking for the 2012-14 ST.

[ZX10R NIN]

I forgot about these:

Giulietta Cloverleaf/Sportiva/Veloce these are very robust a good handling car, which one you'd choose is down to budget insurance etc:

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

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

Veloce

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

Cloverleaf

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

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

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

QV

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

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

Audi S3

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

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

[Overall D]

Maccles said:

From your rather vague brief (ish!) I'd say the two that stand out as meeting your requirements best are the coupes - GT86 and BMW 135i. Maybe go have a drive of each?

You'll struggle to get bikes in either, but either would take a roof cycle rack and both have rear seats (tiny and uncomfortable, but that's so not your problem!)

Rear seat folds flat in 86 so actually a bike will fit in the boot with front wheel removed.