Most fun with a kids' seat for £5k???

[anonymous-user]

Have decided to stop yearning after an expensive new BMW on a pcp, keep my existing (owned) 2014 120D as a sensible, reliable daily, but put about £5k into something I can have fun with. I want it to be reliable as possible because I'm not mechanically minded, although I know cars of this age will need sums spent on replacement of consumables and the odd repair. I would appreciate some advice on what to consider.

Have seen a few Sciroccos with the 2.0TSI engine and there are plenty of MK5 GTIs around too. Have also seen plenty of Type R FN2s advertised as well. I'm wondering whether these cars are exciting enough to scratch the fun itch though or whether I should be going for something smaller like a Clio 200 or even a 208GTI. Haven't even started looking at Focus STs or Mini Cooper S but I'm guessing they could be had.

The one practical consideration is that I need to be able to take my baby out with me if need be so that means ISOFIX or at least backseat that will take a Group 1 seat upwards.

Any advice appreciated.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a Focus ST-3 pretty much ticks all the boxes, cracking engine very good chassis & space for baby stuff:

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

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

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

The Clio RS is a step ahead chassis wise with the Focus being a bit more practical, if you decide to go for the Clio I'd go for a 197 F1 as they have the very desirable Recaro's

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

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

The Type R is a good shout the only black mark could be the ride could be a bit harsh for the little person:

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...

The Golf will be nowhere near as much fun as the above & no more/less reliable so I'd be looking at the three above.

[D7PNY]

If it's just the occasional trip out with you and the little one have you thought of something like a TT?

Offers more of a sports car experience than your hot hatch types and I believe has isofix in the front seat.

Failing that, I'd go for a clio 200 or something revvy. Any other hot hatch like a golf GTI etc won't offer much more of an experience than your 120d BMW in my opinion.

[nunpuncher]

As you already have a hatchback, another, albeit more sporty hatchback will probably be a bit..... unspecial.

When our eldest was a baby I ran a number of 2 seaters alongside more boring diesel commuting boxes. Always bought something where I could deactivate the airbag so it was never an issue.

TT is also a good shout. You can get a baby seat in the back easily by putting it in via the boot opening. Smidge over the £5k budget you could get a mk2 3.2 so a bit of go, great interior and some nice noises even at sensible speeds. It's also Quattro so you can convince your other half that it's a sensible car now it's winter.

Edited by nunpuncher on Monday 10th December 10:21

[PomBstard]

When my two eldest were about 2 and 4 I had an NB MX5 with removable hardtop - they loved going out in that, esp roof down, and fun was to be had at sensible speeds.

Agree what was said above about the Golf, way too boring for what you're after.

If you want something that the kids will also like, try a WRX, esp one with a big wing and a fruity exhaust. My youngest, now 4, is adamant that MrsPB's next car will be a WRX...

[anonymous-user]

Thanks all. Certainly some food for thought. Re the kid seat ... would ideally be able to take the missus and the little one so actual two seaters not really an option at this stage. Think people are probably right about the Golf, Focus etc being not dissimilar enough from the daily drive. I wondered whether the revvy nature of the Type R might make it worth a go but I’m worried that it won’t handle well enough and that it will ‘feel’ lacklustre in a straight line compared to my torquey daily. Did wonder whether the Scirocco would be a bit of a better drive than the equivalent Gold due to the wider rear track and the stiffer / adaptive suspension. Keep coming back to the thought of a Cup suspension Clio 197/200 because I seem to read lots about them as track day toys but I get to keep a small backseat. Had a quick look at Inprezas but you seem to get less for your money and I really don’t know much about them. Mk2 TT’s might be worth a look but assumed they would be very expensive and didn’t think you could get a kid in the back.

[Mr Tidy]

Someone I know bought a BMW 325ti Compact in 2015, but then became a dad in 2016.

So he moved on to a BMW 325i Sport Touring as getting a child seat into the back of a 3 door car was a right PITA.

But he's happy having similar performance with the bonus of added practicality.

Mind you with a £5K budget maybe a BMW E90/91 would be an option?

[aka_kerrly]

For a weekend/fun car when you already have a 120d daily id suggest a convertible.

How about a clean E46 330CI. £5k gets you good choice of pre an post facelift manual or auto.


Audi A4 - 3.0Quattro is a fine choice but if you are feeling brave there are a handful of S4 cabriolets around which give you the full 4.2 V8 + roof down experience

.

rank outsider Mazda RX8 for £2k and have £3k towards engine(s)

[Hoink]

I could be wrong as it was a few years ago but I'm sure my 200 cup only had isofix on the front passengers seat, not the rear.

There was also a difference between standard and recaros.

[Ahbefive]

Megane R26

[CrippsCorner]

Mr Tidy said:

Someone I know bought a BMW 325ti Compact in 2015, but then became a dad in 2016.

So he moved on to a BMW 325i Sport Touring as getting a child seat into the back of a 3 door car was a right PITA.

Hear stuff like this all the time

My kid turned 2 last month and I still drive a Mini! Yes, a 3 door one... takes about an extra 5 seconds to get the seat in compared to my partners Jazz.

Probably more a case of man maths me thinks!

[anonymous-user]

Am I mental for saying ... Chrysler Crossfire? Are they crap?

[zedx19]

I have a 5 pot Focus ST and 3 kids, although we do have a family 7 seater as well, the Focus does still get used for some family duties. It's got a good boot, mines been reliable, good size inside and it has a thunderous engine. Prior to this I had a newer Mondeo with the new Focus ST engine in it and I found it great for family duties but dull as dishwater when you wanted a hoon.

[anonymous-user]

Tt is an interesting idea but I’m assuming in fwd guise it probably doesn’t drive any better than a scirocco does it? My reading suggests a cup suspension CLIO 197/200 will handle better and be more fun ... am I right?

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes you're correct.

[anonymous-user]

Am keeping eyes open for cup 197/200 with good history.

[Mr Tidy]

CrippsCorner said:

Mr Tidy said:

Someone I know bought a BMW 325ti Compact in 2015, but then became a dad in 2016.

So he moved on to a BMW 325i Sport Touring as getting a child seat into the back of a 3 door car was a right PITA.

Hear stuff like this all the time

My kid turned 2 last month and I still drive a Mini! Yes, a 3 door one... takes about an extra 5 seconds to get the seat in compared to my partners Jazz.

Probably more a case of man maths me thinks!

Not in his case - after a decade of owning a Leon 1.6 he loved his 325ti Compact! Especially as it was a facelift with the 6-speed box and his had the electric sunroof option.

But Mini seats slide forwards when you tilt the backrest, Compacts don't!

[zedx19]

sotonjoe said:

Tt is an interesting idea but I’m assuming in fwd guise it probably doesn’t drive any better than a scirocco does it? My reading suggests a cup suspension CLIO 197/200 will handle better and be more fun ... am I right?

Yes a Clio 197/200 will handle better, but it's tiny inside, with a small boot, chocolate gearbox, dreadful MPG for the average performance. I had a mk1 172 many years ago, proper little tin can fun box but no good to put the family in! I also managed to destroy 2 gearboxes before getting rid of it.

[anonymous-user]

So what is better fun as a weekend drive then?

[egor110]

zedx19 said:

sotonjoe said:

Tt is an interesting idea but I’m assuming in fwd guise it probably doesn’t drive any better than a scirocco does it? My reading suggests a cup suspension CLIO 197/200 will handle better and be more fun ... am I right?

Yes a Clio 197/200 will handle better, but it's tiny inside, with a small boot, chocolate gearbox, dreadful MPG for the average performance. I had a mk1 172 many years ago, proper little tin can fun box but no good to put the family in! I also managed to destroy 2 gearboxes before getting rid of it.

The flip side is there are loads of people tracking 172/182's , driving them there and back without the gear box packing up .

I had a 172 cup and it was a right laugh on a b road which was good because i lived on exmoor , however if you planned on using it just to pootle about a roads and dual carriageways i think you might get a bit tired of the harsh ride , well worth trying one 1st to see what you think.

If you want more room and fast then the default pistonheads answer is saab aero