Fun, reliable saloon car (ULEZ free)

[ib196]

Looking for a fun saloon car that gets 35+ mpg, ideally is rwd with decent feel?

Currently driving a Ford Puma (1.7), absolutely fun car, had it for 3 years and served me well. I'm sure I won't be able to find a car as fun and economical as that in saloon form that's for sure, but I'd like something that's similar in the way it drives whilst being a saloon. Also needs to be ULEZ free as the title suggests, unfortunately the Puma is not ULEZ free.

Doesn't help that next year the ulez zone is expanding to my backyard.

Edited by ib196 on Friday 24th July 02:37

Edited by ib196 on Friday 24th July 02:38

[ZX10R NIN]

The ULEZ might be coming to your backyard depending on who gets voted in with the Mayoral elections in April.

So what's your budget?

[Mr-B]

I may be interested in your Puma if it's not scrapyard material, just saying.

[ia996]

ZX10R NIN said:

The ULEZ might be coming to your backyard depending on who gets voted in with the Mayoral elections in April.

So what's your budget?

Haha, 5 grand I guess, maybe 6k max.

[ia996]

Mr-B said:

I may be interested in your Puma if it's not scrapyard material, just saying.

It's in decent shape, small dots of rust at the rear rhs wheelarch, has almost 80k on the clock, it's a 51 plate.

I haven't fully decided on selling it if the ulez stays or not, but yeah, I'll deffo PM you when I'm about to put an ad on it haha.

[Mr Tidy]

Last year I bought a manual 55 plate BMW 330i Saloon well below your budget.

It's fun, proving reliable so far and is ULEZ compliant. But living on the outskirts of the ULEZ I'd be amazed if you could manage 35 mpg with one! Mine is averaging close to that, but I live in Berkshire, don't commute and 95% of my mileage is on dual-carriageway A Roads and Motorways outside of rush hours.

I think you may have to compromise on one aspect, so if you don't do loads of miles maybe economy is the one!

[ia996]

Mr Tidy said:

Last year I bought a manual 55 plate BMW 330i Saloon well below your budget.

It's fun, proving reliable so far and is ULEZ compliant. But living on the outskirts of the ULEZ I'd be amazed if you could manage 35 mpg with one! Mine is averaging close to that, but I live in Berkshire, don't commute and 95% of my mileage is on dual-carriageway A Roads and Motorways outside of rush hours.

I think you may have to compromise on one aspect, so if you don't do loads of miles maybe economy is the one!

Oo, good shout, always liked the E9x 3er, na inline 6, hydraulic steering and still a saloon! What's not to love. NA engines with their lovely liner response are pretty much almost extinct these days.

Probably my only issue is that BMWs are pretty common on UK roads these days.

[ZX10R NIN]

My pick would be the 2.0T Mondeo it's the best FWD steer & as you know (from your Puma) they have a good amount of feel, for me they're the

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

IS250 SE-L whilst not quite being as good as a 3 series these are a decent steer & if you get one with nav then you get the benefit of an upgraded stereo.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

C280 Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

1.8T Alfa 159 Lusso

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Now the inline 6 on a BMW is nice but as you can see above there are alternatives

325i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

330i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ChrisH72]

I'm just curious as to why you're limiting your choices to a saloon coming from a puma?

I had a 1.7 puma and yes, it was fantastic to drive. I also ran an E92 325i for the past 3 years and whilst it's a good car it's not nearly as entertaining as the puma. It's far more grown up, loads heavier and really completely different. So now I have a fiesta ST and I have to say it's good to be back in a nice quick, light weight ford.

If you don't mind a hatchback there are a lot more choices that should get you the drive you want whilst being ulez compliant.

[ia996]

Some great suggestions @ZX10R NIN!

@ChrisH72, I guess it's because of practicality, wouldn't mind a well set up fwd hatch as well, though it'd be nice to experience a rwd or awd car just to feel how different they are in terms of driving dynamics I guess.

[ChrisH72]

It does sound like you need to scratch the BMW itch.

E90 is a good car. In terms of practicality you’d need to have a good look at them. Most of the saloons don’t have a folding rear seat although the boot is quite big. In contrast, the E92 coupe has split fold rear seats as standard which was a feature I needed. Obviously if it’s 4 doors you need then the saloon it is.

The 6 pot engine does sound good and provides plenty of enjoyment, it’s probably the feature that sold the car to me in the first place. Nice power delivery and the RWD set up means that the steering is nice. A very different experience to your puma, in many ways much better but as I said they are big and heavy so not so much fun to chuck around. Definitely better on the motorway.

I’m enjoying the fiesta but it’s very noticeable that it’s FWD coming from the BMW. I’ve never had a turbo before and there’s quite a bit of squirming on full throttle in 2nd and 3rd. It’s a far more aggressive drive than the BMW and although great fun I can’t say I’d like to cover big miles in it.

So I guess it all depends on the kind of driving you do.

[ZX10R NIN]

Or something in the middle:

Focus ST-3 five door

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

3.2 A3 Sportback

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ia996]

Haha, the Focus ST is a nice shout, although my neighbour also owns one unfortunately but he loves it.

Hmm, don't know much about Audis, I've heard they're not quiet as "dynamic" apparently when compared to BMWs and certain Mercs, but still an interesting suggestion, assuming it's a haldex awd system?

Edited by ia996 on Monday 27th July 00:43

[ZX10R NIN]

No the Audi isn't as dynamic as you've been used to but you do have that sweet V6 as compensation but if dynamics are where you're at the Focus is a more dynamic car than a 3 Series in order to make the 3 series a sweet steer then you'll be adding M3 parts (as you would with a 130i) to make them a sweet steer.

[ia996]

Found a low mileage 325i.

Wondering what you guys think of these, are these e46s any reliable?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ChrisH72]

That’s 5k for an 18 year old car.

To put it in perspective I just sold a 61 plate 325i e92 for 5700

[ia996]

Haha, good point! What about the Alfa 159? Are they any good reliability wise, I know Alfas tend to have a bad rep in terms of reliability but would love to know specifically how bad the 159 is in terms of reliability, such a good looking car and also something different as well!

[ZX10R NIN]

The 159 is a nice car but finding one with nice spec is very hard but they are out there but not for you budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

But there's this 1.8 TBI Lusso

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Mr Tidy]

ia996 said:

Found a low mileage 325i.

Wondering what you guys think of these, are these e46s any reliable?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I really wouldn't want to pay that for an 18 year old 325i, however low the mileage!

E46s rust for fun, which tends to happen however low the mileage, whereas E9* 3 Series don't seem to have rust problems.

Personally I'd much rather go for one of those E90 330is that ZX10R NIN posted links for.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 31st July 00:29