1.8 mx5 vs 1.4tsi sirocco vs CRZ for under £5k

[smallzoo]

Looking for an affordable stylish car under £5k which is reasonably fuel efficient and that I can allow my son who is 25 and my daughter who is 19 to drive. All the three above are ok for insurance where I live and I can find them for under £5k

...but which one(s) should I maybe avoid and any other suggestions welcome

before you ask I don't want a standard car such as a fiesta etc even though I'm sure they are brilliant....I want something different

cheers

[anonymous-user]

Is that the 1.4 tfsi? If so avoid like the plague.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 2nd September 21:40

[Roboticarm]

With the mx5 be careful of rust
With the scricco be careful of the engine, these 1.4 TSI engines drink oil...
Don't know much about the crz but look great and in general honda reliably is good

[HustleRussell]

Is the Peugeot RCZ any good?

[The Rotrex Kid]

CRZ is a great car. Criminally underrated.

Cheap to run, super reliable and that cool JDM y0! Styling.

[smallzoo]

Thanks

Is the CRZ a higher risk at 80k+ miles than say a standard petrol car due to it being a hybrid ?

[bigmowley]

Mrs Bigmowley ran a CRZ for 7 years from new up to 80,000 odd miles. She loved it and yes very reliable. My kids also used it a fair bit and that is where it falls down a bit. They are a strict 2 seater only, the rear seats are tiny with no head or legroom at all. The lack of mates space made it very unpopular with the kids.
They are a bit slow and not that economical, ours did about 42-45 MPG over the whole time with us. The engine is a bit disappointing, it can’t cash the Cheque written by the looks. It’s not a nice sweet high reving v-tech, more a cooking Jazz engine fattened up by a bit of low down torque.
Loaded up with toys and great looks, an odd car.
The Sirocco might be a better choice for the family.

[Mo28]

Have you considered the Astra GTC?

[Bobtherallyfan]

CRZ is very underrated. My wife has had her GT for 10 years now and it’s been totally reliable, Rear seats are pointless (so she drives it as a 2 seater with a large boot), gets 45mpg easily and is a surprisingly good drive. It’s not fast but if you switch it to sport mode you get some extra boost. Vicki Butler Henderson rated it and she has good taste. The GT is worth finding, with leather, great stereo, sunroof, zenons etc.

[smallzoo]

Thats what great about car nuts they all have their own views which I can then cogitate about

so far

MX-5 - good but rust
CRZ - get GT version but it seems like marmite you either love it or hate it
Sirocco - get the 2.0 engine

..finally.. consider the GTC ( have to check insurance on that if my kids are on the policy )

look forward to more enlightened comments ( or suggestions of course of other cars .. )

[ajprice]

Peugeot RCZ has been mentioned already.
Hyundai Veloster?

[smallzoo]

Like the looks of then RCZ but when I saw a video review (think it was whatcar) they said visibility was terrible and knocked the car quite a bit

Veloster.. Not sure about the looks but happy to be convinced.

[Tripel Karmeliet]

CRZ miles better than any French tripe, plus its quite rare. Some eco benefits too (i think..)

[anonymous-user]

I like the Veloster although they seem to hold their money quite well despite not selling much. Gtc is a really good car if you can see past the badge. What about a Volvo c30?

[anonymous-user]

Tripel Karmeliet said:

CRZ miles better than any French tripe

Surely you don't actually believe that?

[anonymous-user]

Elatino1 said:

Tripel Karmeliet said:

CRZ miles better than any French tripe

Surely you don't actually believe that?

I dont believe French cars are tripe. But I do believe the crz is a better ownership proposition than any rcz

[Jamescrs]

The MX-5 is the only one I would really consider to be a sports car out of those three, that would be my choice without a doubt as long as you can live with only 2 seats

[Roboticarm]

biggbn said:

I like the Veloster although they seem to hold their money quite well despite not selling much. Gtc is a really good car if you can see past the badge. What about a Volvo c30?

C30 is a really good shout.

[Ben Lowden]

If I was spending that sort of money, I'd be looking at a Swift Sport: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10770537

Absolute bargain in my opinion, expect it'll be pretty bullet proof and enough fun without insurance being eye watering.

[smallzoo]

Thanks for the advice so far

Veloster/C30/Swift - Just not my cup of tea but nice motors

Sirocco - still like the look but obviously would need to get a good 2.0 one
MX-5. - I had a Mk1 many years ago... loved it except for the rust
but still not sure my 5'2 daughter and 6'1 son would get a suitable driving position
CRZ - Like it
GTC - Like it too but again finding an unabused 1.6 or 2.0 ( depending on insurance )

Oh cars...so much choice it can make your brain hurt !