£5-7k to Spend....Fun, Frugal, Reliable...

[Kingdom35]

Currently have an 07 2.2 Type S Diesel Civic.
It’s been reliable, great commuter car with bags of space. But Diesel and I want to move away from that. Currently on 146k, getting a bit leggy.

So I keep going back and forth on what commuter car to get next

Ideal spec
-0-60 under 8 secs (don’t mind if needs a remap only to achieve this ie no uprated clutch)
- enough room for 4 ie no pathetic bath seats as we have 2 kids and may need it for small trips at weekend
- ideally no more than 6yrs old (but as you can see below ideas do stretch)
- petrol
- mid to late 30s mpg min on a run
- Commutes 40mile round trip A/B roads
- Road Tax no more than £305

Think that covers everything

Ideas so far

- Alfa Guiletta after 2014 if I can stretch I would to 8k for a decent spec ie Sportiva
- Clio 197/200 - 2010 reg
- Civic Type R 2010 - as I know how reliable, big boot too
- Golf GT 1.4 TSI
- Seat Leon of some sort
- Alfa 159 ti saloon or sportswagon
- anything a bit left field

I keep going back and forth between something like an old school Toyota Celica/BMW 330ci/Golf Gti mk5 for £3k plus change spare and spending a bit more on an Estate 3 Series haha

Any experience of the above, or same dilemma and what did you do?

As you can see these threads have been playing havoc with what i would like but making my commute fun would be ideal even though I’m wfh at present although our company really want us in the office otherwise I’d be looking at a Porsche knowing I wouldn’t really commute that much :-)

[ZX10R NIN]

The first answer that comes to mind is the Kia Pro Ceed GT Tech (also lookout for the Ceed GT Tech) you should be able to get one with some warranty left or you'll get one that you can extend.

They're also a good steer, they pretty much tick every box.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009304...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011105...

If you can live with 7 years old options open up & the mileage drops at which point the Cars like these become good options that tick the boxes:

Focus Titanium X 180 this will be the best steer of everything listed & they're nice spec wise:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202001286...

Zetec S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009284...

Giulietta Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

Sportiva

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011126...

1.6T 308 Allure 155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

1.6T Astra GTC SRI 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008042...

Volvo V40 SE 150

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010165...

1.8T Leon FR Tech 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...

Leftfield:

Suzuki Kizashi 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010034...

For me it would be the Focus/Kia with the Alfa & 308 joint third.

[Kingdom35]

Thank you for the feedback.
Kia looks a very good option, something different for a start, low tax, half decent mpg and quickish.
I like different.
I also like the Alfa just concerned with the age before 2014 from some of the things I’ve read.
Not a massive fan of the Fords tbh.
But I understand they’re very good.
I think Kia/Alfa will be my focus.

What’s actually the difference between Ceed Ft Tech and Proceed GT Tech?

[ZX10R NIN]

Pro Ceed is three door & the Ceed is a five door but they're harder to find. The Alfa's are good & going from the ones I've supplied over the years they're reliable & robust too.

[Kingdom35]

Makes sense. Not sure why I didn’t think that would be the answer in the first place.
So you’re a car dealer?
Thank you for the advice by the way

[ZX10R NIN]

I source cars so not loyal to any particular brand.

[trickywoo]

Suzuki swift sport. Zc32 5 door 2012 to 2016.

Decent ride for a sporty hatch, cruise, climate. Put Goodyear f1 assy 5 on it and it will also feel refined and have as much grip as you dare.

[Kingdom35]

Aggh that explains it I see your advice on most of the car searching threads and how informative it is I wondered

Suzuki Swift was also a thought too, they look pretty smart and compact, maybe fun too with a remap.

[trickywoo]

Kingdom35 said:

Suzuki Swift was also a thought too, they look pretty smart and compact, maybe fun too with a remap.

Remap is pretty pointless on them unfortunately. You can make them sound nicer with an intake and exhaust but again it won't add anything to the go.

Its a cliche but they handle well and you can rev them without getting to silly speeds.

[Kingdom35]

trickywoo said:

Kingdom35 said:

Suzuki Swift was also a thought too, they look pretty smart and compact, maybe fun too with a remap.

Remap is pretty pointless on them unfortunately. You can make them sound nicer with an intake and exhaust but again it won't add anything to the go.

Its a cliche but they handle well and you can rev them without getting to silly speeds.

Think that takes it out of the equation then :-)

As for the Proceed GT, hardly any are for sale at the moment
Gulietta I quite like and I also like the Clio 200's but im a bit worried about the Gearboxes on those

[ZX10R NIN]

Kingdom35 said:

Think that takes it out of the equation then :-)

As for the Proceed GT, hardly any are for sale at the moment
Gulietta I quite like and I also like the Clio 200's but im a bit worried about the Gearboxes on those

The gearboxes are robust on the Clio's but you said they were to raw on which case the Megane GT I listed (with the same engine) might work better as a more rounded package.

Also finding an EDC RS with sensible miles on will be a hard task with you budget.

There are a few Proceeds for sale the two I listed seem to be in good condition.

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

Kingdom35 said:

Think that takes it out of the equation then :-)

As for the Proceed GT, hardly any are for sale at the moment
Gulietta I quite like and I also like the Clio 200's but im a bit worried about the Gearboxes on those

The gearboxes are robust on the Clio's but you said they were to raw on which case the Megane GT I listed (with the same engine) might work better as a more rounded package.

Also finding an EDC RS with sensible miles on will be a hard task with you budget.

There are a few Proceeds for sale the two I listed seem to be in good condition.

Thanks il take a look at the Megane GT but I’m not sure I like the back of the car randomly.

I think so far it’s close between the Alfa and Kia....latter is pretty rare which I like.

Thank you for your help people :-)

[Kingdom35]

Ok back again.....think the Civic May have given up the ghost at the weekend....seems injector seal leakage or injector failure....just awaiting an assessment. Maybe uneconomical so probably 6mths early and with probably 2mths working from home at least the car search may start....

I think I can up the budget to 9k....also no older than 2013/2014.....

I’ve thought about both petrol and diesel now as my annual mileage is around the 12k mark. Seeing as I’ve done 80k in 7 years with the Civic

So I’m juggling back and forth once more

Merc C class 2013/2014 Petrol or Diesel and even an e class

Against the likes of the Proceed and Giuiletta

I’m 6’3 and - big 18/19st bloke so like a powerfully built Director but without the bank balance or ego haha

I’ve thought about a Saab 9-3 1.9 turbo diesel 2011 then thought that’s getting on a bit.

I’m looking for inspiration and reasoning....ideally I’d love petrol and economical as I miss the sound of petrol but if I can get a good drivers car diesel I’m
Open to suggestions....

So hit me every which way with a plan, £9k whole hog or half and a plan to improve performance etc

Thanks for your time all in advance

[ZX10R NIN]

At 12k a year both petrol & diesel will work, you won't get a 2013 onwards petrol C Class for your budget you'll get nice spec diesel.

I'm 6'7 18 stone so I find with 5 door hatches I end up near the middle which means I tend to go for C segment & above cars.

C220 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...

C250

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

E220 Coupe Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

E250

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012197...

Infiniti Q50 Sport these use the same drivetrain as the Mercedes above so you get a proven drivetrain that's easy to get serviced & you get a much newer car than the Mercedes above.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...

The Astra GTC VXR is a good pick maybe not as frugal as you're looking for but these are a very good place to while away some miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012106...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010195...

2.0T Insignia SRI VX Line a detuned version of the above:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

2.2d Mondeo Titanium X Sport 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012046...

[Kingdom35]

Thanks I was hoping you would reply :-)

I do like the Mercs and I quite like the Infiniti’s also.

Not really a fan of the Vauxhall’s or Mondeo’s to be honest. GTC I think won’t be frugal enough like you say.

Food for thought there for sure.
What I have noticed and I’d like your thoughts too, the second hand market seems to be a little more expensive at the moment. I’m assuming the old supply and demand at play due to delayed productions and lack of lease cars into the market and new cars the other end meaning second hand cars are at a premium....I’ve seen certain makes/models definitely priced higher than 6mths ago.

Have you seen the same?

[ZX10R NIN]

Kingdom35 said:

Thanks I was hoping you would reply :-)

I do like the Mercs and I quite like the Infiniti’s also.

Not really a fan of the Vauxhall’s or Mondeo’s to be honest. GTC I think won’t be frugal enough like you say.

Food for thought there for sure.
What I have noticed and I’d like your thoughts too, the second hand market seems to be a little more expensive at the moment. I’m assuming the old supply and demand at play due to delayed productions and lack of lease cars into the market and new cars the other end meaning second hand cars are at a premium....I’ve seen certain makes/models definitely priced higher than 6mths ago.

Have you seen the same?

There are not as many cars coming off of PCP's/Lease/PCH so there's less nicely spec'd cars out there so prices are slightly higher but there are less well spec'd cars out there.

It wouldn't stop me buying now as prices are going to be firm for quite while,

As for the Astra GTC there's always the GTC BiTDI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147...

[Kingdom35]

ZX10R NIN said:

Kingdom35 said:

Thanks I was hoping you would reply :-)

I do like the Mercs and I quite like the Infiniti’s also.

Not really a fan of the Vauxhall’s or Mondeo’s to be honest. GTC I think won’t be frugal enough like you say.

Food for thought there for sure.
What I have noticed and I’d like your thoughts too, the second hand market seems to be a little more expensive at the moment. I’m assuming the old supply and demand at play due to delayed productions and lack of lease cars into the market and new cars the other end meaning second hand cars are at a premium....I’ve seen certain makes/models definitely priced higher than 6mths ago.

Have you seen the same?

There are not as many cars coming off of PCP's/Lease/PCH so there's less nicely spec'd cars out there so prices are slightly higher but there are less well spec'd cars out there.

It wouldn't stop me buying now as prices are going to be firm for quite while,

As for the Astra GTC there's always the GTC BiTDI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012147...

Makes sense that first paragraph summed up what I was trying to imply much better than I attempted to.

Nice the GTC but I still feel il need a larger car in. Way.

What would you pick out of the C/E class and Infiniti as the most reliable, comfortable and generally the best purchase? Out of interest.

[ZX10R NIN]

Kingdom35 said:

Makes sense that first paragraph summed up what I was trying to imply much better than I attempted to.

Nice the GTC but I still feel il need a larger car in. Way.

What would you pick out of the C/E class and Infiniti as the most reliable, comfortable and generally the best purchase? Out of interest.

They're identical drivetrains so both are as reliable as each other so it comes down to spec at which point the Infiniti is a step ahead of the C Class BUT if the E Coupe is in the mix then it becomes at tough (I prefer Coupes but all the windows have to drop away) choice.

I'd take this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

Over this Infiniti :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...


In reality my preference for coupes would mean my heart would buy the E Coupe but in reality the Infiniti is the one to buy as I said both are identical drivetrain wise except the Infiniti is the later engine that's ULEZ compliant which will make a big difference if you intend to keep it for a while.


Or it would have done had the 2016 car not been sold!!! Did you buy it?

Now it's Euro5 vs Euro5 then it's the E220 Coupe everytime.

[bobbysmithy]

ZX10R NIN said:

They're identical drivetrains so both are as reliable as each other so it comes down to spec at which point the Infiniti is a step ahead of the C Class BUT if the E Coupe is in the mix then it becomes at tough (I prefer Coupes but all the windows have to drop away) choice.

I'd take this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

Over this Infiniti :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011116...


In reality my preference for coupes would mean my heart would buy the E Coupe but in reality the Infiniti is the one to buy as I said both are identical drivetrain wise except the Infiniti is the later engine that's ULEZ compliant which will make a big difference if you intend to keep it for a while.


Or it would have done had the 2016 car not been sold!!! Did you buy it?

Now it's Euro5 vs Euro5 then it's the E220 Coupe everytime.

Elon has to write his ad's in caps. ahm oot.

[willmagrath]

MK7 Fiesta ST? It's a bit McDonalds car park (I have one, I can say it) but it's a seriously good car and seems to tick your boxes.

Mines been very reliable. 6.7 to 60, regularly does over 50mpg on motorway runs. Could be worth a look.