£6k suggestions...

[zygalski]

Petrol, manual, not more than 10 years old, reliable, fun, 0-6 under 8 seconds, not a convertible.
Suggestions please!

[ZX10R NIN]

Need more than that what type of car are you looking for?

[samoht]

For RWD, the only cars that meet the criteria are BMWs, it's pretty much a E90 325i or an E82 120i.

Then 4WD, a the bottom of the market for Hatchback Impreza WRXs

Otherwise it's a hot hatch of some description.

[trickywoo]

Apart from the 8 seconds, it’s not far off, a 2012 on Swift Sport is a good option.

[zygalski]

Thanks all.
I'm 6'2" and I'd prefer either a hatch or a coupe.
I did consider the Swift Sport and was initially thinking 208 gti, Fiesta ST (2009 onwards), Mini Cooper, Corsa VXR or perhaps a BMW of some sort?
Not sure if the Swift & Corsa will be too small, the Peugeot too unreliable, and I understand that Minis have various engine niggles.
The Fiesta ST sounds like the best option, but I'd struggle to get something decent for £6k it seems.

[ChrisH72]

That's a search I've done quite a lot in the past and I guess you have already put those parameters into AT?

A few months ago I sold a 2011 E92 325i for just under £6k. It was a good car but beware BMW running costs. The only other coupe that kind of fits the bill is an Audi TT if you like those.

Plenty of hot hatches to look at, even more if you change the 10yr old criteria.

Clio rs200
FN2 type r
Golf GTi Mk6 if you don't mind higher miles, same with Focus ST.

I have a Fiesta ST now which is great. I'm only 5'8 and it is quite small and snug. Also hard to find for that money as they only came out in 2013. I'd say a 208gti is more reliable than a Corsa vxr and also the mini cooper s is okay from 2012 with the n18 engine.

Astra gtc Sri 1.6 worth a look as they seem very good value

Ibiza fr also slips in under 8 secs to 60. (The later manual one).

[zygalski]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Looks like comfort may be an issue in the Fiesta.

Yes - done the AT search. Lots of 50k+ mile minis and a lot of 'sporty' DS3s.
I assume the DS3 1.6 THP DSport is to be avoided at all costs?

[Jamescrs]

zygalski said:

Thanks for the suggestions.
Looks like comfort may be an issue in the Fiesta.

Yes - done the AT search. Lots of 50k+ mile minis and a lot of 'sporty' DS3s.
I assume the DS3 1.6 THP DSport is to be avoided at all costs?

I'm 6ft4 and I have a Mini Cooper S as a toy/ track car, I find it surprisingly roomy inside and i'm more than comfortable, the only thing I would say is there is zero chance of getting anyone in the back behind the drivers seat but that's not an issue for me.

[zygalski]

I do like the idea of a mini, engine niggles aside.
It's just all the dials... not sure if they're not a bit too toy-town for me.

[ITP]

Guilietta cloverleaf. 235bhp.

[zygalski]

I discounted Alfa's because they're just not reliable enough for a daily commute imo.

[Dift]

R55 MINI Clubman is the sensible choice if you like all things MINI.

6K should get you in a nice 2010 onwards N18 Clubman S.

This was my old one which I sold aboyg a year ago for less than 6. Lovely fun sensible car.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget there are some cracking options if you want a junior hot hatch.

208 GTI a smidge behind the ST handling wise but because it's a Peugeot it's depreciated more strongly which is a result for you:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012096...

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008032...

Abarth Esseesse you won't stop giggling

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011226...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

DS3 DSport Plus 150 (the first one is a facelift so has the LED lighting)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012076...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

Alfa Mito Quadrifoglio 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012086...

Clio RS Silverstone now you'll be looking at a 2011 but these are a cracking steer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

At 6'2 the above may be a bit snug but you can get some very nice warm hatches with sensible (below 70k) miles & plenty of go whilst still being 2011 onwards.

Astra GTC SRI 180

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012117...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 235

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

Megane GT 180 you can get these in coupe form so they're worth looking out for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007060...

Octavia VRS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...

325i SE 220

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

Civic Type S GT 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011015...

All the above are reliable choices so it comes down to space & what you like the look of & how they drive.

Now out of the Junior cars it would be the 208/Clio & the DS3 if you want a warm well spec'd junior hatch.

Out of the warm hatch options it'd be the Alfa.

[zygalski]

Thanks

[TameRacingDriver]

zygalski said:

I do like the idea of a mini, engine niggles aside.
It's just all the dials... not sure if they're not a bit too toy-town for me.

I've got an R53 MCS, the dials are character At least it doesn't look like anything else.

[ITP]

zygalski said:

I discounted Alfa's because they're just not reliable enough for a daily commute imo.

Guilietta’s are considerably more reliable than golfs (and minis), for example, in reality.
But many people do still have pre conceived ideas about all Alfa’s and reliability issues, along with the same ideas about German cars always being reliable. Which they aren’t.

But if you believe a car will break down every time you get in it, wether true or not, then it’s clearly not worth the worry it would cause. Go Japanese/Korean.

[zygalski]

I think I'm leaning towards the 208 GTi.
Once lockdown is over I think I'll test drive one to see if I can deal with the driving position firstly & see if I can fit in it comfortably.