£12k Cupra replacement

[bensb93]

My lease ends with my Cupra in a few months, and with an impending house purchase, I need to scale back on my budget for a year or two...

So I am looking at something around the £12K mark to bide my time with...

Requirements
- Of Similar power to the Cupra 300
- Auto preferably
- Not expecting silly MPG, but as long as it has potential to do 30mpg, I am happy!
- 4 Seats
- Sensible running costs.
- Would like the capability to be able to modernise, i.e. add an Android Auto/Apple Car Play System.

I know there are dozens of posts like this, but I have honestly had a look at the last 20 pages to avoid asking the same question

Look forward to your suggestions.

Many Thanks!

Edited by bensb93 on Sunday 24th January 21:29

[jwilco]

The Astra GTC VXR always gets a good mention. Not quite the same league for performance, but a Volvo V40 with the T5 engine is still 245hp. £12k should get something 5 or 6 years old in either of those two.

How old are you willing to go? That might be a big deciding factor in what people recommend.

[bensb93]

jwilco said:

The Astra GTC VXR always gets a good mention. Not quite the same league for performance, but a Volvo V40 with the T5 engine is still 245hp. £12k should get something 5 or 6 years old in either of those two.

How old are you willing to go? That might be a big deciding factor in what people recommend.

Yes good point, probably max would be 10 years.

The Volvo is an interesting choice. I don't mind the V40, in that in the R Design Trim, it can look quite sporty. Not sure what it would be like to drive.

Not too keen on the Astra, would preferably want an auto and not overly fussed on Vauxhall, but that's merely my personal preference.

Thanks.

[Driver101]

You'll get an E92 BMW 335i with the DCT box and N55 engine for around that budget.

[sdh2903]

M135i?

[ZX10R NIN]

There are a few options out there but you're limited by wanting an auto.

V40 T5 this is more of a warm hatch rather than a hot one (Leon FR levels) but you will get one with low miles.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008112...

Giulietta Qaudrifoglio 240 better handling than the Volvo with a nice engine too you'll also heve some change to put towards the house.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

The obvious answer is another Cupra 280:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...

328i M Sport

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

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012127...

Out of the hatchbacks I'd be hard pressed to look past the Alfa it's a good combo of age pace mileage & space, whilst the 336i is the other option.

[bensb93]

sdh2903 said:

M135i?

That wets the appetite...

I test drove one many moons ago and loved it.

Any idea on running costs and any scary bills to watch out for? It may be slightly over my £12K budget, but would be more than an adequate replacement for the Cupra.

[bensb93]

ZX10R NIN said:

There are a few options out there but you're limited by wanting an auto.

V40 T5 this is more of a warm hatch rather than a hot one (Leon FR levels) but you will get one with low miles.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008112...

Giulietta Qaudrifoglio 240 better handling than the Volvo with a nice engine too you'll also heve some change to put towards the house.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

The obvious answer is another Cupra 280:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...

328i M Sport

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

335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012127...

Out of the hatchbacks I'd be hard pressed to look past the Alfa it's a good combo of age pace mileage & space, whilst the 336i is the other option.

Never imagined a Alfa Giulietta. Obviously Alfa has had a reputation for years with reliability, how does the Giulietta fare? Certainly a cheaper option and probably a little bit of spare change to map.

Volvo is a maybe, but may be a little bland to drive. Certainly would be a solid car to own I would imagine.

I think I would find it strange and tricky to go back to a Cupra. I absolutely love mine, but I would be forever comparing them!

335i is a possibility....

[wilbo83]

Check out real world mpg of the Giulietta QV before buying one. I had that 1750 Tbi engine in a 159 and whilst that's likely a heavier car, it was a thirsty thing (long term average was about 25mpg).

[bensb93]

wilbo83 said:

Check out real world mpg of the Giulietta QV before buying one. I had that 1750 Tbi engine in a 159 and whilst that's likely a heavier car, it was a thirsty thing (long term average was about 25mpg).

Thanks.

Christ that really is thirsty for a 4cyl with that kind of power!

[DoubleD]

sdh2903 said:

M135i?

Yep, I think this is probably your best option.

[stevemcs]

If it’s not too small have a look at the Mini Cooper S, you may even find a clubman. If you find one with pro media then you should be able to add CarPlay, a remap will see you between 270 and 300bhp.

[ZX10R NIN]

bensb93 said:

Never imagined a Alfa Giulietta. Obviously Alfa has had a reputation for years with reliability, how does the Giulietta fare? Certainly a cheaper option and probably a little bit of spare change to map.

Volvo is a maybe, but may be a little bland to drive. Certainly would be a solid car to own I would imagine.

I think I would find it strange and tricky to go back to a Cupra. I absolutely love mine, but I would be forever comparing them!

335i is a possibility....

They're very reliable but some of the main dealers are absolute rubbish, real world fuel numbers are 25mpg around town, 45-48 on a run mixed around 35mpg all of which I think is sensible.

[Uhtred]

How about a Cupra 280