Fun and reliable daily driver for 2k

[RCD24]

Hi all, been a while since I've posted anything on here but having trouble deciding what to get to replace my 320i. I've only had it a couple of months and whilst it's done the job it doesn't really fit the bill for me as a daily.

For a while I was looking at MK7 Fiesta ST's as they're supposed to be a very good drive, but I'd be buying at the bottom of the market and I don't really want to spend 5k anyway.

So, I'm looking for something fun, reliable and preferably something that'll do 30+ mpg on a run. Been looking at Clio 1*2's, Fiesta ST150's etc. Has anyone got experience with these cars? Or is there something else I'm missing.

Cheers,
Ryan

[aWildCarEnthusiast]

Hi, reasonably new driver here and looking for fun economical cars as well. I have never driven one but have you considered a Mitsubishi Colt CZT or Ralliart. All I can really say is that they sound impressive from their specs; 147 bhp, 0-60 in 7.2s, and 42 MPG.

Edited by aWildCarEnthusiast on Monday 17th May 18:07

[InitialDave]

Panda 100HP, if not too small for your needs.

[RCD24]

Personally I couldn't stomach the looks of the colt. I do love a panda but I think in this case I want something with a bit more poke. I've had a swift sport in the past and whilst I loved it, I feel like it could do with a bit more power.

[aWildCarEnthusiast]

How about a Vauxhall Corsa vxr then? Super boy racer but I'd argue less so than a fiesta.

[TameRacingDriver]

Swift Sport. Japanese reliability and cheap as chips to buy and supposedly a very good steer. Edit: Just seen you've had one.

Clios are decent cars, but a 2k one will likely be tired, and they weren't exactly particularly robust to begin with. I'd rather the Swift over a FST150, never liked those.

Can you still get a 190 bhp Celica for 2K? That'd be a good buy.

[ZX10R NIN]

There are lot's steers you can have fun with at this price point looking slightly leftfield (none will be as sharp as the Clio RS but all can be had fun with) you can get a smart swift fun set of wheels.

Alfa Mito Lusso 155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105122...

Veloce 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105082...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105102...

Astra SRI 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

Corsa SRI 150

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105012...

Alfa 147 Collezione good steer & a nice place to be

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032...

DS3 DStyle Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...

Mazda2 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105082...

Twingo GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...

Panda 100HP

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105112...

Suzuki Swift Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062...

Grand Punto T Jet

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...

[RCD24]

Cheers for the replies guys.

Celica could be in with a shout, not long ago you could've got one for £500 but I think they are a good bit more now - possibly still under 2k though, definitely one to add to the list.

I may have to up the budget a little if I want a clean Clio, but I think it's the front runner at the moment.

[Objective Alpha]

what about a fabia VRS

[Challo]

InitialDave said:

Panda 100HP, if not too small for your needs.

This. Not driven one, but look good, practical and cheap to run and maintain.

[treeroy]

RCD24 said:

Hi all, been a while since I've posted anything on here but having trouble deciding what to get to replace my 320i. I've only had it a couple of months and whilst it's done the job it doesn't really fit the bill for me as a daily.

For a while I was looking at MK7 Fiesta ST's as they're supposed to be a very good drive, but I'd be buying at the bottom of the market and I don't really want to spend 5k anyway.

So, I'm looking for something fun, reliable and preferably something that'll do 30+ mpg on a run. Been looking at Clio 1*2's, Fiesta ST150's etc. Has anyone got experience with these cars? Or is there something else I'm missing.

Cheers,
Ryan

You're not going to get that much of a Clio RS for 2k unfortunately, prices have gone up quite a lot over the last year. 172 you can still get for 2k but it's unlikely to be a great example (but that may be fine with you..?). 182 you won't get anything other than a non runner for 2k.
I currently have a 182 as my daily and it's fine. It's a bit slow for my preference and I found the MPG a bit disappointing for a small car (about 30mpg when driving sensibly)

Also mk7 Fiesta STs are a fantastic daily and you should 100% buy one if you have the money!

If you like the idea of celica, what about toyota MR2 convertible? its a bit slower than the celica though but still gets the fun box ticked?

Edited by treeroy on Tuesday 18th May 22:57

[GreatGranny]

Objective Alpha said:

what about a fabia VRS

If you can find one with:

a) Decent mileage
b) hasn't been messed with/ruined by the 'Dirty Diesel' brigade

[DaveyBoyWonder]

No mention of an R53 Cooper S yet? Thats the way I'm going to be going later in the summer once I've got some house stuff out the way.

[RCD24]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

No mention of an R53 Cooper S yet? Thats the way I'm going to be going later in the summer once I've got some house stuff out the way.

An R56 Cooper S actually popped up for just over 2k near me, not on moon miles either. Is this what you can expect to pay for a decent one now?

I do love the R53's as well, would just be a question of if it'd be reliable enough for daily duties.

[TameRacingDriver]

I've got a fettled R53. Coilovers, light wheels, smaller pulley, massive grin.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

RCD24 said:

An R56 Cooper S actually popped up for just over 2k near me, not on moon miles either. Is this what you can expect to pay for a decent one now?

I do love the R53's as well, would just be a question of if it'd be reliable enough for daily duties.

Yeh, I've been looking at cheap R56s too but decided that a) I want a supercharged one b) the early (cheap) R56s are the notorious N14 engines which, if buying right at the bottom of the scale, chances are theres a big problem on its way...

[Challo]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

RCD24 said:

An R56 Cooper S actually popped up for just over 2k near me, not on moon miles either. Is this what you can expect to pay for a decent one now?

I do love the R53's as well, would just be a question of if it'd be reliable enough for daily duties.

Yeh, I've been looking at cheap R56s too but decided that a) I want a supercharged one b) the early (cheap) R56s are the notorious N14 engines which, if buying right at the bottom of the scale, chances are theres a big problem on its way...

At 2k go R53 over a R56. Still not cheap to run, but more reliable than the R56.

[TameRacingDriver]

Agreed definitely go R53 over early r56. Asking for trouble. Saying that the r53 as alluded is not a cheap car to run. Quite high maintenance, thirsty and painful £340 VED. But it's a very special thing as far as FWD hot hatches go.

[pb8g09]

And you can have my R53 for £1.2k....

[RCD24]

pb8g09 said:

And you can have my R53 for £1.2k....

Okay so R53 over an early R56, I’m up near Glasgow so would only be viable if you’re near there.

Thanks for the advice again guys, really helpful.