50 Mile round trip commute on good B roads....Go

[Turn7]

New job gives me a great route in and out, no congestion and the only sticking point is a crossroads, my B road route has to cross a major A road.

After that, its great twisty B roads, can be a bit bumpy etc, but come Summer, I will use and enjoy the route in the Caterham.

So, the aging trusty old steed that is my Celica is approaching the end. Tinworm is getting hold of, its got 145k on it now, and its costing me nearly £50 a week.

I want to replace it with something that is clearly economical, but that is fun when asked to be.,,

Obvs HAS to be reliable - the Celica Ive done over 120k in, and its only let me down once, and thatw as just a battery.

Budget up £7k say, and no 2 seaters thanks.

Edited by Turn7 on Wednesday 9th March 19:26

[rfn]

Up GTi?
MX-5 - probably a 2.0 NC PRHT?

[Canon_Fodder]

Budget please OP

[Turn7]

Canon_Fodder said:

Budget please OP

ETA...

[Canon_Fodder]

Bit left field but how about one of these babys?

If you like 2+2 coupes this might be up your alley

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

They're not 'french' by the way

[sandman77]

A hot hatch.

[Turn7]

Canon_Fodder said:

Bit left field but how about one of these babys?

If you like 2+2 coupes this might be up your alley

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109016...

They're not 'french' by the way

Good god no!

Doubt they’ll hit the “economical” part of the brief, regardless of looking hideous

[georgeyboy12345]

Some ideas

Peugeot 208 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203073...


Seat Ibiza 1.4 TSI FR ACT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201261...


Alfa Romeo 1.4 TB Multiair Lusso
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...


Abarth Punto Evo SS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202273...


Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202022...



50 miles a day is quite a lot, so I'd also consider a diesel - these should still be pretty fun to drive

BMW 125d M Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...


Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTDM2 Lusso
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202222...


Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi BiTurbo
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...


Seat Leon FR TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...


Saab 9-3 1.9 TTiD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

[Boringvolvodriver]

George above came up with two of the cars that I first thought of, namely the Alfa and the Ibiza.

Maybe consider an Alfa Mito as well?

[Turn7]

No love for the Fiesta, Auris or DS3 then?

WRT Diesel, I’m torn . I hate the bloody stuff for one, plus it’s a bit dearer to buy, plus the extra issues with DPF etc . All out me off really.

I’m also quite interested in the 999cc Duster, but Havnt driven one so am unsure.

[georgeyboy12345]

rfn said:

Up GTi?
MX-5 - probably a 2.0 NC PRHT?

Up GTI’s start at £12k

[georgeyboy12345]

Turn7 said:

No love for the Fiesta, Auris or DS3 then?

WRT Diesel, I’m torn . I hate the bloody stuff for one, plus it’s a bit dearer to buy, plus the extra issues with DPF etc . All out me off really.

I’m also quite interested in the 999cc Duster, but Havnt driven one so am unsure.

A £7500 Fiesta ST or DS3 DSport/THP will have reliability issues. Auris and Duster will be boring.

[Turn7]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Turn7 said:

No love for the Fiesta, Auris or DS3 then?

WRT Diesel, I’m torn . I hate the bloody stuff for one, plus it’s a bit dearer to buy, plus the extra issues with DPF etc . All out me off really.

I’m also quite interested in the 999cc Duster, but Havnt driven one so am unsure.

A £7500 Fiesta ST or DS3 DSport/THP will have reliability issues. Auris and Duster will be boring.

I have a Caterham for fun, this needs to be cheap to run and reliable above all else…..

[DaveyBoyWonder]

R56 Mini John Cooper Works, a later N18 engined one. I'd assume there should be a fair few for that kinda money. Or a gen 1 R53 JCW. The R53 would probably be absolutely ruiness on fuel though for a 50 mile b road commute...
Really nice mk5 Golf GTI? Maybe even a mk6?

[Turn7]

I like the Bini, but don’t they eat cam chains ?

[rfn]

georgeyboy12345 said:

rfn said:

Up GTi?
MX-5 - probably a 2.0 NC PRHT?

Up GTI’s start at £12k

He didn't add the budget until after I added my post.

[Canon_Fodder]

OP said:

I want to replace it with something that is ... fun when asked to be.,,

OP said:

I’m also quite interested in the 999cc Duster,

OP is either a fool or playing silly buggers

[tr7v8]

rfn said:

Up GTi?
MX-5 - probably a 2.0 NC PRHT?

Would be my choice and that's why I have one a 2010 Sport Tech 2L

[Turn7]

Canon_Fodder said:

OP said:

I want to replace it with something that is ... fun when asked to be.,,

OP said:

I’m also quite interested in the 999cc Duster,

OP is either a fool or playing silly buggers

Thanks for that…. I am neither thanks.

I threw the Duster in as it’s something I was considering prior to the new job…..

[mike9009]

Economical and fun?

We have just bought a MINI cooper D

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...