Small fun auto?

[cirian75]

Well my left knee injury is getting worse.

still waiting on my NHS for consult on it.

Pushing the clutch is now becoming as issue.

So budget £7500.

Must be able to seat 4, 2 in front in good comfort and 2 in the back for shorter trips

Looking at a small fun auto that is also ULEZ compliant and does not have mega miles.

Located in South Manchester

Suggestions?

Edited by cirian75 on Monday 16th January 13:24

[Lotobear]

Smart Roadster?

[cirian75]

Lotobear said:

Smart Roadster?

The look OK, but I need to be able to seat 2 comfortable + 2 in the back for short trips

[Rod200SX]

Depends on your definition of fun but you could get a nice BMW 3 series of basically any variety in budget. From 318 to 335i/d, all available in auto I believe and coupe/4 door/estate/convertible options available.

The E9X generation have aged quite well IMO (biased) and are a good hustle.

If smaller, 1 series are pleasant to drive and more compact.

The 4 seater aspect is the tricky bit, else the world would be your oyster with various convertible sports cars.

[djgritt]

Abarth 500 / 595 ?

4 seater (fine for shorter journeys) and available as Auto, and you could also get the choice of Hatch or Cabrio.

[Truckosaurus]

Can you get the 1.6 Clio RSs for that budget yet?

You can just about get an auto Alfa Guilietta with the 1.4 turbo for 7500 (a sad state of affairs when a 10 year old Alfa is actually worth money!)

[BikeSausage]

Yeah, if you hadn’t put “fun” in the criteria, Honda Jazz would have been the correct answer. Ah well……….

[BikeSausage]

Oh, good luck getting the knee fixed, BTW.

[Hoofy]

How small? If Golf small then Golf GTI or its equivalents from Audi and Seat. Or a MINI Cooper S. Or as above, 595.

That said, I do enjoy driving my C Class Sports Coupé (the ugly one). RWD and can get one with a 3.5 litre V6 if you want. (I understand the 3.2 V6 is the reliable V6.)

[vaud]

Depends on what "small" means; these all meet the criteria on Autotrader at <7500

BMW 1 Series / 2.0 120i SE Convertible
Mercedes-Benz CLK
Audi TT 2.0 TFSI S Tronic

[VS02]

a remapped Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost with the Powershift could be fun.


Sounds like a ticking time bomb now though.. old Ford, Ecoboost engine, Powershift gearbox… but probably not if you can find one serviced properly to schedules.

[Quhet]

Get a mini. My partner has a five-door cooper auto and whilst not exactly a looker or the sportiest of things, it drives surprisingly well. I'd imagine a 3-door Cooper S would be a hoot

[Dr Interceptor]

I give you an ultra low mileage R52 Mini Cooper S Convertible... Supercharged engine fun, great to drive, and an auto box with 2+2 seating. Plus good ones are going up in value.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14159864

[cirian75]

Was looking at the Astra GTC 1.4 and 1.6 turbos, but then read about the knackered pistons caused by low speed pre-ignition.

[ZX10R NIN]

cirian75 said:

Was looking at the Astra GTC 1.4 and 1.6 turbos, but then read about the knackered pistons caused by low speed pre-ignition.

This issue seems to have affected a small number of cars I've supplied a fair few of these & haven't heard of this issue affecting those cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

Some options.

Giulietta Sportiva:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...

Audi TTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212062...

Scirocco GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

T5 C30:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...

[cirian75]

ZX10R NIN said:

Some options.

Giulietta Sportiva:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...

Audi TTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212062...

Scirocco GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

T5 C30:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...

Cheers, going to look at the Alfa and Scirocco Saturday.

[braddo]

They're not quick but the Mazda 2 is supposed to be great to drive and will be reliable and frugal.

[cirian75]

One removed, was an Astra GTC, Car Vertical showed it was a cat N, but I can't see what damage was so no bueno

Something like front wing, bonnet, bumper and headlight I don't mind. but something like a caved in rear quarter is no go.

[cirian75]

Got to do this soon, yew gwads, the knee was horrific driving home.