used car recommendations

[MrGruber123]

We currently have two cars:
VW Polo SE and a Mk1 Fabia vRS Diesel
Both have been costing us quite a lot over the last 2 years with repair bills.
Each car does maybe 3 to 5k per year.
Given that we both work from home, makes sense to consider going down to just 1 car.
However, it needs to be small eg: polo size and good on motorways and in town.
We live in an area which could mean being stuck behind slow moving vehicles so need something quick enough to overtake safely. A good amount of torque from around 150lb ft would be nice.
Good economy too.
Max budget £14k

Cars I will not consider due to having driven them and not liking them: Mini Cooper S, Mazda 2 GT Sport.

[duckson]

Fiesta ST?
Not sure you'd be able to get into the latest 1.5/3 cylinder one with £14k but the previous mark (1.6 engine) seems like it would tick the boxes.

[trevalvole]

As you seem to like VAG cars, how about a Polo/Ibiza/Fabia with the 115 bhp 1.0T petrol (with about 150 lb ft torque)?

Or a Ford Fiesta with one of the higher powered 1.0T petrols?

[RoVoFob]

trevalvole said:

As you seem to like VAG cars, how about a Polo/Ibiza/Fabia with the 115 bhp 1.0T petrol (with about 150 lb ft torque)?

Or a Ford Fiesta with one of the higher powered 1.0T petrols?

I was going to recommend the previous generation Polo with the 1.4 TSI BlueMotion engine that produces 150hp and 184lb ft of torque, gets to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds, has a claimed fuel economy figure of nearly 60mpg and costs just £20 to tax. That’s where my money would go.

There’s no need to spend your whole budget for one either. This one is less than £11,500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...

You could also get a Polo GTi of that generation, too, of you wanted more performance and don’t mind the worse fuel economy.

Meanwhile, if you’d rather major on reliability and economy, I’d recommend the Suzuki Baleno. Really good value but surprisingly quick and actually drives very well.

[CG2020UK]

Peugeot 208 GTI Prestige.

Amazing kit including panoramic roof, climate control, Sat Nav, heated seats, parking sensors and a proper real spare wheel under the boot.

Super easy to drive with good visibility and light steering and gearing shifts. Cheap on insurance, fuel (40+mpg) and servicing.

I’ve had 2 and both have been reliable. On Michelin Cross Climate 2s it was brilliant in the snow.

Engine wise 208bhp and 225lbs/ft means you’ll over take with ease.

Will come under budget as well.

[ZX10R NIN]

MrGruber123 said:

We currently have two cars:
VW Polo SE and a Mk1 Fabia vRS Diesel
Both have been costing us quite a lot over the last 2 years with repair bills.
Each car does maybe 3 to 5k per year.
Given that we both work from home, makes sense to consider going down to just 1 car.
However, it needs to be small eg: polo size and good on motorways and in town.
We live in an area which could mean being stuck behind slow moving vehicles so need something quick enough to overtake safely. A good amount of torque from around 150lb ft would be nice.
Good economy too.
Max budget £14k

Cars I will not consider due to having driven them and not liking them: Mini Cooper S, Mazda 2 GT Sport.

Kia Ceed GT these are 40cm longer than the equivalent Polo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...

Astra Elite Nav 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

Q30 Luxe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301153...

[georgeyboy12345]

Audi S1 should be quick enough
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208229...

or if that's a bit too spicy, there's always the A1 1.4 TFSI with cylinder on demand
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212302...


or if the Audi is a bit expensive, the Seat Ibiza 1.4 EcoTSI is essentially the same car at a cut price
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210060...


If you want something in-between, have a look at a VW Polo GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...



OK that's the VAG stuff done, here are some more interesting motors

What about an EV? Here's a Renault Zoe R90 with a non-leased battery
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211282...

Or a more traditional powered Renault in the form of this Clio Sport Lux
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210100...


If a full EV is maybe too much, what about a hybrid in the form of this Suzuki Swift 1.0 Boosterjet SHVS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211071...


Ford Fiesta ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301163...


Alfa Romeo MiTo TB MultiAir Veloce, only a 3 door though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212202...

[PH.sausages]

See if you can find a Clio 220 Trophy nearby.

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 to the above that's a great shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...

[Belle427]

Id try and keep the VRS, quite simple cars that dont really exist these days.
I bought one a few months ago, needed a few hundred spending on it to get it up to scratch but i dont see it being a money pit.
Cracking little cars.