Fun petrol automatic for £6K

[rgbpixel]

Looking for a petrol automatic up to 6K that is enjoyable to drive at sociable speeds.
Most of the time it will only have 1 or 2 in it but max 2 adults, 2 young kids, 1 smallish dog so has to be safe, reliable and ideally comfortable.
Journeys are mainly to local shops, school run, B and A mostly flat roads. Primarily 5-30 min journeys.
Approx 3000miles a year.
It will be second car in household, other is a Toyota Verso CVT automatic which is practical, reliable and safe but not exactly fun.
Is it possible to have a fun car with a comfortable chassis/suspension at this price?
 Prefer torque convector or CVT but happy with any version that is known to be reliable.
£300ish or below tax. Hatch, SUV, MPV or estate. Decent seats.
Tried a 2011 Mazda 2 but its a 4 speed auto, 6 speed would def have been better and it felt a bit slow.
Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

Alfa Giulietta Veloce 170:

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

RCZ:

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

I have to say that personally if it's going to be of a bit of a special car I'd get something that has a bit of specialness about it although it'll cost an extra £30 a month.

CLK500 Sport:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285099674378?hash=item4...

[rgbpixel]

Thanks, the Alfa looks interesting.
Realistically I think it has to be a 5 door and when we take the dog it normally goes in the boot in a travel box.

[Beethree]

Find a Subaru Legacy Twinscroll. Job done!
Practical, fun and auto!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205215...

This is over budget as it’s a limited edition but gives you a good idea of where to start!

Edited by Beethree on Monday 23 January 22:07

[rgbpixel]

Thanks, I think the legacy is a bit too long for short trips.
Maybe a Forester from 2007?

[ZX10R NIN]

In which case I'd say go for the Alfa.

[defblade]

rgbpixel said:

Thanks, I think the legacy is a bit too long for short trips.
Maybe a Forester from 2007?

The Leggy was a great car and I never noticed it as big - in fact, it felt narrower than many cars, and also shrank around you when pushing on a bit. The good side is, there's plenty of room on the back row as your kids grow - I'm 6'4" and was ok back there. The front of the Forester was too small for me. You should be able to find good cars at reasonable prices - mine went for £4.5k 3 years or so ago (don't know what covid pricing has done to these though). Downside with a Spec B Twinscroll is 25mpg and 99RON only. Shouldn't matter too much on 3000 miles a year, but I'd bet you end up using it more

Check out uklegacy.com if you're at all interested.

[Mr Tidy]

At that budget I'm not sure you'll get "fun" with an "automatic"!

good luck anyway.

[Silvanus]

Mr Tidy said:

At that budget I'm not sure you'll get "fun" with an "automatic"!

good luck anyway.

Depends on ones definition of fun, plus it only needs to be more fun than a Toyota Verso