Small warm/hot hatchy thing - £4-5k

[decafbeermerchant]

Thank you everyone for your responses to my previous advice post. Having re-assessed my finances and living situation I have concluded that a smaller, slightly more frugal (but no less fun) car is probably the way forward in replacing my former Volvo S60.

I've got £4-5k to spend on a small fun hatch or coupé/liftback. Ideally B-segment but will consider C-segment as well. Would like something easier to park (decent all round visibility, turning circle etc) as we'll soon be moving house and will most likely need to parallel park on the street at the new address. Would also like decent refinement as I do a 250-mile round trip up the M1 once or twice a fortnight. Running/maintenance costs need to be reasonable (no Golf R32s). Can do a fair bit of maintenance myself.

So far I've been considering the quicker Alfa MiTos and 208 GTi; hardly paragons of reliability, I know. I've also fancied a Honda CR-Z or Volvo C30 for a long time.

Would love to hear your suggestions.

[GreatGranny]

No reason why the 208 shouldn't be reliable as long as it's been looked after.

Nice looking car

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410235...

Or a Focus 1.6T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411266...

DS3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410024...

[Saudade]

Swift sport ZC32s. Not the most refined but by no means unbearable and makes up for it for being a great steer and probably the most reliable and cheap warm/hot hatch you can get.

[Portofino]

Get an Abarth, great fun.

[anonymous-user]

Saudade said:

Swift sport ZC32s. Not the most refined but by no means unbearable and makes up for it for being a great steer and probably the most reliable and cheap warm/hot hatch you can get.

Not the best for a 250 mile trip on the motorway.

[Scootersp]

C30 2.4D ? can even tune it later.....or a T5 version?

[BenS94]

Saudade said:

Swift sport ZC32s. Not the most refined but by no means unbearable and makes up for it for being a great steer and probably the most reliable and cheap warm/hot hatch you can get.

This^

[CG2020UK]

The Peugeot 208 GTIs are smashing cars.

Also very reliable provided you keep up with some basic servicing.

[Jamescrs]

Surely Fiesta ST is the way to go here, quite a few on AT under 5k

[BenS94]

Jamescrs said:

Surely Fiesta ST is the way to go here, quite a few on AT under 5k

Yes, but what if the OP wants a little comfort? Can confirm the ST won't provide this.

[Pebbles167]

I heard the iterations of the prince engine found in earlier 208 GTi models are a bit ropey, though later rectified. In the Citroen DS3 they were very often letting go.

Swift sport is a good shout and very reliable, it's great fun to drive on the road with usable performance, and comfortable if you don't mess with the suspension. Not at all as quick as the aforementioned 208 though.

I'd be after a Fiesta ST or possibly a Zetec S if you're not scared off by a 1.0 ecoboost. I've had several Fiesta work vans with the 75bhp and 100bhp diesel, and they were great fun. One of the best handling cars I've driven. I can only imagine that the higher powered and better equipped models are excellent.

[Lefty]

BenS94 said:

Saudade said:

Swift sport ZC32s. Not the most refined but by no means unbearable and makes up for it for being a great steer and probably the most reliable and cheap warm/hot hatch you can get.

This^

Agreed.



This is my sons car and it’s an awesome little thing.

[decafbeermerchant]

Saudade said:

Swift sport ZC32s. Not the most refined but by no means unbearable and makes up for it for being a great steer and probably the most reliable and cheap warm/hot hatch you can get.

I actually ran a 32 for about a year but I really didn't get on with it. While it was just as good to drive as everyone says - the gearbox in particular was brilliant - it wasn't a good cruiser at all. It revved too high on the motorway, the seats were unsupportive, the seating position was too upright, and there was loads of tyre/wind noise. I always dreaded doing long trips in the thing, which is a shame as it was great on a tight country lane.

To be honest, my 32 was the car that taught me what I really value in cars - sophisticated design with a stylish interior. The Swift, to me, had neither.

Edited by decafbeermerchant on Wednesday 27th November 14:35

[Jayho]

I recently bought a F56 Mini Cooper. Actually surprised how much I like it. It's comfier than the Scirocco GT it replaced. On a long drive it's comfortable enough. This summer I had to drive 150 each way to the airport and couldn't fault it. Didn't get to the other end feeling broken or tired. Got Mid 50's MPG for the journeys. I would add that mines got smaller 16 inch alloys, so plenty of sidewall.

[GreatGranny]

decafbeermerchant said:

I actually ran a 32 for about a year but I really didn't get on with it. While it was just as good to drive as everyone says - the gearbox in particular was brilliant - it wasn't a good cruiser at all. It revved too high on the motorway, the seats were unsupportive, the seating position was too upright, and there was loads of tyre/wind noise. I always dreaded doing long trips in the thing, which is a shame as it was great on a tight country lane.

To be honest, my 32 was the car that taught me what I really value in cars - sophisticated design with a stylish interior. The Swift, to me, had neither.

Edited by decafbeermerchant on Wednesday 27th November 14:35

If you like the C30's get the best you can find in your budget.

The good ones go for strong money, they seem to have a bit of a following.

[decafbeermerchant]

GreatGranny said:

No reason why the 208 shouldn't be reliable as long as it's been looked after.

Nice looking car

Or a Focus 1.6T

DS3

That 208 is gorgeous. Amazing how good value they seem to be - it reflects the fear people have about the Prince engine I suppose?

The Focus is nice but a little pedestrian for my liking. DS3 looks good too, again seems like a lot of car for the money possibly due to its Prince engine keeping prices down?

[decafbeermerchant]

Jayho said:

I recently bought a F56 Mini Cooper. Actually surprised how much I like it. It's comfier than the Scirocco GT it replaced. On a long drive it's comfortable enough. This summer I had to drive 150 each way to the airport and couldn't fault it. Didn't get to the other end feeling broken or tired. Got Mid 50's MPG for the journeys. I would add that mines got smaller 16 inch alloys, so plenty of sidewall.

Very keen on the F56 and they're on my radar. Especially given the issues several of my friends have had with their R56s, which turns me off those. Is it possible to get a good (presumably higher mileage) F56 in budget?

[decafbeermerchant]

Pebbles167 said:

I heard the iterations of the prince engine found in earlier 208 GTi models are a bit ropey, though later rectified. In the Citroen DS3 they were very often letting go.

Swift sport is a good shout and very reliable, it's great fun to drive on the road with usable performance, and comfortable if you don't mess with the suspension. Not at all as quick as the aforementioned 208 though.

I'd be after a Fiesta ST or possibly a Zetec S if you're not scared off by a 1.0 ecoboost. I've had several Fiesta work vans with the 75bhp and 100bhp diesel, and they were great fun. One of the best handling cars I've driven. I can only imagine that the higher powered and better equipped models are excellent.

Thanks, I'm not so keen on the Fiestas though unfortunately. If they're anything like our old Focuses/Mondeos were then I'm sure they're great to drive. But I don't like the styling, the ST/Zetec S has something of an image problem (shouldn't matter but does for some reason) and the EcoBoost wet belt issues mean I wouldn't touch a later Zetec S with a barge pole. 1.6 Zetec/EcoBoost seem far more robust but just not my sort of car.

[BenS94]

You've said no Golf R32s.... how about a well looked after, low mileage MK5 GTI? Shouldn't depreciate too horrendously.

[Pebbles167]

Echoing above, my Mk5 GTi was arguably one of the best cars I've ever owned. If you can find a decent one under £5k I doubt you'd be disappointed.