Reliable & nice daily driver for 4.5k
Discussion
Having always been a petrol head, I finally decided to get my full motorbike license. This now means I get my enthusiasts fun from two wheels, and as such am now looking to replace my FN2 Type R GT (which has been fantastic & faultless) with something a little more livable. And cheaper to tax.
I’m in two minds about whether I go with something simple, cheap to run but still a good steer and a bit of fun like a Swift Sport 1.6. But then I just think I’ve done all that with hot hatches and the fun stuff. Realistically I need something for very low mileage to get me from a to b and to run errands.
For that reason I think I want something a bit ‘nicer’ than I’d usually go for. And for once prioritise a car that is just a bit more comfortable, and a nice place to be with some good mod cons.
The car must be:
Around £4.5k
Generally quite reliable (a timing chain is a big ideal for me)
Petrol
Not just a total appliance. I want it to feel a bit nice
Either manual or auto is fine
Reasonable tax, ideally around 200 or less
Good fuel economy is nice but not required due to such low annual miles
I honestly hate fabric seats, so leather or half leather ideally
Would like some of the mods cons, especially heated seats and cruise control
What are you buying with your money?
I’m in two minds about whether I go with something simple, cheap to run but still a good steer and a bit of fun like a Swift Sport 1.6. But then I just think I’ve done all that with hot hatches and the fun stuff. Realistically I need something for very low mileage to get me from a to b and to run errands.
For that reason I think I want something a bit ‘nicer’ than I’d usually go for. And for once prioritise a car that is just a bit more comfortable, and a nice place to be with some good mod cons.
The car must be:
Around £4.5k
Generally quite reliable (a timing chain is a big ideal for me)
Petrol
Not just a total appliance. I want it to feel a bit nice
Either manual or auto is fine
Reasonable tax, ideally around 200 or less
Good fuel economy is nice but not required due to such low annual miles
I honestly hate fabric seats, so leather or half leather ideally
Would like some of the mods cons, especially heated seats and cruise control
What are you buying with your money?
Huzzah said:
Certainly food for thought, although I think it’s probably a bit too complex for what I m looking for. Also the subframe issues are just not something I’d want to deal with to be quite honest.I was also going to suggest a Giulietta. I had similar criteria myself recently and picked up a QV Line auto for just over £3K @ 115K mikes. The multi air auto from around 2015 is only £30 tax. Very happy with mine so far - it’s good to drive, comfortable, not bad on fuel and is interesting enough to not get bored with (so far).
3 Series?
I went from luke warm hatches (Pug306 1.8) to a E46 330ci and it was that much of a success ive still got it 11 years later.
Easily soaks up motorway miles seeing freinds and on the commute, but will also hustle fairly well if you want and has a 3ltr straight six which isn't a slightly niche thing for a daily in thia day and age.
Aircon, cruise control, etc, but does rust. Or get a later version.
I went from luke warm hatches (Pug306 1.8) to a E46 330ci and it was that much of a success ive still got it 11 years later.
Easily soaks up motorway miles seeing freinds and on the commute, but will also hustle fairly well if you want and has a 3ltr straight six which isn't a slightly niche thing for a daily in thia day and age.
Aircon, cruise control, etc, but does rust. Or get a later version.
juice said:
That’s a really good shout, Alfa’s weren’t on my radar for some reason. I feel like in the past everytime I’ve considered one, for one reason or another I’ve ended up with something else. Maybe it’s unfounded reliability fears or something. I’ll look more into it for sure.benny.c said:
I was also going to suggest a Giulietta. I had similar criteria myself recently and picked up a QV Line auto for just over £3K @ 115K mikes. The multi air auto from around 2015 is only £30 tax. Very happy with mine so far - it s good to drive, comfortable, not bad on fuel and is interesting enough to not get bored with (so far).
That certainly looks a lot of car for 3k. I like. dhutch said:
3 Series?
I went from luke warm hatches (Pug306 1.8) to a E46 330ci and it was that much of a success ive still got it 11 years later.
Easily soaks up motorway miles seeing freinds and on the commute, but will also hustle fairly well if you want and has a 3ltr straight six which isn't a slightly niche thing for a daily in thia day and age.
Aircon, cruise control, etc, but does rust. Or get a later version.
I’ve always loved the E46 but I’ve never owned an old German car. I don’t know if it’s maybe a bit old to provide the easy ownership I’m looking for? I have looked at E90/E92 325/330i but the tax is still higher than I’d like which is something I’m trying to get away from. Hmm..I went from luke warm hatches (Pug306 1.8) to a E46 330ci and it was that much of a success ive still got it 11 years later.
Easily soaks up motorway miles seeing freinds and on the commute, but will also hustle fairly well if you want and has a 3ltr straight six which isn't a slightly niche thing for a daily in thia day and age.
Aircon, cruise control, etc, but does rust. Or get a later version.
JPL123 said:
Certainly food for thought, although I think it s probably a bit too complex for what I m looking for. Also the subframe issues are just not something I d want to deal with to be quite honest.
Brake pipes are more of an issue than the subframe.Why don’t you get a none sporty civic
stevemcs said:
JPL123 said:
Certainly food for thought, although I think it s probably a bit too complex for what I m looking for. Also the subframe issues are just not something I d want to deal with to be quite honest.
Brake pipes are more of an issue than the subframe.Why don t you get a none sporty civic
JPL123 said:
Welcome to the world of biking 
Certainly food for thought, although I think it s probably a bit too complex for what I m looking for. Also the subframe issues are just not something I d want to deal with to be quite honest.
The subframe issue is over egg'd I've had loads of CLK's & currently own an E Coupe none of which have had a subframe issue.Certainly food for thought, although I think it s probably a bit too complex for what I m looking for. Also the subframe issues are just not something I d want to deal with to be quite honest.
I know of two people that have had an issue both were sorted by Mercedes one did take some back & forth the other sorted without an issue.
There's nothing complex about them:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608275...
1.6T C180:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606143...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606243...
Giulietta Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607254...
Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511308...
1.6T Astra GTC, these come in 180/200bhp form with the passive VXR setup, as well as having a huge boot they have low running costd & for me are the pick at your price point:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608265...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603271...
Next gen 5 door Elite nav (they come with CarPlay/Android auto as standard too) but you get the regular suspension setup but like the GTC above you get everything on your wish list you'll just have to haggle/up the budget a smidge:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608205...
1.6T Focus Titanium X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608084...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608074...
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