£2k Daily, that's not boring

[5lab]

if you can squeeze on the seats requirements (it doesn't seem certain) - wouldn't the ph favourite mx5 make the cut? very reliable, fun, meets your 30mpg

[y2blade]

Malcster said:

Hi folks,

Looking for a bit of a What Car suggestions list if you don't mind?

- 30 miles a day round trip to work each day, over A Roads mostly.
- Needs to be fairly cheap to run and quite reliable.
- Moderatly sensible, I think more than 2 seats.
- Preferrably quite economical - 30MPG upwards?
- Not fussed on the age or mileage of it, so long as it's easy to live with.

Something that's not boring, with a budget of £2k.

I was guessing an E36 3-Series?
Or maybe a hot hatch of some kind?

Any ideas?

OP says = I was guessing an E36 3-Series? Or maybe a hot hatch of some kind?

so along come the MX5 fanboys

5lab said:

if you can squeeze on the seats requirements (it doesn't seem certain) - wouldn't the ph favourite mx5 make the cut? very reliable, fun, meets your 30mpg

"PH favorite" ?????
not everyone on here wants an over-rated/underpowered soft-top


but thanks for the suggestion

Edit= didn't mean for that to come out so abrasive...but there you go

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 18th May 12:53

[300bhp/ton]

5lab said:

if you can squeeze on the seats requirements (it doesn't seem certain) - wouldn't the ph favourite mx5 make the cut? very reliable, fun, meets your 30mpg

I think a true average of 30mpg from a MK1 or 2 MX-5 is optimistic tbh. 25-28mpg is far more likely.

[Chapppers]

Puma. 38mpg, handles great, very practical, likes to be revved, not too loud on the motorway. Definitely a good choice. I'd go for one closer to the £2k mark than the £700 mark than I did though

[TeaNoSugar]

Looks like a possibility:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2720076.htm

[y2blade]

TeaNoSugar said:

Looks like a possibility:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2720076.htm

good shout

[GreatGranny]

Not sure if an E36 328i will average 30+ on A roads. My 318is averages 35mpg on my 60 mile commute doing 40% A, 50% dual/mway & 10% town and I drive it like a saint most of the time.

For your commute I wouldn't worry too much. The difference in cost between late 20s and early 30s mpg will be pretty small.

[thiscocks]

Peugeot 106 XSI. The money you save buying it can be used maintaing it

[joe_90]

mark 1 172?

[Vimto156]

Xsara VTS would tick all the boxes. Cheap, practical, fun, 32mpg, seats four... Trim will fall apart but nothing some glue and hope will not sort out.

[threesixty360]

RobCrezz said:

Prelude 2.2 Vtec?
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2167925.htm

+1

[bodhi]

Another vote for the 328i here. Mine hasn't skipped a beat in the year and 17k miles I've done in it, had to replace the rad and water pump and that has been about it. Cost 1500 quid to buy for a FSH Saloon SE with a touch of rust, the rad + water pump were 400 quid to fix.

MPG average is currently at 28.5 MPG for the 17k miles above, over mixed mileage. I had 38 out of it on a 400 mile round trip, and got 35 recently driving four up with luggage from Stafford to Glasgow and back again.

Frankly, epic cars for the money. Go like stink too, which is nice.

[aka_kerrly]

y2blade said:

"PH favorite" ?????
not everyone on here wants an over-rated/underpowered soft-top

but thanks for the suggestion

Edit= didn't mean for that to come out so abrasive...but there you go

It does have to be said though!

'Fun' daily for £2k I shall suggest some FWD Hatchbacks first because for daily use, occasionally transporting larger items in the boot, 4 adults on relatively short journeys they do everything you want but without excelling as as full blown sports car or a people mover.

1)Seat Ibiza Cupra - a 1997-2000 era has a 2.0 16v and later ones the 1.8 20VT, both circa 150hp 0-60 7s and 35mpg+. Both built around the mk2 golf chassis (which we know handles well) with polo back axles. Effectively a modern interpretation of a mk2 golf.

2)Toyota Starlet Glanza - some around the 2-2500 mark now and they can crack 35-40mpg when you're not too carried away with the boost.

3)Focus ST170 - handling, quicker in real world driving than the 0-60 would suggest, 30mpg quite achievable.

RWD odd ball suggestions that may or may not fit the fun prerequisite but have not yet been mentioned:

1) Lexus IS200 - I had not realised these can be bought for so little. RWD, 6 cylinder 2.0L engine give 30mpg an 6speed close ratio box helps when you want to press on.

2)Merc CLK230K - again I know nothing about them other than a manual one will manage nearly 30mpg combined.

[y2blade]

aka_kerrly said:

y2blade said:

"PH favorite" ?????
not everyone on here wants an over-rated/underpowered soft-top

but thanks for the suggestion

Edit= didn't mean for that to come out so abrasive...but there you go

It does have to be said though!

'Fun' daily for £2k I shall suggest some FWD Hatchbacks first because for daily use, occasionally transporting larger items in the boot, 4 adults on relatively short journeys they do everything you want but without excelling as as full blown sports car or a people mover.

1)Seat Ibiza Cupra - a 1997-2000 era has a 2.0 16v and later ones the 1.8 20VT, both circa 150hp 0-60 7s and 35mpg+. Both built around the mk2 golf chassis (which we know handles well) with polo back axles. Effectively a modern interpretation of a mk2 golf.

2)Toyota Starlet Glanza - some around the 2-2500 mark now and they can crack 35-40mpg when you're not too carried away with the boost.

3)Focus ST170 - handling, quicker in real world driving than the 0-60 would suggest, 30mpg quite achievable.

RWD odd ball suggestions that may or may not fit the fun prerequisite but have not yet been mentioned:

1) Lexus IS200 - I had not realised these can be bought for so little. RWD, 6 cylinder 2.0L engine give 30mpg an 6speed close ratio box helps when you want to press on.

2)Merc CLK230K - again I know nothing about them other than a manual one will manage nearly 30mpg combined.

good suggestions

[banksey]

TeaNoSugar said:

Looks like a possibility:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2720076.htm

Finally someone who knows a thing or two.

[mgmrw2003]

banksey said:

Finally someone who knows a thing or two.

+1

GTI6 are a proper unloved weapon. Few tweeks would liven it up too

[RobCrezz]

Sam1990 said:

Having owned one for the last 6 months I can safely say that 30mpg is very optimistic, even on a run

Something wrong with yours, unless you drive in vtec all the time

My old Gen 4 used to do 30mpg no problem and I didnt give it an easy life...

[V88Dicky]

I wouldn't mind driving to work in this, looks like a nice place to sit. Nissan Primera GT;







http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Fuel consumption (urban) 25.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 44.1 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 34.9 mpg
0 - 62 mph 8.8 seconds
Top speed 135 mph
Cylinders 4
Valves 16 v
Engine power 150 bhp
Engine torque 134 lbs/ft

[Andrew_M]

Thesaint01708 said:

2002 Renaultsport Clio 172 (2002)

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2758989.htm

£2k well spent?

Some wildly differnt suggestions PH must have at least 1 fan of every car going. I have to say a Clio 172 sport is an excellent choice. There are plenty to choose from, the spec is good xenons, half leather, cruise, climate etc, they handle well, go fast enough, do 30mpg, 38 on a run, ok to insure with only a couple of things to watch out for they are pretty solid for French, and they are easy to move on when your ready to move on unlike some of the suggestions....

[PH lurker]

300bhp/ton said:

I'm sure it's a very good car.

But would certainly rank highly in a dull category for me (personally). Just not much of a looker, not all that fast and while it probably handles fine, I doubt it's actually fun.

But each to their own, if others find it interesting, then that's all good by me.

Yeah, that's a fair point, if it weren’t a boring Wednesday and I was in a weekend mood I think I’d agree actually.

So how about:
Peugeot 106 Rallye 16v (1998) It is advertised as £2,100 but with negotiation and/ or stretching the budget it could be bought.

Peugeot Rallye 16v :- 1587cc, 103bhp, 865kg, 121bhp/ton, 0-60mph 8.8secs, top speed - 121mph, 34mpg
Data from: evo



ETA: Just noticed it has had a C2 VTS JP4 engine transplanted.

Edited by PH lurker on Wednesday 18th May 16:25