Have I missed any cars? (another 'what car')

[Trixman]

So i've now been looking for a car for several weeks. I sold mine months ago, and have been renting various little hatchbacks since. I've finally got the finance sorted out and now on the lookout for a car. After years of quite quick cars I never thought I could like a hatchback, but renting cars like the Golf GT tdi, Citroen DS3, Ibiza FR have really opened up my eyes to what small, cheaper to run cars can do.

The budget is £10k.

Being a petrolhead I do like fast cars, but I'm hoping to keep my fast driving to the track (just passed my ARDS) so although speed isn't a deciding factor, I would like something that isn't ridiculously slow.

Second criteria is it must be decent on fuel as I'll be using it for my 40 mile commute. Over 35 would be great.

Third - would be great to have something that has a nice sound and response, I like to heel and toe and give it a bit of beans on the trip to work (80% B roads through the countryside). What I've discovered renting these little cars is that there are some nice little engines out there. Cars such as the A1, or the Seat Ibiza FR... nice little sound and not too slow. Probably a little too slow in reality, but nice all rounders.

I need it to be a family car, so 4/5 doors (hatch/estate/saloon). I can't have it too expensive in servicing and other costs as I'm sure I'll be blowing all my money on racing. Other criteria is under 80,000 miles and above 2007 (from the finance company).

My shortlist has been quite varied - I value the feel of quality, nice touch plastics etc:

Golf GTi Mk5: Finding out the MPG might not cut it. Like the fact it covers most basis.

BMW 335i: Heart choice. Had one previously and was my favourite car... but the MPG is borderline and all other costs are bloody painful.

Golf GT Tdi: Probably the strongest choice, but certainly a head choice. My heart wants a nice sound to blip the throttle to

BMW 320d Msport: Good MPG, basic spec for price.

Honda Civic: Left field, and never driven one, but like the idea of something Jap for reliability... but every 5 door is granny-spec.


I did look at the A4 estate S-line, but for the facelift (which I like) its just too expensive still. Only thing off the list completely is anything from Vauxhall. I think I've driven the whole range recently and they were really disappointing and I just couldn't live with any of them.

I have till the weekend to find something. Am I missing anything obvious?

[Greengecko]

What about a Focus ST? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-FORD-FOCUS-ST-2-BLU...

Great Volvo engine, and relatively cheap servicing/parts in relation to some of the BMW models. Only thing you may struggle with is MPG unless you drive like a fairy

[Trixman]

Greengecko said:

What about a Focus ST? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-FORD-FOCUS-ST-2-BLU...

Great Volvo engine, and relatively cheap servicing/parts in relation to some of the BMW models. Only thing you may struggle with is MPG unless you drive like a fairy

I did have a good look at those - having driven the focus/fiesta recently they felt on par, quality wise, with the luxury brands... but seems to be the MPG would just be too painful. Shame really, seems a good balance of everything else.

[rob.e]

vRS?

Like a mk5 (or mk6 if you get a later one) gti but generally cheaper to buy. Petrol will be low 30's like the golf but the diesel will get more like 45mpg but won't be as fun to drive.

[jdwoodbury]

I would expect a Civic Type-R would be capable of decent MPG and a great drivers car, £10k should get you a decent later model

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Or how about a Renault Megane R26?

I would avoid the 320d if you want poke, go straight for the 330d which is actually quite entertaining.

[jdwoodbury]

Srry just saw the post 2007 requirement so scrap the BMW 330d

[anonymous-user]

Alfa Guilietta should just about come in budget! Either a 2.0d or the 1.4 turbo

[NiceCupOfTea]

Saab 9-3 or 9-5 aero? probably won't get the mpg but a lot of bang for your buck

[chrissull]

Megane?
My dad bought one not too long ago, he paid 9k for it, 5doors, sat nav/bluetooth etcetc, 1.6, so it's not fast, but it does the job, and its reasonably economical with the 6speed. Running costs aren't too bad either as far as i'm aware.

[Trixman]

rob.e said:

vRS?

Like a mk5 (or mk6 if you get a later one) gti but generally cheaper to buy. Petrol will be low 30's like the golf but the diesel will get more like 45mpg but won't be as fun to drive.

Ill take a look at those cheers, hadn't really considered them!

MonkeyMatt said:

Alfa Guilietta should just about come in budget! Either a 2.0d or the 1.4 turbo

Very left field. I'd completely forgot about Alfas. There's a few 159's that seem to come in on budget too. Wonder if they've banished the gremlins...

NiceCupOfTea said:

Saab 9-3 or 9-5 aero? probably won't get the mpg but a lot of bang for your buck

I do like the 9-3s, but mainly for their affordability in the lower 3-4k range. Not sure I'd want to spend 10k on one though.

chrissull said:

Megane?
My dad bought one not too long ago, he paid 9k for it, 5doors, sat nav/bluetooth etcetc, 1.6, so it's not fast, but it does the job, and its reasonably economical with the 6speed. Running costs aren't too bad either as far as i'm aware.

The Mrs has a Megane actually - I really don't like it. The plastics inside are terrible, it rattles to death and we've had endless trouble with it.... but then it is the older model. Maybe the newer ones are better?

[Greengecko]

Trixman said:

I did have a good look at those - having driven the focus/fiesta recently they felt on par, quality wise, with the luxury brands... but seems to be the MPG would just be too painful. Shame really, seems a good balance of everything else.

Yeah, usually somewhere around 25-28mpg on mixed roads but mainly shorter journeys, can manage 13mpg if you really try though . All about the smiles per gallon really, or at least that's what I tell myself!

[NadiR]

Mazda 3 MPS, 35mpg will be pretty optimistic, I agree, but a fantastic car for the cash.

[mat777]

A bit chavvy but you could get a VXR Vectra:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

A sporty Volvo:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Or a Mini Clubman S:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...