7-9k daily, fun to drive, 5/6 yrs old

[DrFeelAverage]

My BXE engine code Golf blew a hole in its engine at 105k, so I’m looking for a new car.

I commute into London via M40+A40 doing about 22k a year. However I really don’t want another diesel, and the golf only did 48 mpg so a similar petrol would be fine. Getting a ‘loan’ from my parents putting me at 7k but then can probably scrape about 9k using savings. Their stipulation for the loan is that it’s a newish car, about 5/6 years old. Leasing not an option. Also keen on getting something from an official dealer so I can get a decent warranty. Found my golf pretty boring, so I want something fun and fast-ish with good equipment and four or five seats, but realise I’ll have to compromise.

Shortlist is not that short, but I have a few main ideas:

2014 Ford Fiesta Ecoboost, about 7-8k from a Ford dealer - pretty nice but maybe a bit small and old tech for a newish car
2013 Ford Fiesta ST, 8-9k from a used dealer - obviously a great car, but expensive and with no warranty, also might be bad for commuting
2014 Kia Cee’d 1.6, 7-8k from Kia Dealer - with a few years manufacturers warranty left but maybe quite dull?
2015 Skoda Fabia 1.2tsi DSG, 8k from a Skoda dealer - nice car but maybe a bit sensible? Also not sure about DSG reliability after a few years.
2014 Suzuki Swift sport, 8k from a used dealer - well liked car, can be got with five doors and lower miles than an ST but also not as good as an ST, interior doesn’t get the best ratings
2013 Honda Civic 1.8, about 8k from a used dealer - have heard these are a bit cheap and tinny compared to the previous model

I don’t want a French car particularly, don’t like Vauxhalls, no more VWs, no premium brands like Merc or BMW, don’t want the running costs. Also don’t want a car in its last few model years, I want some modern tech after the CD player/FM radio combo of my Golf.

Hope that all makes sense, I’m open to suggestions!

[A500leroy]

Alfa mito sounds like what you need, 1.4 turbo is fun, handling is flat and as long as the cambelt/water pump has been changed on schedule it's plenty reliable enough ( especially compared to bag groups TSI engines or anything from BMW)

[DrFeelAverage]

Not a bad suggestion but it being based on the ancient Fiat Grande Punto (which recently score 0 NCAP stars) doesn’t appeal much! Plus I feel like paying more than 5k for a MiTo is a daft thing to do, seeing as it’s such an old design. I like Alfa in concept though, maybe a 159?

[A500leroy]

Guillitta seems the logical middle ground...

[aaron_2000]

Seat Ibiza Cupra?

[htid]

Swift sport is great fun, very reliable, and pretty nicely equipped for the money

[DrFeelAverage]

A500leroy said:

Guillitta seems the logical middle ground...

The Giuletta does seem quite nice but based on the old Fiat Bravo so again not a very new or inspiring car? Also reliability would surely be an issue with Alfa?

[DrFeelAverage]

aaron_2000 said:

Seat Ibiza Cupra?

That’s definitely an option, only picked Skoda because there’s a dealer near me

[DrFeelAverage]

htid said:

Swift sport is great fun, very reliable, and pretty nicely equipped for the money

That was my thinking but I was put off it by this carthrottle guide
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.carthrottle.com...
Specifically the bit about it being bad at Motorway journeys?

[MissChief]

Prime Focus 182 Ecoboost territory. This ones a Titanium X with all the toys. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ZX10R NIN]

Being based on an old design isn't a bad thing the Giulietta is a good car & so is the Mito, the Kia's will be as dull as your old Golf but with what will feel like a lot less go.

The Ibiza is based on the old Polo platform are you sure you want that?

Look if you want a fun reliable drive the RS Clio preferably in Lux spec with the Cup Chassis & the Recaros:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want a warm hatch that'll still have some manufacturers warranty left then go for the Kia C'eed/Pro C'eed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[aaron_2000]

Something you might not've thought about, what about an Impreza? you can get a 2013ish WRX for that kind of money easily.

[S54Love]

aaron_2000 said:

Something you might not've thought about, what about an Impreza? you can get a 2013ish WRX for that kind of money easily.

Didn't realise there was a 2013 WRX in the UK?

And if you thought the Civic was tinny, boy oh boy..

[aaron_2000]

S54Love said:

Didn't realise there was a 2013 WRX in the UK?

And if you thought the Civic was tinny, boy oh boy..

Didn't know they cut the WRX in 2010, thought they ran it until the end of the GH/GE8 production run.

[DrFeelAverage]

ZX10R NIN said:

Being based on an old design isn't a bad thing the Giulietta is a good car & so is the Mito, the Kia's will be as dull as your old Golf but with what will feel like a lot less go.

The Ibiza is based on the old Polo platform are you sure you want that?

Look if you want a fun reliable drive the RS Clio preferably in Lux spec with the Cup Chassis & the Recaros:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want a warm hatch that'll still have some manufacturers warranty left then go for the Kia C'eed/Pro C'eed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Kias seem to be more what I’m looking for but they’re about 300 miles away from where I’m based which is not ideal. The Renault, as cool as they are, doesn’t really suit my needs being a French car from a dealer without warranty. If I would want to go down that route I’d rather go for the Megane option or maybe deviate and go Italian and get a 500 Abarth because I love them (although again, quite small). Like I said there’s obviously a huge amount of cars that could be got for the money (brand new Dacia Sandero for example!) but I want to make sure it’s one I’m going to want to keep for a while, one that’s quirky, sharp, reasonably fast and nice to drive or ideally most of those things.

[DoubleD]

You will more likely keep the "best" car rather than a car that happens to have a newer platform.

What cars have you tested and liked?

[DrFeelAverage]

DoubleD said:

You will more likely keep the "best" car rather than a car that happens to have a newer platform.

What cars have you tested and liked?

Right now I haven’t tested much, I’ve had experience driving a Fiesta 1.0 Titanium which is very smooth and well equipped but a little cramped, and a MK7 Golf GTD with a DSG. I did like the DSG but I’m worried about reliability, and my reasons for getting auto would be easier in London traffic and my girlfriend will eventually take an auto test (instead of manual) due to medical reasons but that’s not really a valid reason considering it won’t be for a few years.

I also briefly drove a last gen Astra 1.4 Turbo which seems like an ok car? It’s owner loves it, but not sure about Vauxhalls. I know there’s a 2014 one near me from Hartwells for sub 9k, seems a good buy considerint the equipment level. But I hated the 16 plate Corsa I learned in, tinny and wobbly with an anaemic diesel.

[DrFeelAverage]

MissChief said:

Prime Focus 182 Ecoboost territory. This ones a Titanium X with all the toys. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Is the MK3 focus a good car? I heard issues with build quality? It looks good though, but obviously without a decent warranty

[ZX10R NIN]

You need to stop getting hung up on the warranty most of these cars won't give you any issues if they do it will more than likely be a wear & tear item which won't be covered by any warranty, if you want one then buy your own.

With regards to the Renault they're as reliable as a VW so you really need to update your views on French cars or cars in general, as most cars are pretty much as reliable as one another, at which point test drives are the real answer.

With regards to being far away get on a plane/train (speak to the dealer get a good description of condition by one of the sales staff then make it clear that you'll be coming from a distance to look at the car) & have a look if it's as described then you can either get it delivered or drive it home, the Kias seem like they're the only car that ticks your boxes.

Put yourself out & you'll get a better car.

[MissChief]

DrFeelAverage said:

MissChief said:

Prime Focus 182 Ecoboost territory. This ones a Titanium X with all the toys. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Is the MK3 focus a good car? I heard issues with build quality? It looks good though, but obviously without a decent warranty

Mine is a 62 plate Zetec S and I've had no real issues other than the door seals coming away from both front doors. Even managed 46mpg on a run down to Silverstone last year from Scotland.