You've got £5k to spend on an economical sporty hatchback.

[KidKoala]

What would you buy? I currently have a motorbike, and can't face another winter on it.

I do a lot of MTBing, so needs to be practical.

I want something with low miles, like up to 65k.

Hatchback, i.e. Focus sized.

Sporty handling, reasonable looks, good economy (Diesel most likely).


Has Covid knocked any particular models down?

[Nefos]

I would go with either Audi A3 8P 2.0 TDI, 170 HP, reasonable reliable and pretty frugal diesel, decent spec and looks.
Buying a car nowadays is a bit of a challenge but not impossible

[Byker28i]

5K and low miles would be a small engined family second car
If you don't mind 70-90k miles theres plenty of 2.0 Clio's around or do you want bigger?

[KidKoala]

Bit bigger than a Clio, say Focus/Octavia sized.

[anonymous-user]

I come home with a V8 or V12 proper car instead

Joking aside you can just about get one of the last shape (with proper rear suspension) 2015 onwards Mazda3 for that. I have had a couple as courtesy cars and been really impressed, and the Skyactiv petrol engines are very efficient and reasonably nice to thrash, 40mpg should be possible. I'd avoid diesel in an older cheap car, too many potential bills.

[J8 SVG]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008172...

Spend the extra fixing anything and buying some Recaros

[KidKoala]

Like this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006109...

Trouble is, the appeal of a 150 bhp older diesel!

[KidKoala]

Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel any good? 182Bhp

[anonymous-user]

KidKoala said:

Mazda 3 2.2 Diesel any good? 182Bhp

I think they had DPF issues, but didn't everything. I had one for a week as an auto in a high spec car and it was great, fuel economy wasn't brilliant though maybe low to mid 40s. Once you get over 35mpg there isn't much cost saving to be had per mile in penny terms rather than percentage, unless you cover huge mileages.

[KidKoala]

J8 SVG said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008172...

Spend the extra fixing anything and buying some Recaros

Stickleback makes a great point on MPG.

I've not had a car since 2015, that was the first Leon Cupra R and did about 18MPG - things moved on I guess.

So.... Let's look for low mileage performance hatches with 30+mpg!

[J8 SVG]

Think of how much energy/food you wont be wasting by shivering every time you get off your bike in the rain - fuel for the body is expensive as well!

[Hashtaggggg]

Focus ST

[tonyvid]

I had a hired SEAT Leon diesel FR 150bhp hatch back in 2015, i was truly sad to hand it back! Some more leggy ones of those must be about for your budget?

Edited by tonyvid on Thursday 8th October 16:06

[KidKoala]

Giulietta 1.4 170

[KidKoala]

What about this? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

130i, but has 122k on the clock.

[mickyh7]

Vectra 'C'1.9 150 + a tunning box.
60 mpg and very quick !

[T6 vanman]

Standard T6 response

Honda CR-Z,

Although a 3 door Honda CIVIC 07~11 .... Diesel & 1.8 are cheap as chips to run, But of course Type R

[ZX10R NIN]

DS5 D Style good handling spacious & a nice set of wheels

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007271...

2.0d Astra GTC SRI as above but not quite as insdie as the above

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

1.6T SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009213...

2.0d Megane GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009214...

CLC220 Sport this would be my pick

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009193...

Civic Type S GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...

[anonymous-user]

KidKoala said:

Hatchback, i.e. Focus sized.

Ford Focus?

[croissant]

It’s a left field choice but I really like that ds5 above