confused about that car to get for 6k! help!

[sheffdave]

Hi guys, this is my first post and im really thinking out loud on this one after not been able to come to a decision myself!

Right, basically im currently needing a new car for my daily drive, it will do about 45 miles a day, which consists of a bit of town / dual carridgeway / motorway roads.

Im looking for something a bit different and fairly quick (around 7 sec 0-60) but i dont want it to cost the earth to run.

My thoughts so far are as follows...

Seat Leon Cupra FR TDI - if i get one with the full R kit it looks a bit different and MPG is good, although its not that quick its quick for a diesel and at least there are the options of remaps out there. Also the benefit of decent MPG and road tax.

Clio 182 - Quick, nippy little car, which will probably give me around 2k change for my 6k, and includes nice extras like the cruise control, auto lights/wipers etc as standard. However its more expensive to run as petrol and road tax will be more and its...well...french.

Golf GT TDI 150 - same engine as the cupra, but i personally think its a bit bland unless I go for an anni model, which commands a premium.

I guess i really need to know if ill really benefit much by going for a diesel when i do around 10k mile a year?

anyone have any advice? would be good to hear other people suggestions / opinions?

thanks!
Dave

[Kiltox]

A bit different yet there's two VAG diesels in the list.

Out of those, I'd vote for the Clio.

[sheffdave]

yeh i know, hence why im so confused! im not sure if 35mpg vs 45mpg is worth it in order to sacrifice the extra bit of fun ill probably get from a clio as standard!

(them mpg figures are the average from what ive been hearing on the forums anyway, so dont quote me on them!)

[billzeebub]

Clio 182 over any diesel 'performance' car you mentioned!

[Kiltox]

Extra LOT of fun you'll have over not just being yet another ct in a VAG diesel.

[sheffdave]

yes the 2-3k saving and the extras you get in the clio are very appealing, its just the mpg that scares me, but i guess even thats not that bad!

[CanadianScot]

You'd be saving about £500-£1000 a year going for a 45mpg car over a 35mpg car.

Not really that much in my opinion.

[Kiltox]

Some of the 2-3k will buy quite a lot of fuel

45 mile commute

45MPG - diesel - £6.44 at £1.419/L
35MPG - petrol - £7.87 at £1.349/L

so £1.43 a day more, ~£371 a year assuming a 5 day week, 52 weeks a year.

The price of diesel is a guess, I don't know how much it actually is, but I paid £1.349 for unleaded yesterday.

[Benbay001]

I would buy a petrol car over the other 2 mentioned, but it wouldnt be a Renault.

[sheffdave]

thanks for that Kiltox :-)

cheers for the rest of the replies as well, sometimes its just nice to bounce some ideas off other people out there!

can anyone offer any suggestions as to alternatives to the clio? having looked at other cars im pretty confident ill be getting the best 'bang for buck' with the clio.

[Kiltox]

If a clean 182 can be had for 3-4k I'd probably agree.

[vescaegg]

Another thing that may be worth considering (if you take any notice of handbooks/fuel filler caps like I do) is that the 182 is supposed to be run on super...

Edited by vescaegg on Saturday 7th May 12:53

[Kiltox]

Oh yeah.

Super is around the same price as diseasel which puts your cost per day up a bit.

[Benbay001]

sheffdave said:

im pretty confident ill be getting the best 'bang for buck' with the clio.

You will be, until it all starts to break.

[sheffdave]

Benbay001 said:

You will be, until it all starts to break.

yeh, this is another concern! if i do go for the clio ill def make sure the belts etc are done, as ive heard these arent the cheapest things to replace!

[geeteeaye]

Civic Type-R is another option, not too bad on fuel when you take it gently.

Alternatively one of the 150bhp VAG diesels, remap it, should be good for 180bhp or so and is a good compromise of performance and economy, despite the childish fuel of the devil/diseasel 'quips'.

[Gizmo!]

I'd have a Civic Type R. Well, actually I wouldn't, but you seem to like hatchbacks.

[Carlique]

Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.9 diesel. 130bhp good for 190 remapped, and circa 7 seconds 0-60. They have everything you need, bluetooth, mp3 compatibility, air-con, cruise control etc. 5* Euro NCAP safety rating if safety is an issue for you too. It's often overlooked and underestimated due to its badge imo.

[Kiltox]

Carlique said:

Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.9 diesel. 130bhp good for 190 remapped, and circa 7 seconds 0-60. They have everything you need, bluetooth, mp3 compatibility, air-con, cruise control etc. 5* Euro NCAP safety rating if safety is an issue for you too. It's often overlooked and underestimated due to its badge imo.

Good for problems too - the 1.9 engine isnt the most reliable. I don't know if it will have a better gearbox than Vauxhall put in the Astra but that's a problem area in those cars too.

[sshenton1975]

Easy answer!

You need a late spec BMW E39 530d m sport in your life!