What car for city driving, but not your usual eco box.
What car for city driving, but not your usual eco box.
Author
Discussion

Phunk

Original Poster:

2,098 posts

201 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Morning Pistonheads,

Please excuse any grammar / spelling mistakes as I am rather hungover.

I am looking for a car to replace my 2001 BMW 330ci.

Whilst I love the car, the fuel economy is starting to hurt my wallet.

I'm looking for a replacement, it must have A/C and Cruise, cost no more than £7k, and do 35mpg.

I love toys, so the more gadgets the better and I would love something a bit outside the box.

Size / no of seats do not matter, as long as I can get a weekly shop in it.

Cheers smile

Rawwr

22,722 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
That big-ass Citroen thing that looks like a plastic armadillo.

Tuvra

7,926 posts

255 months

mnkiboy

4,409 posts

196 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
X-Type in SE or Sport Premium spec? 2.5 and 3.0 petrol probably not capable of 35mpg. 2.1 V6 is a bit weedy so go for the 2.0 or 2.2 Diesel.

Most SEAT Leon's have cruise, and the diesels can do way over 35mpg.

Neither of these suggestions are particularly 'out of the box' though.

Alfa GT Diesel?

Rawwr

22,722 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
C5, that's what I was trying to think of: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2707556.htm

edo

16,699 posts

295 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
35mpg doesnt seem that much of an improvement given he outlay?


Rawwr

22,722 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
edo said:
35mpg doesnt seem that much of an improvement given he outlay?
I did wonder. Isn't a 330 capable of a 30mpg average?

Phunk

Original Poster:

2,098 posts

201 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
I did wonder. Isn't a 330 capable of a 30mpg average?
Not with a Auto box round town.

Oh and no Citroen's please, I'm 23, don't want to look like I'm driving my dads car.

zaphod42

59,561 posts

185 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
How any miles a year are you doing?

Rawwr

22,722 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Phunk said:
Oh and no Citroen's please, I'm 23, don't want to look like I'm driving my dads car.
Anything else we should exclude? smile

zaphod42

59,561 posts

185 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
I offer:

Lexus IS200 - some gadgets, bit different, RWD, very reliable
Toyota MR2
Mazda MX5 mk 3
Alfa 159
Alfa Brera (You might have to stretch budget, but it's very nice)
Alfa GT
Audi TT Mk1
BMW Z4 2.0 or 2.5 (though not sure of MPG)



Parrot of Doom

23,075 posts

264 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Covert it to LPG. Cost less than 2 grand, will pay itself back in a year or two. You get to keep the car you love.

Risotto

3,933 posts

242 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Best I can think of would be something like an Audi A2 - a very cleverly designed car that was ahead of it's time in many respects.

Even today, I can't think of any other fully aluminium city cars. They're also deceptively spacious thanks to innovative packaging. Looks are subjective but personally, I think they've aged well. The petrol 1.4 is economical (the 1.6 less so) but the 1.4 TDi is brilliant in mpg terms - I think they're only about £30 to tax too.

You mentioned a decent spec was important and the A2 could be had with an unusually high spec for a car of that size - leather interiors, Bose stereos, electric glass roof, sports seats, 17" alloys, etc are all fairly common. Cruise control wasn't standard but many owners have retro-fitted cruise without difficulty.

Values have remained strong and while prices start at around £2500, your budget would get you one of the best.


Edited by Risotto on Thursday 19th May 11:04

ewenm

28,506 posts

275 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
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The A/C and Cruise requirements eliminate the fun, light cars I'd choose.

y2blade

56,320 posts

245 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
edo said:
35mpg doesnt seem that much of an improvement given he outlay?
I did wonder. Isn't a 330 capable of a 30mpg average?
....during city driving? I think not

McSam

6,753 posts

205 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Parrot of Doom said:
Covert it to LPG. Cost less than 2 grand, will pay itself back in a year or two. You get to keep the car you love.
I would definitely be thinking of this too.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

220 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Phunk said:
Rawwr said:
I did wonder. Isn't a 330 capable of a 30mpg average?
Not with a Auto box round town.

Oh and no Citroen's please, I'm 23, don't want to look like I'm driving my dads car.
Do you still want it to be auto?

Matt80M

1,140 posts

202 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
I did wonder. Isn't a 330 capable of a 30mpg average?
Not even close. My E90 330i auto does 20MPG, and almost all of my driving is around South London.

ad551

1,502 posts

243 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Volvo C30? Sadly you can't get the D5 on your budget, but you should be able to get a 2.0 diesel one, might be a bit leggy though...

thinfourth2

32,414 posts

234 months

Thursday 19th May 2011
quotequote all
Landrover lightwieght

Meets none of your requirements but they are great in traffic