Advice on 5 dr hatchback pls - is fun & practical possible?

[girly question]

Hello,
First time poster and not really a petrol-head so please be kind to me!

I am currently running an 04 Celica T-sport which I love but have just had to replace clutch and brakes and at 140k miles now considering replacing it before something else goes wrong!

We are hoping to need a more practical 5 door car in the next year or so and I currently commute 30 miles each way to work (mainly motorway) plus regular trips to see the in-laws in Scotland so it needs to have reasonable MPG, low maintenance and definitely needs to be comfortable (Celica is the most comfortable car I have ever had). Reliable is also important!

But I still want it to be fun to drive and be able to beat people away from the lights!

So what would you recommend? Have been reading up on the BMW 123d which seems to have a lot of fans on here, but is difficult to find 2nd hand and probably top end of our budget. A golf seems an obvious choice - but would you go petrol or diesel? Ford focus?

Budget ideally up to £12k but could maybe stretch to £15k for something newer!

Any advice would be very very much appreciated before my head explodes with options or i get fired from working for spending all my time browsing car reviews!

Thank you :-)

[Codswallop]

Given you like your Celica and that you have just replaced one of the more expensive consumables (the clutch), perhaps it would make more sense to keep the car for another year until you do need the space. That way you get some extra value from the Celica, and assuming the rest of the car is sound I can't imagine it costing you much more over that year.

If you do want to sell now, the BMW 123d is a good car, but not exactly roomy. Have you considered a hot hatchback?

Something like a Golf GTi will be comfy and fun, and not bad on fuel. Skoda Octavia VRs is also worth a look, and if you need extra economy, they do a diesel version too.

[S3_Graham]

BMW 130?? well in budget for an earlier one?

[Crusoe]

pick up a 120d tomorrow for the wife, 40k miles with plenty of kit for £9995 at a bmw dealer

[girly question]

Thanks - I am the wife

What sort of age and mileage would I be looking at for the 120D for £10k?

[Crusoe]

3 years old and just over 40k miles 120d ES with front and rear parking sensors, hlaf leather, cruise, bluetooth and a few other bits, £9995 with bwm approved used. Add a little bit more for a five door and should be easily within budget, could also get a 3 series tourer for similar money.

[GreatGranny]

I would say the 123d is no more practical than the Celica.

As above keep the Celical until next year if possible but if you feel its on its last legs and you want to change then maybe go for a 330d Touring.

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Is 231 bhp, 369 torques & 50-70 in 3.2 secs quick enough?

[girly question]

The 330d is quick enough to put a smile on my face, but inital thoughts are it seems a bit big (had more of a hatchback in mind) - will certainly give it some consideration!

It was the 5 door 123D I was thinking of, was it the coupe you were saying was no more practical than the celica?

[girly question]

Any more thoughts and advice in the hatchback arena please?

[paulmoonraker]

A Focus ST of course

-P

[mattnunn]

Hot hatch, I'd go for a Golf GTI, or if you're bothered about fuel prices, Golf Diesel GTI. Unless you're planning on a tribe of kids it's all the car you'll ever need.

[vdubbin]

Another Octavia VRS vote here. There's a reason they're the default answer to the "fun&practical" question. While others may be more fun or more practical, the VRS offers the best of both worlds in one.

[girly question]

Unfortunately looking for something with slightly higher mpg! (than the focus ST)

Edited by girly question on Wednesday 12th October 14:24

[V88Dicky]

When you say reliable, do you mean Toyota level of reliability, or more 'normal' level. Only it's going to be quite difficult to match the Celica for reliability.

Have you thought about a Honda?

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[girly question]

Normal reliablity really! I am not a DIY maintenance girl so ideally not much input required between scheduled services :-)

I didn't think honda did 5 door versions of their sportier models - but will check it out.

[mattnunn]

I had a civic, it was awfull

[V88Dicky]

Care to expand?

[mattnunn]

It was the 2.2 cdti sport, it spent 6 weeks at the dealer due to various engine sensors failing after less than 30,000 miles, was recovered to the dealer by the aa 3 times (to be fair they were excellant)

the impressive at first interior showed it's age very quickly, the lumpy engine shook bits of interior and exterior trim off. The windscreen seal leaked and was replaced twice under warranty. It had a very good boot but headroom and space in the back is limited and the small rear door was hopeless when using babies car seat

the engine was noisy, and at 140bhp too powerful for the front wheels, traction control kicked in in 3rd on straight line in the dry. The suspension was way too hard, and the run flat tyres didn't help, literally bone shaking.

I went from this to a vw bora highline and kicked myself for buying the honda. Perhaps we made the mistake of buying the new model too soon and i hope honda have rectified some of these issues but i wouldn't risk another one

It depreciated like hell and lost 7k in 18 months

[mattnunn]

It was the 2.2 cdti sport, it spent 6 weeks at the dealer due to various engine sensors failing after less than 30,000 miles, was recovered to the dealer by the aa 3 times (to be fair they were excellant)

the impressive at first interior showed it's age very quickly, the lumpy engine shook bits of interior and exterior trim off. The windscreen seal leaked and was replaced twice under warranty. It had a very good boot but headroom and space in the back is limited and the small rear door was hopeless when using babies car seat

the engine was noisy, and at 140bhp too powerful for the front wheels, traction control kicked in in 3rd on straight line in the dry. The suspension was way too hard, and the run flat tyres didn't help, literally bone shaking.

I went from this to a vw bora highline and kicked myself for buying the honda. Perhaps we made the mistake of buying the new model too soon and i hope honda have rectified some of these issues but i wouldn't risk another one

It depreciated like hell and lost 7k in 18 months

[scarebus]

S3_Graham said:

BMW 130?? well in budget for an earlier one?

+1

Mine gets well over 30 mpg on the motorway....

Great car, super engine