£3k / Reliable / Mildly Interesting / 40mpg+ possible
Discussion
Too many what car threads, I hate them, I hate myself for writing one so I will speak like a caveman to shorten it.
Want new car. Hate Clio. Up to £3k. Must be reliable - no can fix. Not boring - Clio boring - me no look like petrol head no more. Good MPG - me peasant mature student. Not expensive insurance - been alive just 24 years.
MX5 - maybe - insurance can be high, MPG can be low.
Make Rob happy with ideas. Internet beer on offer.
Want new car. Hate Clio. Up to £3k. Must be reliable - no can fix. Not boring - Clio boring - me no look like petrol head no more. Good MPG - me peasant mature student. Not expensive insurance - been alive just 24 years.
MX5 - maybe - insurance can be high, MPG can be low.
Make Rob happy with ideas. Internet beer on offer.
Too right you should hate yourself for starting a thread with a question that appears nearly every other day and the answers are always the same, some say a Fabia VRS as it does way over 40mpg and is a good drive, others will tell you a Clio 182 is far more entertaining and can be pushed to 40mpg if you drive like a saint but the rest of the time will be in the mid 30s.
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
aka_kerrly said:
Too right you should hate yourself for starting a thread with a question that appears nearly every other day and the answers are always the same, some say a Fabia VRS as it does way over 40mpg and is a good drive, others will tell you a Clio 182 is far more entertaining and can be pushed to 40mpg if you drive like a saint but the rest of the time will be in the mid 30s.
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Dont forget the Fiat coupe 20vt suggestions and subsequent rebukes about rust and general fiatnessSomeone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Which reminds me, Fiat Coupe? relatively practical (seen numerous people brag about getting a bike in the back of one), should be interesting and the atmospheric 1.8 or 2.0s should get relatively decent mileage when you dont cane it.
aka_kerrly said:
Too right you should hate yourself for starting a thread with a question that appears nearly every other day and the answers are always the same, some say a Fabia VRS as it does way over 40mpg and is a good drive, others will tell you a Clio 182 is far more entertaining and can be pushed to 40mpg if you drive like a saint but the rest of the time will be in the mid 30s.
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Spot onI'll be awkward then and suggest a Smart Roadster. Easy 40+ mpg, lots of fun, suprisingly practical. Although sometimes a struggle on the reliability question.
Suzuki Ignis Sport can be had for that money with some dosh to spare. I get 40MPG with a spirited drive to work (mainly back roads).
If you can ignore the MPG criteria you can also pick up quite tidy Lexus IS200's for that price. I've been quite tempted by one lately myself. Different from all the BMW's and Audi's I see out in the car park with a lovely straight six engine.
If you can ignore the MPG criteria you can also pick up quite tidy Lexus IS200's for that price. I've been quite tempted by one lately myself. Different from all the BMW's and Audi's I see out in the car park with a lovely straight six engine.
Thanks guys - again I apologise for the boring thread. I was hoping for something I hadn't thought of. I could lower the MPG to 30-40 possibly.
Reliability is essential. I've been browsing for quite a while. BMWs always concern me with repair costs should anything go wrong. Are parts not rather pricey?
On the reliability note, are there any veteran MX5 owners (there better be - this is PH after all) that can give me an idea of how often things go wrong and areas to be careful of?
Reliability is essential. I've been browsing for quite a while. BMWs always concern me with repair costs should anything go wrong. Are parts not rather pricey?
On the reliability note, are there any veteran MX5 owners (there better be - this is PH after all) that can give me an idea of how often things go wrong and areas to be careful of?
aka_kerrly said:
Too right you should hate yourself for starting a thread with a question that appears nearly every other day and the answers are always the same, some say a Fabia VRS as it does way over 40mpg and is a good drive, others will tell you a Clio 182 is far more entertaining and can be pushed to 40mpg if you drive like a saint but the rest of the time will be in the mid 30s.
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Ha, hahaha, haaaaaa. Absolutely awesome post. Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
Can we all just copy this reply and the next person to start a which car thread gets only this reply repeated by 100 different people. Pages and pages of this reply. In fact. Can we just have a sticky with this. Or a whole web page with a link we can send people to.
Hats off to you Kerrly. The definitive answer to so many threads.
RobbieKB said:
Too many what car threads, I hate them, I hate myself for writing one so I will speak like a caveman to shorten it.
Want new car. Hate Clio. Up to £3k. Must be reliable - no can fix. Not boring - Clio boring - me no look like petrol head no more. Good MPG - me peasant mature student. Not expensive insurance - been alive just 24 years.
MX5 - maybe - insurance can be high, MPG can be low.
Make Rob happy with ideas. Internet beer on offer.
40mpg? Forget it. Want new car. Hate Clio. Up to £3k. Must be reliable - no can fix. Not boring - Clio boring - me no look like petrol head no more. Good MPG - me peasant mature student. Not expensive insurance - been alive just 24 years.
MX5 - maybe - insurance can be high, MPG can be low.
Make Rob happy with ideas. Internet beer on offer.
Otherwise seriously, MX5. Mk2 + UK = el cheapo insurance.
Or how about a Z3?
Or an MR2?
Or a Celica?
Or if you REALLY have stones, the next 3 SOTWs. I dare ya
The Crack Fox said:
I own both a BMW and an MX-5. The BMW, with the help of a good Indy, has been very reliable and not too expensive to run, tyres aside. My old MX-5 has been ragged mercilessly and cost nearly nothing to run. Look for rust and make sure the hood isn't ripped, you will never regret it. Insurance sub £100 from Adrian Flux. No part costs more than 50p, and you won't need any anyway. Honestly, get one, you will not regret it 
I've nearly bought an MX5 3 times. I was on the verge of picking up a Jasper Conran edition primarily because it looks like a mini Jag but insurance was unjustifiable, then one as a filler car and then one instead of this God-awful Clio. It might well be time.BS75 said:
40mpg? Forget it.
Otherwise seriously, MX5. Mk2 + UK = el cheapo insurance.
Or how about a Z3?
Or an MR2?
Or a Celica?
Or if you REALLY have stones, the next 3 SOTWs. I dare ya
All roads lead to Rome. SOTW is like porn to me. Every time they have a Jag/Merc/BMW or bargey/rare I'm dribbling over it.Otherwise seriously, MX5. Mk2 + UK = el cheapo insurance.
Or how about a Z3?
Or an MR2?
Or a Celica?
Or if you REALLY have stones, the next 3 SOTWs. I dare ya
otolith said:
<8 0-62 would almost always cause my insurance to be higher than I want at the moment and is not only not a requirement but of little interest to me and my budget is another 50% on top of that.otolith said:
I would have thought an MGF or an MR2 would be easily insurable.
You read the bit where I said reliability is essential right?! MR2 isn't a bad option and is something I've considered a few times. I need to research them more but I tend to think if that's the direction I'm going, perhaps ride the hype towards the MX5 instead.aka_kerrly said:
Too right you should hate yourself for starting a thread with a question that appears nearly every other day and the answers are always the same, some say a Fabia VRS as it does way over 40mpg and is a good drive, others will tell you a Clio 182 is far more entertaining and can be pushed to 40mpg if you drive like a saint but the rest of the time will be in the mid 30s.
Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
I can vouch for the 182, they are light and have a pretty big engine, they will do 40mpg if you wack cruise control on at 70mph.Someone will suggest a 20vt VW/Seat/Audi then get shot to bits for suggesting something "boring" so then someone will come along and suggest that a mx5 offers the best experience ever because it is rear wheel drive but that sacrifices too much practicality so in the end you will look at hot hatches again only to be told they are too childish and compromised.
You will end up buying a TDI of some sort hating it, buying a mx5 being raped on insurance and settle for a clio
It probably the only genuinely quick (petrol) car ive had which is pretty decent on fuel. My current 330ci and old TT are all similar speed wise, but the clio trumps them on economy
Shush, you'll have MGJohn turning up to lecture you of the reliability of old Rovers.
On the MX-5 - ours used to average about 25mpg day to day. There are people on that thread averaging 40-ish day to day with MR2s or MGFs, so if fuel consumption is a big issue it might sway you the other way.
On the MX-5 - ours used to average about 25mpg day to day. There are people on that thread averaging 40-ish day to day with MR2s or MGFs, so if fuel consumption is a big issue it might sway you the other way.
otolith said:
Shush, you'll have MGJohn turning up to lecture you of the reliability of old Rovers.
On the MX-5 - ours used to average about 25mpg day to day. There are people on that thread averaging 40-ish day to day with MR2s or MGFs, so if fuel consumption is a big issue it might sway you the other way.
On the MX-5 - ours used to average about 25mpg day to day. There are people on that thread averaging 40-ish day to day with MR2s or MGFs, so if fuel consumption is a big issue it might sway you the other way.
I've witnessed first hand the demise of an MGF bought with 23,000 on the clock after just a year of careful use, albeit at the hands of my mother. Hence my caution.Nothing is written in stone, but yes the MX5 MPG is its enemy in this war of no importance to it. Its just lucky the "fun" it is claimed to be is the devil in my ear.
I presume the MR2 you are talking about is the newer, littler model. I don't know a great deal about them. I was under the illusion that to get a decent example of the newer model at my budget would be difficult. Thanks again for the help.
As for the Clio, I've heard only good things about them and should have got one instead of my ST probably. However, insurance on them isn't that kind to a 24 year old compared to the other suggestions.
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