Which quick and fairly practical car for around £6k?
Discussion
Firstly, a little about me. I'm 23 years old and currently have an R53 Cooper S which has been a very fun car, however I do occasionally have people in the back and I will soon have to do more motorway travel which it isn't suitable for. I also find the ride too harsh due to the run flat tyres and hard suspension set up - the roads around here are pretty awful.
For those reasons I'd like to replace it with something just as fast or preferably quicker, with a more comfortable ride and able to carry at least 4 people with relative comfort. Insurance isn't too much of an issue, most hot hatches/saloons I've got quotes on are around £650 which is acceptable. I currently only get about 25mpg and would be able to accept around that if it ticks the right boxes in other areas. I'd like to keep tax below £300 though, for resale values if anything.
Cars I am considering:
Mazda 3 MPS - Tax puts me off and I'm not a big fan of the styling. I have test driven a couple though and do like them.
Mazda 6 MPS - One of my favourites, can't really fault them except that finding a decent example in the lower tax bracket is a mission to say the least.
Golf GTI Mk5 - I like these a lot but it's difficult to find one with less than 60k which is within budget. I'd also love a DSG but again my budget can't stretch for a decent example.
Seat Leon FR (2.0TFSI) DSG - Can afford a fairly nice example with DSG. However, apparently the ride on these is harsh and I'm not a fan of the interior.
Ford Focus ST - Definitely one of my favourites, will be able to get a fairly nice ST2 within budget. Very thirsty but I absolutely love that engine. Any idea what the average mpg will be like?
Ford Mondeo ST220 - I test drove one a couple of weeks ago and it felt a bit too much of a barge for my liking. Admittedly it wasn't a good example which may have been the reason, but it just felt a little detached; hard to explain.
Ford Mondeo Mk4 2.5T Titanium X - Seriously considering one but they are pretty damn big and I'm not sure that it would suit me. How would it compare performance wise with the Cooper S in terms of power and speed? Tons of kit as well. If I could get a Titanium X Sport within budget I'd probably get one. I just think the Titanium X looks a bit too boring without the Sport pack.
Any other cars I should consider?
Thanks.
For those reasons I'd like to replace it with something just as fast or preferably quicker, with a more comfortable ride and able to carry at least 4 people with relative comfort. Insurance isn't too much of an issue, most hot hatches/saloons I've got quotes on are around £650 which is acceptable. I currently only get about 25mpg and would be able to accept around that if it ticks the right boxes in other areas. I'd like to keep tax below £300 though, for resale values if anything.
Cars I am considering:
Mazda 3 MPS - Tax puts me off and I'm not a big fan of the styling. I have test driven a couple though and do like them.
Mazda 6 MPS - One of my favourites, can't really fault them except that finding a decent example in the lower tax bracket is a mission to say the least.
Golf GTI Mk5 - I like these a lot but it's difficult to find one with less than 60k which is within budget. I'd also love a DSG but again my budget can't stretch for a decent example.
Seat Leon FR (2.0TFSI) DSG - Can afford a fairly nice example with DSG. However, apparently the ride on these is harsh and I'm not a fan of the interior.
Ford Focus ST - Definitely one of my favourites, will be able to get a fairly nice ST2 within budget. Very thirsty but I absolutely love that engine. Any idea what the average mpg will be like?
Ford Mondeo ST220 - I test drove one a couple of weeks ago and it felt a bit too much of a barge for my liking. Admittedly it wasn't a good example which may have been the reason, but it just felt a little detached; hard to explain.
Ford Mondeo Mk4 2.5T Titanium X - Seriously considering one but they are pretty damn big and I'm not sure that it would suit me. How would it compare performance wise with the Cooper S in terms of power and speed? Tons of kit as well. If I could get a Titanium X Sport within budget I'd probably get one. I just think the Titanium X looks a bit too boring without the Sport pack.
Any other cars I should consider?
Thanks.
Edited by GSDog on Thursday 29th November 00:20
Hi,
I think the Focus would be a wise move for your situation. An average of 25mpg is realistic for the ST, and it offers more room, and a more pleasant day to day drive in my opinion. The Focus ST really is an all round great car - and you could always add a simple remap and filter for some impressive performance gains.
Indeed, the Golf is also a good option, but you would need to find a decent example with reasonable mileage within budget to avoid costy issues related to mileage in my opinion. Its that situation I have sometimes been in - stretch or increase the budget for the slightly 'better' car with the hope of avodiing issues, or go for the best option within your current budget.
The mondeos suggested are also good cars, but perhaps stick to the focus or golf considering you are only 23
I have owned a R53 Cooper S JCW and a Focus ST.
Good luck with your decision
Matt
I think the Focus would be a wise move for your situation. An average of 25mpg is realistic for the ST, and it offers more room, and a more pleasant day to day drive in my opinion. The Focus ST really is an all round great car - and you could always add a simple remap and filter for some impressive performance gains.
Indeed, the Golf is also a good option, but you would need to find a decent example with reasonable mileage within budget to avoid costy issues related to mileage in my opinion. Its that situation I have sometimes been in - stretch or increase the budget for the slightly 'better' car with the hope of avodiing issues, or go for the best option within your current budget.
The mondeos suggested are also good cars, but perhaps stick to the focus or golf considering you are only 23
I have owned a R53 Cooper S JCW and a Focus ST.
Good luck with your decision
Matt
KevinOctiScout said:
Octavia vRS would suit I think
+1 I was looking for the same thing earlier this year. Couldn't find anything that matched the "bang for buck" of the Octy VRS. I was looking for a diesel though due to mileage and had slightly higher budget. There are plenty of respectable ones in your budget, both petrol and diesel.Thanks for the feedback.
I forgot about the Octy vRS, I do like them a lot actually.
Does anyone have any experience of the Leon FR TFSI DSG? They seem great value for money but I don't know if I could live with that interior, not keen on the rear of the car either.
My favourite so far is probably the Focus ST but I will be sure to test drive the others if possible first before I make a decision.
I forgot about the Octy vRS, I do like them a lot actually.
Does anyone have any experience of the Leon FR TFSI DSG? They seem great value for money but I don't know if I could live with that interior, not keen on the rear of the car either.
My favourite so far is probably the Focus ST but I will be sure to test drive the others if possible first before I make a decision.
yonex said:
8potdave said:
Id be looking at a BMW 330 for that sort of money; powerful, refined, fun, RWD and you will see anywhere between 25 and 35mpg depending how and where you drive it.
35mpg from a 330, are you sure?It has to be the golf.
We've had a 55 plate one for 4 yeasts now. Ex company car, at the firm where I worked and knew the owner. We have kept the full dealer servicing. It has now done over 150000 and has never gone wrong. It does 30mpg knocking round and high 30's on a run.
Handles well, sounds nice good seats entry of room. It has been the best car we've owned. Cost us about £4k depreciation since we've owned it.
Definitely recommend one
We've had a 55 plate one for 4 yeasts now. Ex company car, at the firm where I worked and knew the owner. We have kept the full dealer servicing. It has now done over 150000 and has never gone wrong. It does 30mpg knocking round and high 30's on a run.
Handles well, sounds nice good seats entry of room. It has been the best car we've owned. Cost us about £4k depreciation since we've owned it.
Definitely recommend one
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