What Car? Thread

[Language]

I'll be aiming to change cars soon and normally spend a lot of time looking, but I'm a bit short of ideas. My main hope for the next car is not to be too worried about where I park it, without it being too dull.

Requirements are:
Not perfect exterior condition or any sort of rare special edition etc. - so a few more scuffs or scratches (not inflicted by me) or people opening their doors into it etc. won't affect the value. Presume this will mean not that new?
Reliable. Need to commute 25 miles each way for work 5 days a week so it needs to get there. Not very tolerant to spending a lot on repairs either.
Fuel economy of 30mpg or above would be good - due to the 250miles per week for work, often 100miles more at weekends.
Would prefer if it was quick-ish. 0-60 under 8 secs? Currently I'm used to driving a car with 240bhp so will miss that.
Budget: Wouldn't want to spend more than 5k (or less is better), but more worried about losing money on depreciation or from getting a few scratches, than the total outlay.

Haven't seen much out there in the classifieds - am I asking too much? It would help to know what's causing that.

Thanks

[iwantagta]

Not a laugh a minute but in your position I would be looking at:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

Octavia Vrs.

For better fuel go Diesel VRS.

[jezhumphrey75]

Honda civic type r ep3
Honda accord type r
Renault clio 172/182/197?
ford focus st170
ford mondeo st220, though might not get 30mpg

[jezhumphrey75]

saab 93 aero
bmw 325
bmw 330

[va1o]

you could just about squeeze into an early golf mk5 gti with a few miles on the clock. fast (7sec 0-60) and will easily do 30mpg upwards. excellent all rounders

[carmadnick]

MK2 golf gti 8V? Does around 35 mpg but like all things depends how you drive it,great to drive, pretty nippy and the engines will go over 200,000 miles if looked after correctly. You could get a good one for £3k so it gives you a slush fund if needed and will only go up in value over time

I occasionally have to do 50 mile daily commute in my 16v and its faultless, i almost get 30 mpg. I've done some long weekend journeys in it and its a good milemuncher.

[Language]

Octavia vRS mk2 and Golf GTI mk5, think I'd still end up concerned about looking after condition. What about Octavia vRS mk1 or GTI mk4?

Accord type r sounds good but they are pretty hard to find?

Golf mk2 might go up in value but are you sure it wouldn't be more of a second car you would want to look after, rather than a daily driver?

Thanks for suggestions.

[jezhumphrey75]

accord type r on ebay

[nickofh]

Hawkeye 2.0r Impreza ticks most of your boxes. Reliable , Quick-ish at 8.5 secs rain or shine , fun to drive & will come in well under budget.

Even one or two 2.0r hatches at the top end of your price points, Dual range box might get that 0-60 down too :-P .

Good Luck

[BorkFactor]

The best 6 pot petrol E46 you can find.

They easily do 30+ mpg if you drive them sensibly, and drive great. Very reliable too if you prepare for various front suspension bits and cooling system parts.

[Language]

BorkFactor said:

The best 6 pot petrol E46 you can find.

They easily do 30+ mpg if you drive them sensibly, and drive great. Very reliable too if you prepare for various front suspension bits and cooling system parts.

Would you say this extends to 6 cylinder e39s or only e46s?