£5000 daily - fun/motorway commute/small driveway
Discussion
Hi all
So the time has come to upgrade me car. I work night shifts (hence the timing of post) and have a 44mile round trip on the motorway (rarely traffic) three or four times a week. I have family three hours away and regularly visit and cover around 18-20thousand miles a year so needs to be reliable.
I have around 5k max to spend. Took me a while to save so wanting something that will last a good while.
I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for really. Currently drive a Jimny which is a great fun car, think i achieve about 35mpg at present and fill up about once a week roughly 40quid. It's clearly not built for motorways but I have really enjoyed it. Looking for something a little cooler, maybe push the boat out and say sporty.
Where I live is tragic for parking and the new car must fit on my small drive which limits various saloons etc so kinda looking at hatches really.
Comfort isn't high on the agenda as anything is probs better than a Jimny.
Fuel consumption is important , I'm used to my 40quid a week so don't want to go wild but I understand I will probs fill up less often but more expensive. Reliability is key. Also want something that's quite fun to drive. I'm 25 so insurance is a factor. No kids so thinking three door.
So With all that in mind (sorry) and the 5k budget what would you suggest?
Cheers
So the time has come to upgrade me car. I work night shifts (hence the timing of post) and have a 44mile round trip on the motorway (rarely traffic) three or four times a week. I have family three hours away and regularly visit and cover around 18-20thousand miles a year so needs to be reliable.
I have around 5k max to spend. Took me a while to save so wanting something that will last a good while.
I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for really. Currently drive a Jimny which is a great fun car, think i achieve about 35mpg at present and fill up about once a week roughly 40quid. It's clearly not built for motorways but I have really enjoyed it. Looking for something a little cooler, maybe push the boat out and say sporty.
Where I live is tragic for parking and the new car must fit on my small drive which limits various saloons etc so kinda looking at hatches really.
Comfort isn't high on the agenda as anything is probs better than a Jimny.
Fuel consumption is important , I'm used to my 40quid a week so don't want to go wild but I understand I will probs fill up less often but more expensive. Reliability is key. Also want something that's quite fun to drive. I'm 25 so insurance is a factor. No kids so thinking three door.
So With all that in mind (sorry) and the 5k budget what would you suggest?
Cheers
Edited by OriginalJunglist on Saturday 17th June 03:32
Mazda 3 MPS
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
BMW Z4
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
350Z
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Alfa GT?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
To be honest, I would take Alfa, but then again, I am biased
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
BMW Z4
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
350Z
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Alfa GT?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
To be honest, I would take Alfa, but then again, I am biased

I'd say go for a small hatch:
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf 52k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Clio RS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Corsa VXR 58k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Abarth Grande Punto 58k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf 52k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Clio RS
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Corsa VXR 58k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Abarth Grande Punto 58k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
PlayFair said:
Why not go for 2 cars?
I run a Saab 9-3 1.9 tid for motorway drives
and just picked up a MK1 Mx5 which will be turbo charged for trackdays / sunny blasts.
Even with 1 car, MX5 fits the bill doesn't it? OP never said he needed back seats. Reliable, will get a solid 35mpg, insurance is reasonable & oodles within a £5k budget. I daily drive my mk2, its comfy enough, in fact from a ride quality point of view I would say it is comfier than most of the hot hatches I have owned on its OEM Bilsteins, however the interior is a bit loud due to floptop. I run a Saab 9-3 1.9 tid for motorway drives
and just picked up a MK1 Mx5 which will be turbo charged for trackdays / sunny blasts.
Coincidentally I also have a Jimny for hauling s


Naturally my recommendation is keep the Jimny and get a mk1/2/2.5 MX5, since that is exactly what I have done.
6k would get you a 500 Abarth , if you hunted around you might find one for 5k in a private sale
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
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