Something sporty and fun but economical for under £5000

[Gazmatron]

Hello

I am new to the Pistonheads forum, this is my first post! I have browsed the site a lot over the years and have always been impressed with the level of knowledge on here. So when the time came to 'ask the motoring internet' a question I thought this would be the best place.

At the moment I do not drive for work. My car is just for social driving and weekends away. I only drive about 3000 miles a year on average. I currently own a 2004 BMW 318Ci. Its a lovely car. It has just under a 100k on the clock but it has started to cost me a lot of money recently. Different age related issues have set me back around £2000 in garage fees since April. Brake pipes needed to be replaced, the oxygen sensor went, VVT motor needed replaced, ignition coil went. I am thinking it will likely only get worse with time so perhaps its time to trade it in for something a bit more basic and cheaper to maintain considering the amount I drive.

I am considering something like a 2008 Ford Fiesta ST 2L. There are some examples about from 2008 with around 50k on the clock for under £5k. Its a nice looking car. From what I have read its a nippy fun little drive with nice handling. The stats suggest they are not too bad on fuel. Friends have advised me that in general Ford parts and servicing are quite reasonably priced. Hopefully with the car being at around 50k it will not suffer from age related issues.

So what do you think of that car as an economical (ish) small run around?
Does anyone have any suggestions for another car I might look at in the same mould?

Cheers
Gaz

[Gazmatron]

Bump.........I would really appreciate some advice here folks.

Thanks!

[Salamura]

If you want something small and good for fuel, and not necessarily blisteringly fast, Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are a good shout. Both are a hoot to drive, and both should comfortably return over 40 mpg on a run. Easily within budget as well.

If you want something bigger and quicker, 5 grand gets you a pristine Clio 172 / 182, or even a 197 / 200. EP3 CTR in a fairly good nick should also be less than 5k. Mk5 Golf GTi and Megane 225 should also be within budget, but the fuel consumption there will be worse, still in the 30s on a run.

And if you don't want a hatchback, then there's always the MX5 and the MR2 for some top-down fun .

[Integroo]

Salamura said:

If you want something small and good for fuel, and not necessarily blisteringly fast, Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are a good shout. Both are a hoot to drive, and both should comfortably return over 40 mpg on a run. Easily within budget as well.

If you want something bigger and quicker, 5 grand gets you a pristine Clio 172 / 182, or even a 197 / 200. EP3 CTR in a fairly good nick should also be less than 5k. Mk5 Golf GTi and Megane 225 should also be within budget, but the fuel consumption there will be worse, still in the 30s on a run.

And if you don't want a hatchback, then there's always the MX5 and the MR2 for some top-down fun .

I would vote for an MX5 or MR2 if practicality is not an issue. The EP3 is thirsty, certainly not economical (also, EP3s seem to be holding strong money for a decent one).

[Bradley1500]

The MK6 Fiesta ST 150 is fairly terrible on fuel considering the mediocre performance it offers. On the plus side they tend to be very reliable - bar whining power steering pumps, due to the stupid location in the engine bay meaning they're cooked by the hot engine - so the reliability will offset the extra fuel costs.

Salamura said:

If you want something small and good for fuel, and not necessarily blisteringly fast, Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are a good shout. Both are a hoot to drive, and both should comfortably return over 40 mpg on a run. Easily within budget as well.

If you want something bigger and quicker, 5 grand gets you a pristine Clio 172 / 182, or even a 197 / 200. EP3 CTR in a fairly good nick should also be less than 5k. Mk5 Golf GTi and Megane 225 should also be within budget, but the fuel consumption there will be worse, still in the 30s on a run.

These are all great suggestions. The Clio 172/182 are exceptionally good on fuel considering their performance, but reliability can be a bit hit or miss depending on if you bag a good one or not. They're either faultless or full of endless niggly faults from my experience.

[IanCress]

R53 MINI Cooper S. £5k will get you a late Cooper S, and they're great fun if you value handling above all else.

[jassihayre]

A fast diesel such as RS Megane DCi 175 or Golf GT TD

[Gazmatron]

Thanks for all the tips lads. Did a bit of research on a number of the cars suggested. I really like the look of the Swift Sport and the economics of it. So im gonna go try one of them. Can pick up a nice model about 6/7 years old with less than 50k on the clock for less than 4 grand. Seems a good bet to start.

[keo]

jassihayre said:

A fast diesel such as RS Megane DCi 175 or Golf GT TD

Fun?

For 3000 miles a year you would pick a diesel.

Clio 182 but they are getting on a bit now. MX5/ MR2 suggestions or I think you might even get a Boxster for that money. Again old and if it goes wrong it is big money.

[jassihayre]

Title says fast but economical! have you tried either or a 335d?

[gweaver]

Integroo said:

Salamura said:

If you want something small and good for fuel, and not necessarily blisteringly fast, Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are a good shout. Both are a hoot to drive, and both should comfortably return over 40 mpg on a run. Easily within budget as well.

If you want something bigger and quicker, 5 grand gets you a pristine Clio 172 / 182, or even a 197 / 200. EP3 CTR in a fairly good nick should also be less than 5k. Mk5 Golf GTi and Megane 225 should also be within budget, but the fuel consumption there will be worse, still in the 30s on a run.

And if you don't want a hatchback, then there's always the MX5 and the MR2 for some top-down fun .

I would vote for an MX5 or MR2 if practicality is not an issue. The EP3 is thirsty, certainly not economical (also, EP3s seem to be holding strong money for a decent one).

These are good recommendations, but the Mk1 and Mk2 Swift Sport are quite different propositions. I'd say Swift Sport/Clio 182, with the Twingo as a possible. No other hot (ish) hatch else comes close at this age/budget.