What Car? 2nd hand for the girlfriend - fun ~ £6-8k?

[TiminYorkshire]

Ok the girlfriend has a 10 plate 1.2 Corsa. It has done almost 100k, is dog slow and has had two clutches. It may last a year, it may last another two, it may die at any moment

I've a van, we've the Disco 2 for weekends/dog transport so again we'd be looking at something smallish and/or fun, 2nd hand and no more than 50/50k already on the clock. Note she doesn't like driving my MX5 as it is "too low" (it is to be fair) and everyone wants to "race her" so I think an MX5 is out. She also doesn't like minis. I'd like to drive whatever she gets time to time and find it fun.

She drives a round trip of 64 miles a day on mainly free flowing A roads (but not empty enough to be "flat out"), so 320 miles a week, about 15-17k pa with the odd weekend trip .

Thoughts so far:

Small/nippy and fun

e.g Swift Sport (post 2012) - reliable, fun, good value, although real world fuel consumption may not be amazing.

Small/nippy/fun/rag top

e.g Abarth with the fold back roof, I'm not sure what reliability and fuel consumption is like on these, and likely to cost more than a Swift.

Other soft top


Merc SLK - diesel would be wanted with annual mileage so again pricier than the Swift and probablyout of budget but probably ideal for the A roads/cruising required.

Any other good ideas for the categories above?

[mattwade24]

Clio 197/200?

Fairly small, handle well and are great fun when pushing on, but will also be fine for the required commute!

[kieranblenk]

Diesel Audi TT or A3 Convertible?

[Torquey]

Is it safe to say this is diesel territory?

I cant find any for sale but I often drive a 2012 Mazda3 sport Nav, 2.2 diesel - 182bhp / 295lb torque. Its a bit bumpy but very nippy and economical.

Sorry - I've just reread that a noticed its not that exciting. But with that mileage I'd be wanting some more comfort and economy over a Swift sport.

[TiminYorkshire]

A Clio may be a bit hardcore for the girlfriend.

I'm not sure she's a TT fan, but could check, and my Dad's girlfriend has a diesel A3 convertible.

I agree at these mileages a diesel may be sensible, and she may like some comfort, although in that respect she has no complaints about the Corsa, so a Swift or other warm hatch could be fine for her.

[ZX10R NIN]

These are a fun little car good on fuel (same engine as the Abarth but with more bhp) & they come loaded with kit.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not an SLK but if you want a Mercedes here are a couple of alternatives:

CLC220cdi Sport these come well spec'd & are a good car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK220cdi (these come with the orthopedic seats etc) Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

320cdi Sport (this is the one to go for)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[nobrakes]

CLKs are surely worth a look. Here are another couple
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They tend to have been 2nd cars. Mrs Nobrakes has a C180 auto. You will get a solid 40mpg on the motorway at about 70, so the difference won’t be all that much.

It’s a robust and well known engine.
The diesel will be cheaper in fuel, but I’ll bet the petrol is cheaper to service.

Any older convertible is gonna wear. The solid CLK has pillarless doors, which are cool.

[ZX10R NIN]

There's really no difference service wise between the 1.8 petrol & 2.1 diesel the 3.0 diesel is a little more but worth it for the sweeter engine.

[nobrakes]

ZX10R NIN said:

There's really no difference service wise between the 1.8 petrol & 2.1 diesel the 3.0 diesel is a little more but worth it for the sweeter engine.

I’ve an E 320cdi.

A CLK must shift some with that engine.

OP, whatever you buy, think about an RAC or AA inspection too. If it’s at a garage, you should be able to get some if that cash back in minor fixes or use it to help chip a few £ off the screen. Plus it will give you peace of mind (and maybe some plus points for being thorough and concerned for her...).

[TiminYorkshire]

Thanks for the suggestions above, most useful.

[steve-5snwi]

I’d be thinking more along the lines of a Fiesta Zetec S, comfy, quick enough and slightly more refined than a swift.

Or a smart brabus convertible... 207cc...c30 T5

[ZX10R NIN]

nobrakes said:

ZX10R NIN said:

There's really no difference service wise between the 1.8 petrol & 2.1 diesel the 3.0 diesel is a little more but worth it for the sweeter engine.

I’ve an E 320cdi.

A CLK must shift some with that engine.

OP, whatever you buy, think about an RAC or AA inspection too. If it’s at a garage, you should be able to get some if that cash back in minor fixes or use it to help chip a few £ off the screen. Plus it will give you peace of mind (and maybe some plus points for being thorough and concerned for her...).

Yes it does get a move on easily into the 40's on a run & smoother than the 1.8 Petrol/2.1 Diesel, if you go for the 2.1 diesel it has the extra grunt over the 1.8 & they sound as gruff as each other.

[alorotom]

Fiat 500c ... great hoot to drive and with the folding back roof for when she doesn’t care about her hairdo

Decent turn of economy too!

[MrGTI6]

DS3 HDI 115/120 with the six-speed 'box. Preferably a DSport Plus! Good spec, great looks and available as a Cabrio too with the 500C-style sliding canvas roof.

Not to mention there's no road tax, and it should be very economical.

Just a random example; there's loads about.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...