£5000-7000. Fun and reliable.

[Detinker]

I'm a long time lurker whose aspired to have a PH worthy car but have never had available funds or made other life choices (mortgage!). But this week my shopping trolley has broken down and is uneconomical to repair. I now find myself with the opportunity to finally get something that will put a smile on my face.
My top limit is £7000 and if i can spend less that would be preferable! I'm looking for a coupe, convertible or hatchback as I don't have a family yet!
The car would need to have the following attributes in order of importance:

Fun
Reliable
35 MPG+
Petrol

Im currently looking at 2.0 MX5's, Renault Clio Sports and Suzuki Swift Sports. Is there anything I'm missing and what are people's opinions?

Thanks in advance

Edited by Detinker on Sunday 28th January 17:51

[GrumpyTwig]

I'd be surprised if you got 35mpg+ out of any 2.0L NA engine, I can confirm the mk3 Clio won't and the mk2's might just get there, maybe...

[Detinker]

Forgot to add the 'in order of importance' to the list. If I can get 35mpg+ then great but will accept less for fun.

[Berkshire bred]

Apreciate it doesn't fit all of you criteria but I have just bought an R26 megane and they are around your budget. You will get 35 mpg if your being sensible but maybe not so much if your having fun.

[SidewaysSi]

Get a £3k ish BMW with a straight 6 and spent the same on modifications.

[mike9009]

GrumpyTwig said:

I'd be surprised if you got 35mpg+ out of any 2.0L NA engine, I can confirm the mk3 Clio won't and the mk2's might just get there, maybe...

My 3.0L petrol will get about 40mpg on a run. Commuting, I am getting 34mpg at the moment. So it is possible.....

Plus you can pick one up for £7k.


Mike

[anonymous-user]

Boxster. 100%

[billzeebub]

Boxster 986 2.7

[Detinker]

How are Boxsters in terms of reliability? I'd fear huge bills if things went bang.

[johnwilliams77]

billzeebub said:

Boxster 986 2.7

35mpg?!

[Ron99]

Detinker said:

Forgot to add the 'in order of importance' to the list. If I can get 35mpg+ then great but will accept less for fun.

Beware variations in trip computer accuracy.
Most cars seem to be 5-10% optimistic but I discovered (using brim-to-brim) that the trip computer on my SSS is spot-on which makes its mpg seem worse when compared to other cars that lie.
My SSS will give 35-40mpg around town and the same on long motorway journeys. It'll give 45-50mpg on longer runs that don't involve much town or motorway/dual carriageway driving.

[dieseluser07]

Swift sport hands down

Very fun car, yes theres a lack of torque but revving it out is so much fun and i think i prefer it to my current fiesta st which has 90bhp and a st load more torque.

The fiesta is very capable and a lot quicker but i miss the rawness of the swift sport.

[lewisf182]

Think the 1 series coupe in 125i form genuinely fits your requirements bang on... Reliable as hell, good MPG and good performance, remap unlocks another 40ish BHP too as it's a detuned 130i engine.

[egor110]

for that budget you'd get a clio trophy or mini jcw

[ZX10R NIN]

Peugeot 208 GTI

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

Honda S2000

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

Megane R26

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

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

Clio RS/Gordini

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

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

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

If you'd like a nice coupe then I'd say look in the CLK's direction.

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

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

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

[Strudul]

350Z

Will do 40+ mpg on a motorway.

[carparkno1]

MK5 Gti.... which by some sheer fluke is what I am putting up for sale right now

[Jonstar]

Good dilemma. Z4 or mx5 if you want a proper sports car.

[TiminYorkshire]

Strudul said:

350Z

Will do 40+ mpg on a motorway.

This sounds very good, is this from personal experience?

[Strudul]

TiminYorkshire said:

Strudul said:

350Z

Will do 40+ mpg on a motorway.

This sounds very good, is this from personal experience?

Yeh, but it is driver dependant.

I average 30 mpg on my commute, but I'm mostly stuck at a constant 30-50mph (mix of A roads and some city traffic).
Clear motorway journeys see 40+ mpg, but that depends entirely on your cruising speed.
22 mpg is what I seem to get on closed roads in Mexico.