Commute dropping massively, sending lease back! What cheapy?

[VRSphil]

So it looks like I could be changing jobs soon and my commute dropping from 35 miles each way to just 10. The job move also involves a bit of a pay cut so cutting down on the monthlies will be nice.

I want to spend ideally no more than £1500 on a car, 2k maximum.

Criteria in order of importance:

Reliability
Good all rounder
Fun
Nice to look at/Something not embarrassing to be seen in/looks more than it’s worth
Capable of being fun on short trips but also comfortable for the occasional long motorway journey to visit family
Fairly reasonable Running costs, as I mentioned I’m quite possibly taking a pay cut and can’t be spending £400 on a service or 150 a corner on tyres
Quick enough, 130bhp+ preferable

Current thoughts in order of preference:

Lexus IS200
Toyota Corolla T Sport
Toyota Celica 180
Mercedes CLK some sort of petrol
Suzuki Swift Sport (but fails on the comfy motorway journeys...)
Civic Type S 1.8
Fiesta ST
BMW 325ti

any thoughts on the above choices at all? Or anything I’ve missed?

Thanks

[Gareth1974]

Slightly high mileage, but looks pretty good otherwise https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Douglas Quaid]

Get the Lexus.

[anonymous-user]

When you say you’re sending the lease back, are you at the end of the term? Have you checked any early termination costs if you’re not? Leases aren’t structured to make finishing them early financially attractive. Hopefully a moot point, but worth checking.

[VRSphil]

Gareth1974 said:

Slightly high mileage, but looks pretty good otherwise https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I’ve been stung by the newer Saab’s in the past. Had 4.. quite an expensive ownership proposition even with the low purchase price. Shame as I love them.

[VRSphil]

Douglas Quaid said:

Get the Lexus.

Have you owned one? I really like the idea of these, fast enough, nice sound, excellent reliability. Not sure if I’d prefer manual or auto though. And the little badman drug dealer types have got them round here...

[VRSphil]

charltjr said:

When you say you’re sending the lease back, are you at the end of the term? Have you checked any early termination costs if you’re not? Leases aren’t structured to make finishing them early financially attractive. Hopefully a moot point, but worth checking.

Thank you for your post, well worth mentioning.

I would have to pay £400 to terminate early which I didn’t think was bad seeing as there’s 13 months left to run. It just frees up almost £200 a month once I change jobs so it’s got to go.

[bearman68]

I had a Lexus,and now have a Saab - a 2-0t. I prefer the Saab. In fact, I really like the Saab. It feels much faster than the Lexus due to the turbo, so I think it's much nicer to drive. The Turbo makes it economical as well. 35 mpg is not uncommon, even on short runs. It's been faultlessly reliable for 2.5 yrs, and I paid £1300 for it from a dealer. I did need to do a wheel bearing though - I bought it like that. It's a lovely motor, and I think the shape still looks fresh and modern. Looks very sleek to my eyes.

[cptsideways]

Douglas Quaid said:

Get the Lexus.

Just not an IS200 they are painfully lethargic, get a GS300 lovely in comparison, just as cheap to run, mint ones are plentiful for peanuts. Pre 2001 cars the tax is less.

[RSTurboPaul]

IS200 are thirsty as well, aren't they? Mid 20s MPG?

[CX53]

RSTurboPaul said:

IS200 are thirsty as well, aren't they? Mid 20s MPG?

I’d imagine reliability is more important over mpg with that mileage?

[wiliferus]

VRSphil said:

Gareth1974 said:

Slightly high mileage, but looks pretty good otherwise https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I’ve been stung by the newer Saab’s in the past. Had 4.. quite an expensive ownership proposition even with the low purchase price. Shame as I love them.

I think any £2k car could throw a big bill. That is a lovely amount of car, and performance for the cash. And a £300 remap away from 300bhp
For £2k I’d happily take my chances on that... well written advert too which is always encouraging. I like that a lot. If only I needed another car..

[MrGTI6]

wiliferus said:

VRSphil said:

Gareth1974 said:

Slightly high mileage, but looks pretty good otherwise https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I’ve been stung by the newer Saab’s in the past. Had 4.. quite an expensive ownership proposition even with the low purchase price. Shame as I love them.

I think any £2k car could throw a big bill. That is a lovely amount of car, and performance for the cash. And a £300 remap away from 300bhp
For £2k I’d happily take my chances on that... well written advert too which is always encouraging. I like that a lot. If only I needed another car..

Being a 56-plate the road tax on that would be about £500 a year. Lovely car though, and especially rare as a manual.

[Integroo]

Similar question to my own if I ever manage to sell my Type R.

How about the Jaguar X Type 3.0 AWD (as recently featured in SOTW?). Quick, AWD, based on a Mondeo so parts etc. should be cheap. Downsides are fuel economy, rot on the sills and transfer box is expensive if it pops.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the any of these:

IS200

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

Saab 9-3

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

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

Vectra 2.8T Elite Nav

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

Mazda6 2.3 Sport

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

Mondeo 2.5T Ghia 220bhp & a great 5 pot engine with a plain Jane wrapper.

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

[Trevor555]

RSTurboPaul said:

IS200 are thirsty as well, aren't they? Mid 20s MPG?

That's about right, my father in law had a 54 plate one from new up until last year.

Super reliable, bland to drive, the steering on it never felt right to me.

[VRSphil]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone

Saab’s are definitely off the list as like I said I’ve had four and each one gave me bad experiences reliability wise! Something simpler would be good

Some other good suggestions there although I should mention I’m mid twenties and no kids, usually just me in the car and other half has a fairly civilised 1.2 turbo mini one if needed.... so maybe a mondeo and the like is a bit too sensible although an interesting sleeper

[anonymous-user]

I would just keep the lease as you aren't saving a lot maybe a few hundred quid.

[MR2 Steve]

Toyota MR2 Roadster...

[VRSphil]

Six Figs said:

I would just keep the lease as you aren't saving a lot maybe a few hundred quid.

How so?

It’s all about freeing up money each month for disposable income with an up coming job change. I’ll be taking a pay cut so whilst I’ll need to spend a small amount sending the lease back, and purchasing a new car, it will hopefully last a lot longer than the lease duration would and help with finances.