8k budget for daily/weekender!

[clarkj93]

So opinions on shortlisting for a new car.

8k Max.
Mileage under 80k.
Reasonable fuel economy (My old Saab averages about 40 on motorway and 33 mixed driving, I'm happy with this) e.g Focus ST225 is out!
Worthy of a Sunday country road blast - good handling
Preferably turbocharged for low end torque, but I am a sucker for a smooth v6.
10 years old max.
Powerful enough - 200bhp+
Comfortable for a commute and long drive.

The VW scriocco GT and GTI mk 5 springs to mind, I like them but it just seems a bit obvious. Any suggestions?

Don't really want to get into modifying again, would rather keep it standard pretty much with just a stage 1 remap if needed and decent tyres.

[ZX10R NIN]

I see you've upped your budget.

Why's the Focus out I averaged 27mpg with mine & I'm not light footed, if you're more sensible than me then maybe 28 which is only 5 mpg off what you're getting now & you get a stonking car to boot.

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 the MPG is a real issue then the Megane RS is a good pick if you'll be happy with the Scirocco then you don't even need one with a Cup Chassis:

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

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

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

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

Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf

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

Mazda3 MPS

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

Golf R32

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

[ForZiE23]

No sure where your based or looking but i am selling our Seat Leon FR 1.8.
Great car for money (in general).

[stevekoz]

Personally, I would discount the r32. I only have 2nd hand knowledge, but my friend had a 400hp celica gt4 and sold it for an r32. 3 months later he bought back the gt4 as the r32 was getting mid teens mpg average. There are a lot of threads about low mpg in the 3.2 -

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I think the Golf GTi would be a better shout, punchy and good handling and still reasonable mpg. You can get a mk5 / 6 for that kind of money -

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

My 130i got an average of 26mpg on a daily commute of 6 miles a day, so much better is achievable on long runs but can drop with a heavy right foot but its a good car and 8k would get you a fairly mint example.

The styling can put people off but they are a good car -

130i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you like a bigger car that would suit a v6, try a straight 6 in the 1 series bigger brother the 330i.

330i (Coupe)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

As above i would not discount the focus, in standard form you can get 25mpg + out of the car quite easily depending on your driving style

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

I have the following as my current daily but i wouldn't say its for everyone but i average 28mpg at the moment

Civic Type R (FN2)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


I loved the Leon i had as a hire car for a week, i had the 1.4 tsi and that was good, the FR is much better by all accounts and its a bit leftfield compared to the Golf

Seat Leon FR

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

I personally found these a bit of a muted drive in terms of sensation but they certainly cover ground fairly quick> ?

Audi s3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another leftfield choice -

DS3 Racing
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

LIkewise - Rare to get at this price but they are around and not bad.

Kia Cee'd Pro GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

And i'd definitely choose one of these - RS Megane - guilty pleasure in liquid yellow but by all accounts a great drivers car.

RS Megane CUP

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

Good luck with your search.

[Blanchimont]

It won't do 40mpg on a run, but a Megane 250 cup is what I would recommend. I managed 37 on a run, and often got 26 around town.

[zedx19]

31mpg average out my 5 pot ST on a new map, 37mpg on a run. Drive it like a weapon and it'll do 20mpg but sensible driving will see 30+mpg.

Mines part company car, part toy and it's a lot of fun. 8k should get you a decent facelift.