Yet another what car thread...

[SCEtoAUX]

OK, my turn.

My little Aygo offers all I need from a car. It will be a sad day when it goes but we are doing a few trips these days and something a bit bigger, quicker and more comfortable is being considered.

Here is my list of requirments:

1 - Can seat four, but cramped is fine.
2 - Reliable or at least not too costly to maintain if I buy older/cheaper.
3 - 35mpg or above on a run.
4 - Reasonably comfortable
5 - £10k, maybe a little more.
6 - Fun but not in a 300 BHP way.

The main requirement though is "not a box on wheels". So nice as they are that rules out the usual suspects. No Focus, Yaris, Astra etc....

Time and time again I'm being drawn to the 3rd Gen mini. Just the Cooper, but with the 1.5 engine from 2014 onwards. I know they are as common as flies on a ribroast but the style appeals and the orange ones with tinted windows and black bonnet stripes look lovely.

I'd want the right spec but they are out there in budget.

Hardly a radical choice, but the wife likes them a lot and at 55 I care not one jot about any possible girly image.

The other car dipping in to budget (well almost) is the GT86. The fact it is a Toyota is a huge plus. It looks great (in orange again) and the wife likes them too.

The only othef cars that have been considered are the Abarth 595 (too crashy on our roads and no fun on a long drive) and maybe an Up! GTI.

So what else to consider?

[kieranblenk]

A few to provide food for thought..

Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Ignis
Alfa Romeo MiTo
Seat Ibiza FR
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
Ford Fiesta Ecoboost
Mazda 2 Sport
Vauxhall Adam S
Peugeot 208 GTI
Renault Clio RS200
VW Polo BlueGT
Audi A1
Kia Proceed

[SCEtoAUX]

kieranblenk said:

A few to provide food for thought..

Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Ignis
Alfa Romeo MiTo
Seat Ibiza FR
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
Ford Fiesta Ecoboost
Mazda 2 Sport
Vauxhall Adam S
Peugeot 208 GTI
Renault Clio RS200
VW Polo BlueGT
Audi A1
Kia Proceed

Thanks for a prompt reply. The MiTo is certainly a good shout because it doesn't just look like a box, it seems to have been given some visual flare which is why I like the Mini (and the already ruled out Abarth 595).

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a Kia Ceed/Pro Ceed in GT/GT Tech form will tick most of your boxes 200bhp loads of kit a long warranty a decent steer too.

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

Pro Ceed

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

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

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

Or the Giulietta Sportiva Nav

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

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

[SCEtoAUX]

I like both of those :-)

The Kia will be reliable of course, do we think the Alfa will not throw any big bills either?

[ZX10R NIN]

No the drivetrain & the car itself have proved very reliable, both are good cars.

[Willy Nilly]

My Parent had a Fabia Monte Carlo and the ride was unacceptable. I think they have another one now with proper tyres on it and have heard no complaints.

[kieranblenk]

Willy Nilly said:

My Parent had a Fabia Monte Carlo and the ride was unacceptable. I think they have another one now with proper tyres on it and have heard no complaints.

Was it a Mk2? Reason I'm asking is I own a Mk3 Monte and I find the ride pretty good for a small car. I had a Mk2 in standard "2" spec previously and the ride on that was much firmer than the newer model.

[Blanchimont]

Have a look at a Megane RS250.

10k will get you a well looked after example.

The non cup (grey calipers) are generally more comfortable than the cup chassis equipped cars (red calipers). Standard seats are more than comfy and I've managed over 40mpg on a run a few times.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-RS-250/1...f:0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Megane-RS-250-2...f:0

250bhp, can take more power if that's your thing.
Much more reliable than old Renaults.
The non cup pack cars don't come with a mechanical LSD, but it can be retrofitted if desired.

[SCEtoAUX]

I think we might be getting a little too BHP focused here!

I like the Mini because it has a bit of style about it. The design is still classic. The Abarth 595 appeals in the same way as mentioned above.

Modern cars but with something a bit sassy about them, as if they let a designer do what they wanted. Form over function (but clearly it has to function as well).

The two Alfas mentioned are certainly the suggestions closest to what I'm talking about.

Thanks so far.