£2k, 40mpg+, Bomb Proof, Good Drive? Is it possible?

[stedaley]

What would you recommend to someone,

£2000
45mpg+
Reliable
At least a Hatch back size all the way up to estate/SUV considered!
Has some character to it in the twisties!
Doesn't have to be Quick!

Fiat Panda 100hp/Twingo 133 comes to mind but a little bit bigger needed with the ability of 6th gear on the motorway!

Is it possible?

[Ilovejapcrap]

First impression no.

I’ll have a think and return after a ebay look !

[stedaley]

Ilovejapcrap said:

First impression no.

I’ll have a think and return after a ebay look !

I think they can make it up to £2500 at a push, But i cant think of anything to help them out either!!

A few i've seen searching!
V70 2.4 estate has popped up, but never known anyone with one! must be abit of fun but 30mpg!
Audi a2 popped up as well, again never known anyone with one but frugal and must be able to throw it around but probably quite boring!

I would probably rank the importance of the requirements in high to low.

Bombproof
Size
Good Drive
40+mpg

[Horsey McHorseface]

Mk5 Golf TDi (103bhp 50mpg)

Mk1 Fabia VRS (130bhp 45-6mpg)

[kieranblenk]

You probably won't get 45mpg but you should get around 40 out of a 1.5 Suzuki Swift - a cracking steer and comfortably available in budget.

[joropug]

Civic 1.8 2006ish
Chain drive
140 bhp
Quirky
Practical

[ZX10R NIN]

40mpg will be a more realistic number at which point I'd be looking at these, they may be leftfield but all of them fit your criteria:

Toyota Auris SR 180 this came with the sports suspension setup.

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

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

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

Mercedes C220 Coupe 150 Sport Edition, good economy with the practicality of a hatch & they handle well

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

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

147 Collezione 120

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

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

2.4d 159 Sportwagon these are a bit more maintenance heavy than the above but they're still very reliable

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

1.9d 159

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

1.9d Astra SRI same drivetrain as the above but in a sportier setup

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

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

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

BMW 320d Coupe

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

2.0d Audi A3 Sport

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

All the above have decent handling & will be good for a bit of spirited driving but what none of them are is a hot hatch if you're looking for that I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

[stedaley]

kieranblenk said:

You probably won't get 45mpg but you should get around 40 out of a 1.5 Suzuki Swift - a cracking steer and comfortably available in budget.

I did recommend the Suzuki swift sport zc32s before they reduced the money they had to spend...

That's what I'd go for I think for 5k

[Joe5y]

I've just bought a Mk6 Golf GT140 Highline for £2,000.

Was a an ex Doctors response car so has a few holes in the dash and headlights for strobes / VHF but other wise great nick with heated leather, Nav, BT etc

Has 127k on it but I've done 5k with zero issues or hesitations.

Last real world MPG was 49.7. Have done 62mpg on a run to Vihiers (France).

Edited by Joe5y on Friday 22 March 15:27

[stedaley]

Joe5y said:

I've just bought a Mk6 Golf GT140 Highline for £2,000.

Was a an ex Doctors response car so has a few holes in the dash and headlights for strobes / VHF but other wise great nick with heated leather, Nav, BT etc

Has 127k on it but I've done 5k with zero issues or hesitations.

That's a good deal! I did spot a few of these, never really considered them tbh

[stedaley]

ZX10R NIN said:

40mpg will be a more realistic number at which point I'd be looking at these, they may be leftfield but all of them fit your criteria:

Toyota Auris SR 180 this came with the sports suspension setup.

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

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

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

Mercedes C220 Coupe 150 Sport Edition, good economy with the practicality of a hatch & they handle well

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

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

147 Collezione 120

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

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

2.4d 159 Sportwagon these are a bit more maintenance heavy than the above but they're still very reliable

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

1.9d 159

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

1.9d Astra SRI same drivetrain as the above but in a sportier setup

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

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

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

BMW 320d Coupe

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

2.0d Audi A3 Sport

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

All the above have decent handling & will be good for a bit of spirited driving but what none of them are is a hot hatch if you're looking for that I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

If you forgot about the 40mpg and went for closer to 30 would that help with the cause? Bring some petrols into play?

Diesels seem to be cursed in these parts with issues!

[stedaley]

Joe5y said:

I've just bought a Mk6 Golf GT140 Highline for £2,000.

Was a an ex Doctors response car so has a few holes in the dash and headlights for strobes / VHF but other wise great nick with heated leather, Nav, BT etc

Has 127k on it but I've done 5k with zero issues or hesitations.

Last real world MPG was 49.7. Have done 62mpg on a run to Vihiers (France).

Edited by Joe5y on Friday 22 March 15:27

Heard the 140 is the engine to get! Had it had any major work on it before you had bought It?

[Joe5y]

stedaley said:

Joe5y said:

I've just bought a Mk6 Golf GT140 Highline for £2,000.

Was a an ex Doctors response car so has a few holes in the dash and headlights for strobes / VHF but other wise great nick with heated leather, Nav, BT etc

Has 127k on it but I've done 5k with zero issues or hesitations.

That's a good deal! I did spot a few of these, never really considered them tbh

Obligatory ambulance white.

[GreatGranny]

ZX10R NIN said:

1.9d 159

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

This is bloody gorgeous!
Best looking saloon car IMO

[Eastcountrybumpkin]

Did you get it down under?

[Joe5y]

Eastcountrybumpkin said:

Did you get it down under?

No, Just put some track tires on it...

• Why does the forum do this?!

[Joe5y]

stedaley said:

Joe5y said:

I've just bought a Mk6 Golf GT140 Highline for £2,000.

Was a an ex Doctors response car so has a few holes in the dash and headlights for strobes / VHF but other wise great nick with heated leather, Nav, BT etc

Has 127k on it but I've done 5k with zero issues or hesitations.

Last real world MPG was 49.7. Have done 62mpg on a run to Vihiers (France).

Edited by Joe5y on Friday 22 March 15:27

Heard the 140 is the engine to get! Had it had any major work on it before you had bought It?

Nothing. FVWSH but no proof of cambelt. Not going to bother to get it done however as I'm just using it as a snotter until we move.

[stedaley]

Joe5y said:

Nothing. FVWSH but no proof of cambelt. Not going to bother to get it done however as I'm just using it as a snotter until we move.

Looks decent tbh! I'd love a Mk6 gti!

I'll have to have a look! Have a feeling there's none at that price you got yours for! Tbh I think diesels may be over kill, I'm sure 30-35mpg would be allowed

[Mr Tidy]

stedaley said:

Joe5y said:

Nothing. FVWSH but no proof of cambelt. Not going to bother to get it done however as I'm just using it as a snotter until we move.

Looks decent tbh! I'd love a Mk6 gti!

I'll have to have a look! Have a feeling there's none at that price you got yours for! Tbh I think diesels may be over kill, I'm sure 30-35mpg would be allowed

Back in 2014 I bought a BMW 325ti Compact Sport within your budget.

I had it for over 3 years and 23K miles and the OBC was showing an average of 34.9 mpg when I sold it - mind you I didn't commute much in it. Mostly Motorways and A-Roads out of rush hours.

But no cam-belt issues - they have a chain! And they are RWD.

[Jazzer77]

joropug said:

Civic 1.8 2006ish
Chain drive
140 bhp
Quirky
Practical

+1 on this.

They are like cockroaches. Look how many are still scuttling about compared to similar age Focus/Astra.
Need to rev it hard to get anywhere but a decent enough steer and quirky as joropug has said.