New Daily... Choices choices

[WoodyS27]

Hi guys,

Looking for some ideas on what to get as a new daily. Currently have a 2011 Leon 1.6 TDI that I inherited from Mrs Woody when we bought her Sportage 2 years ago. It's racking up the miles now and frankly I've always hated driving it so I'm getting rid.
The missus says I'm a nightmare for changing my mind when it comes to cars but I'd appreciate some input especially from current owners.
The 2 at the top of my list atm are a Fiesta ST MK7 and an Abarth 595 (140, Turismo or Comp, open to any) but I spend hours scrawling through Autotrader and I'm seeing a lot of 1 Series's that I like.
I do roughly 250 miles a week, mix of motorway (limited to 50 for a few miles) and some 50mph dual and some town driving. That commute usually has a fair bit of stop start traffic but also a few places where you can put your foot down. I'm only getting 42mpg out of the Leon atm which is for what it is so I'm definitely thinking petrol. I want something fun and quick but not too thirsty which is where the Fiesta comes in, heard a lot of good things mpg-wise and I test drove a Mountune 230 a few weeks ago which went like a stabbed rat. Only downside is that they're common as muck near me.
Got a real soft spot for the Abarths though, and there's only 1 or 2 local which adds to the exclusiveness so to speak. Only concern is would I see anywhere near 40mpg/high 30's with a mix of gentle to normal and "spirited" driving?
Any input and other car ideas would be much appreciated! Budget would be sub £10k.

[HM-2]

I'd be surprised if you couldn't get at least mid 30s out of a 500/595 Abarth with mixed driving.
The Fiesta is objectively the better car, but the Abarth is huge fun and much more characterful. I'd probably have one over the Ford, but I'm not very rational!

[Speed_Demon]

How much do you value the fun factor? From what a gather the more hardcore Abarths can be a bit of a pain in traffic. So do you want to sacrifice that comfort for a bigger grin when the road opens up?

[WoodyS27]

HM-2 said:

I'd be surprised if you couldn't get at least mid 30s out of a 500/595 Abarth with mixed driving.
The Fiesta is objectively the better car, but the Abarth is huge fun and much more characterful. I'd probably have one over the Ford, but I'm not very rational!

Yeah that's what I was thinking, head says Fiesta but heart says Abarth. I know of people who get low 40's out of them so fingers crossed...

[WoodyS27]

Speed_Demon said:

How much do you value the fun factor? From what a gather the more hardcore Abarths can be a bit of a pain in traffic. So do you want to sacrifice that comfort for a bigger grin when the road opens up?

Definitely want more fun after a couple of years of the lifeless Leon, could do with enjoying driving again haha. I'll have to test drive one and try and sit in a bit of traffic to gauge the clutch etc

[Windyj]

I have a 2016 Abarth 595 Turismo. I work 4 on 4 off and my commute is 52 miles each way mixture of motorway and A roads. I find it great to commute in, Its fun on the A /B road bits and it will keep up on the motorway quite happily. I have averaged 43 mpg according to the trip computer. I've owned it just under 2 years. There are a few things to keep in mind though.

Fuel tank only holds 35 litres so fill ups are quite frequent

They do not come with cruise which would be handy on the motorway

Suspension is stiff, ride is quite harsh. I have diamond cut alloys and the pot holes are taking there toll!

Find one with the Xenons the standard headlights are rubbish.

All in all its fun to drive, economical, hasn't used oil between servicing and I can always find it in the work car park as I'm the only one who has one!

Any questions just ask.

Edited by Windyj on Monday 9th December 19:19

Edited by Windyj on Monday 9th December 19:20

[Jag_NE]

330d

[TheAlastair34]

Id go for a late R56 JCW Mini rarer than the fiesta and just as quick far better built and a better place to be than a Abarth

mine returns 42-45mpg on my 40 mile round trip of a commute

[WoodyS27]

Windyj said:

I have a 2016 Abarth 595 Turismo. I work 4 on 4 off and my commute is 52 miles each way mixture of motorway and A roads. I find it great to commute in, Its fun on the A /B road bits and it will keep up on the motorway quite happily. I have averaged 43 mpg according to the trip computer. I've owned it just under 2 years. There are a few things to keep in mind though.

Fuel tank only holds 35 litres so fill ups are quite frequent

They do not come with cruise which would be handy on the motorway

Suspension is stiff, ride is quite harsh. I have diamond cut alloys and the pot holes are taking there toll!

Find one with the Xenons the standard headlights are rubbish.

All in all its fun to drive, economical, hasn't used oil between servicing and I can always find it in the work car park as I'm the only one who has one!

Any questions just ask.

Appreciate that! Yeah I've heard about the egg cup sized tank, luckily I pass a few petrol stations to and from work haha. I like the thought of a Turismo as well, seems to tick all the boxes. Just have to be careful as around any pot holes.

[WoodyS27]

TheAlastair34 said:

Id go for a late R56 JCW Mini rarer than the fiesta and just as quick far better built and a better place to be than a Abarth

mine returns 42-45mpg on my 40 mile round trip of a commute

I've looked at a few of them funnily enough, I haven't been able to find many hatches though, seem to be a lot more of the Coupe version's about and I'm not sure what to make of them looks-wise. Certainly stand out but I'm not sure about it from the side.

[skeeterm5]

One thing to consider about the 595, the fuel tank is tiny so even if you get your 50mpg you will be stopping a lot.

They are however a lot of fun to drive.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 595 is a very fun car but the lack of a 6 Speed means that overall the Fiesta (which is very engaging) gets the nod for me with the PS 208 GTI somewhere between the two & the Clio RS a good leftfield option.

[95JO]

1.8TSI Ibiza Cupra or 1.8TSI Polo GTI - Better allrounders than the Fiesta/Abarth IMO, step up in interior/infotainment/comfort and just as quick (if not quicker).

[acme]

I've had a late MK7 ST since the start of the year - deliberately got a late one for the wound down suspension of the ST200.

I do 24 miles each way to work on a mix of A & B roads - it's a great car but I'd argue not ideally suited to dull commuting, it's got stiff suspension, a known, but the real bugbear is the driving position and seats. The bases are far too tight, and I'm slim, and the seats far too high, go for a long test drive to check you're happy first. MPG wise I'm getting 36-37, no matter what the OBC says!

On a good B road it's another matter, superb fun, and mines standard.

[ZX10R NIN]

95JO said:

1.8TSI Ibiza Cupra or 1.8TSI Polo GTI - Better allrounders than the Fiesta/Abarth IMO, step up in interior/infotainment/comfort and just as quick (if not quicker).

But neither is as entertaining.

[95JO]

ZX10R NIN said:

But neither is as entertaining.

Indeed, but compared to a 2011 1.6 TDI Leon they will be far more entertaining. Whilst allowing a good level of comfort/technology that the Fiesta/Abarth don't. Not to mention they look far more grown up and less prone to theft (thinking of the ST).

[talksthetorque]

95JO said:

Indeed, but compared to a 2011 1.6 TDI Leon they will be far more entertaining. Whilst allowing a good level of comfort/technology that the Fiesta/Abarth don't. Not to mention they look far more grown up and less prone to theft (thinking of the ST).

If he didn't like the Loen, ( albeit a slow one) then going in to a VAG product might be too small a shift.
Also I'd argue that anyone loonking at 595s isn't too bothered about grown up-ness.

A shout here for the 208GTI, Prestige adds toys, and " By Peugeotsport" has better suspension and handling tweaks.

[WoodyS27]

Thanks for all the info so far guys, getting lots of ideas. The 208 GTI is something I'm definitely interested in, I used to have a 205 GTI and absolutely loved it so a 208 could bring back some fond memories.
Definitely want a warm/hot hatch, I'm 32 with a 10 month old baby so I'm trying to cling onto my youth haha.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 208 GTI is a good mix of the 595/Fiesta ST

PS 208 GTI

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

Prestige

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

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


With a 10 month old a slightly bigger hatch than a 208 GTI may be a better fit with this in mind here are a few options:

308 GT 205 which uses the same powertrain as the above.

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

Megane GT 220

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

Kia Pro Ceed GT Tech

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

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

Ceed GT Tech

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

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

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

Astra GTC Limited Edition 200

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

Giulietta QV Line 170

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

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

Sportiva Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Cloverleaf 235

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

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

Leon FR 180

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

[Griff74]

I used to have an Abarth 500, was a fun car that always made me smile when I looked it and was great fun zipping around town and A\B roads but it was awful on motorway journeys of more than 30 mins, the strange seating and pedal placement, along with the lack of cruise control (not even an option on Euro model but standard on US ones) made it uncomfortable, I did love it though.

I replaced it with a Leon FR with the 1.8tsi and DSG, was a good car, much better than the Abarth in many ways but a bit too far the other way from a fun daily driver.

The Leon has been replaced with a 2019 Polo GTi+ which seems to hit the sweet spot between entertaining when needed to be and refined enough for daily life and motorways.