Sporty Runaround

[Fiisch]

I'm not sure how this has happened, but currently we have in our family a diesel SUV, and nothing else. No weekend toy, no runaround, nothing that runs on unleaded. I know, I'm as mystified as you. I would consider myself an enormous petrolhead, yet the only thing in my house that runs on petrol right now is my lawnmower...

In summary, I am mid 30s, two young children, and about to start paying school fees so have been in maximum savings mode. Wife is just about to finish maternity and go back to work, and it's looking certain, given that we live in a rural area and she'll be working shifts, that we will ultimately need 2 cars. In lockdown v1.0, I flirted with a 2009 Renault Twingo RS, but for daily duties I find older cars frustrating - there always seems to be a to-do list to get through of things that need fixing or tidying up, and I'm thinking it may be simpler and easier to go for new car.

I need:
- Small, manual, fun, sporty car, for short journeys;
- Ideally 5-door, could moonlight as a children-carrier if the family car was otherwise indisposed;
- Prefer new (mainly due to Covid-tax), but would consider up to 30k miles / 3 years old;
- Not outrageous running costs;
- No deposit, monthly cost max £300 / month.

The Marshalls Ford offer on Fiesta ST-3 seems to be favourite - £299 down £299 x 38, and by all accounts a great car that ticks all my boxes, although right at the limit of what I'd be willing to spend (my wife would probably argue over said limit!).

If I'm looking at a car as a monthly expense, and wanting to keep car payments below £300, is there anything else I should be considering?

Edited by Fiisch on Tuesday 1st June 15:47

[p4cks]

Abarth 500? Superb little things and seldom go wrong, despite them being Italian.

[colin79666]

Consider the Fiesta ST-line. Not quite the full on ST but still some fun performance if you go with the higher output variant of the 1l eco boost.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you don't mind getting a personal loan then the 308 GTI ticks every box & you can get them for sensible money.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...

Infiniti Q30 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

Leon FR 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105022...