Daily driver for £4k

[AceKid]

I currently have a 2007 Lexus rx400h, as of tomorrow we are replacing my wifes V40 d4 with a 2016 530d tourer, so now we have no need for 2 bloody big cars in the house.
The Lexus will now only do my 6 mile commute to work, taking my dog out into the New Forest or my mtb out to some bike parks occasionally.
So im thinking something along the lines of focus st, golf gti as a smaller and more fun daily? Ideally want to put in as little money as possible to swap...any other good options?

[DaveE87]

I was in a similar position a couple of years back. I considered a Focus ST but there's a lot of ropey ones out there, and they're not as reliable as you might think. Cracked blocks are a lottery and some with turbo issues. Golf GTI, Audi S3 can be had but again they're not going to be in the best nick. I ended up adding to my budget and buying a 130i for £6k, but you can still pick some up for your budget if you don't mind high miles. I get mid 20s around town, 30+ on a long run and you won't have to spend much running it (if you don't modify it like me). Insurance is pretty cheap too. They don't stand out either as there's a lot of old 1ers about.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the ST is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106103...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

A nice warm hatch option is the Alfa Giulietta Veloce 170:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...

[AceKid]

Oh I hadnt thought about the alfa...good shout....how is the reliability though?

[ZX10R NIN]

They're very reliable & the whole drivetrain is well proven & no less reliable than anything else on the market.

There's also the GTC SRI 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105052...

[mikeyr]

Have you considered a type R (mainly because the seats fold flat and has a huge boot so good for bikes/dogs (done both with our (non Type R) Civic.

[AceKid]

mikeyr said:

Have you considered a type R (mainly because the seats fold flat and has a huge boot so good for bikes/dogs (done both with our (non Type R) Civic.

I was just looking at these on autotrader!...either type r or the 1.8 type s..good call