Change of car - 10 miles a day, £15K, balance of everything

[Woppitcatcher]

Evening all,

I have massively reduced my commute to 5 miles each way with the occasional longer trip. I estimate my annual mileage at around 10k now (from 30k).

I currently have a 2015 Mazda 6 estate. Done everything I have ever needed it to but it is not the right car for my present requirements.

Key thoughts:
1) Slow, cross town commute so auto may be preferable.
2) Have 6 yr old daughter who needs to be taken various places and comfortable enough on the occasional long trip (perhaps 5 door?)
3) Would like to have a car that I can also get out and enjoy so thinking minimum 200/250bhp and decent handling
4) Don’t mind a bit unusual
5) Ideally under £15k
6) Should I buy a £1500 Micra and see out the crazy prices?

Possibilities:
1) Cheap Micra etc as stop gap
2) Megane Renaultsport 250/265 Cup
3) BMW M135i
4) Peugeot 308 GTI
5) Alfa Giulietta QV Launch Ed
6) Golf GTi

Grateful for you opinions of these and anything else I have not considered.

Cheers
Chris

[ZX10R NIN]

Astra GTC VXR good chassis nice power & nice interior too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109026...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109197...

Alfa Giulietta QV not as good a steer as the above but it's a good allrounder

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

Mazda3 MPS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107315...

Leftfield:

Q50h (0-60 in 5secs) not as good a steer as the above but a very capable allrounder:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110098...

[Woppitcatcher]

Cheers NIN,

I was curious to see what you suggested! I am actually going to see the red Giulietta tomorrow. All the reviews say it is pretty average but I think it has something about it!

[georgeyboy12345]

I really like suggestions 2-6. I don't think you can get the 308 or Megane as autos though. Another alternative is the Seat Leon Cupra - handling might not be as good as the others.

As kind of left field suggestions, you could get a PHEV if you are only doing 10 miles a day, it'd cost absolutely buttons to run, you'd only have to charge it every other day then use petrol for the occasional longer trip. They still have decent performance, admittedly not quite on par with the cars above and feel a bit more lardy around the bends too though


Volkswage Golf GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...


Audi A3 e-tron
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...


BMW 330e
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Friday 15th October 21:44

[ZX10R NIN]

Woppitcatcher said:

Cheers NIN,

I was curious to see what you suggested! I am actually going to see the red Giulietta tomorrow. All the reviews say it is pretty average but I think it has something about it!

I agree I like them as I said they're a good allrounder & have a bit of specialness about them in a way the Golf/Leon don't seem able to, I hope you enjoy the car.

[ChocolateFrog]

With that mileage, mpg isn't that crucial, which should open up some fun options.

Probably need to narrow it down a bit further. I'm guessing if you're mostly urban driving a big SUV isn't on the list and with the child duties anything too small would also be a pain.

£15k would get you a nice Subaru Forrester STI.

Or something like a Focus ST Estate would be pretty good.

At that budget there's so many options.

[Woppitcatcher]

Thanks for all the responses.

The original Giulietta sold whilst I was travelling to see it but they had a slightly newer Veloce in stock so I continued and had a test drive. I can see the attraction - looks good, bit unusual. Obviously plenty quick enough and I didn't get so much skittishness that some reviews alluded to. First time I have used a 'modern' auto, in this case, the TCT. Seemingly relatively quick changes but sometimes felt that it wasn't quite there when you needed it although perhaps I would adjust my driving style to suit.

And enough room to shove a 6yr old without too many complaints...

Had a quick walk round a Megane Renaultsport and feel that the 3 doors is a bridge too far. Which helps narrow down the quest slightly to only including options with rear doors.

I am viewing a Golf GTI Ed 35 tomorrow. Private sale.

Thanks for the continued suggestions - the hybrid ideas were interesting - didn't think a 330e would fall into the budget.

[Woppitcatcher]

Hi all,

Small update and some thoughts.

Viewed a 2012 Golf Gti Mk6 Edition 35 today. Looked well cared for, all information adds up, great history. Seemed tight and all good on the drive. Would do absolutely everything needed and, if so desired, the engine (a detuned R lump) can be easily mapped to 290-300 bhp.

I was almost decided. Then viewed a M135i. And had a test drive. And thought it was great - the power and box were fantastic.

So, my thoughts:
Golf is rarer and £4k cheaper.
BMW has half the mileage (35k vs 60k)

Also, the BMW seems to have increasingly fallen into the hands of, how do I put it, 'naer-do-wells'. I'm a balding 40-odd yr old and wondering if it may attract the wrong attention/image?

Cheers for any thoughts.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Go and drive each car on your shortlist. Which do you like the most? Which car do you want to walk away from and look back at? Which car is most likely to make you want to go for a drive? Which car are you likely to keep?

Answer all of the above and balance out what is most important for you.

For some, the Micra is the answer, and they'll stick the rest on their mortgage. Others will go for something different.

Will you really do 10k a year? 50 miles a week commuting suggests 7.5k a year in other miles.

My suggestion, a GT86. Yes. It's not five doors, but from what you've said, you don't really need them. Plenty to choose from, not much depreciation, and interesting.

[dontlookdown]

Why not do the short commute on a bike? 5 miles each way is v doable even if you haven't ridden for years.

That way the car becomes less of a do it all vehicle and you can prioritise the fun aspect a bit more.

[InitialDave]

I'd get a cheap small runaround like an Aygo, and a toy that doesn't need to be suitable for commuting etc.

[ZX10R NIN]

Woppitcatcher said:

Hi all,

Small update and some thoughts.

Viewed a 2012 Golf Gti Mk6 Edition 35 today. Looked well cared for, all information adds up, great history. Seemed tight and all good on the drive. Would do absolutely everything needed and, if so desired, the engine (a detuned R lump) can be easily mapped to 290-300 bhp.

I was almost decided. Then viewed a M135i. And had a test drive. And thought it was great - the power and box were fantastic.

So, my thoughts:
Golf is rarer and £4k cheaper.
BMW has half the mileage (35k vs 60k)

Also, the BMW seems to have increasingly fallen into the hands of, how do I put it, 'naer-do-wells'. I'm a balding 40-odd yr old and wondering if it may attract the wrong attention/image?

Cheers for any thoughts.

I'd say buy the car you want there are plenty of people of varying ages driving all types of cars, as for image who cares?

Back to the cars neither is high miles so it just comes down to which you prefer there is a car that's in the middle of those & it's the Cupra Leon:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110168...