c.£10k family car to companion an MX5 NC

[wilbo83]

TL:DR - £10k, 5 doors, reasonably fun to drive, modern(ish) interior.

Realistic £16k budget (or budget creep to £18k) for two cars with about £7k likely to be spent on an MX5 NC2 / mk3.5.

Looking for an option for the other £9-£11k which must have 5 doors and ideally be reasonably modern and entertaining to drive. Would also like android auto compatibility but an aftermarket stereo could be a plan B. Annual mileage across both cars would be 8-10k so petrol preferred, and I'd likely use the MX5 for commuting and when I don't have the family in tow.

Currently things that have sparked my interest are; Giulietta 1.4 TB, Focus mk3 ST, Golf GTi mk5/6 or Astra SRI.

Anything else to consider?

Previous car history: Cupra 290, Cupra 300, 159 1750 Ti, WRX PPP, Z4 3.0 (plus a couple of MX5s for the weekend)...

[Boringvolvodriver]

wilbo83 said:

TL:DR - £10k, 5 doors, reasonably fun to drive, modern(ish) interior.

Realistic £16k budget (or budget creep to £18k) for two cars with about £7k likely to be spent on an MX5 NC2 / mk3.5.

Looking for an option for the other £9-£11k which must have 5 doors and ideally be reasonably modern and entertaining to drive. Would also like android auto compatibility but an aftermarket stereo could be a plan B. Annual mileage across both cars would be 8-10k so petrol preferred, and I'd likely use the MX5 for commuting and when I don't have the family in tow.

Currently things that have sparked my interest are; Giulietta 1.4 TB, Focus mk3 ST, Golf GTi mk5/6 or Astra SRI.

Anything else to consider?

Previous car history: Cupra 290, Cupra 300, 159 1750 Ti, WRX PPP, Z4 3.0 (plus a couple of MX5s for the weekend)...

Would recommend the Giulietta 1.4TB with the 170 engine. Had one with the auto box as a company car although couldn’t run to the higher spec version on my allowance.

Always felt quick enough

Try this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109237...

[ZX10R NIN]

If you don't mind going for not the normal you'll be able to get a good swift family car that you'll be able to add Android Auto to.

308 GT 205

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...

Astra Elite Nav 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

SRI 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...

Focus Titanium X 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

Skoda VRS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110228...

[bennno]

wilbo83 said:

TL:DR - £10k, 5 doors, reasonably fun to drive, modern(ish) interior.

Realistic £16k budget (or budget creep to £18k) for two cars with about £7k likely to be spent on an MX5 NC2 / mk3.5.

Looking for an option for the other £9-£11k which must have 5 doors and ideally be reasonably modern and entertaining to drive. Would also like android auto compatibility but an aftermarket stereo could be a plan B. Annual mileage across both cars would be 8-10k so petrol preferred, and I'd likely use the MX5 for commuting and when I don't have the family in tow.

Currently things that have sparked my interest are; Giulietta 1.4 TB, Focus mk3 ST, Golf GTi mk5/6 or Astra SRI.

Anything else to consider?

Previous car history: Cupra 290, Cupra 300, 159 1750 Ti, WRX PPP, Z4 3.0 (plus a couple of MX5s for the weekend)...

Skoda yeti fits bill.

[wilbo83]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you don't mind going for not the normal you'll be able to get a good swift family car that you'll be able to add Android Auto to.

308 GT 205

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110058...

Astra Elite Nav 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

SRI 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...

Focus Titanium X 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110158...

Skoda VRS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110228...

Thanks! Some good spec options there that I wasn't aware of. The 308 GT and Astra Elite Nav definitely added to the shortlist, the spec / options on that Astra look very impressive on paper.

Cloverleaf is an option for the Giulietta however I had that 1750 TBi engine in my 159 and it likes a drink in comparison to how much performance you get, although that could be as the 159 is a lardy thing...although very pretty!

Edited by wilbo83 on Thursday 28th October 06:53

[wilbo83]

bennno said:

Skoda yeti fits bill.

We have a Kuga for the proper family stuff, I just need something with 5 doors for when I do have the kids with me, so likely to be a hatch or saloon. Plus not a fan of the Yeti looks.

[ZX10R NIN]

wilbo83 said:

Thanks! Some good spec options there that I wasn't aware of. The 308 GT and Astra Elite Nav definitely added to the shortlist, the spec / options on that Astra look very impressive on paper.

Cloverleaf is an option for the Giulietta however I had that 1750 TBi engine in my 159 and it likes a drink in comparison to how much performance you get, although that could be as the 159 is a lardy thing...although very pretty!

Edited by wilbo83 on Thursday 28th October 06:53

The 308 GT will feel the most lively as it has slightly shorter gearing but it'll still do motorway work with ease.

The Astra feels less brisk with it's slightly longer gearing both are very well spec'd & decent steers the GT edges the Astra in the driving department, in terms of kit the Elite Nav takes it.

The Cloverleaf is quick that engine in the 159 has 40bhp less than in the Giulietta, that along with the weight difference will make the Giulietta feel significantly quicker.

[georgeyboy12345]

Some good suggestions in this thread, I particularly like the Giulietta (TB or TBi) and the 308 GT.

The only other one I can think of is a Mazda 3 MPS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110048...