Single male looking for some cheap weekend fun

[twilson27451]

As per the title (sort of) I'm looking for advice/recommendations on a little second hand weekend run around given the following criteria:

Budget around £5k with a bit of contingency if something slightly more expensive was ideal.

I'll be doing around 5000 miles per year - mainly short solo trips to football/golf on a weekend (so something that'll fit a golf bag in although I'd happily put it on the back seats). I think the low mileage would mean petrol would be best although I'll happily be corrected on that.

A small car/hatchback.

Something reliable that would be fairly cheap to fix IF something did go wrong (or if there are common issues that my need fixing at some point).

I'm not fussed about any mod cons, it's literally an A to B run around, but great if it has some.

I've also considered leases but I'm not sure I'll really get my monies worth from them.

Cheers.

Edited by twilson27451 on Sunday 1st January 17:34

[C143FK]

That threat title

[Xcore]

Mx5

[A500leroy]

mk1 TT, or crossfire.

[soad]

C143FK said:

That threat title

Suzuki Swift?

[A500leroy]

.

[Jiebo]

soad said:

Suzuki Swift?

I've had a SSS and a 2.0 MX5 NC2 sport tech.

The MX5 is on a different level compared to the Suzuki. It's massively overrated, engine has zero torque, suspension is like rock, handling is decent, but steering is insanely light with zero feel. Gearbox is utter garbage. Driving position is like sitting in a lorry.

Compare to mx5 - low driving position, gearbox is fab, engine is torquey, you can feel the road but suspension is comfortable, steering feel is great.

I don't know why people even put them in the same category, the mx5 is so far in a different league it's insane.

[Shuff4]

Seat Leon cupra mk2? Depends what you want ‘fun’ to be?

These can be less than the £5k, a couple a tweaks and a map, running around 350bhp.

[twilson27451]

I've looked at Swifts but hadn't considered MX5s or TTs. By fun I didn't necessarily mean high BHP/high speed although I'm not against that. I've had a 1.2 Clio in the past that was more fun to drive than my current heavy feeling Hyundai Tucson (although it is a great family car overall).

[Baldchap]

Not read the thread, but cards in phone boxes used to be a good place to start.

[Skyedriver]

What mileage?
>5K or <5K

[bodhi]

A BMW 130i would fit the bill - generally reliable, available for under budget, amusing to drive and not too bad on fuel at all.

A 125i Coupe with a remap would do a similar job, not sure if they're in budget though. The boot in the Coupe is actually more useable than the hatch, as it's a bit bigger and wider, and means you don't have to take any clubs out the bag to fit them in.

[twilson27451]

Skyedriver said:

What mileage?
>5K or <5K

Cheers, got my symbols wrong. Edited now

[RoVoFob]

bodhi said:

A BMW 130i would fit the bill - generally reliable, available for under budget, amusing to drive and not too bad on fuel at all.

A 125i Coupe with a remap would do a similar job, not sure if they're in budget though. The boot in the Coupe is actually more useable than the hatch, as it's a bit bigger and wider, and means you don't have to take any clubs out the bag to fit them in.

Three-time 130i owner here. Would definitely recommend one; it’s quick, sounds good, has decent steering, traction, is quite economical and cheap to run. Just avoid/bin runflat tyres and it’s a really engaging car.

Far cheaper than equivalent models like the Alfa 147 GTA, VW Golf R32 and Clio V6, and the BMW is the most powerful and second lightest - only 15kg more than the Alfa. /fanboy

[Canon_Fodder]

How about a Mini Cooper OP? They're great fun at the weekends (and OK Monday-Friday too)

This 2014 car has the reliable BMW 1.5L Petrol unit

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211031...

Edited by Canon_Fodder on Sunday 1st January 18:58

[ZX10R NIN]

325i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207077...

Focus ST-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208299...

[georgeyboy12345]

Excellent thread title! How about one of these?

Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...


Suzuki Swift Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...


R53 Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212202...


Fiat Panda 100HP
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...


NC Mazda MX-5 2.0i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207228...


Toyota MR2 Roadster
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211272...


Ford Puma 1.7
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...


Renaultsport Clio 197
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212082...


Mercedes SLK 350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...

[QJumper]

C143FK said:

That threat title

Indeed. A car wouldn't have been my first answer

[E63eeeeee...]

A500leroy said:

mk1 TT, or crossfire.

Would you get a golf bag in a TT? I guess you'd have enough length with the rear seats down but the boot is pretty shallow.

[twilson27451]

Thanks all for the advice and suggestions so far.

I like the look of the MX5, something very different to what I've previously owned. If I was looking to buy one is there anything I need to look out for? Any known issues/faults, any warning signs?