£5k Daily Driver

[LankyFreak]

After a string of fairly st cars, I have decided it's time to get something less st (maybe, I do love my 306)

Looking for a car that will easily handle 50 miles a day, without being utterly miserable to drive(I do live in the highlands), and without being ruinous to run and insure (I'm 19 with a ropey postcode and a previous claim). Practicality doesn't really matter as I rarely take passengers.

Currently eyeing up a Panda 100hp or a Twingo 133. Already had a Micra 160sr and don't feel like another.

Ideally I'd keep my 306 and run anything for daily driving, but insurance is a bit too much to stomach for two cars.

Hopefully this isn't complete word salad, TIA.

[andburg]

good steer on a b road while not being ridulous to insure and run?

Civic Type S with the 2.2 diesel

[Bannock]

Ropey postcode, in the Highlands? Didn't think those existed!

That aside, how about an Alfa Mito?

[LankyFreak]

Bannock said:

Ropey postcode, in the Highlands? Didn't think those existed!

It's the only explanation for why my insurance is far higher than my mates.

I have witnessed how many carpark incidents my neighbours have, that may explain it

[ChocolateFrog]

The Fiesta's with the 1 litre 3 cylinders are a good steer. They do a 140hp version.

Assuming an ST is out of budget insurance wise.

[LankyFreak]

ChocolateFrog said:

The Fiesta's with the 1 litre 3 cylinders are a good steer. They do a 140hp version.

Assuming an ST is out of budget insurance wise.

My mum has an ST-Line, it feels quick but just a bit dull.

I can insure an ST150, but the later STs are a bit pricey to insure.

[anonymous-user]

ChocolateFrog said:

The Fiesta's with the 1 litre 3 cylinders are a good steer. They do a 140hp version.

Assuming an ST is out of budget insurance wise.

Google "Ecoboost wet belt"

Personally I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole

[Cambs_Stuart]

Suzuki swift sport?

[LankyFreak]

andburg said:

good steer on a b road while not being ridulous to insure and run?

Civic Type S with the 2.2 diesel

I like the look of these, is there any glaring issue with them?

I've sat in my mates EP3s/2s and they seem to steer alright, are they vaguely similar?

[andburg]

as with any diesel there's potential for dual mass flywheel failure but i think that's pretty much it.
the 2.2 is chain driven, no belts to change and no noise of them failing, in fact taxi drivers round here loved in their accords them for this reason, they did 50+mpg and just ran and ran

very different to a breadvan civic

[georgeyboy12345]

50 miles a day is quite a lot. It's over 18,000 miles a year. You need a diesel.

Get this Vauxhall Corsa 1.7 CDTi - decent amount of shove from this lump at 130 bhp and 221 lb ft and a sub 1100 kg kerb weight, while being insurance group 16, £30 a year to tax and will do 50 mpg all day long. They don't handle badly either. A cheeky remap will see power climb to 165 bhp and 265 lb ft
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

If you want more space, there's this Astra 2.0 CDTi with 160 bhp, a remap taking it to over 200 bhp
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...


Equivalent offerings from Ford

Fiesta 1.6 TDCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209149...

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301213...


Other diesely ideas

Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202222...


Low mileage Renault Megane 1.5 dCi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301123...


Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDiS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211021...


Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212072...

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the Astra GTC SRI, they come in various forms so you'll have to check to see how your insurance numbers come out.

1.6cdti:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...

2.0cdti:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302164...

2.0d Giulietta Veloce:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302023...

1.6d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302154...

Mito Sportiva:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301213...

Petrol options:

1.4T Astra GTC SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302074...

180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302214...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302174...

[Jag_NE]

I’d vouch for the Panda. Tough little things as long as you stay on top of the maintenance and replace bits as needed and don’t allow it to snowball.
If you buy sensibly and cherish the car I doubt you would lose much or any money now.