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jam_up

Original Poster

171 posts

96 months

[report]

[news]

Saturday 20th September 2025

Looking for a new daily - I currently drive a M140i but I’d like to free up some cash. I made a thread a few months ago asking for thoughts on the Fiesta 1.0 155 as an option, but I’m now less fussy on age/budget.

Must be/have
- £12k budget max
- Any fuel; I do a 120 mile round journey once a week + local
- <100k mileage
- <15 yrs old. Just don’t want rust being an issue.
- ULEZ compliant, Xenon/LED headlights, cruise, heated seats, >40mpg on a run, 4/5 doors, reliable!

Prefer but not a killer
- Carplay (retrofit an option at least)
- Rear view camera
- Auto

Don’t really want a barge but open if one fits. Mondeo comes to mind but I’ve also looked at Fiesta’s, Civic’s, i20’s and Corolla’s… a bit everywhere! Civic particularly hits the mark in 1.8 EX GT guise and will save me a lot of money but I’m not too sure on the looks, meh. Options appreciated!

ZX10R NIN

29,906 posts

147 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 21st September 2025

jam_up said:

Looking for a new daily - I currently drive a M140i but I d like to free up some cash. I made a thread a few months ago asking for thoughts on the Fiesta 1.0 155 as an option, but I m now less fussy on age/budget.

Must be/have
- £12k budget max
- Any fuel; I do a 120 mile round journey once a week + local
- <100k mileage
- <15 yrs old. Just don t want rust being an issue.
- ULEZ compliant, Xenon/LED headlights, cruise, heated seats, >40mpg on a run, 4/5 doors, reliable!

Prefer but not a killer
- Carplay (retrofit an option at least)
- Rear view camera
- Auto

Don t really want a barge but open if one fits. Mondeo comes to mind but I ve also looked at Fiesta s, Civic s, i20 s and Corolla s a bit everywhere! Civic particularly hits the mark in 1.8 EX GT guise and will save me a lot of money but I m not too sure on the looks, meh. Options appreciated!

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 22 September 05:54

jam_up

Original Poster

171 posts

96 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 21st September 2025

Thanks ZX. A couple of appealing options there.

Q30 - These look great value for money. How are the 2.2d and 2.0t engine and gearboxes? (They’re based on the A class I think?). Are parts easy to get, servicing etc?

Stinger - Beyond my budget so I’m not keen.

Optima 4 - This is an interesting one - fully loaded. How are the gearboxes on these?

Insignia - The Elite Nav appeals. Again as per above I’m not sure on the gearboxes? I’ve seen there is a biturbo setup but the bigger petrol looks brilliant, all be it quite rare.

Arteon - Top end of my budget so not too sure. I’ve looked at Passat’s and GTD’s from VW but tempted by something different.

Peugeot - Don’t like the dash
Mazda3 - I love the interior on these but again they look top end of my budget for the bigger engine.

confused_buyer

7,017 posts

203 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 22nd September 2025

Bit of a left field choice but how about something like a Kia e-Niro.

It'll have all the kit you want, no ULEZ worries now or in the future and obviously no gearbox to worry about.

ZX10R NIN

29,906 posts

147 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 22nd September 2025

jam_up said:

Thanks ZX. A couple of appealing options there.

Q30 - These look great value for money. How are the 2.2d and 2.0t engine and gearboxes? (They re based on the A class I think?). Are parts easy to get, servicing etc?

Stinger - Beyond my budget so I m not keen.

Optima 4 - This is an interesting one - fully loaded. How are the gearboxes on these?

Insignia - The Elite Nav appeals. Again as per above I m not sure on the gearboxes? I ve seen there is a biturbo setup but the bigger petrol looks brilliant, all be it quite rare.

Arteon - Top end of my budget so not too sure. I ve looked at Passat s and GTD s from VW but tempted by something different.

Peugeot - Don t like the dash
Mazda3 - I love the interior on these but again they look top end of my budget for the bigger engine.

The engines & boxes are fine the whole car is an A Class/GLA so parts availability & reliability are fine.

The Insignia is a good choice both manual & auto gearboxes are fine & for me these are only overlooked because of the badge.

With the Mazda3 if you look for a GT Sport rather than a Sport Tech you can get one under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508285...

georgeyboy12345

4,160 posts

57 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 22nd September 2025

What about trading down your 140i to a lesser 1 series, like this 118d Sport? Might make you miss the 140 though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509146...

Do you have a driveway? If you have an easy way to charge, then do what I did and save loads of money with an Audi A3 e-tron
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509166...

This one is slightly newer, lower miles and has carplay
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509096...

or there's its cousin, the VW Golf GTE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509146...

Same engine without all the hybrid gubbins in this 1.4 TFSI. Cylinder on demand so becomes a 2 cyl under low load to save some fuel. Best avoiding the autos paired with these though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...

or go for the 1.6 TDI, should be reliable considering the miles you do. They don't like doing low mileages though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509096...

here's a lower mileage saloon version
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

I'll look for a few more cars tomorrow maybe

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