What would you buy (for £4.5k)?

[pstruck]

Similar to another thead, but with subtle differences.

With a max budget of £4 to 4.5k for a practical (ish) daily drive, with reasonable running costs, but also a bit of poke, I have the following shortlist:

Skoda Octavia vRS
Mazda 6 2.3 Sport
MG ZS 180 (or poss ZT 190)

So, 4 doors, good size boot or hatch, >150bhp petrol, etc. I do approx 12k miles per year on mostl A/B roads.

Have considered the Leon Cupra / Focus ST170 options, but think these are a touch small. Lexus IS 200 was on the list, but it might be a tad slow, esp given the mpg. Also, don't think I could live with the high rev driving style required to keep a VTEC Honda on the boil.

Any opinions on my short list, or any others which might fit the bill?

[minimatt1967]

The Octavia VRS, gives you the most scope for mods and the widest range of choices for bits. It's basically the same car as a Leon Cupra though.

[paolow]

VRS

[chrisispringles]

A Volvo S60 T5? I know Volvos are a bit 'old man'ish, but you can get a cracking one for peanuts these days. If not then get the vRS.

[carlove]

The Skoda

[volvoforlife]

Mazda 6.

But I like the above suggestion of a Volvo S60 T5. Awesome cars.

[entwisi]

Accord CDTI mapped? 180 bhp, st loads of torques(TM clarky), > 45 mpg, decent build quality, no DPF worries, quiet, revs properly even for a derv.

choice of saloon or estate,

not saying it is the best,just another choice to consider

[pstruck]

Thanks for the replies. Had not considered the S60 - are they not a bit thirsty? Also, I imagine them being quite heavy and a bit of a barge in the handling department. Happy to be told that I am wrong.

[volvoforlife]

They actually handle very well, the ride is smooth and confortable. Thirsty... well I found them to be quite normal for a 250bhp car.

Edited by volvoforlife on Friday 26th November 10:44

[jkhamler]

Seat Toledo 20VT - see mine http://jonhamler.co.uk/pics/toledo.jpg

Amazingly underrated, rare and high value/performance saloon. Best car I ever had.

It's got the 180bhp 1.8 turbo Golf GTI engine, 6 speed gearbox and is fast and frugal.

You can pick up a mint condition one for £3-4k.

Jon

[pstruck]

jkhamler said:

Seat Toledo 20VT - see mine http://jonhamler.co.uk/pics/toledo.jpg

Amazingly underrated, rare and high value/performance saloon. Best car I ever had.

It's got the 180bhp 1.8 turbo Golf GTI engine, 6 speed gearbox and is fast and frugal.

You can pick up a mint condition one for £3-4k.

Jon

Yes, I had looked at those. I was looking at Leon Cupra 20VT's and these are essentially the same car, with a boot and cheaper to buy.

My only concern with the Seats is the water ingress thing. Lots of reports of leaks.

[550Hep]

Saab 9-5 Aero
Alfa 156
Subaru Legacy

Few more to consider...

[anonymous-user]

pstruck said:

Have considered the Leon Cupra / Focus ST170 options, but think these are a touch small.

For £4.5k you'll get a pretty good Mondeo ST220, but they're a bit thirsty. Running costs ought to be reasonable though.

[Baffled Spoon]

pstruck said:

jkhamler said:

Seat Toledo 20VT - see mine http://jonhamler.co.uk/pics/toledo.jpg

Amazingly underrated, rare and high value/performance saloon. Best car I ever had.

It's got the 180bhp 1.8 turbo Golf GTI engine, 6 speed gearbox and is fast and frugal.

You can pick up a mint condition one for £3-4k.

Jon

Yes, I had looked at those. I was looking at Leon Cupra 20VT's and these are essentially the same car, with a boot and cheaper to buy.

My only concern with the Seats is the water ingress thing. Lots of reports of leaks.

The water ingress is a really simple and quick fix. My car had a leak on every door when I bought it, but 15 min per door following the great guide on seatcupra.net, a £5 tube of silicone sealant and job done.

Toledo V5 offers a thirstier, less tuneable but more characterful engine choice. Tend to be cheaper to buy and better equipped though.

[pstruck]

Might have to add the Toledo 20VT to my shortlist then. They do look like good value.

[robsco]

pstruck said:

Might have to add the Toledo 20VT to my shortlist then. They do look like good value.

You'd benefit from looking at an Alfa 156 2.5 V6 too. Truly divine engine.

[Mave]

3 series? (E46)

[Patrick Bateman]

Skoda out of them definitely.

[boomboompow]

I got my '05 9-3 Aero for 4.5k last November; fully loaded model and ticks all the boxes you've put forward. Mine is chipped but sees 30mpg with considerate town driving; higher on the longer trips and never seen it dip below 22

[pstruck]

Mave said:

3 series? (E46)

Have one (my second). The reason for change is to free up some cash and have decided to go to something other than BMW this time.