10k fun Golf sized commuter

Siliconslave · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:26

Hey guys - STILL looking for the new car

only now the Polos locks are even more knackered so i neeeed it by the new year!

Heres my basic requirements:
- £10k (max)
- No larger than a golf (limited parking

)
- not too high millage - i need to be able to put ~15k on it a year and keep it for at least 4 years
- fun

- comfortable(ish) i end up in it for 2-3hours a day commuting with both high and low speed sections (80mph & crawling)
- Over 27 MPG (unless its something very special, in which case over 22 combined)

Tested so far:
Mini cooperS - nice but not quite my thing, good fun if a little noisy at speed due to runflats i guess + misses kept smacking her head getting in and out
MX5 - i do still love these, but can't seem to top my old one spec wise

still looking for the right one & if it appears i'll have it

New Leon - Nice, but a little plasticy, going to try a last gen LCR on the weekend
Alfa GT - call me stupid but i do really like these, if the right one appears maybe....
Mazda 3/6 - Misses has bought a 6 which is very nice and we tried the 3 which is a little too plasticy so both are out (unless the 3 mps comes down a bit...)
A3 - don't know if it was the auto + turbo diesel we test drove but i really didn't get along with this also felt overly heavy and dull
Corolla slightly random test drive, but didn't enjoy it in the slightest - way too plasticy

ToDo: LCR, CTR, S2k (pushing the milage/budget but i do really like these)....

So... what else should i be checking out? the new GTis haven't hit that price point yet, Z4s might be an option but only seem to the be 2.5, 1Series again doesn't hit the price to mileage point...

[TW]Fox · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:27

I'd give the Cooper S another try, if I couldn't have an A3 it would be my next choice from your list.

peterattheboro · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:31

Something like this?

Siliconslave · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:37

peterattheboro said:
Something like this?

yer, might go and give the newer focus' a try - the STs getting into the right kind of money too now...

peterattheboro · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:38

Siliconslave said:
yer, might go and give the newer focus' a try - the STs getting into the right kind of money too now...

would have suggested an ST but the fuel economy isn't great if you like to have some fun

Shimmy · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:54

Siliconslave said:
10k fun Golf sized commuter

How about a Golf then?

I know it has a few more miles on it, but Golfs do tend to hold value rather well. Or you could hunt around for one with less if you're worried about selling on with ~ 100k miles.

Gaygle · 17 Dec 2008 at 11:55

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=54 ?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=54 ?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2005&vehicleRegLetter=05 ?

Just a couple of examples, but there seem to be plenty of GTI's in your price range.

Maybe also look at one with a DSG box too, if you drive in crawling traffic day to day.

Begbie · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:10

Definatly try the LCR

[TW]Fox · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:17

Begbie said:
Definatly try the LCR

Comfortable? Spec is poor, no cruise.

Siliconslave · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:18

peterattheboro said:
would have suggested an ST but the fuel economy isn't great if you like to have some fun

I'm not worried about the fuel economy while pressing on, thats to be expected

its more the urban (non-nutty) economy that bothers me as such.

And yes, looks like the golfs have come down & my budget have come up enough to be a contender - will give one a look

GreenMint · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:20

Tried looking at an S3 too? or as Fox said, def try and give the Cooper S another go, they really are good AND fun

And if the Mrs keeps smacking her head, either she'd learn not to, or it'd be entertainment with every journey!

Sneaky Peaky · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:27

Fiat 500 tbh

Unlight · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:31

Sneaky Peaky said:
Fiat 500 tbh

You sure? For 2-3 Hours a day?

Don't get me wrong, I love the new 500 and like you, am attempting to get my better half to purchase one.

However, I don't think any of the engines/interiors are suited for 2-3 hours a day to be honest.

[TW]Fox · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:39

2-3 hours a day and only 15k a year sounds a bit odd though.

Sneaky Peaky · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:45

Hour to an hour half each way ? Not that much of a hardship surely - if he'd said 3-4 hours at a time I might have agreed with you..

Unlight · 17 Dec 2008 at 12:49

Yeah I must have read it wrong!

To the OP - You can have my Mazda 3 MPS for the 10k if you want

MeAnBoY · 17 Dec 2008 at 13:42

My vote goes to the Golf, but that's 'cause im biased

would be hard to overlook the ST as it seems to be the better value car.

Ev0 · 17 Dec 2008 at 18:03

I'd have said a Megane R26 but that's a bit over budget, however a normal Megane 225 would be well under and has already lost a lot in depreciation

The non cup/Trophy/R26 models aren't as bad as people make out, just could be better

Cooper S/S3/LCR/BMW 330 (pushing the size req. I know), CTR, there's absolutely loads for that budget

eddie101 · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:16

Have a look at the Swift Sport, pretty much ticked all my boxes

Should be able to get an '08 low mileage for under 10k

jongeeone · 17 Dec 2008 at 19:25

Cooper S.

I dont really commute in it - have drove to places like Plymouth which have taken 2 hours - and yes it was alright to be in on the motorway. It will also give a half decent mpg figure while doing 70.