5k - Warm Hatch/Coupe

DuFFeH

DuFFeH

DuFFeH

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14 Apr 2004
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120
I am truly sorry for posting spec me thread but you guys give good advice.

I currently have a fully expensed company car (2011 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI) which I am looking at giving up and getting the car allowance instead.

So will be looking for a "new" car but this time want something more exciting than the 2 focuses I have had previously.

Budget is around 5k but could be swayed to 6 if something awesome appears. Dont have to travel to far for work any more so eco isnt massively important but would prefer 25-30mpg on the run for rare long distance trips.

Want something with a little bit of go and reliable as I'm not very mechanically minded.

Insurance isnt to much of an issue being 26 with clean license and not to bad area of the world.

Also looking at doing a 'Mini' grand tour of europe in the future so comfortable would be good aswell.

Thanks for the help in advance.
 
Hmm tempting the 197s seem to around my amount. My first car was a Magane 1.6 coupe which I did quite like but everyone has a soft spot for their first car I spose.
 
Personally I wouldn't want to do a Europe tour in a Civic Type R or a 182 Clio. Neither are that comfortable...

I'm going to put my ford fanboy hat on here and recommend you a Ford Focus ST (in top spec with full leather recaros as the cloth recaros are horrible)

2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-3 3DR

2006 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-3 3DR [FULL BLACK LEATHER]

Really comfortable, reliable, plenty of grunt, and a nice comfortable ride too. Don't listen to the horror stories about MPG. My ST3 matches Type R's, Golf GTI's and all other hot hatch MPG averages.

The Clio is nice, but I find the interior very dull and boring.
 
For what the co car costs Id probably keep it and save a lot of hassle and expense, especially as the swap is for a warm hatch and the focus isnt the worst drive in the world. If you really have an itch, maybe join a car club?
 
Yeah the company car does work out pretty cheap and I like not having the hassle but I would like to move on with in next year or so and most other jobs I see do not offer a company car within the package.
 
Surely a £5k Focus ST is going to be a ragged to death pile of rubbish? For £5k a Civic is surely the hot hatch of choice. If you had a bigger budget then sure the Focus ST is a great shout but I wouldn't want a £5k one.
 
AutoTrader seems full of Civics for your price bracket, easier to have a look with your own post code on what's closer make sure it's 04+ for the facelift but a late 2006 is certainly attainable. Just try and find a garage nearby and take one for a spin. It has to have AirCon though, it commands a slight premium but for driving the car daily and selling it on it's a must.
 
Rule of thumb. If your budget doesn't punt you into the middle of the market for the car you want, then you don't want it. Never buy a car of which examples are onyl just in range.
 
You need 7-8k to put you in a decent example of a Focus ST - even the early ones, they don't really seem to be brilliant value all things considered.
 
rossk26 said:
From what I have heard a Civic Type R get 28mpg average.

So does my ST...
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Sounds like selective figures to me. Yes a CTR can average 28MPG, it can also average 38MPG. Depends on many varying factors, but the Focus is never renowned for it's economy because it's poorer to the competition across all types of driving, but that's not the only way to judge a car, unless you're a bit of a hippy.
 
You'll get a mint, low milage and fully kitted 325ti for within £5k and should easily make 30mpg... just saying ;)
 
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Muffin` said:
Sounds like selective figures to me. Yes a CTR can average 28MPG, it can also average 38MPG. Depends on many varying factors, but the Focus is never renowned for it's economy because it's poorer to the competition across all types of driving, but that's not the only way to judge a car, unless you're a bit of a hippy.
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I don't think the type of person that would get 28mpg out of a Type R would be able to get 28mpg out of a Focus ST.
 
Janesy B said:
I don't think the type of person that would get 28mpg out of a Type R would be able to get 28mpg out of a Focus ST.
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Type of person is only 1 factor in the average MPG of a car.

Type of journey probably has a greater affect, but then there are so many factors to consider it's all really irrelevant, therefore the "average" across many users tends to shine a greater light on the true "average" of the car.

38mpg out of a Type R. You would have to drive motorway miles only, and probably maintain 60mph as well. Not where the Type R wants be to, so therefore an irrelevant purchase.
 
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