Cheap fun car options at 5k, any?

[Crizzy]

I'm going to be in need of a new car over the next couple months, it's going to need back seats to carry my little ones to school a couple of days a week, but that's the only real requirement that I have. Budget is a modest £5k.

Ideally I'd like something that is fun as well, my previous cars have been a Z4 and MX5, although I have no expectations that my next car will be in the same realms of performance or driving pleasure.

At the moment I have given serious consideration to an ep3 Type R, but I think all the good ones are asking above this!

I'm quite out of touch with the market, so would appreciate some advice if possible...

The other option is that I make this our proper family wagon, which wouldn't necessarily mean a lot more miles, but I would need a lot of room in the back, the ability to tow a small trailer and ideally 3 full sized seats. If I go down this route then I can up the budget to £10k. But then I lose out on having something a bit more fun on the weekends!

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Crizzy]

Brilliant, thanks guys. I've never massively been into small hot hatches, but there seems to be lots of suggestions in this segment of the market so maybe now is time I start to broaden my horizons.

So the recommendations seem to be:

Small Hatchbacks

182 - I have always loved this car, and I always thought if I was going to go down the small hatchback route this would probably be the best place to start. I am a little cautious though as imagine most are getting quite leggy now and might need a bit of work to keep them going?

197 - I've never really given these much attention as I have always preferred the 182. But I'll go away and see what's about.

Suzuki Swift Sport - Again, these have never been on my radar as I've never really taken an interest into smaller hatchbacks, but sounds like you loved yours @Lashout_UK, so thanks for the advice I might check out some youtube vids and see what some facebook groups are like.

Fiesta ST - Which gen would this be for the budget? This falls into the smaller hatchback party so I would need to go and do some research as I don't really know much about these.

Mini Cooper S - Another potential, not sure if the budget is enough for a decent R56, so likely an R53 which I believe has a bit of a reputation for having some engine issues?


Medium sized hatchbacks

Golf GTI edition 30 - I had a quick look on AT for GTIs, there's not a whole lot out there that look reasonable for the budget, lots of tatty ropey ones which tends to put me off a bit...

EP3 - Yes if I could find one within budget that has good history, I think this would be ideal, but the same comments as the golf also apply here...

FN2 - Again, yes a possibility, I am not sure why these get so much hate - probably attributed to *that* Top Gear review. The last NA CTR as well so the end of an era with this one.

Coupes

Celica - Yes I do love these, but I only think it looks right in the GT spec, which might be a bit shouty and juvenile for a 40's something man. If I had the budget I'd probably be looking at a GT-86, and on paper the Celica isn't a world of difference.

 

[Crizzy]

Thanks for the the suggestions everyone, I really appreciate the input.

I've decided for now though I am going to keep my current car (Z4), I took it out for a blast on the weekend and decided that I just can't part with it right now!

We should be able to manage without the extra seats for now, and if things do change then I'll probably run a cheap shed and keep the Z4 as well...

Thanks again for the replies though