New car recommendations around 11k

Soldato
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2 Feb 2010
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New car time, but I'm a bit stumped what to get. I want something fairly nippy, I guess around 150bhp, with good fuel economy and running costs. Needs to be around 3 years old and no more than 30k on the clock.

Was leaning towards a Leon FR, which seems to tick all the boxes. Struggling to find a good one in my price bracket though, so wondering about alternatives.
 
Soldato
OP
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East Midlands
Thanks for the suggestions so far...

Had considered the focus, but getting a bit long in the tooth now and can't afford the new one.

Same with the fiesta really.

Don't think I need more than 2 seats, hadn't really considered an Mx5. Still haven't forgiven Mazda over the way they treated me over my rx8 though.
 
Caporegime
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Lexus CT200H however it must be used in sport mode if you want it to be nippy. Eco severely restricts it's power to where it feels like you are driving a 60BHP car.

Running costs - cheap due to hybrid.

Reliability - is extremely high with it being a Lexus. Also with it being a lexus it comes fully loaded and looks decent too. However you will have to go older than 3 years and more mileage than 30K however with it being a lexus neither of these should be an issue. Should last 200K and can be warrantied up to 100k and 10 years for £250 a year.

If you really want to stick to your 30K and 3 years then get the toyota version which is the Auris or Prius.
 
Don
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Spalding, Lincolnshire
Leon was launched 2013 I think? Still the current model.
2012 according to Wikipedia (only a year younger than the Mk3 Focus)

Yes, pretty nice. Fuel economy isn't fantastic though. It's s 2.0 litre.
Is the autotrader page correct? 48MPG combined? Seems decent.
41.2Mpg according to real mpg https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/mazda/3-2014/20-165

Realistically most ~150bhp petrols aren't going to produce a lot better mpg than the 40-45mpg mark, regardless of actual engine size.
 
Caporegime
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Associate
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Cambridge
Yes, pretty nice. Fuel economy isn't fantastic though. It's s 2.0 litre.

I test drove the 165 and 120bhp versions and found the 165 a bit disappointing. The torque curves are identical up to 4500rpm where the ecu restricts the throttle on the 120 (can be removed by a remap). In the end I went for the 120 since it was cheaper to buy and tax.
 
Soldato
OP
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Location
East Midlands
Still leaning towards the Leon FR 150, assuming a good one comes up in my price range.

Eyeing a black one up, but it's a long trek to go see only to end up disappointed.

Already been to Cambridge, Nottingham and Derby.
 
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