There seem to have been a few of these lately - hopefully this one won’t turn into something of Emp Fab proportions!
I’m looking to get a new car - I’ve currently got a bog standard old Fiesta which is approaching the end of its days. I’m in no rush to buy, so can take my time to find a well looked after car.
I don’t do many miles a year - my daily commute is only 20 mins, so I’m after something that will put a smile on my face every time I drive it ... I had a Mini Cooper S about 10 years ago and it did exactly that, so that’s a front runner... what I’m after:
Budget £5000 - £6000 (I’m in Australia but prices seem fairly comparable)
Fun to drive, fairly nippy
4 seats min
Reliable / decent build
Reasonable running / servicing costs
I’ve got a shortlist going, but need advice on variants / specs - the Mini’s are straightforward in that respect ... so far its:
Hyundai Velostar
Mini Cooper S (I’d also have a Countryman S)
BMW 1 25i coupe
Audi A3 / A4
Audi TT
Focus Sport
Subaru WRX
So, your thoughts please gentlemen...
Comments
Chips are "Plant-based" no matter how you cook them
Donald Trump needs kicking out of a helicopter
I'm personally responsible for all global warming
Countryman - the only Mini that definitely isn't fun to drive. Rotten, lumbering things.
Focus - buy this if you are 17 and have acne.
BMW 1 Series - buy this if you like cars with desperately drab and outdated interiors.
Audi TT - buy this if you are female/cabin crew.
A3/4 - not bad.
Fiesta ST is a great little car too.
I'd avoid the 125i, it's not quick enough to justify the price increase over a 120i and the running costs aren't far off the much better 130i/135i
an MX5
Don't forget now......
Mazda....
MX5
not 6
not 4
5
Mazda MX5
Chips are "Plant-based" no matter how you cook them
Donald Trump needs kicking out of a helicopter
I'm personally responsible for all global warming
I'd far rather be on the limit in one of those than in a 1 series, which is a great car at 6-7 tenths but well out of its comfort zone at 9-10 tenths (I say this as someone who owned a 125d, it was a lovely car with a great driving position, but a serious hot hatch contender it wasn't)
The 1 (and indeed the vast majority of non M/AMG/whatever performance division cars) has an open diff anyway so it's not as if you're getting the full advantage of a RWD car in the first place.
It's also hobbled by awful run-flat tyres.