interesting 'shopping' car

[xcentric]

So I'm after a shopping/travel to the train station car, so that we don't dump miles onto either the Caterham or the Discovery. The question is, what. Budget is about £6k.

The thing is, we both enjoy driving, so a crappy car would probably not do it for us; it needs to be interesting. Now, it can be interesting in lots of different ways - excellent economy, electric, wild colour, luxurious, sporty, etc.

Currently candidates suggest I don't have a clue :-)

• Fiesta 1.0 ecoboost - cheap to tax, insure and good on fuel. Fun to drive, despite low power
• Mercedes S class - luxury personified. But might be large bills on the horizon, not so cheap to tax and run. Comfy though, esp with winter coming on
• Clio 182/192 - fast, fun. Relatively cheap to run. Noisy though, and high rev drone less good on longer trips
• Golf - which one? older GTI (about to get costly?), younger mid-range one?

less likely:

• Mini - had Cooper S and not overly impressed, most i the bracket are lower spec, so probably out
• DS3 - funky looking, but driving??
• Seat - couple around - possibility, I suppose, but doesn't float my boat
• Land Rover defender - about to buy a classic one of these, so probably don't need 2 (well, 3 if you include the Disco)

will be trading in a Subaru Forester 2.5XT - excellent drive, fast and fun, great in the winter, but a lot to fuel and tax.

suggestions of interesting cars welcomed. Note that it needs to be able to take 3 kids too, so the MX5 option is out. So are 2 MX5's.....

[benjijames28]

My ex wife has a fiesta ecoboost 1.0. 125bhp. Probably the best car I've driven, loved it, way more fun than my 1.8 160bhp TFSI audi.

If I didn't need a bigger car for 2 kids and a baby... I would love to go get the new st line 5 door fiesta with 140bhp.

Edited by benjijames28 on Friday 30th September 19:40

[anonymous-user]

Golf R ?

[xcentric]

if you know of a Golf R at £6k, please let me know :-)

BMW 120d an option, but as we had a 135i, and whilst it was ok it wasn't spectacular, am not sure it'll tick the right boxes - good practical body shape tho.

[MKnight702]

wormus said:

Golf R ?

Well at least someone else knows its a shopping car.

[DoubleD]

Getting a 3rd car will most likely cost more than you would loose in depreciation on your land rover.

[jjgreenwood]

citreon ax gti if you can find one that works

[LuS1fer]

I have a 13 Fiesta ST which replaced a Mk 6 metallic blue Fiesta ST150 which I loved and only changed because I backed it into a post.
Something like this: http://www.motors.co.uk/car-43041920/8/sr

Downsides are small tank and low gearing so a tadge noisy on longer journeys. Good little car though.

[g7jhp]

MKnight702 said:

wormus said:

Golf R ?

Well at least someone else knows its a shopping car.

But doesn't know the value....why don't people read the OP's post....the budget is 6k!

[anonymous-user]

g7jhp said:

But doesn't know the value....why don't people read the OP's post....the budget is 6k!

Well that's easy too. My station car, used daily, is a Saab 9-5. Buy an Aero, get a stage 3 remap and you have a 300hp weapon for shed money.

[Willy Nilly]

how far away is the station?

[anonymous-user]

Willy Nilly said:

how far away is the station?

Mine's 2.5 miles which is enough to get the Saab up to temperature. Best heater and best seats of any car ever.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK 500 low bork factor but good in terms of comfort & they're a decent steer.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

More sensible:

Focus ST-3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Hyundai S Coupe
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Vauxhall VXR
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[xcentric]

station is 15 miles.

Maybe a third car would be more but we want the Disco to last a long while as it's expedition equipped and keeping mileage down would be useful.

There are other cars around too but they are classics, and/or about to be sold to pay for the Caterham. So another one is the way to go. Saab is an interesting choice I've never thought of. Keep the ideas coming.....

[paolow]

jjgreenwood said:

citreon ax gti if you can find one that works

Not so crazy a suggestion - I've never had a car warm up as quickly as my AX GT - barely by the end of the road and the heater had warm air. Quick, fun and cost buttons to run.Seems perfect, if basic, for a station car...

[Clivey]

xcentric said:

station is 15 miles.

Maybe a third car would be more but we want the Disco to last a long while as it's expedition equipped and keeping mileage down would be useful.

O/T but got any details / photos? I also run a 2nd car to keep miles / wear & tear off my TD5!

As for your question, how about a left-field alternative - the Citroen C5 Exclusive with the Hydractive suspension? A comfortable mile muncher that's at least a bit different to the norm.

[xcentric]

might be worth saying that if I commute, it's M42, M6, M5 for 60 miles, and that happens once a week maybe.
So occasional longer trips possible too. But not compulsory in that car.

[ANJ91]

some cheap to run, quick and different ones

Smart forfour brabus
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

abarth 500
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

citroen ds3 sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

mistubishi colt ralliart
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[xcentric]

now that DS3 is sufficiently funky.....

[Nickp82]

My money would go on a Suzuki Swift Sport, loads of fun even at low speed and fairly cool looking