Running out of ideas

[JordanM200]

So basically I sold my VW Polo GTi back in August and now I need a car in the next week or two, and have a budget of £6,500. My two options were originally a 2010/2011 Audi A3 1.8 TFSI, and a BMW 1 series again around 2010-2011. I have made the below threads in the respective marques sections however it seems both of these are going to be a no go due to engine issues!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I am looking for a car, reasonably cheap to run and maintain (2.0 engine and under), under 90k miles, and something I don't need to spend out on a cambelt right away.

Other cars I am looking at are the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI - do they have cambelts? If so not prepared to pay out straight away to change it.
MINI Cooper around 2012/2013 - any issues with these?

I would like a TT with the 2.0 TFSI engine however wasn't sure how costly to run/maintain? Same goes with an E85 Z4 - not sure on reliability and running costs on the 2.0 150bhp model

Don't need practicality as it's literally just me using it. Preferably petrol as well as doing around 10k per year.

Again any help would be great

[keo]

Is a fiesta ST in budget?

[A500leroy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-BMW-1-Series-125i-...

[JordanM200]

What's a 2010 Mazda MX5 like to own? These are in budget could be a good way to go?

[A500leroy]

JordanM200 said:

What's a 2010 Mazda MX5 like to own? These are in budget could be a good way to go?

good choice op, check the sills.

[ZX10R NIN]

It seems you want a warm hatch rather than a hot one?

Does it have to German?

In which case I'd look for either a Kia Ceed/Pro Ceed 200 in GT spec they're a very good buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...

1.6T Astra GTC SRI 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

Peugeot RCZ GT 200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

Giulietta Sportiva 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009083...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

Veloce 170
Cloverleaf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010255...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

Junior/Hot Hatches

Civic Type R sensible running costs rides a bit stiff

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010175...

208 GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...

DS3 Racing

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010295...

Fiesta ST-2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

Focus ST-2/3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

Mazda3 MPS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009013...

All are reliable (the MPS will need a little more maintenance) & have sensible running costs.

[JordanM200]

Thanks for that list. Out of those the Astra looks ok not sure about the rest. Does the Astra require a cam belt change?

What is the Mk6 Golf 1.4 TSI like? Scirocco 1.4?

What's the mx5 cost to run and own?

[oilslick]

JordanM200 said:

Thanks for that list. Out of those the Astra looks ok not sure about the rest. Does the Astra require a cam belt change?

What is the Mk6 Golf 1.4 TSI like? Scirocco 1.4?

What's the mx5 cost to run and own?

I'm not sure why you seem to have this obsession with cambelts. They're a few hundred quid at most to change and won't need doing again for another few years - why the objection to buying a car that may need one in the future?

I have an MX5 NC RHT and it costs buttons to run. MX5's are generally very reliable and there's a huge aftermarket parts scene so nothing is too expensive (e.g. full set of discs and pads for £160) The NC has a cam chain, not a belt. There's always a worry around rust, mine goes to the jetwash very often, especially when I've been driving on a salty road.

I'm not sure I'd want to be doing 10k miles a year in one, especially if a large chunk of that is motorways - there's a lot of road noise and I'm currently in the process of dismantling the interior of mine to add a ton of Dynamat because the droning drives me nuts.

[DoubleD]

What about a 5 door Renault Clio RS? Autobox so easy to drive, nippy and handles well.


Might need to stretch the budget a touch though.

[Belle427]

You specified petrol but have you considered an Audi A3 or similar in Tdi form?
Cheaper to run, and are quite punchy to drive where you want the power.

[JordanM200]

oilslick said:

I'm not sure why you seem to have this obsession with cambelts. They're a few hundred quid at most to change and won't need doing again for another few years - why the objection to buying a car that may need one in the future?

I have an MX5 NC RHT and it costs buttons to run. MX5's are generally very reliable and there's a huge aftermarket parts scene so nothing is too expensive (e.g. full set of discs and pads for £160) The NC has a cam chain, not a belt. There's always a worry around rust, mine goes to the jetwash very often, especially when I've been driving on a salty road.

I'm not sure I'd want to be doing 10k miles a year in one, especially if a large chunk of that is motorways - there's a lot of road noise and I'm currently in the process of dismantling the interior of mine to add a ton of Dynamat because the droning drives me nuts.

I don't mind changing it in a year or two but I don't want to spend out on the car right after buying it. The garage I am buying from should be doing it rather than me doing it as soon as I buy the car.

Had a 220 Trophy Clio before and was nice just way more than my budget. Had Clio 200 before but finding a decent one seems hard to come by.

[DoubleD]

Belle427 said:

You specified petrol but have you considered an Audi A3 or similar in Tdi form?
Cheaper to run, and are quite punchy to drive where you want the power.

They are a bit rough though.

[JordanM200]

Is the engine in the Audi A 2.0 tdi better (2011 ish)?

[keo]

Belle427 said:

You specified petrol but have you considered an Audi A3 or similar in Tdi form?
Cheaper to run, and are quite punchy to drive where you want the power.

I wouldn’t have a diesel for 10k a year. I have got a 2.0tdi A3 as I do about 20k a year. It’s so boring. Good at what I use it for though. Mine is the 170bhp version but apparently remapped to 205bhp I still think it’s quite slow.

[rjfp1962]

A500leroy said:

JordanM200 said:

What's a 2010 Mazda MX5 like to own? These are in budget could be a good way to go?

good choice op, check the sills.

I've Just come out of a Fiesta ST2 (2016) because I fancied something different. I got myself a Mazda MX-5ND, but a few years ago when working at a Mazda dealership, I demonstrated many NB/NC models to potential customers.
No major issues other than the previously mentioned "check the sills", but there are plenty out there and at this time of the year you might find a better deal...!

[JordanM200]

What do you mean MX5 ND?

[ChrisH72]

MX5 ND is the latest shape from 2014 onwards. Your budget would be the NC model although I think you'd possibly get the facelift car for 6500.

How about a swift sport. Great little warm hatch and whilst not fast they're good fun to drive. You'd get a newer car with less miles in budget and they're very well equipped too. Pretty bullet proof. I nearly went for one but upped the budget for a Fiesta ST3 instead.

[Belle427]

JordanM200 said:

Is the engine in the Audi A 2.0 tdi better (2011 ish)?

I had a 2010 2.0 140 Bhp version and it was fine. Very reliable if looked after, can have some dpf issues if doing lots of short journeys but I didn’t have any trouble in 3 years.
Not that exciting agreed but it didn’t sound as if you were looking for that.

[JordanM200]

OK thanks.

What is the MINI Cooper like in terms of reliability? Looking at around 2012/2013 plate Cooper 1.6 for my budget - are these any good? Had an S before but was known for engine issues

[stevekoz]

JordanM200 said:

I don't mind changing it in a year or two but I don't want to spend out on the car right after buying it. The garage I am buying from should be doing it rather than me doing it as soon as I buy the car.

Had a 220 Trophy Clio before and was nice just way more than my budget. Had Clio 200 before but finding a decent one seems hard to come by.

Still a little confused. You only need do a cambelt if it's past due or due soon. Both of which allow you bargaining power on the price of any said car and as a job can be done by a garage in a matter of days.

If you don't want to pay for a cambelt service then factor in mileage/age of the car when looking. Buying a car that's under the interval necessary. Although that doesn't guarantee you won't need to do it sooner than later.

Another alternative is to buy a car that is chain driven. But those have their pitfalls too.

Ultimately buying a car where you've done the research. Watching out for care, services, maintenance etc. Will help limit exposure to riak. ZXs list is about as extensive I've seen for budget and requirement. Not many i could think to add.