Fun, low running cost car up to £5k

[OctaneV8]

Hi all, recently on the lookout for a fun lightweight small car that is low cost to run, low road tax, cheap to insure,
for mainly short journeys in the winter months. Ideally spend around £2-3k but would consider up to £5k if worth stretching.



I like to try and bicycle most places up to 5 miles away but now getting colder for winter months, if there's a car I can keep as a backup for my main car, and not worry about leaving it parked anywhere, supermarket, city centre on Saturday night etc.

Always liked the Suzuki Swift, Fiat / Abarth 500, Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta (great handling) maybe even a small diesel for example Mini Cooper D, or Skoda Fabia, I see a lot of nice cars with £35 road tax which would be fantastic.

an MX5 would be great fun but need a bit of practicality for carrying more than just one passenger.

Many years ago had a 2002 Saxo VTR which I really liked, up to 45mpg, go-kart, except the seating/ pedal offset position was uncomfortable for driving after an hour or so.

Thanks

[sam.rog]

Suzuki swift sport fits the bill.
Renault twingo rs if you want closest to your saxo.

No affiliation with the seller. The car might be an absolute turd but this looks good.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286161412729?mkcid=16&a...

Edited by sam.rog on Thursday 14th November 14:12

[Jimjimhim]

Loads of options, including

Abarth 595
Alfa mito
Citroen DS3
Fiesta ST
Cooper S
208 GTI
Twingo GT
Ibiza FR
Corsa 1.4T

[lancslad58]

Fiat Panda 4x4, try and get the Twinair version if you can.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409043...




https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410305...

[Jayho]

Bought a 2015 Mini Cooper 1.5 for my daily commute. Mid to high 40's MPG on commute, 50+MPG on a run. £20 a year to Tax a year and only cost me £180 to insure for the full year. All seems good so far and easy to drive. Not fast by any standards, but brisk enough for my commute.

[ZX10R NIN]

OctaneV8 said:

Hi all, recently on the lookout for a fun lightweight small car that is low cost to run, low road tax, cheap to insure,
for mainly short journeys in the winter months. Ideally spend around £2-3k but would consider up to £5k if worth stretching.



I like to try and bicycle most places up to 5 miles away but now getting colder for winter months, if there's a car I can keep as a backup for my main car, and not worry about leaving it parked anywhere, supermarket, city centre on Saturday night etc.

Always liked the Suzuki Swift, Fiat / Abarth 500, Mazda 2, Ford Fiesta (great handling) maybe even a small diesel for example Mini Cooper D, or Skoda Fabia, I see a lot of nice cars with £35 road tax which would be fantastic.

an MX5 would be great fun but need a bit of practicality for carrying more than just one passenger.

Many years ago had a 2002 Saxo VTR which I really liked, up to 45mpg, go-kart, except the seating/ pedal offset position was uncomfortable for driving after an hour or so.

Thanks

Some options for under 3.5k & under £200

Mito Quadrifoglio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411076...

Veloce 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409264...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411126...

1.6 Fiesta Zetec S, great handling & also a good robust car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402236...

Kia Rio 3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411066...

208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411116...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408122...

[Alex_225]

RS Twingo 133 gets my vote, mainly as I'm biased and I own one.

If you can get one with the Cup pack (rather than the 133 Cup) it'll have a few more features. Really great handling little car, not hugely powerful but a laugh and I think still very good looking little cars.