£4k Daily Driver

[V12biTurbo]

I'm after a new to me car to use most days for work. The important bits are:

Budget is 3-4500
Do 60 miles a day 4 days per week
At weekends I drive a fair bit but have another car which I'll use at as well
Other car is fast, so it's not essential this one is, but nothing frustratingly slow
Petrol preffered but a reliable diesel would be fine
Reasonable fuel economy I.e. 30+ mpg, more is great
As new and well spec'd as possible
I'm quite a young lad so something that is looks quite modern and won't be embarrassed in a world of financed/leased new hatches. Don't want to go this route myself but tend to feel like I'm driving an old banger compared to everyone else my age these days. I know it doesn't matter etc etc but still.
Not many other preferences, will look at a range of choices, new as possible and low-ish mileage, comfortable for my mileage and reasonable on the motorway.

Current thoughts:

Volvo C30 R Design - looks very fresh, supposedly reliable with the right engine, well made, nice interior
2005 Onwards (e90?) BMW 3 Series (which engines have the cam chain issues, if it's a big deal?)
Fiesta (one before current model before the big grille) supposedly a good drive and lots of engine choices, not too keen on fords as a rule though and interior doesn't do much for me
Alfa Romeo GT (reliability?)

If you have any other ideas that fit the bill then I'd like to hear them please, and any thoughts on the above from anyone who's owned them would be great!

Cheers

[CX53]

As unpopular as they might be on here, something like an Audi A3, A4 TDI would be perfect here. Nice place to sit for your commute, they look pretty good, comfy etc.

[ZX10R NIN]

The C30 is a heavy car so the small engined petrol engine is lacking.

Leftfield

2006 406 Coupe 2.7 (same engine as used in the Jaguar XF) if you can live with the looks
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Mondeo 2.5T Titanium X these will average 30mpg
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[benjijames28]

I would almost defiantly recommend a Audi a3 a4 or a6.

[Ahbefive]

S60R. So comfy and pretty quick too. Not very new but probably the most car money can buy for 4k.

[V12biTurbo]

I'm not massively keen on the Audi's if I'm honest. I don't mind BMW, 1 series or 3 series perhaps.

As for the C30 being heavy, that's a shame because the R Design trim in budget tends to only be the 1.6 - 1.8! I've seen a couple of T5's around but they don't look as nice.

Not too keen on the diesel pug but that mondeo looks like an interesting one, didn't know they did that engine! It might be a bit too 'dad' for me, but still it's worth consideration.

S60R another interesting thought, perhaps a bit too complicated & prone to go wrong?

[stuart_83]

How about a MK2 Leon? If you get the right model / spec (FR) they look pretty decent.

Not sure what sort of example you'd get for £4k though.

The other option is what I ended up going for when I had a budget of around the same - an Alfa Romeo GT.

Stunning looking car, surprisingly practical, very comfortable, drives brilliantly, full leather, fair few toys, and although they have their quirks they're pretty reliable as they use a very common diesel engine. Incredibly cheap at the moment too.

Here's mine - 56 plate, 80k miles, 'only' worth about £3k.

[Ahbefive]

V12biTurbo said:

S60R another interesting thought, perhaps a bit too complicated & prone to go wrong?

Mine is yet to go wrong. Its not that complicated a car these days.

[FredClogs]

The Volvo C30 is a decent little car and well built but it's not a practical car in any way, a 2+2 with a silly boot but not sporty in any way, it's proper daft.

[Ahbefive]

Agreed. The s60 is better in every way.

[DickP]

On a similar note, Alfa 159?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Alfa GT is a nice car but they do eat through their front bushes but it's not really a game changer.

Other options:

2007 Alfa 147 2.0 60k 150bhp (well under budget)

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

1.6 Sport 20k 120bhp (low miles)

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

2009 Alfa Mito 1.4 51k 155bhp

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

2009 Peugeot 207 GT 1.6 57k 150bhp (mini engine)

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

2006 Civic Type S GT 1.8 30k 140bhp

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

[anonymous-user]

Suzuki Swift Sport

15,000 miles

£3,950

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

[CX53]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

Suzuki Swift Sport

15,000 miles

£3,950

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

I couldn't stand doing the OP's sort of mileage in one, which is why I got shot of mine. Cracking car, my mum has it now which is great because I get to use it now and again for a blast but honestly commuting in one is horrendous.

[V12biTurbo]

Thanks a lot for all the replies everyone, I'll work my way through and look through the links and have a nosey at auto trader.