What fun car - £27000

[Rusty569]

I’m finally in a position to get myself a decent motor, without going into personal details here’s the requirements, wishes and budget:

Requirements:
- Be able to take a Labrador either in the back or preferably in the boot
- Be able to take a mountain bike EXTERNALLY either roof rack or preferably hidden tow bar mount kit
- real world mpg 35+ in normal driving conditions (happy with 25 when thrashed and 40 in hypermiling mode)
- “fun” driving feel prioritised over outright power, providing its got enough pull to nip past cars doing 60mph on B roads that’s plenty
- not ruinous running costs
- max 5 years old
- max 40,000 miles
- absolute max £27000
- petrol
- sounds good

Useage:
- 15000 miles pa
- commute is 14 miles of NSL dual carriageway each way
- I tend to do plenty of trips up the west coast of Scotland, Lake District, Yorkshire etc

I current have an i20N on order as it was loads of fun on the test drive but the order has been delayed AGAIN so I’m now looking what a similar budget gets me in the used market.

What should I be shortlisting? I’d prefer manual but will not rule out auto options

[Pistonheader101]

340i touring

[2 GKC]

Pistonheader101 said:

340i touring

Struggle with the budget, age and mileage criteria

[p4cks]

2 GKC said:

Pistonheader101 said:

340i touring

Struggle with the budget, age and mileage criteria

Other than that, a pefect suggestion

[georgeyboy12345]

Yep, pretty much a 340i Touring. This just about satisfies your demanding list of requirements!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...


Other ideas

Ford Focus ST-3 Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...


Peugeot 308 GT SW
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111049...

[Rusty569]

The 340 touring is a brilliant option but a bit big. The lab is happy in my partners VW Polo and I’d prefer a smaller car.

Options I was looking at:
- wait for my i20N
- i30N
- M140i
- 240i
- Golf gti
- octavia vrs
- Mini Cooper s
- just keep my current 2015 Leon FR
- some kind of fun second car for 10-15k - but my single garage is full of motorbikes and mountain bikes so it would have to live outside

[Shiv_P]

You aren't getting a dog in a 240i surely?

Golf R?

[Rusty569]

Sorry no you’re right. The 240i shouldn’t be on there. Any 4/5 seat hatch fits the dog requirements fine with a back seat hammock to keep the car clean. He is more than happy in the boot of my 3 door Leon at the moment.

I think the Golf R has a big image problem, and I spend my working life chasing after and dealing with victims of stolen ones that I’m put off them and S3’s.

[georgeyboy12345]

Here's my top 10

Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBi TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111119...


BMW M140i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...


Peugeot 308 GTi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...


Honda Civic Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...


Renaultsport Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...


Mini Cooper S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...


Hyundai i30 N
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201131...


VW Golf GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112140...


Ford Focus ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110118...


Kia Stinger GTS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

[scot_aln]

[quote=Rusty569]The 340 touring is a brilliant option but a bit big.

It is the same 4.6mtrs as the Octavia in your list.

[ZX10R NIN]

Rusty569 said:

I’m finally in a position to get myself a decent motor, without going into personal details here’s the requirements, wishes and budget:

Requirements:
- Be able to take a Labrador either in the back or preferably in the boot
- Be able to take a mountain bike EXTERNALLY either roof rack or preferably hidden tow bar mount kit
- real world mpg 35+ in normal driving conditions (happy with 25 when thrashed and 40 in hypermiling mode)
- “fun” driving feel prioritised over outright power, providing its got enough pull to nip past cars doing 60mph on B roads that’s plenty
- not ruinous running costs
- max 5 years old
- max 40,000 miles
- absolute max £27000
- petrol
- sounds good

Useage:
- 15000 miles pa
- commute is 14 miles of NSL dual carriageway each way
- I tend to do plenty of trips up the west coast of Scotland, Lake District, Yorkshire etc

I current have an i20N on order as it was loads of fun on the test drive but the order has been delayed AGAIN so I’m now looking what a similar budget gets me in the used market.

What should I be shortlisting? I’d prefer manual but will not rule out auto options

I'd say take a look at these three.

308 GTI PS these are a great steer & you'll get a very nice low mileage example under budget too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110088...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110188...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201211...

Astra GTC VXR like the 308 above these are very much a drivers car they also have a nice sized boot & again come in under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108166...

Or here's a i20N that's in stock:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201271...

Or here are a couple of good alternatives to the i20N.

Fiesta ST-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

208 GTI Peugeot Sport GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...

Both are very good alternatives & well under budget.

[Rusty569]

All very good options thanks for the opinions. I’m off for a few days next week so plan to try read through reviews, get some test drives in and go car shopping. I will update when a new motor arrives