One do-it-all car, ~20k

[jayymannon]

Interested to know what cars people would be looking at in my situation.

- Only space for one car really and parking is tight so smaller is better, no kids so rear space not a major consideration.
- 20 mile each way commute, ~13 miles B roads, 3 miles town, 4 miles dual carriagway
- Due to working on-call, there is a possibility of call-outs at any time of night, all year round so needs to potentially handle snow etc although this would be very rare. South Central so only major snow event in recent times was beast from the east.
- Would ideally spent no more than 20k but could stretch slightly.

Personally I value reliability highly and would ideally want something fairly new so I can run it for a long time.

Sorry for another what car? type thread but I'd be interested to know what others would go for as I seem to be flip-flopping daily! One day I'm thinking a Kia picanto/Hyundai i10 with all-season tyres, next day I'm thinking small SUV (Vitara/Yaris Cross etc.), next day I'm on to Civic/Corrola.

[Shiv_P]

Are you interested in something a bit 'warm'/hot/quick?

[justin220]

I think a hot hatch of some sort is hard to beat, and I've just been through this exact dilemma recently.

I wanted a one car fits all, including dog, child, fun, bit unique etc. Ended up with a Renaultsport Megane. I did look at a few Golf Rs which are likely a better car, but the Megane just seemed to be the one for me. Delighted with it so far.

[jayymannon]

I have considered something 'tepid' like the up GTI or Kia Picanto GT Line S. The Picanto is in my thoughts, just not sure if 40 miles a day in one would get tiresome.

Thanks for the replies. That Megane looks great. Think I'd be worried about thefts with something like a Golf R (whether justified or not).

[jamesbilluk]

The Panda 4x4 seems very well thought of on here, small, fun to drive, and with the right tries, brilliant in the snow.
You would have some change as well.

The twin air engine is said to be good fun as well
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309021...

Also can be had with a 1.3

Or panda cross
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...

Or Suzuki Ignis all grip

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305257...

Skoda yeti 4x4. My dad has a 1.8T variant with 4x4, it’s a great bit of kit, drives very well. Just for an example,

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307280...

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 8th September 19:17

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 8th September 19:20

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 8th September 19:24

[clockworks]

GT Line S is a pretty "grown up" car if you are just going with the flow on a regular commute. Much more refined than a Panda /500, as good as the Up/Citigo.
Decent turn of speed for a small car too, if you push it - as long as you get the 1 litre turbo, not the 1.25.
Driving one for a couple of hours is no problem - something that I really hated doing in my old Panda.

I'm on my second - only time in 45 years of driving that I've owned 2 cars of the same make/model. I actually sold an M140i to get back into the second one. Obviously the BMW was an awful lot quicker, but the Picanto is more fun at sensible speeds.

[Brett748]

Suzuki Swift Sport would be a shout.

[Brett748]

Suzuki Swift Sport would be a shout.

[ChrisH72]

Mostly B roads sounds like you want a Fiesta ST.

20k would get a very nice mk8 ST3 but I don't think it'll be long before the mk8.5 is in budget too.

For the kind of driving you do I think a hot hatch is a great choice. But on smaller roads you won't get much benefit from the larger more powerful cars so better to go smaller but newer in my opinion.

I wouldn't worry about snow. As you say it's very rare and a Fiesta will cope fine as a daily drive.

Alternatively if its just you then maybe an mx5 RF. Go for a sport nav+ with the 184bhp 2.0 engine. The hard top will make it fine for year round use.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’d look for a used Audi BMW or Mercedes with a circa 2 litre engine. You really can’t go wrong.

[paddy1970]

You could get a vw polo gti...a little less flashy than a golf r and smaller

[jayymannon]

Thank You for all your replies, it's given me some food for thought!

[biggbn]

The best used Lexus RX450 you can find.

[Matty_]

jayymannon said:

I have considered something 'tepid' like the up GTI or Kia Picanto GT Line S. The Picanto is in my thoughts, just not sure if 40 miles a day in one would get tiresome.

Thanks for the replies. That Megane looks great. Think I'd be worried about thefts with something like a Golf R (whether justified or not).

I've been doing 30-50 miles a day in my UpGTi (until I moved jobs, now 20 miles a day). TBH, its been great. In 4 years and 40k+ miles - other than servicing - the only costs I've had are tyres due to punctures as the standard Goodyears are awful (they have a tendancy to split sidewalls on potholes).

If I was going alot of motorway driving, I'd shy away but it does 70mph with ease, regularly 60mpg, costs me nothing to run, has AC and climate control, small so can park it anywhere, cheap to insure...etc etc.

For what it is, and what it cost (disclosure, I got it before the mad price rises) it's been one of the best cars I've owned.

[Silvanus]

Brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway with all season tyres.

[paddy1970]

Silvanus said:

Brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway with all season tyres.

.... probably the worst car in the world....

[CG2020UK]

I’d recommend a hot hatch as well.

We stuck Michelin Cross Climates on our 208GTI for winter and it was the only car in our development getting in and out this year despite all the AWD SUVs.

Such a good choice to pick from and you can ever get smashing cars under your budget.

Golf GTI, Golf R, Audi S3, Megane RS, I30N, Focus ST, Type R, Astra GTC VXR, Peugeot 308GTI, Focus RS, Cupra.

Size down you have the I20N, Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTI and Clio RS.

All the cars listed above are brilliant in my eyes with slight things that I prefer or dislike in each.

[Silvanus]

paddy1970 said:

Silvanus said:

Brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway with all season tyres.

.... probably the worst car in the world....

One of the best selling cars in Europe. Obviously not to your taste, but why do you say it's the worst car in the world? Many would disagree. I own a previous gen Logan Stepway and it's proved to be one of the most satisfying cars I've owned.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mazda3 GT Sport Tech 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308170...

Kia ProCeed GT 205:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307179...

Or if you want full fat the 308 GTI is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306238...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...

[paddy1970]

Silvanus said:

paddy1970 said:

Silvanus said:

Brand new Dacia Sandero Stepway with all season tyres.

.... probably the worst car in the world....

One of the best selling cars in Europe. Obviously not to your taste, but why do you say it's the worst car in the world? Many would disagree. I own a previous gen Logan Stepway and it's proved to be one of the most satisfying cars I've owned.

...your reply says it all...