£9k to spend - Recommend me something please!

Banana_Bread · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:06

I live in London (Uni/gf), commute out to my family’s farm for work. I drive about 40 miles a day 4 days a week. My home in London has terrible parking, therefore I am staying away from anything bigger than a 1 series/golf.

I use to have a 120d 2013 but sold it due to ULEZ.

I want something really reliable, reasonably economical, and not gutless. After test driving a 1.6 Golf 2018 I was shocked at the low end lag, hated the e-brake ordeal. I did have a look at maybe a GTI, but its not economical enough.

Is diesel really worth it nowadays? I dont really go over 10/11k Miles annually... I want to for 2/3 years...

If you have any input please let me know! I am open minded, but I do lean towards the german styling/quality.

Thanks!

Currently on my autotrader watchlist: Golf, 1 series, V40

coupe69 · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:09

Fiest ST? Small, reasonably quick, in budget, enjoyable to drive and fairly economical.

Banana_Bread · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:12

coupe69 said:
Fiest ST? Small, reasonably quick, in budget, enjoyable to drive and fairly economical.

How reliable are they? Do you have one?

Savan_P · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:38

Fiesta ST is a good shout, but also consider a Focus ST maybe as you get a bit more bang for your buck and extra space.

Maybe even look at Audi S1.

coupe69 · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:45

Banana_Bread said:
How reliable are they? Do you have one?

No i don't, but I've driven one a few years back and it was a great car to drive. They're well respected and still considered to be the best bang for buck small hot hatch. I'm sure there's a few forum members that are owners that can chime in with their experiences.

Fiesta ST is a good shout, but also consider a Focus ST maybe as you get a bit more bang for your buck and extra space.

Maybe even look at Audi S1.

The petrol Focus is nowhere near as economical as the Fiesta and you've got no chance of getting an S1 for anywhere near 9k unless it's a CAT S.

Banana_Bread · 13 Jul 2020 at 08:59

Savan_P said:
Fiesta ST is a good shout, but also consider a Focus ST maybe as you get a bit more bang for your buck and extra space.

Maybe even look at Audi S1.

My partner has an A1, it is a great little car. Can only imagine what it would be like with more bhp. But, as coupe mentioned, and I agree the S1 is a bit out of budget and the Focus ST is juicy. Bhp between 130 to 190 would be ideal I suppose

Nasher · 13 Jul 2020 at 09:34

The STs are pretty reliable, I never had any problems with mine. There was a recall relating to cooling on ecoboost engines so make sure that was done.

Banana_Bread · 13 Jul 2020 at 09:55

Nasher said:
The STs are pretty reliable, I never had any problems with mine. There was a recall relating to cooling on ecoboost engines so make sure that was done.

What mileage are you up to? ST, ST-2, and ST-3?

MissChief · 13 Jul 2020 at 10:01

Banana_Bread said:
My partner has an A1, it is a great little car. Can only imagine what it would be like with more bhp. But, as coupe mentioned, and I agree the S1 is a bit out of budget and the Focus ST is juicy. Bhp between 130 to 190 would be ideal I suppose

Focus Zetec S or Titanium 182PS then. 1.6 Ecoboost so much better on fuel than any ST can manage and still has a decent turn of pace too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006059817857?

Banana_Bread · 13 Jul 2020 at 10:27

MissChief said:
Focus Zetec S or Titanium 182PS then. 1.6 Ecoboost so much better on fuel than any ST can manage and still has a decent turn of pace too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202006059817857?

That is not bad, it is a shame the newer models are 1 litre...

Bug One · 13 Jul 2020 at 10:38

Banana_Bread said:
That is not bad, it is a shame the newer models are 1 litre...

It's more powerful and more efficient.

Can you charge a car at your families farm? If so, have you considered electric. A lot faster than you think. Small, congestion charge free, no tax and - if you can charge at the farm - free fuel.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Ren...379270?hash=item342bd06dc6:g:FBIAAOSw9qRfBuEV

MissChief · 13 Jul 2020 at 11:28

Banana_Bread said:
That is not bad, it is a shame the newer models are 1 litre...

There are 1.0 Ecoboost engines in both the focus and Fiesta. The newer models have a 1.5L Ecoboost with much the same power outputs.

Nasher · 13 Jul 2020 at 14:43

The 1.0 I found very gutless when I had them as loan cars, felt like it had no torque. But that was after driving the 1.6 ST

NVP · 13 Jul 2020 at 15:14

Bug One · 13 Jul 2020 at 15:17

NVP said:

Sorry but where do you think you are recommending a French diesel ffs.

Fiesta. Mondeo or 5 series. They're the rules.

NVP · 13 Jul 2020 at 15:17

Isn't it a petrol?

Bug One · 13 Jul 2020 at 16:44

NVP said:
Isn't it a petrol?

Still French. Against the forum rules.

ShiWarrior · 13 Jul 2020 at 18:18

Renault Zoe
Small, electric (great for London)