Boring spec me. £2000, 18000 miles p/a, somewhat fun.

[melchy]

Clio 172/182 for that money, at least 30 mpg no matter how you drive it

 

[loltim]

FN2 for 2k? O_o

 

[Cookeh]

Deviating from the topic somewhat, but as a fan of old Ford... Pics?

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/i-needed-a-sensible-modern-daily-driver.18838410/

 

[hawker1986]

That's what I'd be looking at too, great car for the money.

While I loved my Civic 1.8 40mpg was a dream figure, mine averaged 34mpg with a reasonable urban/extra urban mix. I think I saw over 40mpg once in 9 years on a total motorway tank. Also the Type S is a silly choice IMO, if you are going to get one you might as well get an ES/EX as it has the same performance, still fun handling but its a bit less back breaking on the ride - Type S would be little fun on a motorway trip. You don't get the power of the Type R and you lose out on comfort - the standard car is pretty firm to start with.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

The only option here is to keep the Fiesta, or sell both your cars and get a good middle ground car.

Spending £2000 on a car to do 18k in is never wise.

 

[Dup]

The 1.8 in the FK civics is like the k20 without the VTEC, about 50bhp less but requires the same work to get moving, so not gonna set your world alight. Great every day, a lot of room you don't quite expect and jap reliability. I agree the Type-S ride is shocking, don't get 18" wheels that's for sure. Had mine for 6 years and it's on 161k almost, not a lot has gone wrong but the air con has a couple areas of issue (relay and compressor clutch spacing) but other than that they just get on with any abuse.

40-50mpg is there on a run but daily, 35-40 is more likely. So that said I'd go for the Type-R but obviously only an EP3 is in budget (same engine and gearbox essentially). Had one for 3 years and 60k miles and only needed an engine mount away from consumables however the economy wasn't the best. I drove it like I stole it daily and only gotabout 200 to 220 miles per tank, but others got closer to 300 driving with their licenses in mind.

 

[Lopéz]

You're not going to get a very good FN2 for two grand.

Yep, the FN2 Type-R I looked at belongs to a friend of a work colleague - he wanted £2300 and it really wasn't very nice (great to drive though)

I'd be getting the Fiesta mapped and drive that some more.

Tuning the Fiesta is not something I'd want to do really

Civic Type S GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906098832258

Honda Reliability, 1.8 Petrol is a decent compromise between economy (40mpg+) and performance (typical revvy honda).
Decent amount of equipment (Cruise/Climate etc), and more comfortable than a Fiesta for 18k miles/year!

Now this might be an option. We used to use the 2.2 CDTi as a company car and everyone who had them really liked them - fairly punchy and good on fuel, so that would be on the list too.
I think I definitely fancy an FN2, I hated it when it launched but they've aged surprisingly well

I'd probably go with something that has a turbocharger, as that way you can drive off boost to get respectable MPG, but power there for the odd hoon.

As for what that would be, given the budget and the want for driving dynamics, I'm not sure off the top of my head. VAG group would certainly have the power, and economy, but not really the dynamicisn. Umm, are early MK2 Focus STs in budget?

Edit, no doesn't look like it, but Renault Mégane 225s are.

Yep, power for the odd hoon is what I want really. I tend to trundle down the motorway half of the drive at 70ish.
Didn't realise Megane 225s had dropped this low - potential money pit?

Is a Fabia Vrs in the £2k range yet?

Looked at these too, on the short list

Subaru Legacy 3.0R

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-features-sheds/subaru-legacy-3-0r--shed-of-the-week/40783

Yeah maybe not.

EP3 type r?

Really like them but getting on a bit now and ones at this price are mostly small time drug dealer fodder. Too thirsty really.

190BHP celica (VVTL-I)

Easily in budget

I do quite like these, but Acme.
Probably a bit too thirsty.

The only option here is to keep the Fiesta, or sell both your cars and get a good middle ground car.

Spending £2000 on a car to do 18k in is never wise.

I've just done 18k in a £300 Fiesta, challenge accepted

I don't want or need to sell the Escort. I just like owning it.

 

[Joe T]

Obviously not a serious suggestion, but there's now a Phaeton listed for sale for under £2k!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908101011394

On a serious note, would a browse of https://not2grand.co.uk/ help at all?

 

[ChroniC]

I just bought a saab 93 aero for 1700. 210bhp 2ltr turbo which can be easily remapped to 250. Would keep up with most Type Rs. Lots of fun for me, personally but turbo lag and then a ton of torque makes me smile. Could even look at the 95, but it's a bit more estate like. Faster though.

Only downside to your requirements though is max 32mpg if you going from roads to motorway if your being majorly conservative.
I looked around for this price and personally finding fun + mpg was just impossible, if you wanted anything other than a pokey boy racer.

Saab has heated seats, aircon, a whole bunch of mods cons, parking sensors, etc etc. It absolute carves up motorway miles in luxury and does 50 to 70+ very easily. Overtaking is a breeze. You get a small fun car for the cornering and some of them are quick to but uncomfortable to get to the high numbers, and do long motorway journeys in before they're sounding like they will explode.

 

[mjt]

Surely anything with the 1.9 PD engine? Something like a Leon FR if there are any good ones left?

 

[ExoMale]

Unless there’s an age thing, then maybe the mk5 fiesta ZS? I had one after I had an mgf and before the T sport corolla I had and it was great fun, I got it off my mate who had modified it, so did have better handling and he did fit a puma engine in it(not the racing), but despite keeping the fiesta gearbox it was a hoot and was surprisingly quick, but that car was quick when it had the 1.6 engine in it.

If you want to stick to diesel thought, would the mk6 zetec S Tdci models be out the question?

 

[AHarvey]

i'm not up to speed with the Diesel MK5 golfs but I know they can get some decent power 200-300bhp with mods, decent torque and 60+mpg as well.

If I was doing longer journey's i'd be looking at one but average 13000-14000k a year in the gti.

Similar to other suggestions of the Seat/Skoda.

 

[Doobedoo]

Should be able to pick up a Fab Vrs for under £2000 quite easily. Engines are usually strong so I’d just look for tidy bodywork.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/372741996195

Nothing special in standard form so remap is a must, hybrid turbo, fmic would be a bonus.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/202755159281

 

[Doobedoo]

Cupra R might be worth a look.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/312735200234